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The 8 Best reef protein skimmers of 2024

Are you trying to find reef protein skimmers among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!

We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling reef protein skimmers on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 27 hours of research and did 62 reef protein skimmers tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!

An overview of our top picks

Table of contents

The best reef protein skimmers you can buy today

No. 1
Fish Tank Filters, Btinf Internal Aquarium Filter Powerful Surface Oil Skimmer, Small Aquarium Filter Use for 3 to 10 Gallon Fish Tank 80GPH 5W
  • BTINF PROTEIN SKIMMER STRONG FUNCTION - Protein on the water surface of the fish tank caused by external factors will hinder the exchange of water flow and oxygen, resulting in the death of fish. Fish tank with filter has a built-in super-strong eddy current motor, which can easily solve the Protein pollution on the water surface.The protein separation membrane has strong water permeability and strong adsorption force maintaining the living environment required by fish.
  • INTIMATE DESIGN - The floating table of the small fish tank filter adopts a lifting design, which can automatically lift up to 1.18 inches, so there is no need to worry about the situation that the 3 to 10 gallon fish tank filter does not work due to the drop of water vapor evaporation and water level. The stainless steel shaft of the pump has low resistance, high-speed operation, anti-vibration thickened shell, and anti-vibration suction cups, which effectively block various noises.
  • FLEXIBLE ADJUSTMENT - Multiple suction cups are placed behind the oil removal film, which has super suction and can be tightly attached to the fish tank. The flow switch design can adjust the size of the water output at will according to your own needs to achieve flexible and effective filtration.
  • WIDE APPLICABILITY - Fish tank filter is made of high quality PVC material with fine workmanship and durable. Small size suitable for fish tank, aquarium, turtle tank. Suitable for turtles, fish, reptiles and amphibians, optimizing the water quality to provide them with a more comfortable living environment.
  • HIGH QUALITY AFTER SALES - Btinf always puts the customer first. In order to improve the quality of our products, if there is any problem during using please contact us in time and we will replace it for you as soon as possible.
No. 2
Reef Octopus Classic 150SSS Protein Skimmer
  • For aquariums up to 210 gallons
  • Pump: Aquatrance 2000S
  • Small Footprint: 7.3″ x 9.45″ | Body Diameter: 6″ | Height: 20.9″
  • Installation: Sump
SaleNo. 3
Reef Octopus Classic 150INT Protein Skimmer
64 Consomer Reviews
Reef Octopus Classic 150INT Protein Skimmer
  • In-sump protein skimmer for aquariums up to 150 gallons
  • Aquatrance 2000 Pinwheel Pump - offers super efficiency and the very best in performance
  • Bubble Diffusing Chamber and Full Cone Body that naturally reduce and stabilize the foam production; This means less turbulence in the neck area and more contact time for organics to rise and collect
  • Turbulence reducing bubble plate
  • Small Footprint: 12.4" x 8.7"; Body Diameter: 6"; Height: 22"
No. 4
OCTO Classic BH-2000 Protein Skimmer
  • For aquariums up to 208 gallons
  • Pump: Aquatrance 2000 Pinwheel
  • Footprint: 10" X 4", 21" tall
  • Installation: Hang-on
  • Adjustable surface skimmer attachment
No. 6
Reef Octopus Classic 152-S Protein Skimmer
  • Classic 6" Compact Skimmer w/ AQ1800s
  • Dim: 10.4" x 8.1" x 20.7"
  • Rated up to 158gal
No. 7
AQUATICLIFE 115 Mini Internal Protein Skimmer/Filter for Saltwater Aquariums, 30 Gallon, Perfect for Small, Nano Tanks
  • EFFECTIVELY REMOVES ORGANIC WASTE: The Aquatic Life 115 Mini Protein Skimmer for aquariums effectively removes organic waste and other pollutants before they break down into compounds which can be harmful to the aquarium inhabitants
  • COMPACT FOR NANO TANKS: This compact protein skimmer for nano-tanks measures only 3-1/2 x 3-5/8 x 10-5/8 inches. It’s great for small aquariums and mini-reef aquariums. It mounts to fit inside most rear overflow or filtration compartments with a minimum size of 4 x 4 inches
  • POWERFUL AND HIGHLY EFFICIENT: The internal protein skimmer for aquariums is powered by an 8-watt needle-wheel impeller pump for efficient air-to-water contact and energy, delivering maximum protein collection and highly effective organic waste removal
  • SIMPLE TO INSTALL: This small protein skimmer is easy to set up and runs a super-quiet operation. The suction cups provide mounting options for convenient placement, and the adjustable bracket fits standard aquarium frames
  • QUICK ACCESS FOR EASY CLEANING: A quick-lock design on the protein skimmer allows full access for maintenance and easy cleaning. Designed for saltwater aquariums up to 30 gallons (115 liters). Clear plastic 3.4oz collection cup
  • Compact size makes this skimmer ideal for mini-reef aquariums
  • Placement inside aquarium provides quiet operation
  • Proven needle-wheel impeller increases air-to-water contact
No. 8
Reef Tank Logbook Testing Dosing Feeding Water change and Notes: valuable tool used by reef tank maintenance to keep track of various aspects of their reef aquarium
  • jo, jo (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 55 Pages - 06/13/2023 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
No. 9
MagTool Aquarium in-Sump DC Protein Skimmer, with Controllable DC Pinwheel Pump for Up to105-135Gal Reef Tank (N130 Plus)
  • Compact size fit for space-limited installations and supply powerful filtration. Thanks to the internal pump and the new "bottom-open" outlet design minimizes footprint to be 7.9x7.4inch, support up to 105(Heavy bio-lad)-135gal(Light bio-lad) aquarium tanks.
  • 400GPH DC sine wave pumps with special needle wheel impellers to whip up large amounts of air with optimum bubble size. The sine wave technology allows the pump gives out higher power with silencer sound. The pump also come with smart controller with 1-8 level speed, and with feed model, delay start function.
  • Exclusive Cell-cast diffuser designed to efficiently mix air and water. together with the cone structure the random twirling and turbulent flow will be eliminated. A stable laminar flow is created inside the skimmer`s reaction chamber and maximizes the performance and efficiency of the skimmer like no other design!
  • Superior Design, A built-in air intake silencer reduces noise for near-silent operation. The hybrid-cone design maximizes the size of the reaction chamber and to allow the skimmate to smoothly rise into the collection cup. The advanced Bubble Chamber decreases turbulence and produced a stable laminar flow: which improves bubble transition and boosts skimmer performance.
  • Specifications: Footprint: 7.9x7.4inch, Max pump power consumption: 20 Watts.
SaleNo. 10
Reef Octopus eSsence S-130 Protein Skimmer
  • Bioload Handling Heavy - 75 gallons, Medium - 120 gallons, Light - 160 gallons
  • Body Size: 6 in. Footprint: 8.3 in x 6.9 in, Neck Size: 2.4 in, Total Height: 20.5in
  • Aquatrance 1800s Pinwheel Pump Max Flow: 140gph
  • LOADED with INNOVATION for Aquariums up to 160 Gallons
  • Recommended Sump Water Height: 7 - 8 inches
No. 11
Coralife Super Protein Super Skimmer with Energy Saving Post-Flow Pump | Features Needle Wheel Technology | 220 Gallon
  • 🐠 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.
  • 🐠 HIGH QUALITY FEATURES - Features dual injection inlets to increase bubble/water contact time and a bubble production diffuser to prevent the flow of micro-bubbles into main aquarium. Can be used in sump or with hang on mounting bracket
  • 🐠 3 SIZES - Each unit is adaptable for both hang-on aquarium mounting or in-sump setup. Available in 3 sizes to accommodate your aquarium size - 65, 125 and 220 Gallon.
  • 🐠 TRUSTED - Coralife is a trusted brand of marine aquarium parts and supplies. We offer aquarium lighting, filtration products, marine salt mix and more. When aquarium systems require more than just the basics - Coralife steps in.
No. 12
Protein Skimmers for Saltwater Aquariums, Hang On Protein Skimmer for Fish Tanks up to 80 Gallons, DC Pinwheel Pump with Controller, Not for Rimmed Tank
  • NOT for rimmed tanks. 3 inches diameter skimmer body. Space saving. More practical. Either for Hang-on or in sump use.
  • 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.
  • Integrated molded cast acrylic skimmer body. Solid construction and long-life service.
  • Rotate the skimmer body to reach the desired water level. More flexible and better reaction.
  • Waterflow adjustable with controller, gears 1 to 10 to meet requirements for different water quality.
No. 13
MagTool Nano AIO Tank Protein Skimmers for All in One Reef Tank up to 35-45Gallon (DC-SQ50)
  • New-Tech DC needlewheel pump with controller: The skimmer features a DC-powered pump that utilizes sine wave technology, making it exceptionally quiet and safe for your aquatic pets; Its fully sealed metal components resist corrosion for long-lasting use; The pump controller also prevents potential overflowing, which traditional adjustments to outlet size or installation height may not effectively address
  • Adjustable skimmer height bracket- perfectly tune in the water level in your skimmer, without adjusting the water running level in your aquarium; Built in bubble trap- Specially designed sponge fits over the output of the skimmer removing micro bubbles from entering aquarium display
  • Adjustable water outlet: The skimmer's rotating body allows for easy adjustment of the water outlet, ensuring you caneasily adjust the foam to be moist or dry foaming as needed
  • Adjustable skimmer body- Easily allows for control of the amount of air and water mixture in your skimmer; This forces waste to be foam fractioned out, and collect extra nutrients in the top cup; Easily dump out the waste produced by your aquarium
SaleNo. 14
Reef Octopus Aquatrance 2000S Skimmer Pump
  • Aqua trance 2000s pinwheel pump
  • Max flow: 198gph
  • Power consumption: 18watts
No. 15
Reef Octopus Classic 110-INT Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer for Aquarium
  • Coral vue octopus 4-inch needle wheel skimmer 100gal
  • Reef octopus pinwheel/needle wheel skimmers provide you with a high performance features in an easy to use package
  • New pinwheel impellers provide up to 100% improved performance
SaleNo. 18
Fluval Sea PS1 Protein Skimmer for Aquarium, for All Breed Sizes
  • Works to provide marine aquariums with pure reef like conditions
  • Easy to install; Silent operation
  • Low energy consumption
  • Designed to prevent bubbles from escaping skimmer system
  • Suitable for aquariums up to 45 gallons
No. 19
Reef Octopus Classic 202-S Protein Skimmer
  • In-Sump Application
  • Super Cone Body Size: 8.27in to 5.12in
  • Footprint: 12.4in x 10in
  • Water Height: 7 - 9in

How to choose a good reef protein skimmers

Does the idea of finding a fantastic reef protein skimmers make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!

Your presence here indicates that you are interested in reef protein skimmers. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top reef protein skimmers products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?

First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top reef protein skimmers on the market right now!

The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:

Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top reef protein skimmers brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.

Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top reef protein skimmers based on those.

Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.

Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.

Customer ratings:  Would it be accurate to suggest that the reef protein skimmers were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.

Customer Reviews: Like ratings,  provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.

Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good reef protein skimmers, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.

Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your reef protein skimmers.

Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting reef protein skimmers for months and years to come.

Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.

Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.

These are the standards by which we selected our reef protein skimmers. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.

Why should you believe us?

There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what reef protein skimmers should you purchase in 2022?

This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on reef protein skimmers.