Best Protein (hang on) to get?

[jdz30]

Okay. I have looked and looked for a thread on this (a search function would rock).

What is the best protein skimmer that I can hang on the back/side of a 55gal tank for say, up to $250.00?

All I'm looking for is personal opinion's on performance.


Thanks, Joe

[cich1]

i hear good things about AquaC Remora Pros, i have a AquaC Urchin with a maxi jet pump that works great its the same design only its the in sump model rather than a hang on back

[icereefer]

myself skimmers all do what there supose to do, some just need fine tuning and others are plug and play.
IMO I like the CPR bak pak, because I like that I can put my heater in there and if I need to run a media, with a little modifing there's room for that too. plus adding the preskimmer and bubble trap box, it keeps the top film off my tank and keeps unwanted bubbles out of your main tank. and I've found running the 800 RIO it is only like 12 more GPH but it seems to work better then the 600.
but myself there rated up to 60 gal but on a 55 gal I'd push more towards the Bak Pak double pack, but myself I've never used one so I can't say much about them.
and I'm sorry I can't say there the best, but mine has done very well for me so far.
good luck on your search.

[MikeS]

Both the CBR and the AquaC are good skimmers...

Mike

[cich1]

i've read that the optional preskimmer box for the AquaC is rather large and takes up alot of space in the tank, just something you might look into if you decide to go that route

[leaffish75]

I like the JEBO 180. get a cup of black gunk in a weeks time

[SaltyDawg]

jdz30, check the top bar of the page. There is a search function there.

Anyway I use the CPR BakPac for all the reasons listed above. It's a no brainer, plug and play. You just need to clean the hose every other month and continue on.
Wayne

[icereefer]

the pre skimmer and bubble trap box on my CPR is only 9" length x 2" width x 7" high. and it's worth every bit of space it takes up.

[Bertsch]

I have been hunting for the bacpak model yall have been recommending but the only one i have been able to find in stores is the Prizm Deluxe Skimmer. I have done some reading on this model, mostly on http://saltaquarium.about.com , and its rated #4. Is there that much difference between the bacpak model and the prizm model?

I just dont want to spend 130 if its a POS

[icereefer]

Myself at first I used the Prizm, and can't say any thing bad about them after you play with the air mixture valve on them a bit, mine pulled really good.
but it took up more room on the back of my tank then the CPR and with the Prizm, it could only be used as a skimmer, not like the CPR were I could at least hide my heater in it.
but if your not caring if your heater is in the main tank, and have to play with the air valve on the Prizm, like I said I liked the one I was using.

[Bertsch]

well this is going to sound like a very silly question, but the hang on prizim filter, its is outside the tank? That could be a problem since i do not have to terribly much room between the wall and the tank.

I was under the impression the prizim was inside the tank.

[icereefer]

Bertsch
No the only thing that goes in the tank is the lift tube the rest sits out side the tank on a Prizm, and as far as I know all hang ons.
you can put a internal skimmer in your tank but there big and bulcky,that's why most people get them if they have a sump.

[clamknuckle]

I'm using a prizm on my 55 right now and I really don't like it. It's been months and it will either barley skim anything at all or it will over skim (fills up quick qith mostly water). I've been playing with the thing, brought the upgrade to make a prizm delux, and once I get the cash am getting something else.

[upstoday]

icereefer,

I have the CPR bak pak also on a 46gal bowfront. I'm real new to Saltwater tanks, and so far I love the thing. The Protien skimmer is great, and the pre-skimmer (bubble box?) works pretty well. Just wish it seemed more secure when screwed onto the pump.

I got a quick question for you though. Where do you place your heater in the Bak Pak? I can't see how you would be able to get in the chamber directly under the protien skimmer. Is it safe to put the heater in with filter media? I just assumed it would end melting it.

[icereefer]

I just stick my titanium heater to the inside of the out side wall of the outlet chamber,as for media I bagged my own to the size I needed to fit in the outlet chamber loose so it won't get clogged, but I don't use my Bak Pak any more for my media I use my refugium now. and as for melting the media bag, if it got that hot it would burn your fish. Know I never had any problem with that.

[upstoday]

Right now I have the media that I got with the cyclone, looks like squiggly blue strips of plastic. Right now I just have my heater hanging in the corner of my tank, but of course anyway I can make it less visible the better.

[malkore]

I'm new and can't compare my prizm deluxe to a cpr or Aqua C...but so far it IS skimming some gunk out, even though I only have LR in the tank. I like the fact I can stick my carbon in the prizm in a tidy little compartment.
you'd have to get a prizm pro for a 55gallon. It's not a POS, but since it's not 'high end' it'll require tweaking to get good skimming, and it'll be more sensitive to any changes in the water vs. a higher end skimmer.
Near as I can tell, a SeaClone or a Prizm are gonna be cheap skimmers that'll work on smaller tanks that aren't heavily stocked.
Check around on eBay, and look at drsfostersmith.com cuz I saw some CPR2's for like $120.

[nbaker]

$156.00-$159.00 that's what the Aqua C Remora goes for, around here. The advantages; 1)well it's uses injection, not venturi so no airstone to clog
2)in has a relativly small foot print to hang on the back of the tank most of it hangs below eye sight. 3) other than cleaning the collection cup, and occationally the injection jet (they include the brush for it) that's it. 4) the same remora thats on my tank will work on up to a 75, I've heard of people putting them on more but I would stick to the rating.

The cons: 1)make sure you get the pump w/ the maxi-jet, and not the rio for the included pump you will find your self replaceing it otherwise.
2)I had to custom design a bubble trap fo my tank, I didn't get the maxiget pump so i had to replace mine with a hagen 402 powerhead, the bubble traps they sell are not design for a multitude of pumps. So I'd make my own again if it came down to it, it workes great.

[Inconel]

Okay. I have looked and looked for a thread on this (a search function would rock).
What is the best protein skimmer that I can hang on the back/side of a 55gal tank for say, up to $250.00?
All I'm looking for is personal opinion's on performance.
Thanks, Joe

Hey Joe,
My tank is a 75 gal with 53 #'s of LR
I bought a Aqua C Remora Pro with the optional Mag drive pump and the prefilter box.
1st thing 1st, the prefilter box is huge, also the Mag pump vibrates.
As far as how it's working...............not bad, my tank is only 3 months old so maybe that's why I'm not getting that so called thick dry foam in the collection cup every week. I have adjusted the collection cup to every possiable position and still get nothing or very brown / Black water in the cup.
Also if you plan to have this set up in you're living room than IMO this is not the one for you..........It's loud.
My LFS has the Prizim Deluxe on his 75 Gal and there are a couple of nice features I like, 1. It's whisper quiet 2. the motor does not hang in the tank.
I will say though, from everything I have read the Aqua C is the HOT skimmer to own.
Since my purchase I have decided to relocate my pump for the skimmer into my Wet / Dry (which is not big enough to put a skimmer in) and remove the prefilter box, since my Wet / Dry skims off the top anyways. I have used a spare pump I had (Quiet One 4000) which is rated for around 1000 GPH, but is alot less by the time you make it up the 4 foot head and a couple of 90 degree elbows.

[nbaker]

All things considered the remora pro with the mag drive will be loud, it's a large very high volume pump. I my self have the Remora, I quickly chunked the Rio 800 for one of my Hagen aquaclear 402's which is rated at 270gph. I also designed my own prefilter box, which works awesome.

As for you not getting the "dry foam" try to set the collection box up about a 1/4" or 1/2" maybe even an 1" from being all the way bottomed out. I've noticed that the preformance is much better when I have it that way. I also clean the injector about every three weeks.

I would still have the prefilter in place, because the whole purpose is the get the sludge and oils on the surface tention of the water throught the skimmer. The wet/dry won't filter like the skimmer in that since. JMO

[skiflyer]

I just got my prizm in the mail. I have to say said i am completly satisfied eith it. I pluged it in....adjusted until i saw no more bubbles and the next morning i already had 1/4 of the collection cup filled. As far as the nois goes.......it probably is the loudest piece on the aquarium....but it is a steady noise that i got used to very quickly. Also like the prizm because it is very slim.....i set the tank up right in front a wall and a side wall, so i was very limited with space. only had about 2.5 inches.......the prizm was 2.4 perfect fit.
I can only recommend it, even though i have heared a lot of bad reviews on it.