Which Skimmer? New question at bottom

I found three different skimmers for sale around me, and I'm thinking about buying one.

The first one: $39



This is what the add says: "An unusual Canadian made Hang-On-The-Back Protein Skimmer. Downdraft technology with an airstone instead of a venturi. This allows maximum flow from your pump and gives you plenty of micro bubbles. I used this skimmer on a 30 gallon tank for several weeks just to check out its operability. Not what I would call a top-of-the-line skimmer, but definitely a workable solution. Doesn't require the constant adjustments of the venturi types. It does require a pump for the water circulation and also an air pump. Neither of these are included. I do have air pumps available for purchase."

I have both pumps already that I would need for this one also.

The 2nd one: $50



The add states "In fair condition", which I ask about first of course.

The 3rd one: $28



The add states: "A great little Skimmer for your BioCube, NanoCube or any other small saltwater tank. I used this skimmer for a few weeks on a 29 gallon tank and it worked great. During that time I learned that the key to the succssful operation of this skimmer is its height according to the water level in the tank. I can show you what I learned to save you a little time getting this skimmer acclimated to your system. Though this is not the world's greatest skimmer, it will do the job on a small tank and is very easy to use and to clean. I received this skimmer without a cover for the collection cup. I just laid a piece of plexiglass on top and it worked fine."

Or is there a better option. I don't have a lot of money to spend right now, and will of course being getting a better one later on. My tank description is in my signature.

 

Well i can say for sure that you would want to stay away from the 2nd option (the seaclone). I dont know anything really about the other two especially the 1st option, but the 3rd may be okay. I say a skimmer is one of the items for tank that you cant really skimp on, the cheap ones are...well, cheap. I would say spend a little more dough and maybe order an eshopps. Based on all of your choices you have linked im assuming you need a HOB skimmer.

Not sure if this totally out of your price range, but i think this would be a much better option and in the long run you would be happier with somthing more like this...

Eshopps PSK-75H Hang On protein skimmer, 10-75 gal. tank - AquaCave

 

One more thing....I don't mean push you away from these choices so if i only had to choose from these i think i would go with the third option. I had heard that it can do pretty good.

 

Thank you for advice. The reason why I am looking for one is because of my wife. I've always wanted one, but I have other things that I would rather get first, lol. My wife was talking to a friend of hers and he told her that my Live Rock would suficate without a skimmer. I've never heard of this before, but she was asking me all kinds of questions tonight about my tank. I want to use this my advantage, lol. If I can get a skimmer out of it, then so be it.

The one you recommended looks like a good option. I will have to run it by her. I was also trying to tell her, that instead of spending the money on a skimmer right now, why not just get a decent CuC from reefcleaners.org? I would rather do as I think it would do my aquarium health overall a lot better.

So I guess this poses a new question. Should I worry about a skimmer or CuC first? I have neither right now.

 

CuC it is!

My wife allowed me to get a CuC crew from reefcleaners.org lol. Since I had to spend $50, I got a few other things as well.

Filter Feeder Formula
Herbivore Flake Diet
Reef Pods
Chaeto w/Pods
Quick Crew (15 Gallon)

I'm sure I went a little overboard, lol. But, hey I'm excited.

 

Depending on what you have in your tank, a skimmer is not entirely necessary at first. Regular water changes will help keep the nitrates to a minimum, and as for the live rock suffocating, well, I haven't heard of this myself. The coralline algae that you want growing on your live rick eats nitrates, if you will. When there's an abundance of them in the water they just have a larger food supply. The only problem with this is that when there's more food in the tank than everything can handle, some other algae or bacteria will step up to the plate and start to root in as well. I think getting the Chaeto was a good idea and will help combat this. The other help you will have to do yourself is not to over feed, and do water changes you keep your levels in check. Try not to buy too much fish stock, as this will increase the waste load.

and have fun.....

 

New Question

My wife was asking me about this skimmer, but I haven't really heard anything about Coralife skimmers. This is the skimmer in question:

Coralife 33000 Super Skimmer with Pump, 65-Gallon

 

Man its too bad you don't live closer I have a Coralife skimmer just sitting here that you could have. They are far from the best but I never had any problems with mine. They are a little touchy as far as setting it at the right level but after it broke in it was fine. PM Powerman and tell him what your budget is. He is extremely knowledgable about skimmers and may be able to help you get the best bang for your buck.8)
P.S. The Coralife would definitely be a better option then any of the three skimmers listed at the top.

 

i would do yourself a favor and stay away from those three... chances are they are going to be back on Craigslist again from you LOL..
the e shops is a good choice for a starter skimmer .. its efficient quiet and rock solid....

i ask myself sometimes is it worth the mental anguish to save a few dollars only to want to throw something across the room because nothing you do seems to be able to tweak something... Ive had the sea-clone and its a inefficient skimmer at best.. and i modded mine as well ... just doesn't hold a candle to the e shops...

many will say i have a sea clone and it works.. but once you've tasted the bite of a good skimmer theirs no turning back LOL.

 

The two skimmers that I am really looking at are the The Bak-Pak 2R+ and the Hydor Koralia Slim-Skim Internal Protein Skimmer