Best Protein Skimmer Design?

[sundog101]

I don't mean a specific brand or model. I know most skimmers are needle wheel but there's some other types out there. Which design do you feel is best (venturi, downdraft, air driven, ect.)?

 

[Diesel]

I'm using the Lifereef skimmers on all systems and they run a venturi.
I upgraded the pump for a EM Vectra M1 and it works great.
Before I ran the Mag Danner pumps but they give off a lot of heat IMO but great pumps.

 

[mcarroll]

Method of bubble generation is not relevant to skimming success as long as the skimmer is designed/sized properly.

Needlewheel skimmers do seem to consume quite a bit less power, but in the era of LED lighting that is hardly an advantage.

When I "upgraded" to a needlewheel, it cost me another 50 bucks in heaters to keep the system at the temperature it was. I literally had to replace the watts I "saved" from the old skimmer pump with heater watts.:rolleyes:

I think the primary advantage to non-needlewheel skimmers is that you can generally select any brand of pump you want to make the skimmer go. This is especially good when the pump finally goes bad or the impeller wears out.

 

[Bpb]

I concur with the above on Venturi skimmers being the best design for that purpose. Just depends on your expectations. Do you habitually buy and replace components for the fun of it (let's be honest most reefers do this)? Do you frequently set up, tear down, or change tanks? Most reefers do. If so, needle wheel skimmers may be idea for the small footprint, short height low energy, and ease of use.

If you're in a long term home, and consider your reef a long term investment, with intention to keep it running for several years, and have the space, a tall venturi skimmer is the way to go. Utility pumps are usually cheaper and last a lot longer than the specialized needle wheel pumps. What you give up in energy, you get back in reliable long life and stable performance