best hob skimmer?

[velocityoflove]

I just have a 55 gallon, just graduated college, and don't have the money to upgrade and actually have a sump (for now!), but I definitely need a skimmer for my tank!

Anyone have any recommendations on a pretty good hang on the back skimmer? Preferably under 200!
I'm considering the reef octopus bh1000, so it would be awesome if anyone has any experience with that skimmer or can perhaps recommend another!

 

[cdavidson]

I have a BH1000 on my 55 fowler tank and I like it. I would recommend it. I think I paid like $175 for it. If you buy it new the design was changed several months ago so the surface skimmer is set up differently than what you will see in a lot of videos.

 

[j_b_]

I've got the Coralife SS 125 on my 75g and it works great...pulls lots of crap out! They can be used as a HOB or in-sump, so if you ever decide to go the sump route, you can continue to utilize it. You can generally find any of the models 65, 125 or 220 for under $200. Great skimmer on a budget...

 

[kilralpine]

Good skimmer, terrible pump in my experience; I say that but it was fairly consitant

 

[jennm]

Reef Octopus (which is, what I believe the BH1000 is) - good skimmer for the price.

No offense, JB but the Coralife is junk, in my experience... for the same money a Reef Octopus runs circles around the Coralife.

Jenn

 

[hiimsean]

i use a bubble magus NAC5E. i like it a lot but i think it's too large for my 36g. i like it because i noticed a lot of other brands have the pump inside the tank.

 

[heathlindner25]

AquaMaxx is a beast, and has an internal Italian pump.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

I've used several CPR Bak Paks as well as the Remora Aqua C. Personally, I favor the CPR units. They are easily adjusted and work very well. I have no experience against a Reef Octopus unit but knowing how my sump based RO worked...I'd say you can't go wrong there either.

 

[jin_moon]

i've run an Aqua-C remora pro over my solana for a couple months and i don't understand the poor reviews behind them. once you sit the cup at the right level, it pulls out pretty decent gunk pretty consistently.

i also purchased a Super Reef Octopus LX 1000 from a former member of the boards and it is quite the impressive skimmer. it comes with the bubble blaster HY-1000 and those pumps are BEAST!!

i have a remora pro for sale that's just sitting around. pm me if you're interested... i bought it from marine depot around christmas time.

 

[markl]

Check out the deltec line

 

[greggreenberg]

heathlindner25;843529 wrote: AquaMaxx is a beast, and has an internal Italian pump.

I love my aquamaxx, but feel like its too much for my 28 gal nano. il keep it on ever other day

 

[heathlindner25]

greggreenberg;843664 wrote: I love my aquamaxx, but feel like its too much for my 28 gal nano. il keep it on ever other day

you should keep it on oxygenate the water, and maintain pH

 

[greggreenberg]

heathlindner25;843710 wrote: you should keep it on oxygenate the water, and maintain pH

what do you mean keep it on oxygenate the water?

 

[heathlindner25]

greggreenberg;843712 wrote: what do you mean keep it on oxygenate the water?

the bubbles keep oxygen in the water, that also helps keep pH staple

 

[greggreenberg]

ah i gotcha, i was just told that is would not be good for my LPS because that like the water dirty, is that accurate?

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

I ran a Reef Octopus BH200 on my 120g for a year with no problems. Went sump, and never looked back. The BH200 will now run my 55g mantis tank. Overkill, but, better over than under...

FYI: Really not that expensive to set up a sump, and for the price, you get a more efficeint in-sump skimmer... Just look into getting a used long dimension tank for about $20-$30, and you are on your way...

Best of Luck!!!

 

[heathlindner25]

greggreenberg;843716 wrote: ah i gotcha, i was just told that is would not be good for my LPS because that like the water dirty, is that accurate?

just feed some liquid coral food, and the ones that will accept it feed them some mysis

 

[greggreenberg]

heathlindner25;843728 wrote: just feed some liquid coral food, and the ones that will accept it feed them some mysis

kk

Edit:

heathlindner25;843728 wrote: just feed some liquid coral food, and the ones that will accept it feed them some mysis

any recommendations on liquid coral food?

 

[heathlindner25]

greggreenberg;843732 wrote: kk

Edit:

any recommendations on liquid coral food?

I like DT live phytoplankton, and fuel. for the mysis use a turkey baster or something smaller so that you can target feed them

 

[jdavid]

heathlindner25;843750 wrote: I like DT live phytoplankton, and fuel. for the mysis use a turkey baster or something smaller so that you can target feed them

PM me for 10 cc syringes. no needle really good for pulling out water and getting the right amount to test with as well as target feeding.