ReefPicker

Best protein skimmer for a Red Sea REEFER 170 G3

A protein skimmer pulls dissolved organics out before they break down. Rate it for your water volume — with a little headroom for bioload.

Look for a skimmer rated to at least 128 L, ideally ~190 L, for the Red Sea REEFER 170 G3 (128 L / 34 gal net volume). Size to how heavily you'll stock, not just gallons — bigger isn't automatically better.

Showing the 12 best-fit picks. 45 more protein skimmers in the catalog — see all protein skimmers.

See the Red Sea REEFER 170 G3 →Add every part and ReefPicker pre-flights the whole tank against itself.

Frequently asked

What's the best protein skimmer for a Red Sea REEFER 170 G3?

Look for a skimmer rated to at least the Red Sea REEFER 170 G3's display volume, with enough physical clearance for its sump/chamber — see the ranked picks above, checked against its actual dimensions.

What size skimmer for a 34-gallon reef tank?

Rated to at least 128 L (your display volume), ideally ~190 L for a normal bioload and some headroom.

Can a skimmer be too big?

An oversized skimmer can run inefficiently on a lightly-stocked tank, but it's a much softer problem than an undersized one. Match the rating to your planned bioload, not just the tank's gallons.

In-sump or hang-on-back (HOB)?

In-sump is the norm once you have a sump — quieter and tidier. HOB skimmers suit all-in-one (AIO) tanks without a sump. Check the skimmer's footprint fits your sump's skimmer chamber.

Guidance only — sizing is a starting point; verify specs with the manufacturer before you buy.