A protein skimmer is an essential piece of equipment in a saltwater aquarium that helps maintain water quality by removing organic waste and other contaminants. The best protein skimmer is one that efficiently removes waste, is easy to maintain and operate, and fits within your budget and tank size. There are several types of protein skimmers available on the market, including hang-on-back (HOB) skimmers, in-sump skimmers, and external skimmers. The most effective protein skimmers use a combination of air and water to create foam, which collects and removes organic waste.
It’s important to choose a protein skimmer that is appropriately sized for your tank and livestock, as an undersized skimmer may not be able to keep up with the waste production, while an oversized skimmer may be too powerful and remove essential nutrients from the water. Other factors to consider when selecting the best protein skimmer include the noise level, power consumption, and ease of maintenance. With careful consideration and research, you can find the best protein skimmer to help maintain optimal water quality in your saltwater aquarium.
Protein skimmers are not a new concept to work as a device to keep water clean in large aquariums such as big tank, public aquariums, or fish stores. We all know keeping the tanks clean is the ultimate task to maintain healthy creatures.
This article would recommend the top 9 best protein skimmers for aquariums in 2023 based on the reviews from customers.
If you are a beginner, please find more general information about skimmers in the FAQs section which comes after the top 9.
Out Top Picks
Top 9 Best Protein Skimmers In 2023
1. Macro Aqua M-50 Mini Hang-on External, 60 Gallon
- High quality protein skimmer for up to 60 gallon tank (depends on stocking)
- Small hang-on back skimmer; Water Flow: 238gph
- Effectively eliminates organic waste. Simply remove the collection cup to dispose tank waste
Rating: 3.8/5 stars
If you are looking for a reasonably-priced protein skimmer that works, the Macro Aqua M-50 is the perfect option for you! Compared to all other low-price skimmers, this device stands out on the market.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 13.5 inches
- Tank size: 60 gallons
- Air Silencer: no
- Sump type: Hang-on back
- Warranty: no
The Macro Aqua differs from these as it uses a needle-wheel pump to run the protein skimmer.
What you get is a wet skimmate production, but that is adequate for many smaller systems. The price really can’t be beaten unless you start making some huge sacrifices in quality or function.
If you are people who are really sensitive to noise, the loud sounds operating may become the deal breaker. However, with a good price like this, if you don’t mind the noise thing, the Macro Aqua M-50 is far too good for you.
- Affordable price
- Needle wheel skimmer available
- Loud noise when operating
2.Marine Color RDC 150
- Fashionable design: All skimmer is built with high quality RED and white pipe fittings
- High Efficiency pin wheel pump
- Complete standard cone reaction chamber designs make the skimmer collects bubble smoothly and stable
Rating: 3.8/5 stars
The Marine Color RDC 150 Protein Skimmer comes with a slim and compact design. This brings a fashionable outlook to your aquarium at an affordable price.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 12.01 x 9.8 x 3.9 inches
- Aquarium size: 15-40 Gallon
To create a fashionable design, Marine Color RDC 150 protein skimmers are built with high-quality RED and white pipe fittings.
You would love the high-Efficiency pin wheel pump with complete standard cone reaction chamber designs to make the skimmer collects bubble smoothly and stable.
All materials are made of high-quality CAST ACRYLIC. Our professional laser engraving machine ensures the reliable quality and accuracy of every skimmer.
- Well done and consistent performance
- Mount inside your aquarium - any overflow stays within
- Plug-and-play feature
- Compact and stylish design
- Easy to lose O-rings when making adjustments
3. Coralife with Pump
- 🐠 HIGH PERFORMANCE - The Coralife Super Skimmer has a high-performance foam fractionator designed with a patented needle-wheel impeller, an aspirating venturi and is effective at removing dissolved organic compounds from water.
- 🐠 PATENTED TECHNOLOGY - The needle-wheel system creates a spiraling vortex of water and micro bubbles inside the reaction chamber where the bubbles attract fine proteins and organic compounds and deposit them in the collection cup. The result is a clean and healthy aquarium environment.
- 🐠 EFFORTLESS CLEANING - Features a wide neck collection cup with easy twist feature for effortless cleaning.
Rating: 3.9/5
The addition of a patented wheel aspiration system in Coralife makes it become one of the best protein skimmers on the market these days.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 3.94 x 3.94 x 7.87 inches (220 Gallons)
- Tank size: 65 gallons/125 gallons/220 gallons
- Pump specs: 120V
- Patented needle wheel
- Sump type: in sump and hang-on
- Skimmer Warranty: 1 year
Coralife Super device is made to either be put inside or hung it off the back of your aquarium. This versatile design skimmer provides you with more options in placing the device as a way to calculate and save space for your house.
The patented wheel aspiration system is another strong point. The skimmer dual-injection inlets is integrated to maximize the amount of time in which the aquarium water will get in contact with the generated air bubbles through the pump. Moreover, the wide neck collection cup with easy twist feature for effortless cleaning This means more waste is dissolved, and cleaning the tank is much easier for you.
This model comes up with 3 aquarium size capacities: 65, 125, and 220 gallons for your preferences.
- Super high capacity
- Powerful pump
- Easy to mount
- Energy efficiency
- Long-lasting
- Inadequate assembly instructions
4. SCA-302 180 Gallon (in Sump)
- Work with heavy load 180 gallon saltwater aquarium
- compact size - fit most sump
- Atman 2000 pump needle impeller pump
Rating: 4.3/5 stars
The SCA-302 180 Gallon Protein Skimmer is the newer model to the 301 model - one of the best protein skimmers on the market. The brand has upgraded this with more superior features compared to the former version.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 9 x 18 x 9.5 inches
- Tank size: 180 gallons
- Pump specs: Atman 2000 pump
- Silencer and extra large collection cup
- Sump type: in sump
- Warranty: 1 year
The powerful Atman 2000 pump, delivers great bubbles for dissolving the organic matter present in the aquarium water. As a result, this skimmer would get the water looking clear in less time.
Next, the size and capacity are the big improvements. As much as it might look compact, this device can work great for different tanks of up to 180 gallons.
This latter model comes with a silencer that keeps the device working quietly without causing a lot of noise in your house. Moreover, the model further features a larger collection cup for users’ convenience when cleaning the aquarium.
- High productivity for the large-capacity aquarium
- Strong pump
- Easy assembly
- Large collection cup
- The water looks cloudy because of microbubbles
5. IOAOI
- DC pinwheel pump. Safety Assurance. High Efficiency. Energy Saving. Ultra Quiet.
- Graphite shaft cover. Durable wear resistance. Low DB Operation. Needle wheel impeller generates fine and smooth bubbles.
- Patented needle shaped diversion plate helps to generate much richer bubbles. Better reaction. And it could prevent the bubbles/foam from returning, and could also provide long contact time between water and air, which makes the protein skimmer obtain better performance.
Rating: 4.6/5 stars
IOAOI Protein Skimmers is one of the best options with a reasonable price. A sturdy, stylish design with the silencer application would improve your experience when using this skimmer a lot.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 9.06 x 6.89 x 20.08 inches
- Tank size: 210 Gallons
- Sump type: In sump
- Pump specs: 20W | 120-240V~50/60Hz
- Air Silencer: yes
- Warranty: one year for the pump and controller; two years for the skimmer
The IOAOI protein skimmer is equipped with an LED controller. The operation and the status could be seen easily from outside the aquarium. The water flow of the pump could be adjusted as required. There are 20 gears, the power consumption of which is from 1W to 20W.
A patented needle-shaped diversion plate helps to generate much richer bubbles for better reaction. It could prevent the bubbles/foam from returning, and could also provide a long contact time between water and air in the aquarium, which makes the product obtain better performance.
The 20W pinwheel DC water pump of this skimmer adopts advanced frequency conversion technology, high efficiency, and energy saving. The ultra-quiet and multi-gear adjustments are adding more helpful features.
Constructed of high-quality cast acrylic to guarantee long life with your aquarium. For in-sump use only. The pump and the controller have a warranty for one year. The skimmer has a warranty for two years. Free replacement.
- LED controller
- Durable material
- Quiet operating
- Good performance for a reasonable price
- A bit tricky to assembly instruction
6. Reef Octopus Classic 110 Space Saver NWB110SSS
Rating: 4.4/5 stars
The compact and simple design of this Reef Octopus Classic 110 Space Saver Protein Skimmer is best for anyone who is looking for skimmers for tight space.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 21.5 x 10.39 x 7.91 inches
- Aquarium size: up to 100 gallons
- Pump specs: Information Aquatrance 1000s Pinwheel Pump
- Warranty: 2 year warranty on pump/1 year on rotor and 1 year on skimmer body
Not only does this skimmer come with a compact design, it can be disassembled completely for easier cleaning up. This makes sure you keep the skimmers clean and your aquarium water clean as well.
With the Aquatrance pinwheel pump, this product provides the right amount of air and water. As a result, you can get more waste out of the tank for a healthier environment.
You don’t need to use a pump as this Reef Octopus Classic 110 protein skimmer draws the water directly from the filtration sump.
- Compact design to save space
- Excellent efficiency
- Silent operation
- No vibrations because of rubber feet
- Touchy adjustments
- Takes time to start pulling skimmate
7.Simplicity 120DC
- Adjustable DC pump speed
- For tanks up to 120 gallons
- Cone shape design
Rating: 4.3/5 stars
The name of the brand shows how their products are designed – simple is the best. Simplicity 120DC Protein Skimmer has an effective and simple set-up for easy assembly. The combination of a needle wheel and a controllable DC pump is the best method to shred water and air to create better-quality bubbles for your aquarium.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 6.7 x 6.3 x 18.5 inches
- Aquarium size: 120 gallons
- Adjustable DC pump speed
- 3 year pro-rated warranty: 100% coverage first year; 50% coverage second year; 25% coverage third year
With the Simplicity 120DC, you are provided with an air-intake adjuster, wedge pipe indicator, bubble plate, and a controllable pump as well. This is a full combo of what you need for a skimmer system. One of the best Protein skimmers on the market.
The DC pump allows you to adjust the pump speed or turn it off at any time.
The body is made of durable cast acrylic for a long-lasting and easy maintenance process.
- Built-in collection cup with drain
- Easy cleaning up and maintenance
- Hybrid cone design to improve contact time
- Long term warranty
- Takes up to five days to break in
8.Reef Octopus Classic 152-S
- Classic 6" Compact Skimmer w/ AQ1800s
- Dim: 10.4" x 8.1" x 20.7"
- Rated up to 158gal
Rating: 4.7/5 – Amazon’s Choice
Reef Octopus Classic Skimmers have been a reliable brand for a very long time. This is one of the newest protein skimmers in the classic model.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 10.4" x 8.1" x 20.7"
- Aquarium size: 150 gallons
- Pump specs: 11W @120V
- Sump type: in sump
- Warranty: 2 year
Reef Octopus Classic supports customers with a 2-year warranty versus your typical 1-year warranty. They also have a Reef Octopus Classic Space Saver model for those with small aquariums.
This Reef Octopus Classic Skimmer is constructed of high-quality cast acrylic that disassembles completely for cleaning. Its unique Super Cone "wine glass shape" body naturally stabilizes and concentrates the organic-rich foam as it rises producing an enhanced formation. This device is fully equipped with a Reef Octopus Aquatrance 1800s pinwheel pump to produce the perfect mix of water and air for optimum waste removal.
- Respected Reef Octopus name and quality
- The skimmer pump is designed specifically for the skimmer
- 2-year warranty
- Easy to clean
- Relatively high price
Check out more aquarium essentials here!
9.Red Sea Reefer 300
- RSK - 300 Footprint - 9. 1 x 8. 3 or 9. 8 x 7. 1 - 21 Inches Tall
- Rated: 80 - 240 Gallons
- Ergonomic diffusion chamber evenly disperses the fine bubbles created by the PSK pump across the skimmer cone, without reducing air or water flow.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
The high-performance Red Sea Reefer 300 Protein Skimmer features a combination of a PSK pump with a proportionally sized venturi, bubble diffusor, and reaction body that optimizes air-water contact time for steady waste removal.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 9.1" X 8.3" or 9.8" X 7.1"
- Aquarium size: up to 240 gallons
- Air silencer: yes
- Pump specs: PSK 600 Pump
- Sump type: in sump
The Red Sea Reefer 300 Protein Skimmer is designed with hobbyists' needs in mind, the Reefer Skimmers are really quiet thanks to rubber connectors which dampen the vibrations as well as a robust air silencer. The skimmer comes with the FoamView window, built-in neck cleaner, and extra-long valved waste tube.
This skimmer includes a Sicce PSK 600 Pump. The ergonomic diffusion chamber evenly disperses the fine bubbles created by the PSK pump across the skimmer cone, without reducing air or water flow. The device comes with a built-in manual neck cleaner and drainage port with 1m valved hose.
The footprint can either be 9.1" X 8.3" or 9.8" X 7.1" (the base is moveable). Recommended water height: 6-8".
- Effective performance
- Silent
- Easy set up
- Take up footprint
FAQs for Beginner
Q. What is Protein Skimmer?
Protein Skimmers are devices to keep the saltwater aquarium clean by removing dissolved organic compounds and organic waste, such as fish excrement, undigested food, and proteins.
Q. How does a protein skimmer work?
The device works based on the theory of intrinsic charges of proteins and hydrophobic/hydrophilic molecules.
To simplify this, the device will create thousands of microbubbles in the water column. The dissolved organic compounds go with these bubbles, which then overflow into a waste container – collection cup as foam at the top of the skimmer.
Because the output is something that looks like “skim” people call it “skimmer”.
Q. How do I choose a protein skimmer?
We suggest you go through these steps to choose the best protein skimmer for your saltwater aquarium.
Step 1: Check your aquarium size
Generally, the bigger tank releases more waste which requires you to invest in larger skimmers. Check your aquarium size and consider if you would like to upgrade to a bigger tank in a short time.
Besides the physical size of the tank, take into account the intensity of creatures living in it. The more inhabitants inside, your tank would have more load. You can measure this by the intensity of fish and their size.
Step 2: Check the space to place your skimmer
Make sure your chosen skimmers can fit within the available space. You can consider more options for the type of skimmer to place them in the way that suits you most. (check out the types below)
Step 3: Set your budget
To avoid being lost among hundreds of options and overpaying, you should set an acceptable price range beforehand. The price can vary because of factors like features (DC pump, water adjustment, controlling bubbles size, silencer, … ), durability, and brand name of the manufacturer.
Q. What are the types of protein skimmers?
Hang On Back type (Hob)
Hand On Back protein skimmer for anyone who is lacking in sump or room behind their aquarium.
Note that, the hobs on the market are generally more expensive than the design. Therefore, it should be the last choice if you really cannot arrange a place for them.
With a relatively low price, it’s quite rare to find a well-made and high-quality hand-on-back protein skimmer.
In-tank type
In-tank is the basic type of protein skimmer but has improved significantly over the years.
The similarity between on back and in-tank types is the lack of power and effectiveness compared to the in-sump type.
They are the cheapest type. This makes it the perfect choice for reefers who have tight budgets. However, the deal breaker of this type is their footprint inside your tank. A lot of people refuse to use in-tank because they don’t want a machine to exist inside of the beautiful scenery.
In-Sump type
We save the best for last, In sump ones are rated as the most effective and common type on the market.
If you have a chance to save up, we would suggest you purchase a set of in-sump skimmers which is so helpful in removing waste. The benefit of a sump is extra space, water volume, and biological filtration. Moreover, a sump allows you to purchase any sort of Skimmer you desire!
As the option for in-sump type is diverse, the price is ranging from medium to high. You can have more options to consider with this type.
Q. What is the best protein skimmer?
Based on the customer reviews after they purchased and used the skimmers, we sum up everything to point out the best protein skimmer - IOAOI Brand (our number 5).
This option may not be the best price – the cheapest one on our list, but it provides you with anything. Almost all customers leave positive feedback on how surprised they were when using it.
- DC pinwheel pump. Safety Assurance. High Efficiency. Energy Saving. Ultra Quiet.
- Graphite shaft cover. Durable wear resistance. Low DB Operation. Needle wheel impeller generates fine and smooth bubbles.
- Patented needle shaped diversion plate helps to generate much richer bubbles. Better reaction. And it could prevent the bubbles/foam from returning, and could also provide long contact time between water and air, which makes the protein skimmer obtain better performance.
Q. Is a bigger protein skimmer better?
The answer is: “Bigger doesn’t mean better”
Check the recommended aquarium size from the brand information to choose the one just right for you. We would simply break down the reasons for this.
The bigger the skimmer, the wider the neck size is. And with a too-wide skimmer neck, more proteins and waste are required to create a stable foam head.
However, with a smaller (than recommended) tank, there would not be enough waste and protein for this process. This results in the ineffective performance of your protein skimmers. We believe nobody wants to lose money this way!
CONCLUSION
After going through our top 9 best protein skimmers in 2022 and FAQs, we hope you now have a lot more information on how to choose the best devices for your aquarium.
If you find this article helpful, don’t forget to give it 5 stars and share it with friends and family who may need it!
Feel free to comment below if you have further questions, we are happy to discuss more topics in the future.
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