Skimmer Recommendation?

Hotrod324 · 07/12/2006, 03:44 PM

I have a 30g tank with about 35lbs of lr in it. As of now all i have is a gsp but looking to get more things of the sort. What would be a good hob skimmer for this setup for a guy on a college budget?(free-$100)

bskiba · 07/12/2006, 04:05 PM

used remora. cant beat that.

moebetter · 07/12/2006, 04:10 PM

have you looked into the aqua c remora???-great hang on skimmer-but cost a little more 100$-it cost around 175$-well worth the extra money-the cheaper models may not skim as good-

xtrstangx · 07/12/2006, 04:17 PM

Remora

Find one used and you can probably get it shipped for $100 or less.

trendle · 07/12/2006, 04:31 PM

I am in a similar position. Please don't kill me but how would a SeaClone 100 work? I know it is not the best out there, but I too am on a budget.

Serioussnaps · 07/12/2006, 04:43 PM

Aqua C....save your money on the Seaclone.....you are spending more money by getting a seaclone because you are going to have to throw it away and buy a new one...just save up.....get an ASM Mini G1/2

Serioussnaps · 07/12/2006, 04:44 PM

that was a confusing post....dont get a seaclone.....save for an Aqua C or a smaller ASM

trendle · 07/12/2006, 05:47 PM

Anyone have experience with skilter? Combination mechanical filter and skimmer in a hang on back format. I saw it on Drs Foster & Smith.

mg426 · 07/12/2006, 06:31 PM

No Seaclone please they are JUNK. Used AQUA C is a good direction to go.

D-Rod · 07/12/2006, 06:32 PM

www.octopusskimmer.com

good skimmer!!! GREAT PRICE!!

bskiba · 07/12/2006, 06:50 PM

I cant beleive people still sell skilter. the worst skimmer I have ever seen.

artilespm · 07/12/2006, 07:06 PM

Used Aqua C Remora. I had one on a 40 gallon once. Best (small tank) skimmer IMO.

Roland Jacques · 07/12/2006, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bskiba
I cant beleive people still sell skilter. the worst skimmer I have ever seen.

Yeah, back in the day, they were Super Grovey!!

Donstuprich · 07/13/2006, 06:13 AM

The seaclown 100 is working for me with the berlin style mod. HOWEVER, in the long run I wish I would have gotten something better.

I also have a small bioload

trendle · 07/13/2006, 07:08 AM

Thanks for all the input. One more question... When I add the skimmer should I plan on keeping some form of mechanical filtration as well?

On my current FOWLR I have just an old HOB power filter with BioWheel (I know) from my freshwater days. Should I keep the filter (and axe the biowheel) or should I do away with it all together?

RichConley · 07/13/2006, 08:10 AM

get rid of the mechanical filter.

I'm not a big fan of the remora. THeyre hand built and hand cut, and there tends to be a good amount of variation. Some work great, some dont work at all, and its the luck of the draw.

I think a CSS 65 or 125 would be the best choice here.

raguilar · 07/13/2006, 09:28 AM

i heard octopus skimmers are the new thing over remoras. does anyone know if the octopus HOT is any good?

i too am looking to replace my seaclone.

remora HOT for $170 vs octopus HOT for $110

sales weasel · 07/13/2006, 10:14 AM

I have an Octopus NW 150 and it's great. However, it's in-sump only. I know they have a HOT model but I've not seen one or heard of anyone trying it. If the HOT models are as well built and perform as well as the NW models, then I say give it a try.

I had CPR BakPak II that I didn't like at all. I now use it in my sump to receive water from my overflow. I keep a Chemi Pure bag in one chamber

It helps cut down on bubbles.

Like Rich said, the CSS would be a good one to check out.

raguilar · 07/13/2006, 10:22 AM

thanks weasel.

i was going to ask if anyone tried the cprs. my lfs really likes those bakpaks.

i think i'm going to give the HOT octopus a try. i only have a 45g and a relatively small fish load. plus i want something price friendly.

the only feedback i've heard on the CSS are that they are pretty big so.....

anyways, thanks.
Ray

RichConley · 07/13/2006, 10:25 AM

Big is good as far as skimmers go. Bigger the better.

sales weasel · 07/13/2006, 10:30 AM

Ray,
You could try a CPR-style skimmer and use a NW pump like a GenX 1000. I bought one of those to use on my BakPak but never tried it. I got hooked on the Octopus and that was that. I know that Jebo or Odyssea has a BakPak knockoff that you could buy on ebay for less and then buy the GenX pump for <$18.

07/12/2006, 03:44 PM	#1
Hotrod324 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 135	Skimmer Recommendation? I have a 30g tank with about 35lbs of lr in it. As of now all i have is a gsp but looking to get more things of the sort. What would be a good hob skimmer for this setup for a guy on a college budget?(free-$100)

07/12/2006, 04:05 PM	#2
bskiba Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: La Mesa Posts: 794	used remora. cant beat that. __________________ AKA: BRADREEF Current Tank Info: Started new cube 05-2012

07/12/2006, 06:31 PM	#9
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	No Seaclone please they are JUNK. Used AQUA C is a good direction to go. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

07/12/2006, 06:32 PM	#10
D-Rod Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Paso Robles, Ca Posts: 1,020	www.octopusskimmer.com good skimmer!!! GREAT PRICE!! __________________ The Vino Man - I Trade With Wine...Just Ask! Current Tank Info: Small Tank, Lights, Fish; Tangs a whole bunch, 4 False Perculas, 6 rose anemones Mixed Reef.

07/12/2006, 06:50 PM	#11
bskiba Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: La Mesa Posts: 794	I cant beleive people still sell skilter. the worst skimmer I have ever seen. __________________ AKA: BRADREEF Current Tank Info: Started new cube 05-2012

07/12/2006, 04:10 PM	#3
moebetter Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: costa mesa Posts: 61	have you looked into the aqua c remora???-great hang on skimmer-but cost a little more 100$-it cost around 175$-well worth the extra money-the cheaper models may not skim as good-

07/12/2006, 04:17 PM	#4
xtrstangx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Posts: 4,568	Remora Find one used and you can probably get it shipped for $100 or less.

07/12/2006, 04:31 PM	#5
trendle Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Peoria County, IL Posts: 125	I am in a similar position. Please don't kill me but how would a SeaClone 100 work? I know it is not the best out there, but I too am on a budget.

07/12/2006, 04:43 PM	#6
Serioussnaps Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,703	Aqua C....save your money on the Seaclone.....you are spending more money by getting a seaclone because you are going to have to throw it away and buy a new one...just save up.....get an ASM Mini G1/2

07/12/2006, 04:44 PM	#7
Serioussnaps Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,703	that was a confusing post....dont get a seaclone.....save for an Aqua C or a smaller ASM

07/12/2006, 05:47 PM	#8
trendle Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Peoria County, IL Posts: 125	Anyone have experience with skilter? Combination mechanical filter and skimmer in a hang on back format. I saw it on Drs Foster & Smith.

07/12/2006, 07:06 PM	#12
artilespm Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 136	Used Aqua C Remora. I had one on a 40 gallon once. Best (small tank) skimmer IMO.

07/13/2006, 06:13 AM	#14
Donstuprich Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 277	The seaclown 100 is working for me with the berlin style mod. HOWEVER, in the long run I wish I would have gotten something better. I also have a small bioload

07/13/2006, 07:08 AM	#15
trendle Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Peoria County, IL Posts: 125	Thanks for all the input. One more question... When I add the skimmer should I plan on keeping some form of mechanical filtration as well? On my current FOWLR I have just an old HOB power filter with BioWheel (I know) from my freshwater days. Should I keep the filter (and axe the biowheel) or should I do away with it all together?

07/13/2006, 08:10 AM	#16
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	get rid of the mechanical filter. I'm not a big fan of the remora. THeyre hand built and hand cut, and there tends to be a good amount of variation. Some work great, some dont work at all, and its the luck of the draw. I think a CSS 65 or 125 would be the best choice here. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

07/13/2006, 09:28 AM	#17
raguilar Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 118	i heard octopus skimmers are the new thing over remoras. does anyone know if the octopus HOT is any good? i too am looking to replace my seaclone. remora HOT for $170 vs octopus HOT for $110

07/13/2006, 10:14 AM	#18
sales weasel Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta burbs Posts: 646	I have an Octopus NW 150 and it's great. However, it's in-sump only. I know they have a HOT model but I've not seen one or heard of anyone trying it. If the HOT models are as well built and perform as well as the NW models, then I say give it a try. I had CPR BakPak II that I didn't like at all. I now use it in my sump to receive water from my overflow. I keep a Chemi Pure bag in one chamber It helps cut down on bubbles. Like Rich said, the CSS would be a good one to check out.

07/13/2006, 10:22 AM	#19
raguilar Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 118	thanks weasel. i was going to ask if anyone tried the cprs. my lfs really likes those bakpaks. i think i'm going to give the HOT octopus a try. i only have a 45g and a relatively small fish load. plus i want something price friendly. the only feedback i've heard on the CSS are that they are pretty big so..... anyways, thanks. Ray

07/13/2006, 10:25 AM	#20
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Big is good as far as skimmers go. Bigger the better. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

07/13/2006, 10:30 AM	#21
sales weasel Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta burbs Posts: 646	Ray, You could try a CPR-style skimmer and use a NW pump like a GenX 1000. I bought one of those to use on my BakPak but never tried it. I got hooked on the Octopus and that was that. I know that Jebo or Odyssea has a BakPak knockoff that you could buy on ebay for less and then buy the GenX pump for <$18.