Specs:

• Warner Marine K2 (stock) 41 SCFH
• Tank Rating: 300g with light bioload or 180g heavy stocked SPS tank
• 950+LPH of air flow… at 21W
• 950LPH measured with an RMA/RMB meter, with an RMC we see 1100LPH…
• ZERO start-up issues.
• 100% reliable and
• MADE IN THE US.

Description:

1. It uses the new and revolutionary VBT- ”Bubble Ring” technology and includes features unique to the Warner Marine K-2 Cone Skimmer.
2. Highest Quality Cell Cast acrylic, Schedule 80 fittings and CNC machined parts. Exceptional craftsmanship, fully polished edges, perfect glue joints and immaculate hot air welding make for a beautiful piece of equipment.
3. Easy to use “Twist-Lock” collection cup release. No sticky or leaky O-ring friction necks.
4. Super accurate, super adjustable US Made KBI Gate Valve, much better than a wedge pipe.
5. Quiet and Vibration free, the K-2 rides on rubber feet for optimal noise/vibration isolation.
6. The most elegant and refined use of the Italian made Sicce PSK-2500, custom CNC machined pump platform, union and a special CNC machined venturi. Includes a custom molded, balanced needle wheel impeller. This is the highest performance Sicce PSK-2500 needle wheel in the hobby.
7. Collection cup drain pre-installed, standard Air Silencer and .50” O.D.Silicone Air Hose.

Our Review:

It pulls a good amount of air and runs pretty quietly.  There are rubber feet on the Warner Marine K2 body and the pump which helps makes it almost completely silent.  The build quality and the noise level are two of the most immediately impressive features you will see.

The skimmer works best if you have it placed in about 7 inches or so of water.  If you have more in your sump simply put a little shelf inside to raise the k2 a bit inside.  The bubble ring provides good bubble work.  There is no swirling around like you get in other protein skimmers.  If you can believe it, there is an almost calm atmosphere in the skimmer chamber and everything seems to be moving in an upward motion.

The Warner Marine K2 Cone skimmer cup is threaded so you have to disconnect the air tube and twist the cup about 3 times before removal. This is only a 30 second task but compared to the BK it is not as slick.

This skimmer is getting a very good reputation and may one day soon be the granddaddy of the protein skimmer world in its class.

There isn’t much information floating around the Internet on the Bubble King Mini 160.   I think the reason for that is that a lot of people don’t end up buying the 160;  most go straight for the Bubble King 180.   I’m surprised because the Bubble King Mini 160 is the cheapest Bubble King Protein Skimmer you can get.

While the name states Mini, there really isn’t anything mini about this protein skimmer.   At about 7×7 it does have a small footprint;  but with the venture and wedge pipe the true footprint ends up being around 9×10.   This gives you the room around the skimmer for the venturi not to be restricted. This is a solid protein skimmer and definitely lives up to the quality you would expect from a Bubble King.

As for sound level, the Bubble King Mini 160 is pretty quiet. Even without the air silencer it is quieter than a sicce. No noise at all, no humming, no air sucking.

It begins to produce foam almost immediately and seems to be a well balanced piece of equipment. After about 14 hours or so it pulls some nice brown skimmate. Generally you’ll need to clean the cup about once per week. Be prepared for the smell. It’ll knock your socks off.

King Size Happy Bubbles 3-piece Mini Duvet Cover Set US $56.99 Auction Ends: Wednesday Apr-07-2010 15:43:03 PDT   | Watch this Item

Description:

• Model: Classic 135
• In Sump Skimmer
• Tanks up to: 135 Gallons
• Footprint: 11.4” x 8.9”
• Height/Diameter: 21” / 6.5”
• Pump Included: Aqua Euro 590
• Superior Craftsmanship
• High Grade Acrylic Construction
• High Quality Needle Wheel Pumps
• Highly Efficient, Durable, Reliable
• Simple to Set Up and Operate
• 1 Year Manufactures Warranty

For under $200 The Aqua Euro USA Classic 135 is a high quality in-sump protein skimmer. The 135 is designed for in-sump use only, and is very well constructed with a robust acrylic body and collection cup.

Setup is relatively easy since you really only need to push the pump output into the skimmer, slide the foam bubble trap over the return pipe; which also doubles as the water level adjustment.  Pay attention to the size of the skimmer.  It can surprise you with how large it is.  For the height, add at least 3 inches to allow for the sup removal for cleaning.

Setup may be easy but proper operation is something completely different.  Getting the 135 to skim isn’t as easy as the installation.  The protein skimmer needs quite a bit of adjusting to ensure proper operation.  Since the return pipe also is the water level adjustment you need to be ready to adjust its height regularly to get the unit to skim properly.

Once you finally get the unit to skim properly be prepared for regular cleanings.  The unit requires cleaning at least every other day to operate properly.  One pro is that the unit is designed relatively well for cleaning.  The neck could be a bit bigger.

Like all of AquaEuro’s skimmers, the  AquaEuro Classic 135 uses a wet-neck; basically an inverted funnel; to direct foam into the collection cup.  This means the collection cup comes on and off effortlessly rather than having a twist-lock.  The wet-neck is sturdy enough so that you can’t accidentally bump it off with normal use.

The wet-neck + water level adjuster allows for a wide variety of foam production, from wet to (very) dry.  Most of the credit for the AquaEuro 135’s awesome skimming power goes to the pump:  AquaEuro’s own brand, the pump consumes only 40 watts, while still pushing tons of air.  Also included is an air silencer, a nice addition.

Pros: dirt cheap price, great performance, wet-neck design, quality construction, excellent pump, easy cleaning
Cons: frequent cleanings required to achieve maximum performance, tough to adjust at first, air lines get kinked easily

NEW*** Aqua Euro USA Classic Protein Skimmer 135 US $179.99 Auction Ends: Saturday Mar-27-2010 18:32:16 PDT   | Watch this Item

Description:

• Main Features
• Model # : Remora Hang-On w/ Drain Fitting
• Tank Size (Gallons): up to 75
• Skimmer Height: 17.5″
• Minimum Tank Height: 12.75″
• Minimum Overhead Clearance for Proper Function: 5.5″
• Depth: 2.75″
• Width: 6″

The revolutionary AquaC protein skimmers do not use venturis, downdraft tubes, or air pumps; they employ the patented “Spray Injection System.” This innovation allows the protein skimmer to efficiently draw in much more air than any other of the top protein skimmers. This coupled with the superiorly designed compact reaction chamber yields results that will literally blow the waste out of your water.

If you are searching for the most compact, efficient, and powerful hang-on-tank skimmer on the market, look no further. AquaC has finished development of the Remora – the most radical design in skimming to date! Using the same patent pending spray-induction system as their acclaimed in-sump skimmers, AquaC`s Remora is simply the best hang-on available today. The Remora is rated up to 75 gallons and requires a scant 2.75″ clearance from the back of the tank. That is slim! You`ll appreciate its low profile, only 6″ of vertical clearance is required. Standard equipment include an adjustable collection cup, and a special baffle system which prevents any bubbles from entering the aquarium. For those who need a more powerful skimmer, AquaC is soon to release a larger hang-on dubbed the Remora Pro. Essentially a larger, beefier version of the Remora, the Pro can handle tanks over 75 gallons in size. It is designed to meet the needs of large, sumpless tanks which cannot benefit from the power of AquaC`s EV Series. Despite its performance (literally blowing away others on the market), the Remora Pro is only 18″ x 7.5″ x 3.25″. That`s right, it is still one of the smallest hang-on skimmers in the industry. This is made possible due to the use of the effiicient spray-induction system found on all AquaC skimmers. The Pro comes standard with a low-wattage, yet forceful Rio 1400, and produces so much foam you won`t believe it till you see it in operation.

The AquaC Remora Series is the first hang-on protein skimmer under $250 to be able to generate a dry consistency of foam that previously only an in-sump “super-skimmer” is capable of. This is especially true of the AquaC Remora Pro.

Be sure to get a good powerful punp to use with this ystem.

Specifications:

• Height: 18″
• Recommend pumps: Mag Drive 5 or Rio 2100
• Footprint: 4.75″ x 8.5″
• Foam Tower: 4″OD
• Tank Size: 40-150 gallons
• JG Fitting: optional
• Bubble Size: .03–.05mm
• Water flow-thru rate: 225gph
• Volume of foam produced: 90cu.in.

The revolutionary AquaC protein skimmers do not use venturis, downdraft tubes, or air pumps; they employ the patented “Spray Induction System.” This innovation allows the protein skimmer to efficiently draw in much more air than any other of the top protein skimmers. This coupled with the superiorly designed compact reaction chamber yields results that will literally blow the waste out of your water.

The redesigned and improved EV Series skimmers raise AquaC`s patented spray injection skimming to a new level in terms of efficiency, performance, and value. A new baffling system combined with a significantly larger mixing box results in far less turbulence and increased contact time. The net effect is a dramatic increase in skimmer performance despite a drop in pump pressure requirements. AquaC`s molded spray injector now generates a significantly larger number of microbubbles, boosting overall performance to unbelievable levels considering such low pump pressure requirements.

Features:

• Flexible design for in-sump or external applications.
• The addition of a precision ball valve for airflow control allows the aquarist to fine tune the skimmer`s output. Unlike most other high performance skimmers in this class, the EV is remarkably silent. The spray injection system does not generate the sucking noises typical of venturi and Beckett units.
• The John Guest “Speedfit” fitting is a great feature you will only find on AquaC ozone-equipped skimmers. This fitting is standard on models EV-240 and above, and can be ordered on the EV-120/180. Aquarists may also connect their calcium reactor effluent line to the skimmer`s speedfit connection. The pH of a calcium reactor effluent typically falls between 6.5-6.9, and over time the addition of this low pH effluent can have a deleterious effect on the system`s pH level. By dosing your effluent directly into the skimmer, excess CO2 will be “blown off” into the atmosphere and the tank pH will remain unaffected.
• The improved “Twist-Lock” collection cup and cap makes for a secure, flanged connection without the need for set screws or other locking type unions. Simply twist to crack the seal (EPDM gaskets) and removal requires a scant ¼” clearance. The new EV Series skimmers can be operated with AquaC`s auto-waste container, which are available in 2.5 and 5 liter sizes.
• Increased contact time = more protein removal. The size of the mixing box has been increased on all models by approximately 40%. To accommodate the extra foam the skimmers now feature taller and wider reaction towers, as well.

In our review of the AquaC EV-120 Protein Skimmer, what can we say?  This is the Ferrari of skimmers.   It is easy use, easy to maintain, heavy duty construction and great results. As with Ferraris, it’s pricey but it’s worth every penny. The spray injection produces better and more consistent foam.

The Aqua C skimmers are pretty sensitive about the outlet being free flowing.   The easiest way to handle that is to use a T-fitting instead of an elbow to turn that first corner.  Then, air can get into the down pipe and equalize the pressure.   If you do that, you can submerge the pipe for quieter operation without the pressure building up. You can use a cap with a small hole in it on the third leg of the tee, or stuff some filter floss in there to muffle the sound.   It’s sort of like a Durso standpipe.   If you don’t vent it you get weird pressures, vacuums, or whatever that mess with your water level inside the skimmer. Also, you will need tubing, clamps, and a 1.2 adapter to allow you to connect to the MAG 5 pump without stripping the threaded outflow from the pump.

As for noise with the unit flowing down, the output is threaded. If you put pvc pieces and elbows in the unit will be quieter. Don’t go too far with it, with 3 elbows on it the water level was fine but with 2 elbows and a straight piece the water went too high.   Having 2 elbows and a straight piece flowing the water against the glass in the sump and then down made the system very quiet.   The skimmer itself is very quiet.

AquaC EV-120 Protein Skimmer US $299.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Apr-08-2010 10:18:01 PDT   | Watch this Item

Description:
The Mignon Skimmer Filter combines surface skimming to remove floating debris and oils, protein skimming for extraction of dissolved organic waste and mechanical filtration to remove large solid particles in the water. The perfect filter for an aquarium 20 gallons and smaller.

Specifications:

• Surface skimmer box.
• Adjustable water and air intake.
• Air driven protein skimmer with collection cup.
• New flexible impeller design.
• Replaceable filter and charcoal box filter.
• 7″ tall by 5.75″ wide by 4.50″ deep.

On to the review of the Azoo Mignon Skimmer Hang On Back Power Filter.  There are two things you’ll need to do when you buy this filter/skimmer.  First take 10 minutes to adjust the water level.  After adjusting it keep an eye on it for at least 10 minutes or there is a good chance it will overflow on you.  It’s easy to open it up too much.   Second the protein collection cup is small.  Expect to empty this at least daily.  If you are looking for an all in one then this will work for you but remember the phrase, jack of all trades but master of none.   This performs well on all the tasks but does not excel at any.

You also may find that you’ll need to keep a circulation pump going in the tank.  This is a small unit and may not provide the agitation needed at the water surface.

Description:
A miniature version of the popular Remora hang-on skimmer that uses half the power of the regular Remora. The AquaC Nano Remora Protein Skimmer is designed for tanks between 5-25 gallons. This skimmer is small enough to fit a nano reef, while still yielding strong and dependable performance.

Specifications:

• 13 inches tall x 6 inches wide x 2-3/4 inches deep
• Minimum tank opening 5-1/4 inches x 1-1/2 inches
• Minimum tank height 7-1/2 inches
• Minimum space behind tank 2-3/4 inches
• Maximum tank lip 1-3/8 inches wide
• Vertical clearance above tank 10-1/2 inches
• Rated for tanks up to 20 gallons
• Includes nylon cleaning brush
• EPDM O-ring for collection cup adjustment

This skimmer does a decent job for a hang on the back style skimmer.  For our review of the AquaC Nano Remora Protein Skimmer, some people have reported that they expected the skimmer to be smaller since it is advertised as a nano protein skimmer but it is the same exact skimmer as the regular Remora with 6-8 inches cut off the bottom to shorten it.

Some merchants bundle this nano protein skimmer with the Maxi-Jet 900.  Many people have reported better results using the AquaC Nano Remora with a Maxi Jet 1200.  You many want to buy the skimmer and a maxi-jet 1200 separately.

Two additional items to mention; it takes about a week to really get the unit running.  During this time you will have little foam but a lot of noise.  This foam ramps up and the noise settles down after the break in time.

My review of the AquaticLife Internal Mini Protein Skimmer 115 shows that this protein skimmer is perfect for a nano tank in every way.  It is affordable efficient and nearly silent.  It has an easy setup and comes with an instructional CD which helps with the fine tuning.  The controls with the unit are sensitive and the knob can be difficult to grasp when trying to adjust the unit.  The transparent body of the AquaticLife Internal Mini Protein Skimmer 115 allows you to see the bubbles which definitely helps with the adjustments.

Highlights:

• Can be used with reef amd marine aquariums up to 30 gallons.
• Compact size of 10.5 x 3 x 3 inches is just taller than a Us dollar bill.
• 2 x 2 x 3 inch 3.4 oz collection cup
• Effective in eliminating organic waste
• Needle wheel impeller (helps increases air-to-water contact)
• Tool-less clean up
• Power cord length: 4.5 ft/1.4 M which is conveniently tucked inside the unit
• Pump wattage: 8W
• Min. Clearance Above Water Line: 3.75 inches

Cons:

• No drain fitting.  A drill and an elbow fitting can fix this.
• While advertised for up to 30 gallon tanks, this should be used for a 20 gallon max tank.
• 3.4 oz is small for a collection cup.
• You need to put your hand in the tank to replace the cup after emptying it out
• Lots of micro bubbles which can be resolved by adding a course sponge in the return section.
• If you fill water above the venturi hole, be prepared for some interesting sounds.

If you have a compact reef or marine tank and are looking for an inexpensive and efficient nano protein skimmer this AquaticLife mini holds it’s own.

Technical Data:

• Footprint 18.5″ x 13″
• Height 24.5″
• Base Diameter 10.5″ – Neck Diameter 5.75″
• 1500 or 1800 lph @ 38W
• Rated up to 400 gal

Exclusive Features:

• Manufactured for Vertex Aquaristik™ by Royal Exclusiv from 100% cast acrylic and PVC
• Full body cone chamber markedly enables stable foam formation
• Red Dragon high-performance skimmer pump is completely silent
• Oversized, CNC-milled bubble plate eliminates turbulence
• Bayonet-style neck provides a secure, leak-free coupling between the cup and body
• Easily accessible Ozone port
• Built in skimmate drain
• All parts can be disassembled for ease of maintenance

Description:

Royal Exclusiv the makers of Bubble King Release their long awaited Alpha Cone Skimmer.

Unquestionably, there must be no concessions when it comes to engineering and producing the finest aquarium equipment. Only by these convictions can performance be pushed beyond expectations. Vertex Aquaristik™, in association with Royal Exclusiv, brings to you the next stage of evolution in high-performance saltwater management. Crediting to its ultramodern design and differentiating features, this top model clearly distinguishes from competition.

Peerless in its class:

This is the Protein Skimmer you have been waiting for. The revolutionary conical body paired with the refinement of the Red Dragon pump creates a potent combination of exceptional waste extraction, whisper quiet operation and low-impact energy conservation. The precision construction from the highest quality materials coalesces together in a form that is both durable and being feature-rich. These meticulous attentions to design result in an execution that is conclusively untouchable

Powered by perfection:

The heart of the Vertex™ Alpha Cone can be found in the world-class Red Dragon pump, from Royal Exclusiv. Long regarded as the absolute apex of skimmer pumps, the Red Dragon boasts solid credentials thanks to its impressive 1500 LPH air draw at only 38W electrical consumption. However, where it excels is in the exceptional balance, refinement and lifestyle-endearing silent operation. There has been no better match in the industry.
The oversized air-induction venturi is furnished with an additional port to facilitate the introduction of water clarifying ozone. As an added performance integrant, the venturi can be adjusted from its stock 1500 LPH air draw to a blistering 1800 LPH.

The shape of performance:

Owing to its full-body conical reaction chamber, the Vertex™ Alpha Kone eclipses all the traditional conditions of conventional protein skimming. By allowing the foam mass to accumulate in a gently sloping transition zone, protein extraction is remarkably increased. An inside view of the conical reaction chamber showcases the oversized, turbulence reducing bubble plate and remarkably fastidious CNC millwork that goes into it. Here is the core from which the Vertex™ Alpha Kone derives so much of its matchless performance. Finally, the unit can be fully disassembled for routine and thorough maintenance. All the body components are fashioned from high grade cast acrylic or solid PVC. The fasteners are manufactured with highly corrosion resistant titanium. Absolutely zero medians have been taken in the composition of the Vertex™ Alpha Kone, and it shows.

Our Review:

The first impression you will get after opening this baby up is that it is bigger than it looks in the pictures.  The second impression you will get is that it is built very well, which is what you would expect from any Royal Exclusiv product.  The Vertex / Royal Exclusiv Alpha Cone 250 protein skimmer goes together pretty easily.  The collection cup is a screw on type which helps it stay secured to the unit.  It is also one heavy cup and you need to turn it a couple revolutions to get on and off.  With the weight of the cup, a simple lift off cup might have worked better.

While it is a subjective statement, the Alpha Cone 250 runs relatively quiet, even through the break in period.  When you see it in action and see the volume air water and air it pulls through you’ll be surprised at how quiet it is.

One thing that is to note, the output T is not secured.  What I mean is that the output T for the Alpha Cone 250 moves around.  It is most likely so that people can move it to the position that they need, but in the overall design it is the one thing that makes the Vertex 250 seem less than sturdy.  If it was secured or stationary then I’d be giving it 5 stars for design.

Specification:

• Tank Size (Gallons): 40 to 120
• Skimmer Height: 21.5″
• Minimum Tank Height: 12.75″
• Minimum Overhead Clearance for Proper Function: 6.75″
• Depth: 3.25″
• Width: 7.5″

The revolutionary AquaC protein skimmers do not use venturis, downdraft tubes, or air pumps; they employ the patented “Spray Injection System.” This innovation allows the protein skimmer to efficiently draw in much more air than any other of the top protein skimmers. This coupled with the superiorly designed compact reaction chamber yields results that will literally blow the waste out of your water.

“For its compact size and simple design, The AquaC protein skimmer is able to process a large volume of water and efficiently remove organic pollutants. I`m very happy with it!”
Fernando Nosratpour, Senior Aquarist
Birch Aquarium at Scripps

If you are searching for the most compact, efficient, and powerful hang-on-tank skimmer on the market, look no further. AquaC has finished development of the Remora Pro- the most radical design in skimming to date! Using the same patent pending spray-induction system as their acclaimed in-sump skimmers, AquaC`s Remora Pro is simply the best hang-on available today. The Remora Pro is rated for tanks 40 to 120 gallons and requires a scant 3.25″ clearance from the back of the tank. That is slim! You`ll appreciate its low profile, only 7.5″ of vertical clearance is required. The Pro comes standard with a low-wattage, yet forceful Rio 1400 or Mag Drive 3 pump, adjustable collection cup, and a special baffle system which prevents any bubbles from entering the aquarium. The Remora Pro produces so much foam you won`t believe it till you see it in operation.  The Remora Pro is only 21.5″ x 7.5″ x 3.25″. That`s right, it is still one of the smallest hang-on skimmers in the industry. This is made possible due to the use of the effiicient spray-induction system found on all AquaC skimmers.

The AquaC Remora Series is the first hang-on protein skimmer under $250 to be able to generate a dry consistency of foam that previously only an in-sump “super-skimmer” is capable of. This is especially true of the AquaC Remora Pro.