Best Protein Skimmer?

[SkiFletch]

Thanks guys, I had a budget for $1000 for set up (as I already have the tank etc) and just for the extra 'marine equipment' that is well over $1K not including sand, salt and live stock! The problem is I do not want to buy cheap nasty stuff that either isn't as good or is hard to clean etc. Like the Powerheads...I want the Tunze ones but they are soooo expensive!!! And I want an RO Unit because in the long run its cheaper then buying the water from the LFS.

I knew marine wasn't cheap....but yikes! I do not want to go back to freshwater just coz I can't afford marine (at the moment)...its just not the same

Yeah, its doubly expensive down under . Remember, you don't have to start out with a high-tech reef if your wallet can't handle it. Consider just starting out basic and concentrating on less-demanding corals or other means of filtration like refugiums for nutrient export to prevent the wallet shock

 

[Colin_T]

The problem is I do not want to buy cheap nasty stuff that either isn't as good or is hard to clean etc. Like the Powerheads...I want the Tunze ones but they are soooo expensive!!! And I want an RO Unit because in the long run its cheaper then buying the water from the LFS.

Aquarclear do very good powerheads. I have used them for years and never had a problem. I have Tunze powerheads too and I don't think they are as good. The Tunze do have programmable powerheads which is a great idea but as you say they are expensive. Hydor does a rotating outlet thing for powerheads and it fits onto most pumps. It provides variable water movement and sells for about $30 AU. A cheap alternative is an Aquaclear with a Hydor fitting. You can even get an Aquaclear Quickfilter cartridge for the Aquaclear pumps. It is a plastic prefilter that goes on the intake to prevent things getting sucked up the pump. I remove the filter insert that comes with them and replace it with a green sponge for a large Aquarius internal power filter.

As for R/O water. Do you want that to make up saltwater for the tank? Why not collect your own water from the beach? If you want the R/O water for top ups just use tap water.

Finally, why don't you forget about the skimmer for the time being and see how things go without one.

Yeah, its doubly expensive down under . Remember, you don't have to start out with a high-tech reef if your wallet can't handle it. Consider just starting out basic and concentrating on less-demanding corals or other means of filtration like refugiums for nutrient export to prevent the wallet shock

Well said