Protein Skimmers

emt-211 · Mar 3, 2016

Hello everyone. I'm currently looking for a new skimmer and was wondering if anyone has some ideas on a good brand or specific model. I was looking into the reef octopus HOB skimmers. I have a 75 gal Reef. Thanks!

jdpeters · Mar 3, 2016

I take it you are running sumpless. little more info would be beneficial

KingTriton · Mar 3, 2016

Aquamaxx ConeS Co-2

PS: Ive owned my fair share of skimmers ;)

emt-211 · Mar 3, 2016

Yes I am sumpless. As far as fish I have 3 chromes, 1 African fire fish, 2 clowns. 1 wrasse, 1 diamond goby.2 cleaner shrimp, mix of CUC. Mix assortment of lps, zoas, leathers. I run a canister filter more as a reactor.
Salinity- 35ppm refrac.
PH-8.2
Phos .02 or less
Nitrate -.50
Mag 1340
Calcium 460
Weekly-ish 10% water change
Carbon dose
Kalk for top off

emt-211 · Mar 3, 2016

77 views and only 1 reply.. Anyone lol.

McMullen · Mar 3, 2016

I've never used the reef Octo HOB, but do use an in sump Diablo model. Reed Octo has good products, get it!

andyg1960 · Mar 3, 2016

I have the Reef Octopus HOB. Very happy with it. Fairly quiet, easy to adjust, good production of skimmate.

Battlecorals · Mar 3, 2016

emt-211 said:
77 views and only 1 reply.. Anyone lol.

Deltec hang ons' are about as good as it gets. Shoot me PM if you are interested in some specifics.

jabell · Mar 3, 2016

I have used the reef octopus HOB 1000. Worked great. Have to use the foam pads on the return though to keep air bubbles to a minimum.

jjbunn · Mar 4, 2016

I started with a SeaClone, which was awful! I modified it a bit, and it improved. In the end I got fed up, junked it and bought one of the early CPR Aquatics Bak Paks - the difference was astonishingly better! After running with that a few years I replaced it with a more recent Bak Pak 2R, which works even better - many more and tinier bubbles, which hang around for a long time in the column under the cup, producing lots of dark skimmate. However, it's a bit noisy, I'm not impressed with the bubble re-injection system, and I have the nagging suspicion that it might be outperformed by the Reef Octopus, based on reading reviews. But the BakPak 2R certainly does its job.