Fluval SEA Mini Power Protein Skimmer 20-80ltrs
Suits tanks
20–80 L
Water type
Marine
Fluval SEA Mini Power Protein Skimmer 20-80ltrs
Skims dissolved organics out of nano reef water before they turn into nitrate and phosphate. The Fluval SEA Mini Power Protein Skimmer is built for saltwater tanks from 20 to 80 L, pulling waste out through a fine column of micro-bubbles rather than waiting for a filter to catch it after the fact.
Key features
- 32-needle needle-wheel impeller — shears water into a dense field of micro-bubbles for a bigger organics-to-air contact area than a standard air-stone skimmer.
- Adjustable flow regulator and water-level control valve — dial in wet or dry skimming without swapping parts.
- Clear collection cup — lifts off for a quick rinse, and lets you see skimmate colour at a glance.
- Hang-on or in-tank mounting — comes with both an adjustable hanging bracket and suction cups.
- Modular housing — pump, body and cup separate for cleaning without tools.
Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Rated volume | 20–80 L (5–20 US gal) |
| Dimensions | 8 × 8 × 26 cm |
| Impeller | 32-needle needle-wheel |
| Mounting | Hanging bracket or suction cups |
| Housing material | Plastic |
| SKU | SEA50 |
Fluval doesn't publish a separate wattage figure or light/medium/heavy bioload rating for this model — it's sold on the single 20–80 L range above. As a rule of thumb inside that band, run it toward the 20–40 L end on a heavily stocked reef and toward the top of the range on a lightly stocked fish-only setup.
Will it fit my tank?
At 8 × 8 × 26 cm this is a slim in-tank or hang-on unit, suited to nano and all-in-one systems rather than a sump. Check you have at least 26 cm of clearance behind or beside the tank for the body, plus room above the waterline to lift the collection cup for cleaning.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
- Suitable for: saltwater and reef tanks between 20 and 80 L, nano and pico reef systems, AIO cabinets without a sump.
- Not suitable for: freshwater tanks (protein skimming only works in saltwater), systems over 80 L, or as the sole filtration on a heavily stocked reef — pair it with mechanical and biological filtration.
What's included
The skimmer body, needle-wheel pump, collection cup, hanging bracket and suction cups. No media, no controller — it runs as soon as it's powered and primed.
Care and maintenance
Rinse the collection cup every few days once skimmate builds up — aim for a tea-to-coffee colour skimmate, not watery overflow. Wipe the needle wheel and impeller housing monthly to clear salt creep and organic buildup, which is the most common cause of a skimmer that stops pulling a consistent bubble column.
Goes well with
A dedicated media reactor for carbon or GFO if you're running a mixed reef, and a small auto top-off unit so evaporation doesn't throw off the water level the skimmer is tuned to.
Warranty and delivery
Covered by Fluval's standard manufacturer warranty against defects, in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Standard parcel freight — no special handling required.
Common questions
Will this handle a heavily stocked 80 L reef?
It will run at 80 L, but a heavily stocked tank at the top of that range will ask more of it than a lightly stocked one — expect to clean the cup more often, and consider sizing to the 40–60 L band of stocking if you're pushing high bioload.
Does it work in freshwater?
No. Protein skimming relies on the surface tension of saltwater to form a stable foam column — it won't produce useful skimmate in a freshwater tank.
Can I run it without the hanging bracket?
Yes — the suction cups let you mount it in-tank instead, which suits tanks with a closed or shallow-rim top where a hang-on bracket won't sit.
How do I know it's tuned correctly?
Look at the collection cup: skimmate should be dark and syrupy, tea-to-coffee coloured. If it's watery, lower the water level in the cup body; if nothing is collecting, raise it.
