Hey all, 1st post here. I have a question about a protein skimmer for my 33g L reef. It is cycling atm but I have been looking for protein skimmers for it and have found some but I dont really know what I need or much about them. I know what they do but that is about it. Here are a few I have looked at and i'll let you guys tell me what I need. I know some are made as HoB and some are for sumps I do not have a sump so I need one that is a Hang on back type. thanks alot for any help

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=4427


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=3641


http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~ ... 13125.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumP ... immer.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~ ... 01114.html

Hey BEANS Welcome to RAF

I wouldnt pick any of them. Skilters are worthless as are some of the others you listed. Please dont waste your money on them.


I would look at this one http://www.nuocean.com/skimmers/bmqqexternal.html Luke has that same skimmer on his boys tank and its working well. You can see it towards the end of this post luke33-s-125g-display-t4023-75.html#p43209

What are you going to keep in your tank? Why dont you tell us more about your tank and the equipment you already have?

The aquatic life is the best one you linked to but i wouldn't put it on anything larger than a 10g tank. Like CB said, the nuocean is going to be your best performer at that price range. If you can get the one that hangs in the tank it works really well and is only 80bux or so. The one that hangs on the back of your tank like the one i run works very well too. Its the nices 100 dollar skimmer out there hot wise. Last thing you want to do is skimp on equipment : ) You don't have to spend 500bux, but you generally can't go with 50. 100 is really reasonable for a skimmer.

Sure to start out I have had a 75g planted tank running for about 1.5 years. Atm I have african cichlids and a fahaka puffer in it with a rena xp2 filter, coralite 2 65w fixture and a stock 40W fixture. Now the new tank. It is a 33gal long with a generic 30g+ heater. I have a Hagen Aquaclear Hob power filter (sized for 30g). I Have a Hagen 170gph powerhead running atm and another 400gph powerhead about to be ordered and will be in before my tank is cycled. I also have a Nova extreme T5 fixture that is 36" x 8" 156 total watts which are 2- 39w 10,000 k and 2-39w 460 nm actinic w fan. I dont have this light yet but it is the one I am putting on it when my tank is cycled. I just need a protein skimmer and I should be operational by the time my tank is cycled (in two weeks).

No for my stock. I plan on having: 1 Clown, 1 Coral banded shrimp, 1 yellowheaded jawfish, and 1 dwarf angel (havent picked which yet). as far as inverts I will prolly go with 3to5 nassarius snails and a couple margarita snails. Once my tank is established long enough I am going to add moderate flow and light corals. I also am going to get an anenome, and feather duster. I would like a heteroxenia polyp but other then that im not sure. how does it sound? also thanks for your help

Sounds good. Before you order the 400gph powerhead let us know what kind your thinking of getting. We might be able to help you find something that will work better.

Do you have live rock in your tank? If you do then you really dont need the hob power filter. You can use it but you have to make sure that you clean it at the very least once a week other wise the gunk it traps will just sit their and rot and produce nitrates.

yes atm I have about 6-8 pounds in my tank while it is cycling, I plan to have around 20+ pounds. Also the powerhead I plan to order is
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=15955
pump 1 in the options. how did my lights look are they ok because I am actually getting ready to order them this week.

btw thanks alot for your help

Yes, i think your lights are fine.

Koralia pumps are good but i would go with at least a #2. The #1 is only going to give you 13x turnover rate, the #2 will give you 20x and the #3 will give you 28x turnover per hour. If it were me i would go with the #3 but the #2 i think will be ok also

I wanted to add that you dont want to wait too long to add the extra rock because when you add it you will start the cycle all over again.

I plan on buying the live rock already cured and out of an established tank from a LFS. Will it still be like recycling or will it be ok?

Well it depends on how cured it really is. If your LFS is on the up and up they you should be fine.

K thanks a bunch for your help.

Keep us updated BEANS

Get the k3. I have a k3 on my 20g and its not much flow to be honest. For lights have you bought them yet? You can get a good t5 fixture for that tank for around 100bux thats just as good as the nova pro.

no I havent bought them yet luke. Which lights are you talking about, Im always up for saving a buck or two

Ill keep you guys updated, the tank is in the 2nd week of cycling atm here is a pick. I am getting more rock this week and the LFS I a buying it from a friend works in and is curing the rock himself. He said it would take about 3 weeks (a week and 1/2 ago) to cure and be ready for my tank. He has it in a tub with substrate and filter / circulation.

I have some random pictures of my 75g planted too but the saltwater one is in there, it has my stock 75g 48 inch lights on it atm until I can get my t5s



theres the link to my photobucket

I run one of these on my 20g tank. It works very well. The reflectors are ok. There not as nice as individual reflectors but they aren't as bad as one big reflector. For tanks 18" and less they will support anything you want imo.

http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-36i ... /52202.htm