Month: March 2020

ReefTips – Equipment Protein Skimmer

Limited Edition Coral - Knowledge Base - Protein Skimmers

ReefTips - Equipment Protein Skimmer

What is a Protein Skimmer?

In simple terms a Protein Skimmer is a container filled with a combination of air and water that allows for the filtration and collection of excess food, waste, and debris which would otherwise pollute your tank.

In addition to filtering out waste, a protein skimmer is a great way to promote gas exchange within your aquarium. As your fish consume available oxygen, producing carbon dioxide, we need to replace the oxygen and remove the carbon dioxide. Protein skimmers do this by supplying fresh oxygen to the tank in the form of bubbles and also create surface movement to allow for carbon dioxide to escape.

Which Protein Skimmers Do We Recommend?

Bubble Magus Curve 5, 7, 9

The Bubble Magus Curve Protein Skimmers are arguably the best cone shaped skimmers on the market for the price. These skimmers have a small footprint thanks to their internal pump and have a very quiet operation. These skimmers also have an internal diffuser plate to evenly distribute the bubbles for more efficient waste collection.

When considering a Bubble Magus Curve it is important to take the following into consideration. Cone shaped protein skimmers need a skimmer chamber where the water level is constant. A variance in water level will affect the bubble level inside the skimmer, causing it to fluctuate, and not provide a consistent skim.

ASM G Series

If you decided to pass on the Bubble Magus Curve Protein Skimmer because your water level fluctuates, then an ASM G Series is the protein skimmer for you. This skimmer will maintain a constant bubble level as your water level fluctuates. This is great if you do not have an automatic top off system.

The ASM G Series produces more noise than most skimmers and you are more likely to hear the operation of the pump. These protein skimmers also lack a diffuser plate, and are less efficient than most cone type skimmers. This being said, they are still the obvious choice for those who cannot maintain a constant water level in their skimmer space.

Nyos Quantum

The Nyos Quantum Protein Skimmers provide the most skimming capacity for the smallest footprint. Great for those who may not have a lot of room for a skimmer but they come with a higher price tag. Nyos skimmers are quiet and energy efficient, with superior construction quality. The air muffler with adjustable air intake (allow for fine tuning of bubble level), in addition to a clear impeller housing (allowing for easy maintenance), make this skimmer one of the top picks. The only real draw back to the Nyos Quantum is its price tag.

TOP PICK - Reef Octopus Regal & Elite Series

Reef Octopus has been one of the top brands in protein skimmers for some time now. The Reef Octopus Regal & Elite Series are among the best protein skimmers on the market. These skimmers use a DC VariouS pump which allows for ultimate controllability with nearly silent operation and maximum energy efficiency. This quality protein skimmer comes with all the essentials in functionality along with some nice luxuries like a float switch that will turn off the skimmer if the collection cup level gets too high.

When considering the Reef Octopus Regal and Elite Series it is important to consider the footprint as it is larger than most although for a higher price tag Reef Octopus offers space saver versions.

So there you have it a run down of what a protein skimmer is, why they are beneficial for your set up and a list of our four favorite protein skimmers. If you have more questions about protein skimmers please feel free to contact us or reach out to us on social media. If you are ready to purchase your protein skimmer, head over to (add in LEC Supply skimmer link here) and place your order today. Or come visit us in store. As your salt water experts here in Phoenix, Arizona we are always ready to help.

#ReefTips – Welcome

Limited Edition Coral - Knowledge Base

Limited Edition Coral - Knowledge Base

Hey Reefers! Welcome to Limited Edition Corals #Reeftips. A knowledge base full of tips and tricks to enhance your reef.

Join us over the coming months Limited Edition Coral will be creating a knowledge base to share our expertise with you! We want to bust some myths, give you some tips and share our reefing experiences. We would love to see your tanks and set ups on social media with the #LECReef. Share with us and the greater reefing community your builds, favorite corals and fish. If you have a topic or specific question you would like us to address please contact us and we will cover it in an upcoming post.

As we embark on this exciting project our first series of posts are going to focus on some of the basic equipment that is required to set up an aquarium. Limited Edition Corals often get asked what do I need to get a tank started? So it seems like a great place to start our knowledge base. Check back soon and keep an eye on our social media for updates!

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