What's the BEST Skimmer for a $200 budget?

noobie

noobie

Member
It's time to buy a skimmer for my 55gal. I have been reading some reviews on 2 different ones so far:
CPR Bak-Pak 2
Aqua-C Remora Hang-On w/ MaxiJet1200
If anyone thinks of a better hang-on skimmer for my $200 budget please let me know which one, and mabye a reliable and affordable website dealer.
Or if anyone has any input on the two skimmers listed above that would be helpful also.
 
saltyrich

saltyrich

Active Member
You can get a Bak Pak for $110 online. I highly recommend them on a 55 or smaller. The remoras appear to be excellent as well. They are about $160 with rio/ a little more for maxi-jet. The cpr performs better coverting the rio over to a maxi-jet 1200 also. You just have to get a venturi kit for it ($4).
 
N

newreefers

Guest
I have the remora with a 1200 maxi jet. I love it, it runs very quiet, doesn't dump copious amounts of bubbles into the tank. I would recomend it.
 
hudsonth

hudsonth

New Member
I had the remora on my 75 gal, worked awesome. I had to move and sold the tank, but kept the skimmer just in case. Every once in a while i go into the box to visit it! LOL :p
 
noobie

noobie

Member
I have been reading some reviews on the skimmer I gotta have:
AquaC Remora Pro w/MagDrive 3
It can handle 75+ gal., so I figure it should do wonders in my 55gal. And it's a hang-on like I was kinda needing.
I found one on ***********.com for $227 which is more than I planned on spending but it sounds like it's worth it. And it's basically a "plug-n-play" setup, which is perfect for a novice such as myself.
Thanks all for your input!
 
hairtrigger

hairtrigger

Active Member
I would try to go with the best money can buy. Go with a Berlin off ----. Maybe you can even find a used one. But, ---- should have them to fit your budget.
 
beth

beth

Administrator
Staff member
I have a Remora Pro operating with a RIO. I did put in the prefilter. I do like it. The one thing I don't like about it is that the pump is in the tank. Now, the Prizm Pro has the pump outside the tank, thus you don't see the equiptment hanging inside your tank.
 
noobie

noobie

Member
On your prefilter do you put anything in the water return chamber such as activated carbon, phosphate removing compounds or whatever else you feel like?
Thanks for pointing out the Prizm Pro too. It does look like it would be more aesthetiaclly pleasing, but I have read some reviews that say the impellar on some of the Prizms can be kinda loud.
 
beth

beth

Administrator
Staff member
The prefilter is very bulky and you can get one to fit over the Maxi, Rio or the Mag [these are the choices for pumps]. It is a 2 chamber unit. On one side, the pump sits inside, on the other the water thats been filtered from the skimmer, empties out. In this 2nd chamber, there is a small sponge that fits in the bottom that catches more organics as the water is returned to the tank. I did use this sponge for awhile, but then I got tired of cleaning it--which has to be often [at least 2x wk]. Now I have the chamber empty, but I threw some caulerpa in their last night, thinking I'll just establish a mini refrugium. This prefilter is a safe haven for snails and pods.
I wouldn't put anything in the prefilter that you would need to change out frequently. The thing is bulky and hard to attach it to the pump. If you want to use carbon in a mesh, that will certainly do. It does work wonders for surface skimming though! My water surface is crystal clear, where before I had that "oil-slick" that so many people get.
As for camouflaging the bulky prefilter, which sits in your tank, I have managed to do that pretty well. It is covered well in coraline at this point, and caulerpa is starting to grow on it. You could also attach polyps, etc. to it to cover it up.
 
beth

beth

Administrator
Staff member
Remoras also have no intake valve, so you do not control water volumn coming into your tank. This has not been a problem for me, but I thought I'd mention it.
As for the Prizm, Red Sea offers a new impeller, which is quieter. If you don't get it with your model, they will send one to you for free. I wouldn't get the Prizm though. If you're considering this unit, go with the Prizm Pro.
 
noobie

noobie

Member
Ok, I have done some checking on the Prizm Pro "Deluxe" which is enough skimmer for a 300 gal. and is very user friendly. And yes as you stated it will look nicer (less gear in the tank). And a couple reviews I read say it rocks!
As far as the "oil-slick" on the water surface will that be a problem ever for me? I also have an Emperor 400 filter that will be doing it's thing in this 55gal.
 
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