new skimmer

My 30 gallon salt is running on a dinky nano cube skimmer right now and I am looking to upgrade to new one that actually fits and that is more efficient. Does anyone have recommendations for a new skimmer?? and is this a reliable skimmer? Instant Ocean SCPS-100 SeaClone Protein Skimmer, 100-Gallon

 

Thats quite possibly too much skimmer for the tank. You dont need a jumbo skimmer. Alot of people go with this new 'double tank size' thing that is floating arounr forums. imo thats too big. 1 1/2 is more than enough since makers tend to overexagerate their capabilities anyways, so really 1 1/2 is about where you want to be. skimmers are designed for certain levels of water flow and amount doc's in the water to be effective. to much/little skimmer on the tank or skimmer size and your running outside of what its designed to do and wont operate as effectively as it can.

 

okay thanks anyone have an opinion on this skimmer Coralife Super Skimmer with Pump??
the description reads it runs about 65 gallons of water, keep in mind all i have is 30 gallon and I don't want to spend over a $100 if I don't need too, any replys would be great.

 

Although some have success with the Coralife SS 65 after modding it, I do not like mine at all. I could never get it to pull any real skimmate, it overflowed more times than I care to admit, and was very hard to get the skimmer cup to reseal after taking it off for cleaning. It is now on my 10 gallon HT basically just for extra water volume and to aerate the water.

I replaced it with an Eshopps PSK-75H and could not be happier. Much quieter, much easier to adjust, and has never leaked. I am assuming you do not have a sump and need a HOB skimmer.

 

i made the mistake to get that instant ocean seaclone....if you do that inner tube mod to shorten the expansion chamber riser tube a few inches....believe it or not that skimmer will be the best bang for you buck....mine has been taking some nasty stuff out in my 55 gal and I also started vodka dosing few weeks ago and it's been pulling more than before and oxygenating the water really well. so unless you are willing to spend hundreds on a quality skimmer, the seaclone will do the job with a little work on it.

 

My friend got me into the fish stuff recently so I bought his old setup for a good deal, although I bought a brand new tank. He forgot to inform me he has a kit to drill a 30 gallon to turn it into a sump system after I establish the tank. So yeah I am looking for a HOB that is decent and decently priced.

 

Well as stated I am a big fan of the Eshopps skimmers, whether HOB or in sump. I currently have 5, (1) nano, (1) PSK-75H, (1) PSK-100H, (1) PSK-100 (in sump), and (1) S-150 cone (think I should buy stock?). No problems with any of them, and 3 have been running for over a year straight. No mods to do either. If you get a HOB model, you just need to either remove the sponge on the outlet or clean it weekly when you clean the skimmer cup.

 

I think buying stock is good idea for you Marshall

 

The SCA-301 is awesome!
SCA is a 3 reef sponsor now too.

SCA-301 65 Gallon Protein Skimmer
OR, you can also order it on ebay for even less $
I got my for $81 at the door I believe.

I have one on my 30 gal and couldn't be happier with it's performance.
The amount of gunk it pulls blows away what my Remora was pulling.

Probably the best skimmer for the $ in the nano-60 gal catagory.
I don't really think you can get much better performance from a skimmer on a system of this size.

I highly recommend.

 

I am with Marshall O.. I had bought a Eshopps PSK-75H for my red sea 130d quite a while back and loved it so when my wife decided she wanted her own tank I went and bought her 1 for her tank. I know it is more than you want to spend but was well worth the money in my opinion.