I am about to order a Protein Skimmer
- Thread starter heavydc2
- Start date
well I htink I have a sump... lol I am very new to all this and still trying to figure out whats what. I think I have a sump, but I was looking for a hang-on.
I have a wet dry setup filter (even though I hear they are not the best to use). So there is a 10 gallon tank that the water flows into then back up into the tank if the 10 gallon is a sump then yeah I have one :roll:
I have a wet dry setup filter (even though I hear they are not the best to use). So there is a 10 gallon tank that the water flows into then back up into the tank if the 10 gallon is a sump then yeah I have one :roll:
Personally, if I have room in my sump then I prefer an in-sump skimmer. If you can spare an extra $100 a Euroreef CS6-1 is an excellent choice. But if $200 is your absolute limit you might consider an aquac urchin pro. Watch your dimesions and make sure it fits in your sump/cabinet.
If it's a hang-on then I really like the precision marine HOT-1. Others have recommended the aquac Remora Pro.
I have ordered skimmers from www.marinedepot.com and I have been happy with their prices and service.
If it's a hang-on then I really like the precision marine HOT-1. Others have recommended the aquac Remora Pro.
I have ordered skimmers from www.marinedepot.com and I have been happy with their prices and service.
Heavy,
I would suggest checking with the local fish stores in your area first. You should get the opportunity to see the skimmers in action so you can make an informed buy. Some stores carry this stuff at very low markup so look around. It also pays to build a good relationship with your lfs. Almost all stores seem to have a preferred customer list. You get the calls when the really good stuff comes in and you may get quantity discounts as well. It's a bit of a one hand washes the other arraingment that the mail order guys never get to experience.
I would suggest checking with the local fish stores in your area first. You should get the opportunity to see the skimmers in action so you can make an informed buy. Some stores carry this stuff at very low markup so look around. It also pays to build a good relationship with your lfs. Almost all stores seem to have a preferred customer list. You get the calls when the really good stuff comes in and you may get quantity discounts as well. It's a bit of a one hand washes the other arraingment that the mail order guys never get to experience.
I have a Remora Pro on my 75g and for the money I think it does a good job.
IMHO I think the Remora Pro will do you nicely. Its also a hang so it may be easier for you to place on you're system.
If you do decide on the Remora get the MAG pump with it instead of the RIO. I have the RIO on mine (second one now :roll: ) and have problems with restarts on it.
Hope this helps.
IMHO I think the Remora Pro will do you nicely. Its also a hang so it may be easier for you to place on you're system.
If you do decide on the Remora get the MAG pump with it instead of the RIO. I have the RIO on mine (second one now :roll: ) and have problems with restarts on it.
Hope this helps.
I second go to LFS if you are really cash strapped. Ask them for used and/or working display model. Many of them are willing to bargain for these skimmers. The cheapest you could get from them is the used one's. These typically are from one of their customer that either quit the hobby, or was making upgrades and doesn't need the old skimmer anymore. The cost to the LFS for buying these used skimmer is often "$ zero", but of course, they won't admit that.
Interesting. Clearly, used equipment is cheaper than new equipment. Assuming the person wants new equipment, however, I have never seen an LFS that offered new equipment at a price even close to an online vendor. Anyone else have an LFS that is price competitive?
I have also never seen an LFS that had a wide selection of skimmers in stock much less operating so that you could see them in action. My experience is that the typical LFS stocks one or two brands and will show you the one that they use on their systems, if they're skimming at all as opposed to using a wet-dry. So I am very interested that others have such wonderful local stores available to them.
I have also never seen an LFS that had a wide selection of skimmers in stock much less operating so that you could see them in action. My experience is that the typical LFS stocks one or two brands and will show you the one that they use on their systems, if they're skimming at all as opposed to using a wet-dry. So I am very interested that others have such wonderful local stores available to them.
I can tell you in New Emgland you're not going to find LFS with displays of skimmers in action 
For that matter if you find a lfs that sells skimmers they charge $$$. You can order them online with shipping and still be less than locally around here.
At least thats what I've seen so far in Northern Mass and Southern New Hamshire.
For that matter if you find a lfs that sells skimmers they charge $$$. You can order them online with shipping and still be less than locally around here.
At least thats what I've seen so far in Northern Mass and Southern New Hamshire.
I agree to go MO on large ticket items. It is nice to support the LFS before they all dissappear but atleast in my area the LFS prices cant touch the MO prices. I even have That Pet Place an hour away but they dont have selection.
Id pick up this skimmer if I was you, http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=17748 or check though daily untill a steal comes up.
Id pick up this skimmer if I was you, http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=17748 or check though daily untill a steal comes up.
Apparently so Dan. Since skimmers don't begin to skim for some time after they are set up, they can't just be popped onto a tank when a customer walks in for a demo. The demonstrators also become "used". So I would have to say, based on years of experience, that stores that keep a selection of "demo" skimmers operating must be very rare indeed.
I'm sure that stores that use skimmers would show the ones that they use on their own systems. But even then, how likely is it that the model used in a large multi-tank system will be the model the average hobbyist is looking to buy? If you've got an LFS that does that then count your lucky stars.
There's also the problem that many things affect the performace of a skimmer so it may not perform the same on a store's water column versus yours at home.
I can see how a good store might agree to stick a skimmer (if they stocked it) onto a tank and run it for a week, after which the customer could come in and check it out. That would be great. Bit of a risk for the store. But are you telling me that happens in the vast majority of stores? If it did, and the prices were reasonable, I would be doing a lot more business with an LFS.
I buy salt, frozen food, and some other things from an LFS. But I even have to mail order my dry sand because I can't find decent selection at my local stores. And I live in a + 1 million person market. If you live in L.A., parts of Florida, Indianapolis, or certain other locales then that's a different story. Still, I bet there are very few stores anywhere that offer a large selection of skimmers, within 25% of the cost of mail order, that they are willing and able to demo. That is just my opinion based on my personal experience having lived in six different areas of the Country.
I'm sure that stores that use skimmers would show the ones that they use on their own systems. But even then, how likely is it that the model used in a large multi-tank system will be the model the average hobbyist is looking to buy? If you've got an LFS that does that then count your lucky stars.
There's also the problem that many things affect the performace of a skimmer so it may not perform the same on a store's water column versus yours at home.
I can see how a good store might agree to stick a skimmer (if they stocked it) onto a tank and run it for a week, after which the customer could come in and check it out. That would be great. Bit of a risk for the store. But are you telling me that happens in the vast majority of stores? If it did, and the prices were reasonable, I would be doing a lot more business with an LFS.
I buy salt, frozen food, and some other things from an LFS. But I even have to mail order my dry sand because I can't find decent selection at my local stores. And I live in a + 1 million person market. If you live in L.A., parts of Florida, Indianapolis, or certain other locales then that's a different story. Still, I bet there are very few stores anywhere that offer a large selection of skimmers, within 25% of the cost of mail order, that they are willing and able to demo. That is just my opinion based on my personal experience having lived in six different areas of the Country.
Be wary of buying skimmers at the LFS. Most lfs carry only the mass produced skimmers including red sea prisms, sea clones, and read sea berlins (their "high end" skimmers). At the prices the lfs charge for these you are better off mail ordering a euro-reef, precision marine, or aqua C in sump skimmer (no comparison with the mass produced skimmers).
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