skimmers

Setting up a 55 gallon cube type tank. I have 89 pounds of sand and 50 pounds of live rock also, useing a 400 Skilter filter that has a skimmer built into it .It seems not to be working that well, could someone sugest a hang on type of skimmer to use that does'nt cost a kings ransom to buy?

 

Good day, How long have you had the tank and filter setup? It can take some time before the skimmer kicks in on a new system...a couple of weeks or longer...

If you search the threads, there have been several discussions on HOB skimmers...

 

A good skimmer is one of those things you should invest in. Many of us on here cut that corner, only to get haunted by it later on down the line. I did it too. I skimped on my first skimmer, looking at $80 or $200. I spent the $80 only to turn around and buy the $200 4 months later. So I spent close to $300, whereas if I just went with the better one from the start, it would have been $200 and would have been done with it.
For a 55G tank, you should look at one rated for about 100G, in case you decide to add to your system water volume with a sump or refugium.
You can probably get away with a Vertex IN-80 if you go with a sump based skimmer:
Vertex Skimmers
If you want hang on skimming, you will want to go with a Remora or a Remora Pro, Octopus or something like that. I would say, look into the $200 range for a good one.

 

this is the skimmer i got for my 55g and also the review i did on it.
http://www.3reef.com/forums/protein-skimmers/vertex-100-review-63499.html

 

For hang on the back, your not going to beat an octopus The Turboflotor may be worth considering as well.

 

Hi, high price is by no means a guarantee the skimmer will perform as advertised. Many on this and other forums I am a member of have $300-400 skimmers and are asking for help because they say they are junk! Anyway, I have a 55 gal. and have this one (for up to 65 gal) Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel
It has performed good and is relatively inexpensive.