The Best Protein Skimmers in 2022

Coralife’s protein skimmer’s top feature has to be its high-functioning foam fractionation, featuring a patented needle-wheel system that engenders the spiraling vortex of water and micro bubbles that turn your fish tank into a healthy environment for your fish. No matter if your aquarium features an in-sump setup or relies on hang-on aquarium mounting, Coralife’s protein system is able to fit in any size of aquarium between 65 gallons to 220 gallons.

Maintaining this protein skimmer couldn’t be easier: the collection cup’s advantageous wide-neck design ensures efficient foam production and control is maintained at all times. Besides, keeping the skimmer clean takes no time at all thanks to the easy twist feature on the collection cup.

IceCap’s protein skimmer is acclaimed for many reasons, yet what allows it to stand out from the crowd is its quiet operation. However, don’t jump to conclusions and simply assume that just because it’s quiet means it’s effectively useless. Quite the contrary; including a bubble dispersant chamber that features an adjustable knob in order to prevent the skimmer from overflowing, it’s a top-of-the-range model geared towards obliterating waste from your tank.

Crafted from durable PVC and acrylic, an included magnet mount renders it painless to hang an IceCap protein skimmer from surfaces up to half an inch thick. In conjunction with the easy setup, cleaning this unit is just as simple, given how easy it is to dismantle the unit. There aren’t many skimmers that succeed in both producing a carbon footprint and maintaining an impressive performance, but IceCap’s model is certainly one of them.

Designed for in-sump use only, Reef Octopus’ Needle Wheel Skimmer will tempt you from the first time you adjust the accessible gate value. Its renowned pinwheel impellers attached to the DC pump play a huge role in creating the bubbles the skimmer relies on to attract protein and therefore effectively clean the tank.

Not only is the four-inch cone-neck easy to remove for cleaning due to its quick-release neck, its superior size ensures the bubbles transition successfully into the collection cup. Paired with the hailea OPT pumps that generate exceptional foam production, there isn’t much to complain about!

Sturdy and strong, Bubble Magus’s Protein Skimmer cleans tanks containing up to 140 gallons to perfection. Setting up this skimmer is a breeze, with some customers even describing this process as fun due to the detailed diagrams the company provides – and no, this wasn’t intended as sarcasm!

Bubble Magus are so proud of their creation that they offer a one-year warranty on their skimmer and pump motor, as well as a six-month warranty on the impeller in the pump. And why wouldn’t they be? From the bubble plate that reduces turbulence in the reaction chamber to the inclusion of an air silencer to guarantee quiet operation, this protein skimmer will last you years to come.

Wave goodbye to organic waste smeared all over your tank permanently thanks to Macro Aqua’s commendable Protein Skimmer. Ideal for fitting in tanks up to sixty gallons or less, its plug and play design ensures the installation process will be a breeze.

Boasting an exemplary water flow of 238 gallons per hour, it’s rare to find a skimmer with its own pump at this price point. What’s more, the skimmer is wonderfully quiet, without the common wheezing and gurgling noises that frequently wail from other protein skimmers. Believe us: you’ll notice a remarkable difference when your aquarium water turns from a nasty yellowy brown to clear in a matter of weeks.

How could we not include an aquarium protein skimmer for under fifty dollars? The perfect model for small aquariums, Aquatic Life’s Mini Protein Skimmer packs a punch, despite its modest size. Perfect for treating small aquariums up to thirty gallons, the water flow is easily adjustable – just one turn of the knob is all it takes to stop the collection cup from overflowing.

As well as the torrent of micro-bubbles this skimmer produces in aquarium water, the pump ensures that a perfect equilibrium is maintained between air and water in the reaction chamber in order to effectively remove waste. For the price, it’s without a doubt a valuable investment.

Perfectly capable of pulling copious amounts of skimmate from any aquarium, SC Aquarium’s Protein Skimmer for saltwater tanks is seriously sturdy. Comprising of thick, plastic parts that easily pull apart and fit back together as well as a removable cup, manufacturers have tried everything and succeeded in ensuring that their sump protein skimmer works thoroughly.

Unsurprisingly, the unbelievable cleaning power their pump system offers led manufacturers to place a one-year limited warranty on their product. Regarding the optimal sump water level, delighted customers claim this skimmer performs its best at seven inches of water which can be achieved by twisting the blue adjustment tube. Then all you have to do is sit back and watch this skimmer work its magic on your aquarium water!

Designed to keep mini aquariums between 25 to 30 gallons sparkling, Hydor’s nano skimmer is the mini model to beat. For starters, this stylish jet-black pump is able to mount inside an aquarium tank easily thanks to the help of its patented magnet-suction cup mounting design – indeed, the model is compact enough to blend into the background.

Satisfied customers often comment on the energy-efficient Hydor venturi air pump which produces compact bubbles to eliminate the dissolved organic compounds, thereby reducing the risk of phosphate being released into the aquarium water. The integrated surface intake design that successfully removes surface oil from the aquarium additionally works in tandem with these other commendable features – it’s a skimmer that really works.

Perfect for treating tanks up to 120 gallons, the convenience of Simplicity’s cone shape design has placed it high up on the list of in-sump models. The controllable DC pump and needle wheel work simultaneously to create compact micro-bubbles and shred air, creating a faultless protein skimmer.

A whopping three-year pro-rated warranty has been placed on the collection cup drain; featuring a cap so the murky water doesn’t spill right back into the clean tank. Not like you’ll ever need to use the warranty, that is!

Lastly, AquaMaxx’s hang-on-back protein skimmer – made with a sturdy cell-cast acrylic design – offers the perfect pump power consumption and filtration rating for smaller tanks. AquaMaxx’s upgraded version of HOB-1 features an enlarged bubble diffusor and reaction chamber, leading to maximum foam production and a healthy aquarium.

Had any bad experiences with spilled waste seeping back into your tank in the past? Not to worry; the collection cup can easily be adjusted so no foam unexpectedly spills over, breaking your heart in the process. In fact, you’ll most likely forget that your skimmer is even operating away in the background – given that the internal pump is completely submerged in water, noise levels are kept to a minimum in comparison to external pump skimmers. Undoubtedly, every one of these first-rate upgrades make AquaMaxx’s HOB-1.5 one of the top protein skimmers on the market to beat.