Skimmer Change

Unfortunately I purchased the SeaClone Skimmer when starting up my tank. Now after looking around and researching I have realized my mistake and am trying to rectify it.

I am currently running a 40B and no sump, so the skimmer would have to be a HOB type.
I've seen a few that look nice but I'm not really sure which would be best.

Reef Octopus hang on Back Protein Skimmer OCT-BH100

Reef Octopus hang on Back Protein Skimmer OCT-BH1000

AquaC Remora Protein Skimmer With Rio+ 800 Pump

CPR Bak-Pak 2R+ Reef Ready Protein Skimmer

 

Personally I would go for the sump if you've got the extra cash. If not, Save your money and do a few water changes till you do. Only speaking from experience here, I started mine out with all HOB equipment, and several months after that I went ahead and built a sump anyways. Not saying you're me, or any comparison to anybody else. But, if you're planning on doing the sump later anyways, best to invest the money into a good plan, than to waste it experimenting.

On the other note of brands, I've seen a lot of compliments with Octopus, and I myself have a hang on psk75h from eshopps that gave me some problems with an old impeller at first but they squared me away with a brand new one and it's worked fine ever since.

I hope this helps you out. To be honest, I started out slowly "piecing" my tank together one part at a time, and now that I add up all the money, I could have waited and found someone selling theirs online for half the price. But........ I've learned a lot in my own stupid sort of venture. It's really up to you. Good luck.

 

I would love to go the sump route. The problem isn't the funds, it's having the space. So having a sump is out of the question at this point unfortunately.

 

I am a reef octopus fan myself. Noise is a big factor for me though. Only problem ive heard is that sometimes you can get micro bubbles coming into the tank from the return. Filter floss type of media is what I've heard is the most common fix for that.

 

I've had good luck with my eshopps hob skimmer.

 

I'm looking at getting the The Bak-Pak 2R+ or the Hydor Koralia Slim-Skim Internal Protein Skimmer myself.