skimmer ?

[millerman]

im looking for a protein skimmer for a 20gallong high
i went to lfs today and they tried to sell me one that was over one hundred dollar but i have read that there are one for less like around thrity bucks such as a fission protein skimmer would this be enough. if need more info please let me know
20 gallon
20 lb of ls
16-18 lb live rock
emporer 280 hob filter
power head

 

[devilboy]

the fission skimmer will probably work. but it has to be mounted under water up to just below the collection cup

 

[millerman]

the one that i saw today was a hob and i think that would be my best bet are there any out there that are less than a 100

 

[devilboy]

you could probably get a seaclone or a prizm for 100 or less

 

[chipmaker]

I seem to thinnk a Fission woul dbe maxe do ut at the size tank your wanting it for......even if it is (IIRC) rated for a 24 gao tank, as its rare anything is rated correctly......
A hob Coralife super skimmer 65 can be had for about $80 and its certain to do the job.....I personally would stay away fro the seaclones unless you do not mind constant tinkering. The JEBO thata looks like a CPR bak pak would be a much better choice over a seaclone.

 

[millerman]

thanks alot i think the one that i saw could be up to a 55 gallon and i am want ing something rated for more because i wil be up grading in the future and i do not want to have to buy all new parts but i know i will probably have to Thanks again.

 

[lagger]

Would a coralife super skimmer rated for 65gal be too excessive for a 20gal?

 

[millerman]

dont know thats what im trying to find out what would be excessive or to little. I found one on an auction site it was a jebo for like 30 bucks how does this offer sound

 

[lagger]

I dont have any firsthand knowledge with the Jebo's, but usually you have to buy the pump and pre-filter seperatly, so i'ts really not that great of a deal. I'm torn between the CPR bak-pak and the Coralife. I'll probably end up with th coralife since I can get it cheap so I'll respond back and let you know how it goes

 

[alohami]

I wouldn't recommend any of the skimmers mentioned, other than the Bak-Pak. Another good one is the Aqua C Remora.
Its not the size of the tank that matters, its the quality of the skimmer. I run a CPR Bak-Pak on my 16 gal. and it does a great job. A knock-off-no-name brand of the Bak-Pak can be found on the auction site for around $60. From what I can tell it is nearly identical to the Bak-Pak. Try to find one with the Maxi-jet 1200 pump instead of the Rio (they come both ways).
A few people have been happy with the Seaclone or Prizm, but they are few and far between. Most end up junking them and buying something better.

 

[chipmaker]

Coralife SUper Skimmer 65 would be fine on a 20 gal and larger. I run them on my 16 gal and 30 gal tanks and they work fine...

 

[chipmaker]

I run Coral life super skimmer 65's on my 16 gal bowfront, my 30 gal cube as well as my 55 gal; and they all do a jam up job and work just great. Go with the coralife super skimmer.

 

[lagger]

Originally Posted by chipmaker
I run Coral life super skimmer 65's on my 16 gal bowfront, my 30 gal cube as well as my 55 gal; and they all do a jam up job and work just great. Go with the coralife super skimmer.
Thank you Chip for the reassurance

Also, is the oem bak-pak a Jebo unit?

 

[chipmaker]

YOU can get a knock off of the CPR thats made by JEBO, comes from china IIRC or the real McKoy CPR which is american made in California IIRC......By far the quality of the CPR is heads above the JEBO unit..

 

[alohami]

Hmmm, the one I saw didn't have a brand name associated with it at all, so I don't think its the Jebo. I could be wrong though. If it is a Jebo, I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.
The one I saw was identical to the CPR Bak-Pak in its design, and as long as you used a Maxi-jet 1200 with it I don't see how it would perform any differently.
The CPR Bak-Pak is definately a quality product, but I think a lot of the cost is paying for the name. However, as pointed out it is American made so that is important too.