While there are a large and growing number of skimmers on the market, very few are small enough in scale to be used in conjunction with Nano and Micro Reef aquariums. This page will discuss the relative merits and flaws of the few commercial models which will work in such systems, as well as mentioning the smallest standard size tanks they can be used with.
 
 

The CPR BakPak is undoubtedly the best of the bunch. I have never heard of a single Bakpak owner who was less then satisfied with his purchase, which is an almost unheard of vote of confidence in a piece of aquarium equipment. The Bakpak places only it's pump and it's return spout inside the aquarium. Original model Bakpaks (those made prior to 1995 or so) are short enough to be mounted on an AGA standard 10 gallon aquarium. Sadly, those made since are too tall to fit on any AGA standard aquarium shorter then a 20 Tall. Several people have resorted to placing a tank on risers of various kinds to enable the Bakpak to fit on smaller tanks. I confess I am not comfortable doing this, but then again I live in earthquake country. The single drawback to the Bakpak is it's price, which is rather high; depending on where you buy, you will most likely spend between $100 and $160.
 
 

The SeaClone skimmer by AquariumSystems can be used on any 12" aquarium, such as the standard AGA 10 gallon tank. Like the Bakpak, only the return spout and the unit's pump are placed inside the aquarium, with the body of the skimmer hanging outside the tank. The SeaClone has very mixed reviews from those who have used them. Complaints are that they can sometimes be loud (although, according to AquariumSystems, this shouldn't be the case if the unit is running properly) and that they at least initially flood the tank with micro bubbles. I have spoken to people who claim that the micro bubbles cease to be a problem once the unit has properly been broken in, and this too is the company line from AquariumSystems. The SeaClone will cost you between $80 and $120, again depending on where you buy.
 
 

The VisiJet protein skimmer has a bad reputation. Although very low cost (around $25), the entire unit is placed in the aquarium. It rises several inches above the top of the tank. It is also, from what I have heard, of fairly cheap construction. I have heard some positive comments about their efficiency, but most people who have used them consider them to be pathetic in their role as protein skimmers. Like the SeaClone, the VisiJet will fit a standard AGA 10 gallon aquarium.
 
 

The Skilters (250 and 400) are discussed in considerable detail on their own page on this site. Allow me just to add that the 250 model with fit an AGA 5 gallon aquarium, and the 400 will fit on an AGA 10 gallon.
 

Finally I will mention the ubiqitous in-tank, airstone-driven counter current protein skimmers made by a variety of manufacturers. The very smallest models will fit even a 1 gallon mayonnaise jar, and of course on any model of standard AGA sizes. While requiring frequent 'tweaking' in order to function properly, these skimmers will do a creditable job of skimming a nano or micro. Indeed, they will function significantly better then a skilter or a VisiJet. For all that, their main disadvantage is the amount of space inside the tank they require. This is usually unacceptable to most nano/micro keepers, although (as I've mentioned elsewhere) there is a way to get around this. Take an outside power filter with a fairly deep body (such as an Aquaking) and remove all the filter media from it. Mount the skimmer's suction cups to the inside wall of the body of the power filter. This allows you to run the skimmer without consuming any more tank space then would be used by a skilter.