Is there an HOB Protein Skimmer With 0 Risk of Overflowing?

[george9]

Hey all!
I’m looking into getting a protein skimmer for a simple 40g FOWLR setup I’m running. About 10 years ago was the last time I used a HOB skimmer and the dang thing overflowed all over the floor when I was overseas on vacation

Since then, I’ve had a bit of HOB trauma and avoided them like the plague.

I am getting a bit tired of running this current tank without one, but living in an apartment on the 5th floor, I just can’t risk overflowing at all.
I imagine most HOB skimmers that have pumps inside the tank are at risk of pumping water out of the tank and onto the floor depending on how low they sit in the water. Do the ones with pumps inside the skimmer housing themselves pose the same risk?

Anyone have any recommendations for HOB skimmers that don’t have this risk (if there are any at all??) I wish I had a sump on this tank, but it was kind of thrown together last minute in an abrupt apartment move last year.

I’d almost rather just continue my routine of water changes than risk a completely flooded apartment randomly when I’m away from home.

Thanks!!

 

[FUNGI]

are you talking about overflowing from cup?
I have yet to experience a HOB skimmer overflow, and i've only done HOBs' for 12 years.....

 

[FUNGI]

And, IMO, (no haters/snobs please) I would get a seaclone 100.....its simple, cheap and works once its dialed in.....and has a huge outlet for water, so.....

 

[FUNGI]

for the cup, you can get a sensor for approx: $30 that will shut off the skimmer if cup is near full.

AutoAqua Smart Skimmer Security

AutoAqua's Smart Skimmer Security prevents protein simmer from overflowing. Magnetically coupled optical sensor mounts up to smooth surfaces 1/2 inch thick.

store.coralvue.com

 

[SpyC]

And, IMO, (no haters/snobs please) I would get a seaclone 100.....its simple, cheap and works once its dialed in.....and has a huge outlet for water, so.....

I'm sure they got better since the last time I heard that name, but I don't think I'd ever buy one. They were horrible a devade ago. So much so I'd go with a different option.

Regarding an overflow proof hob skimmer, that is unfortunately impossible, but you can get sensors that you plug the skimmer into that will shut it off if it starts overflowing

 

[Extremeengineer]

Look at the Tunze 9004, it’s a small footprint in tank solution, so eliminates the overflow stress. I’ve also been considering a HOB and adding a sensor, but I’m HOB risk averse lol

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

a good quality skimmer will only leak from the cup once it’s full. From my own bad experience I have a towel now placed on the floor behind my tank under the skimmer.

 

[dank.reefer]

I have personally been pretty happy with aquamaxx HOB skimmers. I am currently running an 8-10 year old HOB 1 and have never had an issue. The skimmer cup has an over flow tube that dumps back into the skimmer body if the cup ever overflows and I have not had any issues as far the return tube clogging. I also used the Aquamaxx HOB AIO system back in the mid 2k's for a couple of years with no issues. I bought a used tank that came with one of those macro aqua m-50 skimmers that thing was a piece of junk only used it for a week or 2. I chucked it out the back door and it has been sitting in the same spot for over a year. I never ran any of the skimmers that have a pump in the tank so I could not speak for those. Any HOB filter wether it is a skimmer, canister, regular HOB has the potential to overflow on the floor. If it carries water out of the tank it can put that water on the floor. HOB tanks can crack, return tubes can clog and skimmer cups can overflow any of those situations can lead to water on the floor.

The safest bet to avoid spillover is an AIO. There are some out there with built in skimmers. If you want to run an HOB anything the potential for a leak is there. You must be diligent in your maintenance and visual inspection to prevent this from happening. I check my skimmers daily when I am home and if I go out of town I have a house sitter that does the same. IMO the best thing to look for when picking out an HOB skimmer is how high over the tank it sits, the lower it hangs behind the tank the deeper the siphon out of the tank it can pull and the taller over the tank the reaction chamber sits the better skimming it can do. Think of your tank water level like the water level in the sump for an internal sump skimmer.

Hope this helps your decision. Happy reefing.