Best skimmer under $50

Title says it all. I know NONE of the skimmers in that price range are "good" but I'm sure one of them or another is better than the rest. I know this isnt a spot to skimp, but I'm thinking something "eh" to run for like 6-9 months then I'll hopefully be able to afford a remora or something good like that.

The tank is a 56 gallon, about 60 gallons net total system volume (tank+sump-rock and sand). Currently I have 35 pounds of rock and 50 pounds of sand. I'm going to be ramping up on corals after the tank ages a bit more.

I appreciate the advice. I'm sure there may be some people of the opinion that I should just not buy a skimmer and wait, but my bioload is going to be fairly high, so even if I skim 1/4 of what i'd get with a great skimmer, its still 1/4 more than I'd be skimming with none

 

If I were in that position, i would use some of the money you plan on purchasing live stock with and use it to get a good skimmer. It's much easier and wiser to add the livestock slowly, over the 6-9 months you planned on using an inferior skimmer then doing what you plan on doing. Your basically throwing away money. Get a used skimmer, a used remora can be found for about $90, just search around. I also don't think any of those skimmers in that price range are meant for your size tank, you mine as well not even buy a skimmer.

 

Thing is with the type of livestock im doing (damsels) I really should add in one shot. They are small but they have a higher load than what you'd guess at based on their size.

 

I wouldn't add too many fish of any size or type at once as a sudden increase in the bio- load will cause another cycle. I would add the least aggressive damsels first, then add the more aggressive ones later. If you need to, you can change up your rock work to reduce the aggression. IMO, your asking for trouble with your current plan.

You might even be better off by waiting to buy a good skimmer in a few months, and in the mean time, get a few fish, watch how much you feed and do frequent water changes. That should be fine for a FOWLR tank, but if you start adding corals, it may not work as well.

 

i agree w/ guitar man. By adding one fish at a time you can learn your tank very well. no one will know your tanks capabilities better than you as long as you test your water on a regular basis and take proper actions.
Oh yea do not get a fifty dollar skimmer unless some one is selling a 3 or 400 dollar skimmer for 50 dollars that works otherwise you should just send me the 50 dollars cause youll get about the same back for it

 

For a $50 skimmer I would just skip it all together and just increase water changes. Then get a good skimmer when you can afford it.

As for Adding all the damsels at the same time. I understand why your doing that and there is a way to do it. First start by adding a raw cocktail shrimp to the tank as it breaks down the LR will do it's thing and convert the Ammonia to Nitrite then Nitrate. Add more and more shrimp to simulate the bioload. then when you are happy that the LR is converting everything and your Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrates are zero go add your fish

J

 

Thats a good idea to get everything ready for the new load, but I think I'm going to add a pair of fish (one species) at a time that way I can monitor and adjust the biofilter as needed. Before I make the move I'm getting a bit more rock for my sump, there is an LFS around here who will give you 10 pounds of rubble rock with any live saltwater purchase because they do 3-400 pounds of rock a week and get too much rubble to handle.

 

+1 Jason, go with Jason's suggestions.

 

I did understand why you wanted to do that too, but as Jason said, you need to do it the right way which can be difficult if your new (don't know if you are or not).

 

=1,Unclejed said it well,I actually bought a used bakpak on ebay for $55,for 90-100 you might be able to pick up a used remora.