Protien Skimmers

[danelle]

Hello everyone. This is my first post so be gentle! I am currently cycling a 75 gallon tank been up for about a week now I am using live rock and damsels to cycle. When buying more live rock today my LFS owner told me I would need a protien skimmer soon. He suggested a bak pak. He wants $170 and I have found it on the web for around $130. My only filtration at this point is a Penguin 350 bio-wheel. I know I will need more filtration but my question is would it be better to go with a bak pak which has both biological filtering and the protien skimmer or buy another penguin 350 (or emperor 400) and a protien skimmer. While I want to set the tank up right I don't want to go overboard on money at this point so trying to stay away from canisters for now. If I should go with a stand alone skimmer do you have any suggestions on what skimmer does the best job without costing an arm and a leg?

 

[dawman]

I replied in your other post . But , for the $ you are looking to spend the Seaclone as you listed is a very good skimmer . Been using them for years with no problems .

 

[hammerhed7]

Is the tank going to be going to be a reef? if so more live rock and a quality skimmer will be just fine. While the emporer filters are great, they have a tendency to produce nitrate over time, but this is not as much of a concern if the tank is going to be fish only. If you are going to get another power filter I prefer the emporer, I just find them easier to clean, and more reliable than the penguins.

 

[misfit]

I would try not to go cheap on a protein skimmer espeacially if your going to upgrade sooner or later..I have never used a bakpak skimmer but I know from the boards that it is a very very good skimmer.I have used a prizm skimmer and would advise against it as it is a POS and have never any luck with and it worked better after i threw it out the door(hahaha).I have also used a seaclone it is a nice piece of equip but IMO needs too much adj/cleaning etc.I currently use a aquamedic which i am very happy with it.
And I would also look in to better filtration like a canister filter.I like the rena filster myself i have 3 of them on different tanks.