walmart skimmer

mullinsd2

I am starting up a sw tank soon, and I was wondering if anyone here knows anything about the protein skimmer that walmart sells. It is he prizm hang on skimmer. My tank will be 45 gallons and I plan on doing FOWLR for a while, but I know in the future I will want to add some coral.

Pasfur

I have a Prism Skimmer. Yep, i have one all right. It sits in the corner of my garage collecting dust. It collects dust very well, which is about the only thing usefull its done for me.

If you need a low budget hang on skimmer that will get the job done, check out these 2 options:

The Coralife model sold here is much more effecient and probably less expensive that the Prism:
Needle Wheel Super Protein Skimmers | Venturi Models | Protein Skimmers | Aquarium - ThatPetPlace.com

The SeaClone skimmer is the only model for under $100 that I would ever use again:
SeaClone Protein Skimmers | Venturi Models | Protein Skimmers | Aquarium - ThatPetPlace.com

If you have a few extra dollars and want great performance from a quality skimmer, then buy a Berlin X2:
Berlin X2 Venturi Skimmer | Venturi Models | Protein Skimmers | Aquarium - ThatPetPlace.com

mullinsd2

I will probably end up going with the Coralife, thanks for the insight on the Prism. Even looking at reviews online seems to be misleading. The reviews for the Prism were all great, sometimes I think company employees hop on there and say a few things just to get the ball rolling.... haha, just my little theory. Can we post threads on here asking if anyone is selling any supplies?

onefish2fish

personally out of those choices i would go with the berlin. granted this is only going to be a FOWLR tank a skimmer is still one of, if not the most important things.

if you want to sell, trade or buy something there is a classified section of the forum.

i suggest searching your area for a local reefing club. i understand your only doing FOWLR but members have these setups too and the equipment is the same shy of the lights. these can be great places to pick up equipment, meet people with similiar interests and learn new things.

mullinsd2

yeah i picked up my 45 gallon today and the dude had an amazing 120 gallon fowlr set up, but he had no protein skimmer and said hes never had one. he just does weekly water changes i think. he had two power heads hooked up... some really nice ones and had a canister filter and no sump, and some extremely expensive lighting. His tank looked so nice.

Kellsindell

I'd go with the AquaC Remora or The urchin both efficient skimmers that are silent and don't cost too much. (one's hang on and the other is in sump)

Pasfur

In the 1980's this hobby was full of questions about "wipeouts". The term was used to refer to a successful aquarium without disease, which in a single day had all livestock die, cause of death undetermined. Due to the evolution and affordability of the protein skimmer, this topic is almost non-existent today.

In other words, success is only success until everything dies. I would call this guy irresponsible and stubborn. ( the guy who wold you the tank, that is.)

mullinsd2

I am just now getting into this but he didn't seem irresponsible to me. He was a really good guy, and cared a lot about his fish, but once again, who am I to say whats right and not ; personally I am going to buy one.

Kellsindell

great choice. Just remember you do "get what you pay for" so look and read reviews and don't impulse buy or overstock... even with a skimmer.

onefish2fish

i agree with pasfur and why would the guy have expensive lights over a FOWLR?