Best Protein Skimmers 2018

Protein skimmers are aquarium essentials as they remove organic wastes that turn into ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, along with excess proteins, metals, and phosphates. Protein skimmers function by forming small bubbles in a reaction chamber. These bubbles rise, and in a process called absorption, the bubbles propel waste nutrients to the surface of the chamber. Here, the waste is taken out of the water column and contained at the top of the protein skimmer. This action is more effective than mechanical filters because the water does not continue to flow over the breaking down waste. The waste cannot contribute to bioload in your aquarium while contained in a protein skimmer. Taking out organic wastes greatly reduces aggressive algae growth, and nitrate buildup. The following effective protein skimmers are for various sizes and prices, but all do a great job catching excess nutrients in your fish tank water:

Aquatic Life Mini Protein Skimmer

This mini protein skimmer works fantastic for tanks up to 30 gallons. For convenient use it is mounted with suction cups to attach it to the wall of any tank. This skimmer is fully submergible, and small enough to fit in most overflow boxes or filter compartments. The flow rate can be adjusted by the turn of a knob. It is quiet, but because the water level is at the intake tube, it makes small vibrations. To make the protein skimmer complete silent, simply attach a black air hose and control valve to lengthen the intake tube. Clean out the containment compartment about every week or two, or when it is filled with dark green sludge.

Coralife Protein Skimmer

The coralife protein skimmer is the middle man of quality and price. It supports 65 to 220 gallon tanks depending upon model size. Utilizing needle-wheel impeller technology and dual jet inlets, it increases water and bubble contact time. A bubble production diffuser stops bubbles from entering your display tank. The pump it comes with an adjustable flow rate, and is energy-efficient; even at high flow rates it does not use much power. The wide collection cup twists off for ease of cleaning. If the device sucks up water when activated and does not make bubbles, a quick fix is to blow air into its tube to make it function properly. This protein skimmer works fantastic, creating as many bubbles as desired, while at a fair cost.

Best Choice Products Protein Skimmer

This protein skimmer fits all aquarium sizes up to 300 gallons. It maintains a tremendously low price while being a very good quality protein skimmer. This is the perfect skimmer for any large tank that wishes to have quality without huge expense. The reason it is low priced is because the materials are cheaper, but this is no problem if handled with care. The skimmer is a little noisy, but if completely submerged in water it is quiet. Oxygen and water are mixed to produce bubbles with carry debris into its containment chamber. This skimmer comes out of box with every necessary part for use: one pump, the skimmer, and tubing.

Coral Vue Octopus Needle-Wheel Protein Skimmer

This protein skimmer is for any 210 or 250 gallon tank depending upon model, but is only for use in sumps. It is made of a very high-density plastic that will not break. Featuring an nearly unbeatably powerful 6-inch or 8-inch octopus needle impellers that create hundreds of tiny bubbles quickly, it is a powerhouse. Bubbles flow up its 4 inch cone-neck into the collection cup. The pump included reaches 1200 gph, and has a strong gate valve for easy water level adjustment. The water level inside the skimmer should be three-fourths up its body for maximum performance. A valve controls the airflow to the impeller and blocks off all noise; the skimmer is virtually silent. After about a three-week break in period, this protein skimmer is guaranteed to catch a ton of gunk and debris from your tank.

Bubble Magus Curve 7 Protein Skimmer

This innovative and powerful protein skimmer is one of the best on the market. It is made of very durable acrylic plastic, and features a compact size and shape for easy installation. It can be attached anywhere in your tank and submerged between 3 and 11 inches for best use. A bubble plate steadies flow of water into the reaction chamber for best production of bubbles. The needle-wheel pump with a venturi intake produces bubbles of perfect size to catch a high amount of debris and waste. The protein skimmer is a unique curvy shape that allows the bubble foam to rise smoothly and constantly to the collection cup. The pump is connected to an air silencer to make the protein skimmer silent. The collection cup features a drainage system to reduce cleaning frequency, and has a twist top for easy maintenance.