Cheap skimmer

[sicklidkid]

Hi i recently posted a message about a protein skimmer. I was kind of discouraged by the high prices on the models suggested to me. I was looking around and i found some cheaper skimmers. I know they are probably not as good but i cant afford an expensive on right now. I need it for a 55 gallon FOWLR tank. Is the Aquarium Systems Seaclone Protein Skimmer - 100, or the Red Sea Prizm Skimmer any good?

[jackdp]

I use a Prizm on a 20 gallon and it does okay. It can be noisy, the flow control is touchy and its got hard to clean areas inside. I've never used a more powerful skimmer so I don't know what kind of gunk I'm missing out on. I would say that even though it is rated for 90 gallons, a 55 is the max I would use it on.

[fishfreek]

I like to tell people to take the rating on the skimmers and cut it in half. That is the max size for efficent skimmer use.

I used the old model prizm. It is a bit louder than the Remora for example. Sensitive as Brad said in adjusting it but overall its a good skimmer for the price. The new models include the ability to use a surface skimmer. If you get the prizm get the surface skimmer attachment as this will greatly improve the skimmers effectivness.

You could even go one step further and DIY yourself a skimmer.

[jackdp]

One other note on the prizms...like FF said, look for the deluxe model. It comes with the surface skimmer and a basket to hold GAC or any other filter media. Both come in handy.

[theodo155]

IMO the only skimmer worth buying is an aqua C remora with a skimmer basket. Works great, worth the money. I had a sea clone 100 and it was to tempermental.