Proper skimmer??

[kona]

For my 20 gallon that will house corals and fish, will this protein skimmer be efficient enough?
Seaclone Protein Skimmer from Aquarium Systems (up to 100gal)
http://www.petsmart.com/global/prod...D=1081800532512
Oh, and this is the complete package, right? I don't need to buy an additional pump for this? If this isn't a good system, can anyone suggest a protein skimmer that is about the same price that is better?

 

[kona]

Ok, nevermind....this skimmer is bunk as hell. I should research a bit more before I go about asking.
So after the research, I am thinking that EuroReef and Remora are the best brands for skimmers. What is the cheapest version of these out there? I'll check and check back too.

 

[daniel411]

Do you want a sump or hang-on skimmer?

 

[kona]

I want a hang on skimmer.
I searched more through the forums, and someone mentioned a Bak Pak for a 20 gallon.
Researching through the web, the cheapest Remora I can find is 158.00.
Isn't there anything out there that is less than a 100.00 but will do a decent job?

 

[daniel411]

Alot of people with wonderful displays, in your sized tank range, run Bak-Pak skimmers and are happy with them. As an example check out 007's nano in the Nano forum. You can find them for less than $100
While I'm fond of the Remora's I wouldn't suggest one for a 20 gallon aquarium. The addition of the pre-skimmer/bubble trap would take up a large area of your display.

 

[rbmount]

IMO you can't beat the bak-pak. Search around on the net for the best price. I think I gave $119 for mine.

 

[kona]

Thank ya'll both very much for your responses. They help me along my way.
Hey Daniel, where did you go to find a Bak-Pak for under $100.00? I can't seem to find this kind of deal. The cheapest I can find is $118.00....that's only 30 less than a Remora....

 

[midwest reefer]

Another suggestion if you dont go for the bak pak would be a prizm deluxe, cheap and efficient, but not the best. Probably very similar to the bak pak.

 

[daniel411]

Originally posted by kona
Thank ya'll both very much for your responses. They help me along my way.
Hey Daniel, where did you go to find a Bak-Pak for under $100.00? I can't seem to find this kind of deal. The cheapest I can find is $118.00....that's only 30 less than a Remora....
You can find "used" Bak-Pak's for less than $100 in the classfieds of the various boards and ----.
While $118 may only be 30 less than a base model Remora. Most people with them spend well over $200, to have the upgrades to it.

 

[sweetdawn]

wish someone had told me the seaclone was junk before i paid 100.00 dollars for it so far it hasnt done much.

 

[kona]

damn, so many decisions just for a skimmer.
I just went to the LFS and they had 2 SeaClones running on different tanks, and they were collecting tons of the dark green/brown slime. And they all said that it works just fine for a 20 gallon tank.
Though, 95% of the people on the board say it sucks. OK, I'm gonna have to figure this out.

 

[kona]

Well, I decided to take a different route - and make my own protein skimmer. I looked at some diagrams, used a cyclone idea, but with two seperate water columns.
After the silicone dries, I'll test it out and hopefully, the 25 bucks I spent will be worth all the work.