Best protein skimmers for 2022-2023

[YOYOYOReefer]

i run the RK2 Exflo 6-3.5 on my 300 gallon .. its perfectly sized,, maintains a constant racketball sized ball of fluff up top, and is very easy to adjust.. like a lifereef, i would say its a little better than a lifereef but both are right up there ... any good venturi is going to beat most of these junk needle wheels they sell these days.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

Reef Octopus Skimmers with the VarioS DC pump gets my vote. A perfect mix of quality and performance.

a really good skimmer gets the skimmate to the cup up top , doesn't leave it all in the neck.

you picture is my same experience with the reef octopus skimmers. most the necks are too wide, i bet if you reduce the riser width you get better performance.

 

[JC1977]

I’ll be honest while I have a custom lifereef dual Venturi for my 360 gallon build I’ve run a bubble magus curve 9 on my current 180 gallon tank. For the money it’s performed pretty well!

 

[piranhaman00]

I run a life reef and RO, the RO out performs the Lifereef, the Lifereef is also made much more cheaply , ya it works great but it’s loud and feels cheap.

 

[Hypnotize]

Im just gonna throw the Nyos Quantum into the mix.

Build to last.

 

[FranklinDattein]

I have used a range of skimmers over the years, Reef Octopus, JNS, great whites, tunze, old Venturi red seas and DIY. Recently I got a Red Sea Reefer and takes my vote for a modern skimmer. Affordable, powerful, easy to setup and tune, compact and silent. Can't go wrong with that.

 

[Coolcasino]

There are a lot of good skimmers, it will go down to budget. I run a Reef Octopus Elite 200, excellent construction, performance and fairly priced.

I have this skimmer. Since day 1 it makes this horably loud popcorn gurgling noise. Checked everything and silencer. Coralvue wanted me to send it back to fix it. But I have to pay shipping. For a brand new skimmer. Does yours make that sound? Like from the silencer.

 

[AJsReef]

I've owned Reef Octopus and Nyos in the past, replaced mine with a Royal Exclusive 180 few years back. Works like a champ.

 

[EugeneVan]

Maxspect Jump for me. It’s a beast, pretty darn quiet, controllable, and some great features for the price.

I also run a maxspect jump 800. It build in with auto shut down when the cup come to full.

 

[cvicente]

I have this skimmer. Since day 1 it makes this horably loud popcorn gurgling noise. Checked everything and silencer. Coralvue wanted me to send it back to fix it. But I have to pay shipping. For a brand new skimmer. Does yours make that sound? Like from the silencer.

Nope, dead silent !

 

[Viva'sReef]

@Kalibur2 @dedragon

What size tank are you running those on? Can’t decide between the 2 for my 75g sps tank. Currently running a BK mini 160 that’s sized perfectly. The uks 160 looks similar pump specs on paper but the body is smaller.

I just downsized from an Aeraqua Duo (way oversized even w/ heavy bio load) to the UKS 160 and after a few days I think its perfect for my 75g sps tank. The UKS standpipe micro adjustment in the best I've ever used. It started pulling foam in minutes and I have way more room in my skimmer chamber with the smaller footprint.

 

[UtahReefer]

Sadly I think many of us when starting in this hobby look for the "deal" skimmer and many times it costs us more money in the long run. We get frustrated with getting the thing to skim and start searching for every piece of advice we can find. I know I went through this many years ago. Constantly messing with the skimmer trying to get it to produce, not fun! If you feel a skimmer is vital to your reef, then spend the money to get a good one with not only water and air adjustments, but a DC pump. Very often the DC option will allow you to scale a skimmer through several size systems as you upgrade. Currently I am using and Ultra Reef Akula 160 with the DC conversion. It's not cheap, but it's easy to adjust and produces consistently. Had a Bubble King years ago and I'd take my Akula over it every single time.

 

[X-37B]

Most don't look at Tunze skimmers as they are very under rated, imo.
A 9430dc would be a good choice.
I run one on my growout and a 9410dc on my frag system.

If you want a set and forget skimmer with no adjustment needed then take a look at Tunze.

No need to turn it off when feeding or working in tank.
Has anti overflow.

Been running Tunze for the last 7 years and its one piece of equipment that I never have to worry about.
I have never cleaned the barrel of my 9410dc as it gets sump light.
Coated in coralline it just keeps on skimming.

 

[jft]

Definitely do not recommend Bashsea, had one, takes lots of spaces, requires separate, powerfull pump and needs frequent maintenance.
Royal Exclusiv is superb, albeit comes with a price of Maserati.Very quiet, controllable DC pump, large collection cup, high quality.

Totally agree and I had a Biofuge sump leak all over carpet after 3 days water testing. Also baffles WERE Not fully glued in.

 

[spsick]

Most don't look at Tunze skimmers as they are very under rated, imo.
A 9430dc would be a good choice.
I run one on my growout and a 9410dc on my frag system.

If you want a set and forget skimmer with no adjustment needed then take a look at Tunze.

No need to turn it off when feeding or working in tank.
Has anti overflow.

Been running Tunze for the last 7 years and its one piece of equipment that I never have to worry about.
I have never cleaned the barrel of my 9410dc as it gets sump light.
Coated in coralline it just keeps on skimming.

Agreed Tunze Skimmers are very nice and powerful. It’s a shame much like their powerheads get overlooked for other “features”.

 

[spsick]

I also recently upgraded to an Ultra Reef Akula UKS160 with the DC kit on my 75g sps tank and it’s very nice and dead silent. Build quality on par with the Bubble King it replaced.

 

[kenjung]

Any Reef octopus external skimmers recirculating a must for large tank and heavy bio load.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

If you have to have a budget skimmer reef octopus 110INT on mid sized tanks.

 

[Viva'sReef]

Can't find any info on the Akula 160 dc conversion kit. Anyone have a link?

 

[spsick]

Can't find any info on the Akula 160 dc conversion kit. Anyone have a link?

on sale!

Ultra Reef AKULA UKS-200 DC Pump Conversion Kit

Ultra Reef AKULA UKS-200 DC Pump Protein Skimmer Conversion Kit

www.aquariumspecialty.com