Protein Skimmer Reccommendations?

[Cetus]

Hello! I'm in the market for a protein skimmer for my 125 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump. My stocking list is...
-Some Goby
-Royal Gramma
-Firefish
-Clownfish Pair
-Filefish Pair
-Melanurus Wrasse
-Blenny
-Blue-Throat Trigger
-Copperband
-Yellow Tang
As well as a mixed reef with soft and LPS and MAYBE some easy SPS like birdsnest but I don't intend to go up to acropora or anything.
Given my bioload and goals, what would be the best protein skimmer for this tank? I'm looking at this one in particular.

Curve 7 Elite Protein Skimmer - Bubble Magus

The Bubble Magus Elite Series are value-packed skimmers with approachable setup and tuning, high quality materials, and excellent skimming performance. The Elite skimmers include welcome features such as the geared water-level adjustment knob for precise water level control, and a skimmer body...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

The heavy bioload being only 100 is a bit concerning but I think mine is around average for a tank of this volume? Any thoughts or experts who have recommendations?

 

[JumboShrimp]

I suggest researching the advantages of a “recirculating” skimmer, which tend to be much easier to dial-in, for one being unaffected by fluctuations in water height in your skimmer. Other than that, There are so many choices out there it can make your head spin! lol.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ice Cap K series
Reef Octo
Skimz
Bubble Magnus
Nyos

I really like Ice Cap as well as Bubble Magnus

 

[BrandonS]

I always recommend reef octopus!

 

[Miami Reef]

+1 reef octopus!

 

[LivingroomDiver]

I have a 100 gallon systems andd just ordered a Tunze 9410 DC. I have read that they are great but we will see. Hopefully as good as review makes it to be.

 

[Muffin87]

Ultra reef protein skimmers are built like tanks.
You can watch a review on the reef builder youtube channel.

 

[BrandonS]

I have a 100 gallon systems andd just ordered a Tunze 9410 DC. I have read that they are great but we will see. Hopefully as good as review makes it to be.

I had one, really enjoyed the self adjusting aspect. I however found the cup to be a little small and if you intend to plumb outside air to it you need an air pump to force the air to it. Can't use venturi effect.

 

[Andresnyc93]

Reef octopus has some of the most reliable and consistent skimmers imo, has never let me down in the 6 years in the hobby

 

[WVNed]

Reef Octo since 2007
OO I do have a 36 inch LifeReef one too. Naw that wouldn't fit in a 20 gallon sump.

 

[Cetus]

Alright seems Reef Octopus is the way to go.

Classic 200INT 8” Internal Protein Skimmer - Reef Octopus

Manufacturer rated for tanks up to 250 gallons BRS recommended for tanks up to 160 gallons In sump skimmer. Powered by an Aquatrance 3000. Built with high quality acrylic. Gate valve allows for more precise control of water level. ½” clearance required to remove collection cup for easy...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This is the one that seems to suit my tank size and it seems decently rated? Any thoughts or experience with this one? If not, then what would you recommend specifically for my bioload and tank size?

 

[Andresnyc93]

Perfect^

 

[bnord]

before you make your final decision, look into a controllable DC pump... Reef Octopus makes good ones too...

 

[BrandonS]

Alright seems Reef Octopus is the way to go.

Classic 200INT 8” Internal Protein Skimmer - Reef Octopus

Manufacturer rated for tanks up to 250 gallons BRS recommended for tanks up to 160 gallons In sump skimmer. Powered by an Aquatrance 3000. Built with high quality acrylic. Gate valve allows for more precise control of water level. ½” clearance required to remove collection cup for easy...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This is the one that seems to suit my tank size and it seems decently rated? Any thoughts or experience with this one? If not, then what would you recommend specifically for my bioload and tank size?

That is the skimmer I have and it works well. It's one of those just works things. I have a 150 gallon mixed reef fairly heavily stocked fish wise.

One thing I will say is this leads to the conversation of a 20 gallon is a little small of a sump on a 125 for me. I don't think that skimmer will fit in a standard 20 gallon long sump. Might be able to squeeze it in though. double check the manufacturer foot print for sure.

 

[Cetus]

That is the skimmer I have and it works well. It's one of those just works things. I have a 150 gallon mixed reef fairly heavily stocked fish wise.

One thing I will say is this leads to the conversation of a 20 gallon is a little small of a sump on a 125 for me. I don't think that skimmer will fit in a standard 20 gallon long sump. Might be able to squeeze it in though. double check the manufacturer foot print for sure.

It's this one.

Crystal Cube Sump 18 - Trigger Systems

CRYS18C Dimensions: 18″ long x 18″ wide x 15″ high Drain/Skimmer Section: 10.875″ x 11″ Front/Refugium Section: 17.5″ x 6.5″ Return Pump Section: 6.4375″ x 11″ Total Water Volume: 20 gallons Skimmer Water Level: 9.5″ fixed Some of the features of the CRYSTAL sumps are: Locking Filter Sock...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

The unfortunate thing is I don't have the space for anything larger in my cabinet so this was the largest I could get. It seems the one I'm looking at might actually be too large for the skimmer section so... Huh.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-nwb150-6-pinwheel-in-sump-protein-skimmer.html Here's a smaller one and maybe it'd fit? Yeah this is kind of a struggle now.

 

[Cetus]

That is the skimmer I have and it works well. It's one of those just works things. I have a 150 gallon mixed reef fairly heavily stocked fish wise.

One thing I will say is this leads to the conversation of a 20 gallon is a little small of a sump on a 125 for me. I don't think that skimmer will fit in a standard 20 gallon long sump. Might be able to squeeze it in though. double check the manufacturer foot print for sure.

Given I may not have space in my sump for an internal skimmer, I might need to go external.

Classic 150EXT 6” Recirculating Protein Skimmer - Reef Octopus

BRS Recommended for tanks up to: Heavy Bioload (Most Common) - 100 Gallons Medium Bioload - 150 Gallons Light Bioload - 200 gallons External skimmer powered by Aquatrance 2000s pump with an improved venturi design and pinwheel impeller. Built with high quality acrylic. Wedge pipe output allows...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This would work for a tank of my specifications, yes? A bit costlier and I need another sicce pump for it. Wondering if I do go this route, how exactly a recirculating skimmer function. Do I just feed it with a sicce pump and place it wherever's convenient? That's only if I absolutely cannot cram the skimmer into the skimmer section of my sump.

10.875″ x 11″ is the skimmer section dimensions.
12" x 8.5" is the protein skimmer's footprint. Horizontally it seems too large but I think the footprint is due to the pump? included? Can it be adjusted slightly to make room or is it stuck in a static position?

 

[Cetus]

Reef Octopus Classic 150SSS 6" Internal Space Saving Protein Skimmer

The sleek and compact Reef Octopus Classic 150SSS in-sump protein skimmer supplies powerful filtration for aquariums up to 150 gallons where sump space may be limited. Recommended sump water height: 7"-8" Small Footprint - Big Performance Reef Octopus Aquatrance 2000s Skimmer Pump Removable...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

There's also this one that saves on space and has the same skimming capacity. I'm pretty sure I can fit this one in but does the space-saving compromise on any skimming ability or is it just a direct upgrade?

 

[Andresnyc93]

I have one of the series sss on a different system and it does just as great of a job as the classic, only difference is the dialing valve is a little more sensitive to tuning but it’s just as great of a skimmer. A little taller than the classic I believe

 

[Cetus]

I have one of the series sss on a different system and it does just as great of a job as the classic, only difference is the dialing valve is a little more sensitive to tuning but it’s just as great of a skimmer. A little taller than the classic I believe

The 150SSS one looks most tempting. It's less powerful than the Classic 200 and the BRS stocking options seem a bit weird rating medium at 110 gallons but other places say this is rated up to 210 gallons or something. Regardless, with budget, space, and quality all taken into consideration, do you think this would be the best skimmer to go with given my specifications?

 

[Andresnyc93]

The 150SSS one looks most tempting. It's less powerful than the Classic 200 and the BRS stocking options seem a bit weird rating medium at 110 gallons but other places say this is rated up to 210 gallons or something. Regardless, with budget, space, and quality all taken into consideration, do you think this would be the best skimmer to go with given my specifications?

Given you have limited sump space yes. Brs stocking options also always lead you to spend more money on a bigger skimmer so if it was me I’d go with that one