How to Choose a Protein Skimmer for Your Reef Tank & Mistakes to AVOID!

Make no mistake, choosing the right protein skimmer for your saltwater tank can be HARD! Between AC & DC options to internal or hang on back models, there's a lot to digest! Lucky for us, Matthew is in today to help shed some light on how they work and how to find the right one for your reef tank or saltwater aquarium. Have a favorite protein skimmer? Let us know in the comments!
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Find the right protein skimmer for your saltwater aquarium at Bulk Reef Supply:
➡ Internal Protein Skimmers : brs.li/BRS_Pro...
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➡ Nano & HOB Protein Skimmers : brs.li/BRS_Pro...
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Legal Stuff
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[@colourofair87]

Wow! I just realized, in all the videos I have been binging of Matt's learning about reefing, the tattoos! 🙏 Not that it's relevant, haha, but it just made me smile and know I'm in the right place for reefing knowledge. Thank you for all you do to teach us, Matt! You're the best! 😄

[@Merknilash]

Hey Matt, I have some experience here - I went through 3 skimmers trying to find one that wasn't obnoxiously noisy. Started with a standard AC Reef Octopus - it was terrible and loud Then I got a Nyos 120 - not only was it loud, but it had poor build quality despite the flashy appearance - I was very disappointed in this one. I returned it (thanks Amazon!). Lastly, I got a Deltec 600i and it's absolutely amazing. Whisper quiet, works great. Couldn't be happier.

[@so_so_reef]

I've recently sold my deltec 400i because it was unbearably loud 😅 ended up going for a cheap bubble magus and it's much quieter and a third of the price.

[@Merknilash]

@@so_so_reef was it a DC? Mine is whisper quiet - just a faint carbonated beverage sound if you open up the cabinet, otherwise you can't hear with the doors closed.

[@BTC_Reef]

While you may not need a skimmer for nutrient control in all cases. I think it's super important just for oxygenation of the water, which benefits all reef tanks.

[@jjmccloud]

Its great for PH as well

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

It can also reduce pH depending on the air quality that it sucks in that's y you need to run a soda lime reactor

[@Kenny_Edmonton]

@@patterdalezipsuzililI’m using Kalk and can’t get any PH boost. Thinking about getting a better skimmer. Mines only rated for a 40 gallon, and I have a 49.1 gallon that’s heavily stocked. Do you think with a better skimmer I could get a PH boost, hard to say I know lol

[@matthewlydick5778]

I got a Q-1 skimmer, but it's rated for 140g light, medium 110g and heavy to an 80g. I have a 40-gallon with a heavy bio Load full of fish and is a sps dominant tank. my phosphate is about 0.0 with heavy feeding every day. Love that video! it is Vere important to get right skimmer for the right job!! I wish I had this video a lot sooner. great work!! BRS

[@Intertaining.reels96]

Ty this made me as a first time looker and person who is sick of loosing fish and deadass feels like I’m trying like I do water changes everything and just lack of knowledge and accurate testing rates some finky species are just dying for me and this helps me understand how to keep my fish happy and healthy Ty imma def use that first hob skimmer Ty

[@Slide-Loc]

Excellent video.

[@andrew5762]

Doing a great job Matt 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@davidleach4689]

Reef octopus classic 150 is a beast of a protein skimmer for the price.

[@jenniferanderson4193]

I MISS THIS GUY! Where did he go??? I started my saltwater journey with him and kgtropicals! #comeback

[@AG-tm4gr]

Tunze also makes a in tank protien skimmer

[@crustysleet]

Hi, I know you posted this a while ago but I'm a new hobbyist running a 70 gallon tank with a very large 50 gallon sump(it's only about half full tho) and I'm running an icecap k130, is that too big then based on your video? Also, when you select a protein skimmer and they say something like "50-70 gallons" is that the display or the sump volume also you are going off of? I sized for my entire setup of 120 potential gallons..

[@cool86gt]

Great info, Thank you

[@ianstafford3642]

Really helpful video, in a 600L tank with a filter roller and refugium I was trying to decide between the Redsea DC RSK 300 or 600 for a LPS dominant mixed reef tank, based on the aim smaller I’m thinking the 300 will be sufficent?

[@Baka_Mop]

Yeah, I have the 525 G2 with rollermat and fuge and run a 300. It's still pretty big. In combination with a rollermat and fuge, you can get away with the smallest one.

[@Unmployable]

I just can’t fathom how expensive such a simple device can be.

[@theamjadjamousable]

How stinky should the skimmer cub be to know the biom is healthy ?

[@felixhickman7845]

Just set up a nano tank (55L), wasn’t going to get a skimmer, appreciate anyones thoughts on if that’s ok?

[@trolojolo6178]

You don't need one for a 55l nano reef tank setup. Just start with cycling your tank, by adding everyday fish food and beneficial bacteria. After 1-2 month your tank should be cycled. Important is to have plenty live rock inside your tank. Then introduce first 1-2 fish to your tank. A bit later start adding easy take care coral's. There is a list for corals that are suitable for no sump/skimmer tank setup. Keep an eye on your water parameters for the next 3-5 months. If you go with a outside box filter, clean it regularly to avoid amonia build up. Do every month a 30/70 or 50/50 water change. After 5 months you should have a well balanced an cycled reef tank. If you have some money left, get yourself a small wave maker (some corals need them) and a auto water top-up device. They cost around 50$

[@felixhickman7845]

@@trolojolo6178 thanks you very helpful - 2 months in now, all going well, have a pair of clowns and some hardy soft corals with no troubles thus far!

[@trolojolo6178]

@@felixhickman7845 Glad I could help you. Keep us updated if you don't mind :) Wish best luck and joy watching your tank grow 💁🏻‍♂️May god bless you.

[@grow-with-a-growl-farm]

reef/coral with only sand sifters no fish 20 long tank? need a skimmer, yes or no we are rescuing corral from a private owner

[@KentuckyReef]

You completely skipped a type of skimmer. Hint it doesn’t use a bubble plate or pull air in.

[@liampritchard4163]

That’s because them once are designed for tropical freshwater

[@KentuckyReef]

@@liampritchard4163 No they are not! I didn’t even know that you could use a skimmer on freshwater

[@fishyjoes8159]

Glasses, then no glasses, now glasses again

[@queencityreefs]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

Buy and fit the biggest one you can fit in sump 🤣

[@84latinray]

I turn my skimmer off at night