5 High Performance Hang on the Back Skimmers

Hang on the back skimmers (HOB) are a plug and play option for many nano to mid size saltwater aquariums. Unfortunately this skimmer niche is flooded with poor performing models. Here are 5 skimmers that are sure to perform with or without a sump.
5 Great ‘HOB’ Skimmers
1. ATB Multi Cone Skimmer
Powered by a whisper quiet [...]

5 Great ‘HOB’ Skimmers

1. ATB Multi Cone Skimmer

Powered by a whisper quiet Eheim 1250 Pinwheel for 330lph of air intake injecting into a bubble plate and seamless conical body… This skimmer has features that many well respected in sump and externals dont; the performance this flexible skimmer can provide rivals much larger models. Despite its small size, tanks under 40 gallons may struggle to satisfy the nutrient load for a stable foam head. As the ATB Multi name suggests, this skimmer can be run in sump or external in HOB mode. Like it’s larger ATB Cone relatives, the Multi Use has a removable base plate for complete access to the bubble plate and body. Ideal of aquariums up to 100 gallons system–it’s a smart choice for nano reefers looking to upgrade to that range in the future.

2. Deltec MCE600

This skimmer will always be a favorite of mine. It was early for its time and has stayed at the top since its introduction years ago. An internally placed Aquabee 2000/1 pulls 400lph–a measure previously unheard of for HOB models. Performance is not an issue, but like many skimmers overflows can be. When forcing so much are through a small slanted collection cup, overflow can happen when oily substances enter the water. To be safe, unplug it when ever adding something new to the tank. In running this model for over a year I only experienced this twice. Don’t let that deter you from this high performance skimmers. Aesthetically, with the large black body and external pump it is hard to beat. Image at right is an action shot while skimming a 20g ULNS SPS reef.

3. Tunze 9005 & 9010

It’s not exactly a HOB model, but the small size and discrete black box look make the Tunze 9005 and 9010 good candidates for sumpless systems. The skimmer is based on an efficient venturi design. The air intake line also has a silencer that is hidden inside the body making the 9005 and 9010 extremely quiet. These skimmers can be finicky because water level does effect their performance. It may not be the best skimmer for those without an auto top off device (ATO).

4. Deltec MCE300

Based off of the trusted MaxiJet powerhead, the Deltec MCE300 is a smaller spin on the MCE600. Although odd, the cylinder chamber collection “cup” works and this skimmer can do wonders on sub-30g systems. Once again, the pump is not in the tank keeping your nano free of clutter. This is a true nano skimmer aimed at smaller bodies of water, but it will keep that water clean.

5. Reef Octopus HOB BH-800s

I was hesitant to place this skimmer in the top 5. There is no doubt it can perform, but stock Sicce pumps are not the plug and play pump we wish they were. (The largest problem with the pump is the backward start up) If you’re comfortable with the Sicce PSK2500 pump and/or a bit of tinkering now and then this may be for you. The SWC Extreme HOT is nearly identical as well, except for a larger neck allowing a drier and more stable foam head than the Octopus model.

Honorable Mention

Warner Marine H1 and H2

Well made with an external pump and small footprint. This skimmers work well, but lack some of the punch some of the above skimmers have. We’re aching to see a bubble plate, with improved pump and larger neck.

AquaMedic Blue 1000 & 3000

These are big skimmers, much larger than the photos make them appear. Construction and looks are not on the Blue series side– the large pumps sit in the tank and are very obtrusive.

Tunze 9002

Tunze’s best selling skimmer, this tiny foam fractionator is great for small spaces.

ZC Cyclone

Never heard of it? Don’t worry you’re not alone. This skimmer has limited distribution, but those that use it, like it. Newer models are powered by a Sicce PSK 2500.

[cover photo : ATB Purple Pinwheel (PPW) : stonyreef]

skimerwhisperer

sorry for getting agro, eric,
my only "agenda" is to help people make informed decisions about skimmer purchases and to praise manufacturers who make equipment that is well made without taking us all to the bank. I dont care who makes what, just that it performs as advertised, and that companies stand behind their products. I also dislike it when skimmers/equipment become popular, but is made from sub-par parts/pumps, and I'm not afraid to reveal those to the public. So if that's an agenda, then so be it. And unfortunately, I disagree with you, I think that CS is paramount to making purchases, and is almost as important as performance and build quality. Im not going to just rely upon the "good will" of my LFS, personally...

Thanks for the good luck, I'm going to need it if I'm to survive in the insane, cut throat world of skimmer production....lol

eric michael

@skimer

Nothing misinformed about the above statements. You've made your personal agendas well known on various forums. Please keep it civil here or keep your comments to yourself.

Best of luck on your new equipment line.

skimerwhisperer

WOW...very laughable...
poor skimmer advice, and mis-information, what a treat!

eric michael

@skimer,

Some quick responses before heading out the door:

-The SWC is mentioned, forewarning about modifications is also given for both models. Depending on bio-load either can be applicable.

-Customer service has no bearing on skimmer performance. At the end of the day the dealer you buy from is your CS go-to. Both are made in the same place and feature the same motor block.

-Yes, most people in the HOB market place do not require 32 scfh. That amount of air draw can easily handle a 150g tank on a well designed skimmer. (At this volume, in sump or externals are a much better option.) A proper balanced body and neck to air intake should be the goal, not air stats alone.

-The BH-500 features a very poor pump IMO.

-SWC did not "originate" that design. It has been through out Asia for many years... as well as featured on Deltec prior to. These days everything is built upon one another... if it is truly inventive, skimmer companies should patent the idea.

-Moded or not, Sedra pumps are poor for skimmer applications. However, Jon Warner is extremely limited--at that size there are not many options. JNS is the only company I am aware of modifying these pumps.

skimerwhisperer

You put that octo bh-800 up there, then say most people don't need the 32scfh that the SWC extreme hob provides??? ...wow :(

IMO, octo bh-800 is total crap and has to be modded to accommodate for CV's lack of intelligence.
And not to mention it's a total rip off of the SWC bh-500 with a crappily modded, mis-matched sicce psk2500 installed, add CV's notoriously poor CS and you get a very poor skimmer.

Both the SWC bh-500 and new extreme hob overpower the deltec mce600, are quieter than the mce600, cheaper, and have a better neck/cup design, IMO.

Also, the WM H1, even 1st gen. was an incredible skimmer for nano tanks!!! even with it' small neck and turbulent body it totally rocked! now it's getting the bubble plate and wider neck, and the WM mods on the sedra pumps is unparalleled.

Luke33

For a sub 35g tank the bubble magnus skimmers are pretty tough to beat as well. They are kinda ugly with there bright colors but they pull out the serious crud. For $110 and less pretty tough to beat for a small tank.

eric michael

@amashun -- The Rogue and Deltecs also feature what many would consider mismatched necks.

Tune it right and it's not an issue-- maxing out LPH on the Sicce should not be the goal-- CNC's for example pulled 25scfh.

amashun

the small neck of that RO skimmer should surely skim very well with the Sicce pump. but wait, does overflow = skim very well?

jim

I have the 9002 and I am not to impressed, I had it on a 30 gallon tank but not constant water height, just didn't work well, I pulled it. So I put it on my 120 ( with a sump ) still poor performance. So I pulled it again and I use the magnet to hold my ATO switch. It just does not pull enough water and way too much adjusting. PS I would love to try the ZC Cyclone I just could not find a vendor in the US

Luke33

Its the only hot that can handle the 90-125g tanks. I wouldn't throw it on a small tank under 55g. But seriously, the neck is the most important factor of a hot skimmer.....? Whaaaa??? The WM is a nice little skimmer, rogue is nice but the big ugly pump in the tank is pretty nasty. Deltec, nice but pricey for what you get. The atb is most likely a very nice skimmer. The eshopps, crap pump, the octo is a miss matched neck to pump. The sicce pulls way to much air for a 2" neck.

eric michael

@Luke. Come on now-- "the best part of the HOT". I am talking singular here; once again comparing the Extreme HOT to the Octo.

eric michael

@Luke re-read #5. 32scfh is more than most need in an hang on model-- air is not the deciding factor. While it is a nice stat, the best part of the HOT is the neck. You know this-- you sell 'em ;)

Luke33

How are you guys not listing the best hot on the market, the swc extreme hot, pulls 32scfh at 21w and is made to handle that much air unlike some of the others listed.

Nick

SWC HOT should get a mention as well, Sicce pump, bubble plate, and a nice built in surface strainer..

Jon 'hahnmeister'

@ Eric... lol. For $999 I would build a sump too, but it does exist.

reef

The Deltec mce600 is a great skimmer, also takes up very little space. dont have to have a big pump in the tank.

Jon 'hahnmeister'

http://www.korallen-zucht.de/en/shop/products--...

eric michael

@Jon They changed the design up on that guy. (See older version here) For €999 though I'll build a sump ;)

Curvball

Glad to see the Tunze 9002 got a mention. I love mine - does a great job on my 12g system. But as all internal tunze's it needs a very constant level to perform well. Also the design of the tunze can't be beat - even if it's placed inside your display, the black box looks good... now if they had a black box to cover the collection cup...

Chris

Eshopps Hang-on Protein Skimmer is also decent skimmer
200l.h air
and it designed well
I think that with better pump this skimmer can be a killer.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/mercha...

Jonathan P

Whoa, no mention of the best one on the market in the Bermuda Rogue?

It blows away the poorly constructed Deltec models (I had 300s break on me and I've always considered Deltec's construction to be a bit cheap for some reason).

The Rogue is a freaking TANK. It's super thick and very heavy. Classic Bermuda construction that is meant to last practically forever.

Running the Rogue on a Mag 7 brings a huge cup of skimmate every day in my 40G tank.

I somehow wonder if Bermuda was overlooked being a smaller company and all.

eric michael

@Jonathan - I am well aware of Bermuda, but not a fan of the Rogue. For tanks under 75g, the pump required to drive it for optimum performance is overkill and generally noisy. Tack on the price of a quiet pump like an Eheim 1260 and there are much better options out there--IMO.

@Chris - I have an Eshopps in possession, but have not had the opportunity to thoroughly test it yet. The design is there, the pump is questionable. I spoke with Eshopps and this may change in the future.

@Cerven - Agreed!

Nat

I would love to see some Youtube videos with accurate sound levels.. Even better, some sort of decibel comparison in normal operation.

The biggest win for me when switching to a Tunze 9002 was the absolute silence in which it operates, important when something is outside the stand and in your living room. That said, I've often craved something a little more high performance/capacity, but not if it sacrifices the silence I've come to cherish.

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