Ok, so i need some help with decision making

Alright so here's the thing. I would like to have one really nice piece of equipment on this tank, so i'd thought i'd have a nice skimmer. So i asked around, and one nice fairly expensive skimmer that was mentioned that i really like the sounds of is the MCE600 protein skimmer which runs for about $500. Then there is the CPR Aquatic Bak Pak 2R+ Hang-On Protein Skimmer for $119. Here there is a big difference in price, i'm willing to spend the $500.

Here's the problem. Is it really worth it? The tank is a 46 gallon bow, and i will only be having two fish. I hope to mainly concentrate on coral *if my puffer allows it* rather than have it stuffed with fish. My lighting will be the 4x39W Tek Light T5 High-Output Fixture for $339 and that's a pretty decent price.

So what do i do? get the expensive skimmer, and make me wait a few months to pay off the c.c. and then get the lighting, or go with the CPR and be able to get that and the lighting at the same time?

Or any other skimmer suggestions?

 

I wouldnt go with the CPR BakPak period, they are not that great and need a few mods done to get working properly.
That being said, you by no means need to spend that much on a skimmer. DelTec likes to charge stupidly high prices. Check out the AP1006 as an example.
The three hang on backs I would recommend would be:
Aqua C Remora
Octopus BH-100F
Aqua Medic Turboflotor
Those three are great skimmers which will work as good as anything else out there on your sized tank, and dont cost an arm and a leg either.

 

I've heard good things about Octopus skimmers. I have a Precision Marine Bullet 1 which is a very good skimmer and I am very happy with what it has done for my tank, but it requires a bit of tinkering each week to keep it happy. A Coralife 120 needle wheel can be had for cheap on Ebay and are good skimmers.

 

ok thanks for the suggestions, and opinions about the cpr, after my seaclone, i don't really want to have to mod anything for my next one, so all that i have to basically do is plug in and play i've heard good and bad things about the remora c and a few things about the octopus

 

i'd look into the precision marine bullet but i want to try to stay away from tinkering as i'm not very good about techy type stuff like modding, and stuff, so that's why i wan't to try to keep things fairly easy to setup and keep working properly

 

No modding required

Just adjustments of water level and air from time to time. Very simple stuff (set water level and adjust air until you see fine bubbles). If you are willing to spend the $500 you can get the bullet with pump for less than that and it would be great on your tank. I know several people with octopus skimmers that love them. An I-tech is also amazing (cone skimmer) and can be had for less than 500. Been to that store in Oldsmar FL and know a guy here with the 400 and WOW. The 100-200 would be good on your 46. http://www.i-techskimmers.com/forums/

 

ohhh ok that lol i'll probably be able to handle i'll look into it

 

I hope so

Call John at Fish and other Icthy stuff and talk to him about the I-Tech. Seriously great piece of equipment and build quality is choice.

 

Hi Puffer chick

Im 100% certain the skimmers being adviced to you by the people above are excellent products

I use the Deltec Model presently and am happy with it
could I have got an equally efficient skimmer for less money? Probably
but with skimming this time around, I went with the MCE600 simply as I used it previously in UK set up many years ago and knew it to be effective and reliable



Steve

 

man, such decisions, all of these skimmers sound great, at least i have a couple months to decide though