Last Piece of Equipment I need....SKIMMER Advice! (55 Gallon Tank)

[artemk]

So I have one item to buy for my 55Gallon, and its the skimmer.
As always, I want to get a good one, but not a really expensive one either. I know that its an oxi moron in saltwater hobby, but there are good skimmers that are not overly priced just because of the brand name.
Here are a few brands that I am looking for, but not limited to.
Super Heavy Duty 180 Hang On With AP1500 Submersible PowerHead Pump (Sky Enterprise USA Brand)
Seaclone 100 Skimmer
Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel

 

[meowzer]

Personally I would forget the 3 you mentioned and look into an Aqua C Remora

 

[slice]

"Last piece of equipment I need"

I remember saying that a few $$$$ ago....

 

[cipher43]

I personally have the Seaclone 100 and I have not had any of the problems that most have with theres. I have had this one now for over 3 1/2 years.
The biggest problem i have had is the prefilter will get plugged and will slow flow into the unit stopping the skimmer action. Of course that was due to being gone for a month and having a friend feed the tank. I forgot to inform them of the prefilter cleaning so no problems since.

 

[gemmy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///t/388964/last-piece-of-equipment-i-need-skimmer-advice-55-gallon-tank#post_3433799
Personally I would forget the 3 you mentioned and look into an Aqua C Remora
+1. I used the sea clone for a bit and it was nothing but issues. I have the aqua c remora on my 55 and love it.

 

[1guydude]

octopus, cpr, and the aqua c are prob ur best bets. U can look at eshopps too.....idk i cant think of any more right now lol

 

[snakeblitz33]

Octopus, aqua C, Eshopps HOB, That's pretty much what I'de go with if I were to put a HOB skimmer on a tank.
Octopus - if you have the money
Aqua C - if you have the money and space
Eshopps - If you want a decent skimmer on a budget.

 

[gemmy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/388964/last-piece-of-equipment-i-need-skimmer-advice-55-gallon-tank#post_3433907
Octopus, aqua C, Eshopps HOB, That's pretty much what I'de go with if I were to put a HOB skimmer on a tank.
Octopus - if you have the money
Aqua C - if you have the money and space
Eshopps - If you want a decent skimmer on a budget.
I don't recall aqua c costing much money and the dimensions are doable.

 

[artemk]

I have about a $100 budget for a skimmer. I was actually looking at the Octopus BH 100 one. It doesnt seem overly big and alot of people like it. Thanks for all your feedback guys!

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/388964/last-piece-of-equipment-i-need-skimmer-advice-55-gallon-tank#post_3433925
I don't recall aqua c costing much money and the dimensions are doable.
Of course it depends on the size of the tank and bioload. The two i had seemed to be a bit bulky, but not near as bad as a coralife ss.

 

[meowzer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by artemK http:///t/388964/last-piece-of-equipment-i-need-skimmer-advice-55-gallon-tank#post_3433939
I have about a $100 budget for a skimmer. I was actually looking at the Octopus BH 100 one. It doesnt seem overly big and alot of people like it. Thanks for all your feedback guys!
I had that one....I hated it
If I may suggest to you.....save up a few more bucks and get a better one....it is not life or death for you to get one immediately......I will tell you the aqua c is worth every penny

 

[snakeblitz33]

If you have a sump, a decently built algae scrubber would cost $50-$75 to build and work as efficiently as a $300+ skimmer. JMO.

 

[cipher43]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/388964/last-piece-of-equipment-i-need-skimmer-advice-55-gallon-tank#post_3433944
If you have a sump, a decently built algae scrubber would cost $50-$75 to build and work as efficiently as a $300+ skimmer. JMO.
+1.. Im going with a scrubber on my 120 cause they are supposed to be very effective and save ya lots of green...

 

[artemk]

What about something like an Aquaripure Nitrate Filter? It costs about 230 dollars but after doing some research i found out that it works as a skimmer and a UV sterilizer and is almost like doing a 20G water change weekly. Seems like its worth spending an extra few bucks and getting something that wont be in my tank.
Snake, I dont have a sump. No room for one at this time.

 

[acrylic51]

Skimmer is an area not to skimp. Simple advice save to increase your budget. Depending if a sump or not my choices would be, Octopus, SWC and Deltec.

 

[artemk]

I am closer and closer to ordering the Octopus skimmer.

 

[acrylic51]

Honestly if your looking to save a few bucks the SWC skimmers are identical, and same performance.....