The Definitive List of Protein Skimmers - updated 23/NOV/10

[LA-Lawman]

Hi all,

I am compiling a Definitive List of Protein Skimmers for the new reefers on this board. I want you to chime in with make of your skimmer.

list it like this

manufacturer: Euroreef http://www.euro-reef.com
model: RS 8-2
type: needle wheel impeller
Pump: sedra 5000... If you have a different pump list it and why you chose it
tank size: 150 gallon
notes: tips on adjustment and maintenance

If you have a pic of your skimmer in operation.. post it

I will edit the email to list the favorites of reefers and then a final page will be added of all skimmer manufacterers and the types they make.


Here is a partial list so far....
if you have a skimmer that is listed here but no one has posted their info...please feel free to post. this will help when you are shopping for a skimmer. i know I want to see pics in order to make a good decision..


Beckett Skimmers

My Reef Creations - http://www.myreefcreations.com
Precision marine - http://www.precisonmarine.com
Barr Aquatics - http://www.barraquatic.com
Reef Concepts - http://www.reefconcepts.com
Trigger Systems - http://www.triggersys.com

Needle wheel Skimmers
Standard in-sump/External/Cone Skimmers

Reef Dynamics - http://www.reefdynamics.com/ (recirc models also)
ASM Skimmer - http://www.asmskimmer.com (recirc models also)
Reef Octopus - http://www.octopusskimmer.com/
Coralife SS - http://www.esuweb.com
Pacific Coast Imp. - http://www.pacificcoastaquarium.com
Deltec - http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/prod ... 009-models (recirc models also)
Bubble King - http://english.royal-exclusiv.de/index2.htm (recirc models also)
H&S - http://www.hs-aquaristik.de
Aquamedic - http://www.aqua-medic.de
Reef Mania - http://www.reefmania.net (recirc models also)
Geosreef - http://www.geosreef.com
AquaEuro USA - http://www.aquaeurousa.com/
D.A.S. - http://www.PetStoreFixtures.com
AquaExcel - http://www.aquaexcel.cn/En_index.asp
GRoTech - http://www.grotech.de
Orca Systems - http://protein-skimmer.com/

Spray Induction

Aqua C - http://www.proteinskimmer.com


DownDraft Skimmers

E.T.S.S. - http://www.superskimmer.com

Venturi

C.P.R. - http://www.cprusa.com
Top Fathom - http://www.topfathom.com
Won Brothers - http://www.wonbrothers.com
LifeReef - http://www.lifereef.com
SkyLab Indust - http://www.wetdryfilter.com
Kent Marine - http://www.kentmarine.com
Precision Marine - http://www.precisonmarine.com (H.O.T. and E-series)
Red Sea - http://www.redseafish.com
ViaAqua - http://www.commodityaxis.com
Tunze - http://www.tunze.com
Schuran - http://www.schuran.com/index_seawater_e.htm
Pacific Coast imp. - http://www.pacificcoastaquarium.com
Marineland - http://www.marineland.com
Proclear - http://www.wetdryfilter.com/protein_skimmers.htm

 

[SnowManSnow]

Model: AquaC Remora
Manufacturer: www.aquac.com
New Price: Around $175
Purchased From: www.premiumaquatics.com
Pump: MaxiJet 1200
Type: HOT (Hang On Tank) SIS Spray Induction System
Rating: - 75g

Customer Service Note: I've had to call a few times, during the break-in period, and service was awesome. Both times I was able to talk to the owner of AquaC.

Other Notes: Great HOT skimmer. No adjustments to make, aside from collection cup height. Has worked flawlessly for the past year and a half on my 37g reef tank.
B

 

[Anonymous]

Bubble King 300 EXT.

Manufacturer: Royal Exclusiv
Available in the US at Captive Ocean
Price: $2399
Pump: Mag7. Requires 600 GPH or less
Type: External. Internal models are availabe
Tank size: 317G - 793G

Captive Ocean has great customer support. Not that you really need it with a Bubble King. Pretty much a plug and play skimmer. Skims great. Of course you expect that for the price paid.

Louey

 

[Len]

manufacturer: Deltec
model: AP701
type: needle wheel impeller
Pump: Ehim 1260
Tank Size: 176 gallon
notes: very easy to use, very effective recirculation design.

 

[pwj1286]

manufacturer: Euroreef www.euro-reef.com
model: ES5-2
type: needle wheel impeller
Pump: SP2
rating: 75gal
notes:
Plug and Play in sump opertaion, minimal adjustments. Skim dry for the first week, until you know how it will work with your tank.

Works best if you keep it clean. Inside and Out. I clean my collection cup even. It always looks brand new.

Use a baby bottle brush to clean inside.

 

[Anonymous]

manufacturer: Euroreef www.euro-reef.com
model: ES5-2
type: needle wheel impeller
Pump: SP2
rating: 75gal
notes:
Plug and Play in sump opertaion, minimal adjustments. Skim dry for the first week, until you know how it will work with your tank.

Works best if you keep it clean. Inside and Out. I clean my collection cup even. It always looks brand new.

I like to use a tooth brush.

 

[fungia]

manufacturer: aquaC
model: ev-180
type: spray injection
Pump: mag7
rating: 200gal
notes: easy to set up and easy to clean the cup. i use it inside the sump but rise it about 6 inches off the sump floor, it makes it easier for me to keep the skimmer water level precise.

 

[Anonymous]

manufacturer: Coralife
model: Superskimmer 220g
type: needle wheel impeller
Pump: Whatever one comes with it, unknown brand, but won't cost you an arm and a leg like replacing a Sedra
rating: 6.5 for over all skimming (meaning better than average) 9.5 for price to production ratio
notes: Not terribly much fiddling needed. Like ALL skimmers cleaning out the riser tube in the cup is a necessity.

 

[Anonymous]

manufacturer: Barr Aquatic http://www.barraquatic.com/skim.php
model: SK 1620
type: Beckett
Pump: Mag 24
Tank size: ~350 gallon system

 

[LA-Lawman]

good job... in know thre are more out there.....

disregard the rating... in its place put the tank size it is running on...

 

[Anonymous]

Manufacturer: AquaC
Model: EV-240 http://www.proteinskimmer.com/products/EV240.htm
Type: spray injection
Pump: Sen900
Rating: 80-350 gal...and it's on my 180 gal

 

[Anonymous]

manufacturer: Aqua C
model: EV 180
type: Spray injection
Pump: Mag 7
Rating: 60-270 gallon Using it on a 125g f/o tank
Price: Around $400 with the pump
Purchased from: www.marinedepot.com - great customer service IMO
Notes: I've found it easy to use. Can be placed in sump or along side. It has a separate 2 liter waste collection container that I purchased. I can go 3-4 months neglecting the skimmer. Did have about a 4 day break in period.

 

[npaden]

manufacturer: Euroreef www.euro-reef.com
model: CS12-6 EXT
type: needle wheel impeller
Pump: 2 - Genx 6000 - probably going to add 1 more
rating: I think it is rated for 800g but I'm running it on about double that
notes: due to the height of the skimmer the original 4 - Sedra 9000 pumps did not work so I had to switch them out for the larger pumps. It now works well although I think I will still go ahead and add another pump one of these days.

Also, if you are going to put a skimmer in a greenhouse it doesn't need to be made of expensive clear acrylic that will end up covered in algae.

Overall I'm happy with the skimmer considering the amount paid (less than the bubble king mentioned earlier) although it did take some work getting it to work for me.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[LA-Lawman]

see top post....

 

[Anonymous]

Model: AquaC Remora
Manufacturer: www.aquac.com
New Price: Around $175
Purchased From: www.marinedepot.com
Pump: MaxiJet 1200
Type: HOT (Hang On Tank) SIS Spray Induction System
Rating: - 75g - being used on a 20g

Works well, though slightly noisy. More or less untested on a low bioload. Don't bother buying the optional overflow fitting*, as buoyancy issues makes it difficult to fit.

*The surface skimmer box refered to below.

 

[MartinE]

Model: AquaC Remora
Manufacturer: www.aquac.com
Purchased from: Marine depot
Pump: MaxiJet 1200
Type: Hang on tank Spray induction system
Tank: Being used on my 15gal

A little noisy, mainly because the pump is in the tank and when snails crawl on it they vibrate against the glass. The extra purchase surface skimmer box is a little to big in a small tank.

 

[Anonymous]

manufacturer: All Seas Marine Skimmer
Purchassed from: ASMskimmer.com
model: G-3
type: needle wheel impeller
Pump: sedra 5000
tank size: 125 gallon
notes: The gate valve mod makes for easy adjustment. Skims great.

I need to take new photos. It is producing really dark, smelly skimmate now.

 

[LA-Lawman]

bump...

 

[LA-Lawman]

bump

 

[ereefic1]

Manufacturer - My Reef Creations
Model - Custom MR-4R (Recirculating Beckett)
Pump - Feed Pump: Gen-X PCX55 Recirculating Pump: GRI 520
System Size - Approx. 375 Gallons

I have only had this skimmer running since yesterday, but i'm very impressed with it so far.