Need new protein skimmer

[Spork3245]

I had a used Red Reef Skimmer for about a month now and it decided to crap out and is no longer producing any bubbles/foam (I even have an air-pump I hooked up to it through an air-control valve as due to the depth of the water in the sump the pump isn't able to suck air through, which was working great till today). Anyway, I'm thinking an in-sump reef octopus would be best? My tank is a 90 gallon marineland and my sump is 30 gallon w/refugium. Thoughts? Which model should I be looking at? Also, space is limited so the smaller (physical size) the better. I'm still fairly new to most of this so excuse any newbness, but I assume that the new protein skimmer will also come with a new pump or do I need to purchase that separately? The less "do-it-yourself" the hardware is, the better I'll probably be off

[TimeConsumer]

Yes, new protein skimmers will come with a pump. What is the stocking level of your 90g? Approximately how much do you feed per day? It would also help to know what the dimensions of your skimmer compartment are, the maximum height inside your stand, and the water level of your sump.

[ajcanale]

You should look into a reputable brand with an internal pump (under bubble plate) rated for 120-150g

Here are a couple examples: SWC Xtreme 180 Cone, Super Reef Octopus XP1000SSS, Eshopps S-150

[BlindZide]

I am currently running a Reef Octopus NWB150 and LOVE IT! Silent and does a ton of work in my 75g.

[Spork3245]

Originally Posted by TimeConsumer

Yes, new protein skimmers will come with a pump. What is the stocking level of your 90g? Approximately how much do you feed per day? It would also help to know what the dimensions of your skimmer compartment are, the maximum height inside your stand, and the water level of your sump.

Stocking level is currently low, the tank is fairly new still, just a couple of clowns, 2 cleaner shrimp and a small clean-up crew (about 12 snails and 5 hermit crabs), will be adding about 7-9 fish in total over the course of several months. If I do any corals they will be basic ones like mushrooms and zoas (nothing that requires feedings or super-lighting ) but the tank is primarily FOWLR. The sump compartment is approximately 12x12 inches (maybe a little larger), I also have a pump in there for the refugium (it's an odd set-up) so I do not have the entire 12x12 inches available, I keep the water about 8 inches deep (about half-way up the tank). Maximum height would be about 22-24 inches.

I feed twice per day; morning is a cut off of a frozen "general marine livestock feed" (I think it's plankton and some other stuff, the clowns and cleaner shrimp love it) and at night is currently half a cube of frozen Mysis shrimp. The amount of food per day will obviously grow as I get more livestock in there though

I took a look at some of the ones suggested, I didn't realize how much these things go for! My budget is honestly only about $250 at absolute max; is it still possible to get a decent one?

[TimeConsumer]

Go with an AquaMaxx Em100. It is a little smaller than normal, but performs well and for softies it will work well.

[Lilmatty5dimes]

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