research, skimmers, any suggestions

[guppy_puppy1]

Since I am new at this, and feel a bit confused as to how I know which one is best for my tank. I like looks of the hangons . Do those stick up above the back of the tank? Is there another site to go for info. I checked the ones avail. on swf.Price is not a prob., I only want what is best for my tank. thnks!

 

[peddler]

IK have purchased 3 skimmers during the last 2 years all of them hangons.
the first 2 were for my 46bf and 55g were a Seaclone and CPR. I would rate these as ok requiring cleaning the pumps weekly to keep them running effectivly. I just purchased a Berlin HO off from ---- and addded a mag 5 pump, this makes the other two look like toys in the amount of gunk it removes!

 

[aczmey]

Check out BakPaks http://www.cprusa.com/index2.html
or AquaC Remora http://www.proteinskimmer.com/
protein skimmers. They both hang-on design.
Some people will recommend Prism for 40G if you don’t have a heavy bioload.
Check CPR discussion board on their site to find potential problems.
I think that Remora is better hang-on skimmer but a little bit more expensive.
Originally I bought a Seaclone protein skimmer which is a piece of junk and I threw it away. (kept the pump).
Do more research and see what other people will say before you decide on price or quality.

 

[jakob4001]

well usually try to do to general rules when looking into equipment for your tank(s)...research, ask around, maybe check w/ LFS and ask what is selling and for what;also figure out what you have budgeted for; if your budget allows, buy the best up instead of just the minimum...we use seaclone for the 135, but the bioload is not that much currently and does a great job so far; yes there were problems w/ an earlier model, but apparently we have obtained the modified version and have had no such problems; we went w/ the seaclone because it was about $20 less than prizm & rated for about 10 gallons more than prizm

 

[fshhub]

in hang ons, for appearance and performance BOTH, i like the remora(s) by aqua c, but they are also expensive, @ 2x's most of the others, and have a very low clearance; so for space, effectiveness and appearance that is my first choice, and the smaller one will more likely be PLENTY for your 46 gal
my 2d chooice would be the bak pak or berlin
HTH

 

[guppy_puppy1]

Thanks much to all! Will def. research lots before purchase. That film on top of water sure looks ugly, though so I dont want to wait to long.

 

[fshhub]

as for the film, appearance, if you have powerheads, angle one at the surface, that may help, if you don't, i'd get some any way

 

[javajoe]

I would recomend the Redsea Prism hang on- i have it and it took caer of my surface scum and cloudy water within a few hours- i have it in a 55 gallon and dump the collection cup about once evey 3 days. here is a picture, and you can buy it in the drygood section right here on saltwaterfish.com for $75.99!
Prizm skimmer....
(for some reason, this link does not work for me in netscape, but works fine in Internet Explorer..)