Smallest Footprint Skimmer for 50+Gal.

Hello im trying to piece together some parts to build a sump with Protein Skimmer down in it.

My space available in my cabinet is 12"Wide X 17 1/2"Deep X 22"High So its going to be a pretty small sump. However its only servicing a 41Gal cube tank so im hoping for it to be sufficient. I dont want the top of the sump to really come above 12" if possible either. But the Skimmer can go all the way up to 22".

I've looked at the Hydor Skim Mate rated for 65Gal tanks and it looks like it only needs about a 4" square footprint, which looks perfect for me.

But the skimmer doesnt look near as hardcore as others in its price range (150.@ LFS).

Im trying to support a reef in the future with this skimmer. I would also like to possibly do a 18W UV sterilizer, and maybe a tiny refuge area for some Macro Algae.

Space on back (HOB) is limited to about 2 1/2". (so kinda wanted to do the sump thing).

Any suggestions?

 

Small Footprint, BIG Punch

Hello DarkEarth,

I see you are looking for a skimmer with a small footprint for a reef that is 50+ capacity. My recommendation to you for a hang on filter is the AquaC Remora Hang-On Protein Skimmer.

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This skimmer takes a small space and measures 17.5"H x 2.75"D X 6"W. It really is a thin skimmer and boy, does it work. It is extremely efficient at clearing your tank of waste, even more so in that it employs the "Spray Injection System", which draws in more air, thus ridding your tank of more waste. I have one in my tank and it really works. I never had an ammonia spike or high nitrates/nitrites.
If, however, you decide on doing a sump, then you should go with the AquaC Urchin In-Sump Protein Skimmer. This skimmer measures 18"H x 4.75"H x 6"D. This skimmer is really simple as it does not need any drilling or plumbing to be set in your sump. You simply connect it to a pump in your sump and presto, it is done. From the reviews, hobbyists really seem to like it. The price for the AquaC Remora Hang-On Skimmer is 149.99 and the AquaC Remora Hang-On Skimmer is 163.99. They can be found at http://www.MarineDepot.com. The prices differ depending if you want them with/out pump and what brand you choose (Maxi-Jet or Rio). Hope this helps you.
This is your fish expert saying “wherever there is an aquarium hobbyist in need, the fish expert is here!”

 

Highly recommend BashSea, smallest size is 6X18
Skimatic
BashSea SKIMATIC 6" x 18" Needlewheel Skimmer: Amazon Stingrays and Aquarium Supplies
Performs like a 500$ skimmer, its about 200$ plus 12.52 for shipping to 32801 area code.
18" height and you only need 3/8" to remove the cup.

I recommend checking it out. All made in US with high quality acrylic, beutiful looking too!
Blows everything in its class out of the sump!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mmqbqBe5Mo&feature=related

 

I have an urchin pro mag 3 and its pretty darn good and very simple. 3.5x6 i think.

 

the bashsea looks interesting. but the video is the twisted design not the cheaper one for 199. how long have these skimmers been out there? i have never heard of them. im looking to upgrade my tunze 9002 to something with a bit more skimming ability. also need a smaller sized skimmer. have been thinking of getting the tunze 9011 but i feel that might be a bit to much skimming.

DarkEarth, i would recommend you get a skimmer rated at least twice your water quantity. or you might end up buying another skimmer when the tank gets full with fish and corals. from all i have been reading lately, im thinking my skimmer might be to small for my tank and its rated for up to 50, but at that rate they mean a low bio load and i have a high bio load . so im feeling a skimmer upgrade might be needed. so save your self from buying a skimmer thats to small for your future bio load

 

To me the most important part of a needlewheel skimmer is the pump. That would rule out the Bashsea for me. If a company doesn't state what brand pump they use, I'm not so sure I would even consider it. To make a low priced skimmer you got to cut corners somewhere. making a skimmer in the USA may be a good thing but if the heart and soul has no quality.....

 

did you look at the swc 120 and 160 cone skimmers? lots of good write ups about them

 

Wow thanks everybody;D

So is the suggestion about a PS having twice the processing capacity of the Tank true? Kinda makes sense to me. Just want to make sure any overkill in this category doesnt have any negative side effects.

I see the price point on most above average PSkimmers is around 200. bucks. LOL which i guess is part of the disease however if I devote that much love im gonna end up with a 500. Sump and a 250. DT! hahaha!

Jesus that BashSea video is seriously showing that thing ROCKING! Havent seen a SWC work but both brands are about 200. with roughly the same footprint around 6"Sq. (give or take a pvc elbow, or pump). BashSea and SWC both use "off-brand" pumps from what I just read on reefbuilders.

Very excited about scoring a Protein Skimmer and getting it running, the sooner the better for me so I guess my ideal model will be able to be HOB then after I've finally built a sump, to be able to go down in there.

Best Regards everybody.

How about this Reef Octopus? Its rated for 90gal (mine is 41gal). And comes set up for HOB. I want to modify the return to move it about 11" away in the tank so the skimmer is picking up dirty water (I think it would only take two elbows and a piece of straight pipe). Also, is it easy/cheap to convert this HOB to an In-Sump model down the road?

http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopu...back-protein-skimmer-br-by-coralvue-2347.html

 

i just ordered the swc 120 cone also rated for 90 at low bio load, med bio load i cant remember LOL, heavy bio load its rated for 55. .. it sounds like the one you picked will fit perfectly without having to up grade your skimmer as im having to do. reefbuilders had a few good write ups on the swc, they revisited the swc write up after 6 months and were very happy with how it ran. its why i jumped in and bought one. it seemed like a perfect fit for my sump and tank. did you check reef builders for write ups on reef octopus?

 

dude the bashsea blu demon would eat the swc for lunch!! it uses the new sicce nw pumps which they mod to make them kick even more azz! pretty sure the small one they make cost more rthen $200 though, but way worth it from i have seen, i have the demon rated for 300g.... ITS INSANE! i know a bunch of reefers in michigan that have them too, stores around here have them running on thier tanks, dont know if you can even order them yet outside michigan but reefers are buzzing about them around here pretty hard, you would have to email them i guess. the reef octopus extremes are sweet too but made in china, im supporting american made goods as much as i can!