Reef gear sizing guides
Which pump, skimmer or heater actually suits your tank — worked out with the same rules the builder runs, so the answer matches a real build rather than a top-ten list.
Return Pumps by tank size
Best return pump for a 20-gallon tank
Best return pump for a 29-gallon tank
Best return pump for a 40-gallon tank
Best return pump for a 55-gallon tank
Best return pump for a 75-gallon tank
Best return pump for a 90-gallon tank
Best return pump for a 120-gallon tank
Best return pump for a 150-gallon tank
Best return pump for a 180-gallon tank
Protein Skimmers by tank size
Best protein skimmer for a 20-gallon tank
Best protein skimmer for a 29-gallon tank
Best protein skimmer for a 40-gallon tank
Best protein skimmer for a 55-gallon tank
Best protein skimmer for a 75-gallon tank
Best protein skimmer for a 90-gallon tank
Best protein skimmer for a 120-gallon tank
Best protein skimmer for a 150-gallon tank
Best protein skimmer for a 180-gallon tank
Heaters by tank size
Return Pumps by tank model
Best return pump for the Waterbox AIO 20 Cube
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best return pump for the Coralife BioCube 32
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best return pump for the Fluval Evo 13.5
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best return pump for the Red Sea REEFER 170 G3
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best return pump for the Red Sea REEFER 250 G3
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best return pump for the Coralife BioCube 16
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Protein Skimmers by tank model
Best protein skimmer for the Waterbox AIO 20 Cube
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best protein skimmer for the Coralife BioCube 32
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best protein skimmer for the Fluval Evo 13.5
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best protein skimmer for the Red Sea REEFER 170 G3
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best protein skimmer for the Red Sea REEFER 250 G3
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best protein skimmer for the Coralife BioCube 16
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Heaters by tank model
Best heater for the Waterbox AIO 20 Cube
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best heater for the Coralife BioCube 32
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best heater for the Fluval Evo 13.5
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best heater for the Red Sea REEFER 170 G3
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best heater for the Red Sea REEFER 250 G3
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.
Best heater for the Coralife BioCube 16
Sized against this tank’s real dimensions, not a volume bucket.