Protein Skimmer

[ice-qube]

I was wondering what the best protein skimmer would be for a 40 gallon tank. Here are a few of my options :

PS100 Venturi skimmer (found all over e-bay for like 35 bucks)

Red Sea Prizm

SeaClone

A cheapo Lee's skimmer which requires an airpump


If anyone has any suggestions on a better skimmer for this size tank let me know. I don't have a sump yet, but eventually would like one so it must be able to be in a sump. If not in it, but hanging on the back of glass is fine too

[theo]

Hi there. It depends on how much you want to spend. Personally I like the Berlin classic and Hang on but I'm not sure how many would agree. Always over rate when you do buy. The Berlin is rated for 50 to 250 gallons and would do your tank well. It would also allow you to upgrade your tank in the future:cheers:

[canadawest]

Hey ice-qube,

I currently use the Red Sea Prizm and think it's an excellent skimmer for smaller tanks. Definitely the best bang-for-the-buck skimmer out there at less than $70US ($110CDN) from most MO places.

I haven't heard any good things about the other skimmers you listed.

Theo makes a good point too, buy more skimmer now if you plan to move to a larger tank in the future. You can always use a bigger skimmer later.

[ice-qube]

I was looking into it for the last few days and I think I will go for the prism. It definately sounds like a good skimmer for the price. maybe aquariumpro will carry it. There is a LFS that sells it for 149 cdn. + tax. i don't want to go through the states cause of duty/shipping/taxes and all that crap. works out to be a little cheaper but not much.

[theo]

Hi ice qube; A friend of mine and myselfe did a test on a prizm vs a Skilter 400. If you're not familiar with it you can view it at mops under skimmers. Any way, the skilter beat the C**P out of the prizm at taking particulate mater out of the water. Now this is not a sales pitch but if you are going that route I could sell you a skilter 400 for far less than the prism. I honestly believe that you will out grow the unit in a short order of time. This is speeking from experience. I think the skilter or the prism will a good job on your tank. The reason why I'm saying this is from experience, most of us have hundreds of dollars of used equipment in our closets that we're not using simply because it was the wrong choice. I definitly think you would do better buying something used and in good shape if this is the route you want to take. You can email me direct at joe1rob@earthlink.com
:cheers:

[canadawest]

While I've never used a skilter, I've only ever read bad things about them.

Check out this thread from people who have actually used it:

Skilter Discussion (http://www.reefs.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=025886)

[theo]

I suppose your right but modified with an airstone I think its just as good if not better than the prizm. I haven't heard too many good things about them either. I was just suggesting that if this person is going to go this route he could save money by getting the used skilter instead. it would do the same job until an upgrade is purchased. Thanks for the input:)

[ajx22]

Originally posted by ice-qube
I was looking into it for the last few days and I think I will go for the prism. It definately sounds like a good skimmer for the price. maybe aquariumpro will carry it. There is a LFS that sells it for 149 cdn. + tax. i don't want to go through the states cause of duty/shipping/taxes and all that crap. works out to be a little cheaper but not much.

Hey ice-qube...

We haven't looked into carrying that model. With most everything here, we have been focusing on providing high-end items that aren't available everywhere, and haven't looked too deeply at the low or mid lines. I have a few suppliers that I can likely get it from if you would like me too check, but I don't see that the Prism will be a 'stocked' item here. If you can get one @ your LFS for $149...that's not too bad at all. Even MOPS has it for that price!

Let me know what you would like me to do though...and you can check out some of the pages in our shopping area as there are a few products entered now (while I continue to add all these freakin items to the automated shopping cart)! For something that WILL be automated...it's sure a pain in the butt to get it there! :hammer:

Good luck and let me know!!

[Troy F]

From personal experience the Berlin H.O.T. is a good door stop. If you have to go with a HO skimmer have a look at the PM model. If it were me I'd skip the HO and have a look at Bullet 1 or equivelant skimmer. No point in spending money twice.