Time for a new skimmer...which one?

I have a 55 gal sumpless reef tank with a HOB Red Sea Prizm (Pro? Delux?). It's rated for 100 gal, but it's not doing the job. The consensus here is that it's an ok skimmer for 35 gallons, max, and my experince seems to go along with that. Once I (finally) got the thing to work, it skims stuff out, but very slowly, and there is still a thick layer of film on the top of the water. The Prizm might be at fault for my film algae problems on my glass, too, since all other perameters have checked out.

So, should I get a new skimmer? If so, which one should I get? I don't have a ton of money to spend, but I would like to get a nice one large enough to handle my tank's bioload. I don't think I'm going to be able to get a bigger tank any time soon, so the skimmer wouldn't have to be that oversized. I'm prepared to start up a sump, if necessary.

 

AquaC Remora. Hands down worth every penny.

 

The coralife HOB skimmer will out skim the remora and cost less.
Aquarium Protein Skimmers: Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer
I would suggest the 125 or the 220 if you can swing it.

You might consider setting up a sump as it opens up your skimmer options quite a bit.

 

So that 125 would out skim my remora?

 

I have the 220 super skimmer, I don't have anything negative to say about it

Nitrates are 0 and stay that way.

 

Covey,
If I set up a sump, would you still recommend the coralife skimmer, or would you suggest something else?

 

First of all the algae(micro) may be caused by too much feeding. That being said, you probably have too many nutrients in your water column. Possibly look into a phosphate reactor(about $50.00) and well worth it.
As for the skimmer, their are all sorts of them on the market from downdraft to venturi to water injection etc. They all have their pros and cons. My advice to you is to research and comparison shop. My one thought to you though would be to get bigger than your tank calls for when it comes to skimmers. Most of the skimmers say for tanks up to a certain gallon size tank. With that in mind I would jump up to the next size skimmer for your tank especially since they really don't take into account bio-load in a tank...
I do like the AquaC line of skimmers but then again I don't know much about other brands and models because I have never used them. I'm sure their are comporable if not better ones than Aqua C but i'm happy with my EV180 for my 125 gallon reef tank.
You could spend $100.00 for your skimmer or you could spend upwards of $1000.00 for your skimmer.
Hope this helps!

 

I have a prizm on my 55g and its fine, I empty the cup every other day. It rates from 90g-300g. Maybe you can just upgrade the motor.

 

My water perams are good, 0 ammonia nitrite nitrate, but can't that be deceptive since my film algae would just take it up? Even though my perams are good, should I still think about changing? Could I mod this one to do a better job?

 

I Would Get The Aqua C Remora, I Love It. It Started Skimming Within 2 Days. Right Now It's Not Skimming Much But I Have Had The Tank Running For Only 6 Wks And Just Added Fish. I Think It Was Worth Every Sent And Only Cost $10.00 More Than The Coralife. The Coral Life Is Rumoured To Overflow And Cause Alot Of Micro Bubbles. The Remora Won't Overflow And My Micro Bubbles Are Very Minimal.