In smaller, less-demanding systems, water changes can compensate for waste removal, but as things become more intricate, additional filtration, like a protein skimmer, is needed. Now that we’ve taken an in-depth look at each product, it’s time to decide which one is right for your reef aquarium. You’ll need to choose based on a few simple factors, such as:

Hard coral aquariums (SPS) with a high population of fish require an extremely high skimming capacity. The skimmer has to ensure the proper degree of purity for hard corals in case of an excessive fish burdening, whereas an especially high performance is required if it's used as a "stand-alone solution".This protein skimmer is slightly less powerful than the others on this list and does best for reef aquariums up to 30 gallons (113.6 L).

In most cases, a nano tank does not need a protein skimmer; they aren’t completely mandatory for every system, but they can help water quality. In addition to regularly cleaning the skimmer cup, the entire skimmer should be cleaned about twice a year. Salt creep can be cleaned as needed. The Best Nano Protein Skimmers

Product Questions

Protein skimmers use fine air bubbles to remove organic waste from the aquarium before it can be broken down into other forms of nitrogen, like ammonia and nitrate. Hobbyists have found that this pump needs some modifications for the best skimming action; even then, this protein skimmer can be slightly underwhelming. The only downside to the 9002 is that its more powerful engine is slightly louder than the 9001. Nevertheless, it’s still quiet enough to go unnoticed throughout the day. Additionally, you’ll have to clean the cup every couple of days but, within just a week, you’ll notice as your tank becomes cleaner and cleaner. Which Should You Buy—The Tunze 9001 or the Tunze 9002? Using the Tunze Flash Skimming Principle, the Comline DOC Skimmer pulls water through an efficient surface suction. Because of this, it’s recommended to use the AquaMaxx NF-1 Nano Protein Skimmer on smaller setups and to rely more on aquarium water changes to maintain water quality. What We Like:

The 9002 uses slightly more power, requiring 10 Watts of electricity to pull in 150 liters of air every hour. With a stronger motor, it creates a steadier stream of foam that flows into a 0.3-liter skimmer cup without creating micro-bubbles inside the tank. The foam simply passes into the skimmer cup, helping to keep your tank clean through the week.However, if you’re running a high-tech nano-system with delicate soft corals, large polyp stony (LPS) corals, and small polyp stony (SPS) corals, then a protein skimmer could help lessen maintenance. A protein skimmer is a type of filtration device used mainly in marine systems. It is often a tall and cylindrical piece of equipment with a removable collection cup at the top. If your reef aquarium is prone to accumulating scum and organic matter, you’ve probably considered investing in a new Tunze reef skimmer. By circulating water through a chamber and introducing air into the tank, these skimmers create a foam that traps organic material and small particles. Yet, for it to work, you need the right product. So, should you buy the Tunze 9001 or the Tunze 9002? The type of reef aquarium you have – The density of your reef can also affect how powerful of a skimmer you need.