HOB Skimmers for a 40B

[ExoS]

Hi everyone. I am starting my first sw tank. Its a 40 gallon breeder that will have hang on back equipment. I am having trouble finding a reasonably priced HOB skimmer rated for 40 gallons. The reed octopus 100 and aquamaxx hob-1.5 are both rated for larger aquariums even when lightly stocked. The Reef Octopus NS80, bubble magnus and Aquamaxx bullet-1 are all rated too small.

I have heard you don't want to oversize a skimmer and my tank will be lightly stocked for a while so I was nervous about getting too large a skimmer. Does anyone have any advice or recommendations for HOB skimmers on a 40b? I would like to not spend more than $220.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Jekyl]

Reef Octopus Classic 90 Hang-on-Back Protein Skimmer

Unique skimmer design with cylindrical body which uses the siphon to feed water to the skimmer. This reduces the load on the pump while increasing the air intake. Rated for aquariums up to 100 gallons Powered by Aquatrance 1000 Pinwheel Pump Design reduces turbulence Capable of surface skimming...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I have this on my 90 and it works great

 

[ExoS]

Thanks Jekyl. I looked at cheaper similar models but I was concerned that they would be too big to work on a 40 well.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

I use an AquaMaxx 1.5 on my 75 gallon, works great

 

[MohrReefs]

Have you considered a hob overflow to a small sump underneath where you can have a submersible skimmer? That way if it goes nuts you don't have skimmate everywhere. Thats what I did since I cant drill my tank.

 

[ExoS]

Yeah I have considered it. To be honest I was trying to avoid the extra cost of the overflow + baffles for sump + return pump cost. Maybe its the smart way to go though

 

[Jekyl]

Petco was running a half off thing on tanks. Not sure if still going on. Plexi or glass from home depot is cheap.

 

[sfin52]

Reef octopus has great hob

 

[sfin52]

Yeah I have considered it. To be honest I was trying to avoid the extra cost of the overflow + baffles for sump + return pump cost. Maybe its the smart way to go though

You can do hob skimmers and refugium. Thats what I'm doing for my bosses tank. Two aquaclear 70 one a refugium.

 

[diverrad]

Another vote for the AquaMaxx.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

i just got a new aquamaxx 1.5 for my 32 gallon, I love it.

 

[Dw79]

I have a Reef Octopus HOB 1000 on my 46 bowfront and it works great. Also heard great things about the Aquamax

 

[368]

I run an aquamaxx1.5 on my 20g. It works well.

 

[TerraFerma]

Deltec is the best I've used

 

[MoMoTheMonster]

Aquamaxx 1.5 HOB here and it's a power house for my 45 tall.

 

[Speaker]

Another vote for AquaMaxx 1.5. Have it on my 37gallon. Works great.

 

[Taiyaki.Visuals]

Them aquamaxx sure are rare...

 

[cloak]

FWIW I have one of those AquaticLife mini skimmers on my 20L. Can probably get by without it. This skimmer on a 40 can work. Husbandry... The trick is to create a happy healthy environment without the tools...

 

[zuri]

while the AquaMaxx is certainly cute an they have made a huge improvement to the body of the skimmer it's still 2nd best to Reef Octopus 1000 not even using mine anymore but it worked great for 6 years never even used the spare pump. Meanwhile AquaMaxx users have their body's wear out cheap pumps that are discontinued to boot.

 

[Adamantium]

If you’re still looking OP, I absolutely love my Eshopps PSK-100H. It actually looks pretty similar to that reef octopus, but it’s a bit cheaper.

Also, to avoid having skimmate spill all over the floor/electrical equipment, I highly suggest a Smart Skimmer Security Sensor.