The 13 Best Protein Skimmer Reviews For 2024 – All Tested

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Are you struggling to find a reliable protein skimmer?

In this blog, we share the best protein skimmers from hand on backs all the way to DC powered skimmers.

With over 25 years of experience in the aquarium hobby, I’ve assisted countless clients, hobbyists, and readers like you find reliable equipment that lasts the test of time. I’ve personally tested these products in real world scenarios to determine the best protein skimmer to buy.

Things You Need To Know

  • Specialized Aquarium Protein Skimmers are difficult to find locally because local fish stores are limited in what brands they can carry. You will have a better selection of shopping online
  • Many other websites that recommend equipment typically only recommend products from Amazon. We at Aquarium Store Depot send readers to purchase the best products from the best brands at specialized retailers online
  • We thoroughly review every product we recommend or have had field experiences with most of the equipment we recommend. We do not recommend what we do not use or recommend to other aquarium keepers.
  • Our site owner has been in the aquarium since he was 11 and has over 25 years in the industry. We are run by hobbyists for hobbyists

The Top Picks

Editor’s Choice
Nyos Quantum
  • In sump
  • German made
  • Great performance
Best Value
Bubble Magus Elite
  • Italian made pump
  • Good looks
  • Value for money
Budget Option
Bubble Magus Curve
  • Great price
  • Great reputation

This is a tough one because there are a lot of high quality protein skimmers out there. I’m actually going to list several here as each of these recommendations would fit different tanks. Before I provide the list I will say I’m a big advocate of Reef Octopus protein skimmers, but they don’t really fit with any of the category winners below:

The Candidates – A Quick Comparision

Protein skimmers have a ton of marketing fluff behind them and that makes it difficult to find a protein skimmer that will work for your needs. I’m going to provide a list of recommended skimmers from all price ranges that we known have been part of very successful reef tank builds. I will also list out the only hang on back protein skimmer I recommend.

PictureNameBest ForLink
Editor’s Choice
Nyos Quantum 
Nyos Quantum 

In Sump

Click For Best Price
Best Value
Bubble Magus Elite
Bubble Magus Elite

In Sump

Click For Best Price
Budget Option
Bubble Magus Curve Series
Bubble Magus Curve Series

In Sump

Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
AquaMaxx HOB 1.5 AquaMaxx HOB 1.5

Hang On Back

Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
Reef Glass Nano Protein Skimmer Reef Glass Nano Protein Skimmer

Hang On Back

Click For Best Price
Simplicity DC Protein Skimmers Simplicity DC Protein Skimmers

In Sump (DC)

Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
IceCap K-2 IceCap K-2

In Sump

Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
IceCap K-1 IceCap K-1

In Sump

Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
Red Sea Reef Skimmer Red Sea Reef Skimmer

In Sump

Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
Reef Octopus Classic Reef Octopus Classic

In Sump

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Reef Octopus Essence Reef Octopus Essence

In Sump

Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
Reef Octopus Regal Reef Octopus Regal

In Sump (DC)

Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
SCA Protein Skimmer SCA Protein Skimmer

In Sump

Buy On Amazon

The Best Protein Skimmer Reviews – 13 in 2023

1. Nyos Quantum – Excellent Quality Skimmer

Editor's Choice!
NYOS QUANTUM

The Best Protein Skimmer

German made, super silent, and world class performance. This is the pinnacle of skimmer technology today!

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The Nyos Quantum in my mind is the pinnacle of AC powered protein skimmers. Made in Germany, this skimmer is designed for extreme performance. The German made pump is designed for power and silence, providing one of the quietest protein skimmers available. The skimmer is expertly crafted and designed to last throughout the life of your tank.

It is built to be disassembled so cleaning and maintaining is very painless with this skimmer. They also to break in very fast, nearly having no break in time! They are equipped with a larger reaction chamber than most on this list. This is the best built needle wheel skimmer I have come across. It has a unique twister bubble plate design that is designed to churn out more bubbles than most other skimmers on this list. It will remove nutrients like crazy out of your aquarium water. They are built for heavy bio load setups.

ModelNyos Quantum 120Nyos Quantum 160Nyos Quantum 220Nyos Quantum 300
PictureNyos Quantum 120Nyos Quantum 160Nyos Quantum 220Nyos Quantum 300
Price$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Gallon Recommendation40-125 Gallons100 – 250 Gallons125 – 500 Gallons250-1000 Gallons
Air Max (Liters Per Hour)500 l/h1500 l/h2200 l/h2200 l/h
Power Consumption8 Watts18 Watts22 Watts2 x 22 Watts
Dimensions (LxWxH) in Inches5.91 x 8.27 x 18.317.29 x 9.85 x 20.8712.2 x 9.25 x 23.813.4 x 16.4 x 26
Water Level8-10 “8 – 10″8 – 10″8 – 10″

Quality does come with a price. This is one of the most expensive protein skimmers on the market, but you definitely get what you pay for. If you are looking for very clean aquarium water, this is the skimmer to buy!

Specifications

  • Footprint – 7.1″ x 9.8″ (For Nyos 160 Model)
  • Height – 20.9″
  • Power Consumption – 18W @120VAC

Pros

  • German made skimmer
  • Expertly crafted and incredible performance
  • Easily disassembled for cleaning

Cons

  • Expensive!

2. Bubble Magus Elite – The Best Value On The Market

Best Value
Bubble Magus Elite

Best Value

Armed with the world class Sicce pump, this new skimmer from Bubble Magus outperforms many name brand skimmers!

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The Bubble Magus Elite is the best value on protein skimmers on the market today. It has a great price and it is equipped with a high quality Italian made Sicce. The red and black colors have a coolness factor to them. I also like the easy to use dials that adjust the bubble levels in the neck. 

The elite skimmer is an upgrade to the original Curve Series. It addresses the biggest issue with the original Curve series which was the pump. The pump was okay quality. The upgrade to the Sicce put this on part with high end skimmers. This version addresses the original with a modern design. At the price it sells at, it is a great buy and outperforms many other skimmers above its price range. 

Specifications

  • Footprint – 7.3″ x 7.1″ (For Elite 5 Model)
  • Height – 18.5″
  • Power Consumption – 18W @120VAC

Pros

  • Great value!
  • Italian made pump
  • Looks cool

Cons

  • Mid priced
  • Break in time

3. Bubble Magus Curve – The Best Bang For the Buck 

Budget Option
Bubble Magus Curve

Budget Option

Great skimmer for a great price

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The original Bubble Magus Curve series protein skimmers are the original bang for the buck protein skimmer. This is the protein skimmer that has been used by many reefers with great results. You can probably call this the Chinese Black Box LED equivalent for protein skimmers.

This is a very practical and efficient needle wheel skimmer. It is fitted with a needle wheel pump and the modern curve skimmer body that are commonplace with higher end protein skimmers.

The main con with this unit is the dial in time. They really take their time breaking in and the pump isn’t as high quality as other protein skimmers on this list. But the great thing now is the manufacturer came out with the Elite Protein Skimmers that are armed with a Sicce pump. These elites are now up there with the top brands and deserve your attention! Both models can be equipped with skimmer swabbies that will keep the neck of your collection cup clean.

Specifications

  • Footprint – 7.28″ x 7.08″ (For Curve 5 Model)
  • Height – 18.5″
  • Power Consumption – 8W @120VAC

Pros

  • Cheap!
  • Lots of features from higher end skimmer models
  • Elite versions are available for those wanting an Italian made pump

Cons

  • They take time to break in and can be finicky
  • The original curve’s pump is above average – upgrade to the elites for higher quality

4. Aquamxx HOB 1.5 – The Best Hang on Back Skimmer on the Market

Great HOB Skimmer
AquaMaxx HOB 1.5

Best HOB Skimmer

Combines a needle wheel style skimmer in an HOB design

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For many years, the Aquamaxx HOB Protein Skimmer has held the title of best hang-on skimmer on the market. This new 1.5 remodel amps up the skimming power to the pinnacle of what HOB skimmers are capable of.  

Armed with a Sicce rebranded “Shark”pump, this skimmer has all the power that an in-sump skimmer can provide but with the ability to be placed on the back of an aquarium. It is equipped with the same needle wheel impeller that you are used to seeing in their in-sump models. It is even compact enough to fit in larger all in one saltwater aquariums like the Innovative Marine 40.

The main complaint with this unit is the footprint inside of the tank. It does take away at the aesthetics using an HOB and the price is on par with many in-sump skimmers. It is the choice for HOB skimmers without a doubt! No need to look or find anything else.

Specifications

  • Footprint – 7.5″ x 3.5″ 
  • Height – 17″
  • Power Consumption – 11W @120V

Pros

  • Powerful skimmer – the best hang on back protein skimmer
  • Italian pump built to last
  • Compact enough to work in larger all in one systems

Cons

  • Hang on backs take up space in the fish tank
  • Price

5. Reef Glass Nano – The Smallest Skimmer Today

Great For Nano Reefs
Reef Glass Nano

The Smallest Skimmer

Compact size yet effective, The Reef Glass Nano is ideal for Nano Reef Tanks

Buy On EBay

Nano Reef tanks have tough when it comes to get a quality skimmer. There is a lack of space and many skimmers that fit are of poor quality. The reef glass skimmer is the smallest protein skimmer you can purchase today and is very effective for its size. It is effective for aquariums up to 30 gallons and is less than an inch and a half thick. It can easily fit in a small reef and be hidding from view behind rockspaces.

This nano protein skimmer is also small enough to fit in many all in one aquarium chambers. All in one aquariums are great for starting out, but one of the biggest frustrations is finding a skimmer that fits in the chambers. This will fit in even the smallest of all in ones.

Because of its size, it is an air driven skimmer. This does not make it as powerful as a pump driven skimmer, but given the space restrictions, it still works well. It will outperform all those poor quality seaclones/lee brand skimmers that you will find at chain pet stores.

Specifications

  • Footprint – 1.25″ x 1.25″ 
  • Height – 11″
  • Power Consumption – Varies

Pros

  • Cheap!
  • Fits in the smallest aquariums

Cons

  • Not pump driven
  • No waste collector

6. Simplicity DC Skimmers – DC Powered

Simplicity DC Protein Skimmer

Simplicity offers DC powered skimmers at an entry level price

Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

If you are looking for a DC Protein Skimmer, but do not want to spend an arm and a leg, the Simplicity DC Protein Skimmers are an incredible value. The adjustable speed of the DC speed offers incredible adjust-ability with these skimmers and silent functionality.

It is simple to use, which makes sense given the name brand and due to the DC pump takes less time to break in than traditional protein skimmers. Simplicity is also known for having great customer service, so you will have a good experience with support versus other value line protein skimmers.

The price is in line with many mid-grade protein skimmer so you are getting a skimmer with the higher end features of a DC protein skimmer, but with the price of a mid-grade skimmer.

There are only two things I see as cons with this protein skimmer. The first is that the simplicity protein skimmers body is held together with nylon bolts so it’s not a quick release like the others on this list. The other is the pump itself. The protein skimmer pump is a re-branded Jabeo which makes us question the long term reliability of the pump. The good thing though this also means that the pump is cheap to replace.

Specifications

  • Footprint – 6.7″ x 6.3″ (For 120DC model)
  • Height – 18.7″
  • Power Consumption – 6-12W @120V

Pros

  • DC powered skimmer = lots of controlability 
  • Cheap for a DC skimmer!
  • Excellent customer service from Simplicity

Cons

  • No quick release function for skimmer body
  • DC Pump reliability could be questionable

7. IceCap K-2 – A Solid Mid-Price Skimmer

IceCap K2

Italian made pump and backed by the CoralVue name

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The CoralVue IceCap K-1 Skimmers are the main line of CoralVue skimmer offerings. They are mid-priced skimmers that offer a lot of value and features for the money. Like many of the higher end skimmers, this K-1 skimmer is equipped with the iconic Italian made Sicce pump. The skimmer has some extra touches with marking on the collection cup and adjustment dials so you know what levels you have adjusted to. This pipeless design also allows for a quieter operation than lower budget range skimmers.

It’s overall a really good value, with my only hesitation is that it may be still out of range for some reefers budgets.

Specifications

  • Footprint – 6.7″ x 8″ (For 160 model)
  • Height – 20″
  • Power Consumption – 15W @120V

Pros

  • Mid-Priced skimmer with high-end features
  • Italian made Sicce pump
  • Smaller footprint to comparable skimmers

Cons

  • Still a little out of range for some mid-priced shoppers

8. IceCap K-1 – An IceCap Skimmer for The Budget-Conscious Reefer

IceCap K1

A budget offering from CoralVue. Smaller sizes work great for nano reef tanks

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For those of you who like what the IceCap K-2 skimmers offer, but not in their budgets, the IceCap K-1 protein skimmers are a great alternative. The K-1 offers the same features as the K-2 with the exception of the pump. You still get the markings and a professional level adjustable valves.

While all the features offered are great, you are sacrificing the pump quality. The pump included here is a wavereef pump, which is a step down for the benchmark Sicce pumps that many reef veterans trust. It is nonetheless a great value offer for budget conscious saltwater aquarists.

Specifications

  • Footprint – 6.7″ x 8″ (For 160 model)
  • Height – 20″
  • Power Consumption – 16W @120V

Pros

  • A budget conscious, but value loaded skimmer
  • Various models sizes available for all sizes of aquariums
  • Compact Size

Cons

  • Pump is a wavereef pump – it’s not a Sicce

9. Red Sea – Skimmer with A Swabbie Feature!

Red Sea Protein Skimmer

A high end skimmer with a skimmer swabbie built in

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The Red Sea Protein Skimmer has a feature that stands out among all the skimmers listed on this article. It has a built in skimmer swabbie on the collection cup. A skimmer swabbie cleans the inside of the neck of your collection cup allow the skimmer to operate at maximum efficiency.

Usually, a battery run swabbie can be very expensive to fit on a skimmer and are not available on all brands and models. This skimmer has only built in. It’s a mechanical dial that allows you to clean the neck, but this feature alone is a huge deal if you want to run your skimmer at max capacity. It’s even a bigger deal if you don’t clean out your collection cup often and choose to drain the cup to a bucket or container before disposing. 

This protein skimmer has highly quality adjustable dials and your benchmark Sicce PSK pump. It is on the pricier size of the skimmers on this list, but that swabbie is a really big deal in my mind and worth the extra money, especially if you don’t like to empty your skimmer collection cup that often.

Specifications

  • Footprint – 9.1″ x 8.3″ (For RSK 300 model)
  • Height – 21″
  • Power Consumption – 16W @120V

Pros

  • Skimmer Swabbie!
  • High quality dial for easy adjustments
  • Sicce Pump

Cons

  • Price
  • Loud

10. Reef Octopus Classic – Quality Name Brand With High-End Performance

Reef Octopus Classic

Reef Octopus is a benchmark in the industry. The next gen classic models offer top of the line performance

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Reef Octopus Classic Skimmers have been been unchanged for a very long time. The newest remodel of these skimmers of the classic line is an improvement over the decade old proven reliability of these series of protein skimmers.

The Reef Octopus brand is well known in the marine reef industry and has a long standing quality reputation among the community. They were the first protein skimmer manufacturers in the world that designed their very own protein skimmer pumps. When you purchase a Reef Octopus, you know you are purchasing a skimmer with a pump specifically designed for the protein skimmer instead of the typical bolted on 3rd party pump that other manufacturers use. It comes equipped with an air silencer, fittings for ratings, and tank water level adjustments so you can cater it to your sump levels.

Reef Octopus further backs up their product with a 2 year warranty versus your typical 1 year warranty. The also have a Reef Octopus Classic Space Saver Protein Skimmer model for those with small sumps.

Our only con to report on the classic line is the price. When these new classic models were released that came with an increased price, but you get what you pay for. If you are looking for a more compact model, you can check out their space saver models (The SSS models).

Specifications

  • Footprint – 10.4″ x 8.1″ (For 152-s model)
  • Height – 20.7″
  • Power Consumption – 11W @120V

Pros

  • Respected Reef Octopus name and quality
  • Skimmer pump is designed specifically for the skimmer
  • 2 year warranty

Cons

  • Price

11. Reef Octopus Essence – High-End with Convenient Features

Reef Octopus Essence

Everything we love about Reef Octopus in one simple package

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The Reef Octopus Essence series protein skimmer take what we love about the classic series and adds an number of hobby friendly maintenance features.

The skimmer cup has an easy to use twist and lift feature and there is a detachable silence collar that makes the skimmer super quiet. There are quick release tabs that are very similar to what bubble magus features that allows you easy access to the skimmer body for cleaning. They are designed to have a small footprint so you can fit these in tight spaces and the dials have a nice extra touch of being marked.

This is a skimmer for those who want simplicity. It does come with a price though as they are more expensive than the reef octopus classic series skimmers. Overall, it’s a great product release by Reef Octopus.

Specifications

  • Footprint – 8.3″ x 6.9″
  • Height – 20.5″
  • Power Consumption – 11W @120V

Pros

  • Respected Reef Octopus name and quality
  • Has a number of hobby friendly convenience features
  • 2 year warranty

Cons

  • Price – more expensive than classic line

12. Reef Octopus Regal – High-End DC Skimmers for Serious Reefkeepers

Reef Octopus Regal

A high end DC powered protein skimmer. Reef octopus spares no expense on this top of the line model

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The Reef Octopus Regal Protein Skimmer is a high end DC Powered skimmer. This is the top of the line skimmer series from Reef Octopus and it puts out no stops in providing the best of the best that current skimmer technology has to offer. The heart of the system is the high quality Reef Octopus VarioS DC Pump that is the considered one of the best aquarium return pumps in the industry. 

This skimmer has the same high quality construction that you would expect from any Reef Octopus skimmer. The DC pump provides enhanced control, performance, and energy efficiency that puts it at another level compared to traditional AC powered options.

It’s a top of the line protein skimmer, so it commands a top of the line price. Again with Reef Octopus, you get what you pay for. There is also the Regal INT protein skimmer models for those who have additional space in their sumps.

Specifications

  • Footprint – 11.4″ x 7.5″ (For 150 INT model)
  • Height – 22.6″
  • Power Consumption – 15 – 25W @120V

Pros

  • DC Powered protein skimmer – enhanced controllability
  • Very powerful and efficient
  • Very high quality DC pump that is built to last

Cons

  • Price – most expensive protein skimmer on this list

13. SCA Protein Skimmers – The In Sump for the Ultra Budget Conscious

SCA Protein Skimmer

A budget friendly protein skimmer offered by SCA Aquariums

Buy On Amazon

The SCA Protein Skimmer is the cheapest in sump protein skimmer on this list and it’s actually a pretty decent skimmer. It powered by an Atman skimmer pump, which is a value pump that is used to replace more expensive skimmer pumps, but it is plenty serviceable here.

The main value here is the simple construction of the skimmer. It is really simple to setup and use and just has all the bare essentials to get you skimming all the junk out of your tank.

The main gripes I have with this skimmer is the pump and the the maintenance. The pump isn’t the best and I tend to be bias for Sicce pumps and the body doesn’t have a quick release like the Bubble Magus or Essence skimmers. The atman pump draw a huge amount of power. It draws 28 watts, the highest on our list.

Specifications

  • Footprint – 9″ x 9.5″ (For 180 model)
  • Height – 18″
  • Power Consumption – 28W @120V

Pros

  • Cheap!
  • Simple construction and easy to use

Cons

  • The Atman skimmer is just an average skimmer pump
  • It uses nuts instead of a quick release for the skimmer body

What is a Protein Skimmer?

A protein skimmer is a filtration system that removes protein and other organic compounds. It works by relying on a chemical process to remove organic waste from the water column. Waste and dissolved organic compounds will adhere to the surface of air bubbles produced by the protein skimmer and are literally pulled out of your aquarium water by the thousands of bubbles produced by the skimmer. The waste from these bubbles will go to a collection cup where they can be removed by the aquarium keeper. This waste that is produced is called skimmate.

Along with aquarium usage, protein skimmers are used in commercial applications like municipal water treatment facilities. They have been around for many years and are a tried and true filtration technology.

Tidal gardens break down protein skimmers in the video below:

Types

Protein skimmers are, unfortunately one of the saltwater aquarium products that is plagued with tons of marketing fluff. I’m going to attempt to simplify the discussion by breaking down types of protein skimmers and the differences below:

Internal

These are protein skimmers you will typically see in nano tanks. They are usually air stone driven and generally, the quality of them really is not great. Unless you are purchasing a high quality internal skimmer, I would recommend you save your money and opt for high quality live or aquacultured rock.

Hang On Back – AKA HOB

A hang on back protein skimmer (HOB) is a skimmer that is designed to work without an aquarium sump. The skimmers will hang on the back of the tank and will pull aquarium water directly out of the display tank. While they are great for smaller tanks or tanks that do not have a sump, they often time are not as powerful and comprehensive compared to in sump protein skimmers. They also tend to leave a pretty sizable footprint in the tank as the pump needs to sit in the display tank, which leaves aesthetics to be desired. Some lower quality HOB skimmers struggle with releasing air bubbles into the aquarium.

In Sump

These are where the vast majority of the best protein skimmers fall under. The best manufacturers of skimmers make them to operate inside a sump as many reef tank keepers maintain an large aquarium sump that can hold these units. They offer lots of features like needle wheels, some are DC powered, and others are recirculating protein skimmers which provide even more cleaning power. We highly recommend shopping for an in sump protein skimmer.

External

These protein skimmers are usually meant for larger aquariums or commercial applications. They are often sold for aquariums over 300 gallons and most smaller aquarium setups do not have the room to house these. If you are a monster fish keeper with a fish room, a commercial external protein skimmer might be on your radar.

Do You Really Need One?

The short answer is no. However, many successful reefers and saltwater aquarium keepers use them because they are excellent tools of filtration and the best protein skimmers can do an incredible job of keeping nitrates and phosphates low when working in conjunction with a refugium or as part of a refugium sump build. Less phosphates and nitrates means you can keep lower levels for your fish and corals or even control your levels and dose up to the levels you prefer to stay at and maintain a healthy low term tank.

A protein skimmer has been essential to many of the key methods of filtration used by high end reefers today. The skimmer was one of the cornerstones of the Berlin Method that utilized live rock and protein skimmers and still is a preferred method of filtration for large coral sellers like World Wide Corals. The protein skimmer is also a key component of the Triton Method of filtration, which is a high level method of reef keeping that involves a skimmer, a large refugium, dosing of trace elements and supplements in order to keep an aquarium free of water changes.

So with both of these points stated, I would say it is a recommended piece of equipment for a saltwater aquarium.

FAQs for Beginners

The following FAQs are below for common questions. If you have additional questions,  please leave a comment.

Can a Skimmer Be Used in Freshwater Tanks?

Generally no. The reason why skimmers do not work in freshwater is due to surface tension. They are best used in environments with a high level of dissolved organics in the water (e.g. – dirty). This means that heavy duty applications are the only realsitic means of use like commercial fish farms or large ponds. For most hobbyists running a freshwater tank, a simple water change is far more convenient and easier to do.

Will It Reduce Ammonia?

A protein skimmer will not remove ammonia from a saltwater aquarium directly. However, it will remove harmful organics from your water that will break down into ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

Do They Remove or Reduce Nitrates?

They do not directly, but they do so indirectly with how they work. Protein skimmers remove dissolved organic compounds out of the water column, which in effect will lower the concentration of nitrates over time. It is common for high end skimmers to run a tank “too clean” so the best answer is – indirectly yes they do.

Will They Help With My Algae Problem?

Indirectly yes. Protein skimmers will remove nutrients for algae by removing the organic pollutants from your aquarium water. I still believe that growing a marco source of algae like cheato can be very useful in choking out nuisance algae.

Do You Run a Skimmer All The Time?

You certainty can run a protein skimmer all the time and most people do. Monitoring your parameters with a quality test kit should give you a better answer though. If your levels are too low for your corals, you might want to consider leaving your skimmer operating less than 24 hours a days. This is easily controlled with an aquarium controller, or plugging your skimmer to a smart power strip, where you can set a schedule for it.

Is It Necessary To Have One?

In my opinion, a protein skimmer is not necessary in a saltwater aquarium. It has a great ability to remove organics in your aquarium and as a result will lower your nitrate and phosphate levels since there will be less nutrients in your aquarium. However, there are other natural ways of reducing nitrates and phosphates, with quality dry rock or live rock being the easiest to implement.

Do Skimmers Add Oxygen?

Yes, protein skimmers add oxygen in your aquarium. This is done by the air bubbles produced by your pump. The air bubbles inject oxygen in your tank indirectly due to the skimming process. This is a added side benefit to having a protein skimmer in your aquarium.

Where Should The Bubbles Be In My Skimmer?

In my opinion, the bubbles should be at the beginning of your collection cup at the neck of your skimmer. As your protein skimmer runs, there will be thicker skim mate that will get pushed to the top of the collection cup. I find this level to be the baseline operating line for most skimmers on the market. You can adjust from this baseline as you see fit. Some people prefer wet skimmate and others dry. Wet skimmate has the advantage of pulling more organics while dry skimmate provides a balance of organics removal and less maintenance.

How Deep Should The Skimmer Be?

Most manufacturers will recommend between 8″ to 10″ for a protein skimmer. However, how deep your protein skimmer should be in your sump will depend on your manufacturer specifications. Some protein skimmers can be placed in a shallow depth while others need to be placed in a deep water level. Always read the specs from the manufacturer to make sure you place it at the right level.

How Often Should You Clean It?

You should clean the collection cup of your protein skimmer at least every 2-3 days. You may be able to go longer if your collection cup is bigger or you have it connected to a larger container. For the skimmer body, you should clean it every three to six months. The skimmer pump should be cleaned every 2-3 months.

Where Should I Put A Skimmer In My Sump?

This is a preference-related question. However, I will state that the worse place to put a protein skimmer would be in the return chamber of your sump. That leaves us with either the first or second chamber and that’s the part that is going to depend on your saltwater tank build.

Traditionally, a protein skimmer is best placed in the first chamber of your sump. The reason why is your protein skimmer is your first filtration device after your filter socks or media cups (if you use either). This allows for cleaner aquarium water to pass through your other sections in the sump. This is my usual recommended place to put a skimmer.
There is a newer method of system now called the Trition method that places the protein skimmer in the second chamber. Placing the skimmer in the second chamber allows for a great chance of pops populating in your refugium section and a high volume refugium. Some Triton systems will run socks though and I can tell you from experience that socks love to catch pods so to me if you are going to do Triton you should consider ditching your socks and living with a dirtier looking sump. Check out our best aquarium sump reviews for more info about the best sump available for your reef tank.

Closing Thoughts

My goal with these blog posts is to make you as well informed as possible with the products you are looking to purchase so you can make the best decision for your aquarium. I hope I achieved this and you were able to find what you were looking for. If you think I missed something, please feel free to leave a comment. See you next time! 

5 COMMENTS

  1. I have a simplicity 120 dc skimmer and the pump died. I see you mention that it uses a rebranded Jabeo pump. Any idea what model jabeo pump would be a replacement for it?

    Reply
  2. Simplicity here, thank you for the kind words. Id love to see this updated since we have not used a Jebao pump for over 5 years.

    Reply
    • Hi Joel,

      Thanks for reaching out. I stated Jebao in the review as the technology from what I know is still Jabeo based (it’s still a Skimz controller and the pump was a relabeled Jabeo). Are you using a different model base with your private label? I believe your circulation DC pump is still Jabeo based.

      Reply
  3. The Bubble Magus model is definitely a good choice. I’m using an SCA 302 at the moment as it came with my tank, but I definitely need to snag an upgrade in the near future!

    Reply

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