protein skimmer?

[imb3289]

I'm looking to buy a protein skimmer for my 155 gallon bow front. What is a good one to get? I have been looking at the octopus 150int. Will this do the job?

[CGT3]

Octopus is a great skimmer. I bout an octopus rps2000 off ebay. New for $159 plus tax cuz im in California. Its rated for up to a 165 gallon fully stocked.........185 lightly stocked. Check that out first before you buy. Dont know if its still on sale ( it was when i bought it, might have gone back to regular price of $239). Its the older style octopus recirculating skimmer which in my opinion is a little better and more efficient than the newer style they have now. Its a huge beast though standing about 25.5 inches tall so make sure you have the room under tank for it. Its an in or out of sump model too. I also have had great success with the Hydor Performer series as well, but the old style and not the new one.

[CGT3]

Here is the item number so you can look it up on ebay 320973096692 . It went back to full price of 249 plus 25 shipping but it was well worth it ( @ least to me cuz i got it on sale for 159 but i would still pay 249 for it)

[imb3289]

Thanks for the reply. I bought the aqueon proflex model 4 and plan on setting up a refugium in the center compartment. Would I still need as big of a protein skimmer? Or should I do a bigger protein skimmer and phosphate reactor in the center and forget about the refugium?

[CGT3]

Originally Posted by imb3289

Thanks for the reply. I bought the aqueon proflex model 4 and plan on setting up a refugium in the center compartment. Would I still need as big of a protein skimmer? Or should I do a bigger protein skimmer and phosphate reactor in the center and forget about the refugium?

Its up to you how you want to set it. I personally dont hassle with refugiums because they are too much of an extra hassle IMO. I bypassed the refugium and went with a good size skimmer, phosban reactor 150, and an Aquaripure Denitrator. Thats the key to my tank is the denitrator. 0ppm nitrates always and i only do a water change once every two months!! Ive had it running on my 210g for about 6 years now and it is FULLY stocked with palys, LPS, SPS, zoas, 2 snowflake clowns, yellow, clown, blue hippo tangs, copperband butterfly, foxface lo and 10 chromus damsels and a coral banded shrimp. And i feed HEAVY. Still 0ppm nitrates. Aquaripure is expensive but it was the best thing i have ever bought for my reef and has paid for itself many times over because i save salt and water costs only having to do a 30% change every 2 months. Again though you need to decide which route is best for you, i can say one thing and someone else can say another, but ultimately its up to you. Cheers and good luck