skilter?

has anyone tried them. has a skimmer and filter combined. said rated up to 400 gph. also able to handle aquariums up to 125g. any info on these would be appreciated just trying to see if there worth anything or even worth taking a look at. thx in advance

 

To be honest I never used protein skimmers in any of my tanks. I guess its all up to you in that part. Some people like them and some people don't. It all depends on how much attention you give your tank as well.

 

well i guess im just stuck on what to use as far as filtration and skimming. i would like to make a sump but im clueless on those since i heard bad stories on it overflowing. im starting a 55g so trying to get everything ready and have my mind set on which route to go.

 

The Skilter was never a very good filter or skimmer either one. You can do modifications but they still fall short of a decent skimmer and really in a reef tank mechanical filtration is not needed.

If you are starting new definitely go with the sump, you will never once regret it and flooding is not an issue with a properly thought out design. Using the proper overflow box, preferrably internal and drilled, andplacing the returns high up so they create an air gap with a slight backflow are a foolproof design. Don't let talk of floods sway you as they will not happen if you do things correctly from the beginning, its usually someone who added a HOB overflow and over the back returns that are placed too low in the display that have problems. Do it right the first time and you can sleep soundly at night with no worries.

 

I guess ima have to look into that. I was leaning toward the hang on back overflow with the eshopps wet dry. But I'm getting a lot of good things out of a sump I have a 20g tall aquarium would it be enough for the 55g. I guess I got a lot to look for since I don't fully understand diy sumps.

 

Here is the best article around on sumps and how they work.
Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums