$1,000 Skimmer Budget
- Thread starter pentrix2
- Start date
jcw
Active member
And what is wrong with a pond pump that has been proven to work for years? just curious.
I have the small bubble blaster pump for my reef octopus 1000sss and really dislike it. Whether it's the design of the SSS line of skimmers or the pump, there are so many threads complaining about inconsistent skimming. I also do water changes through the skimmer by plugging the air line to the pump and letting the pump overflow into the skimmer cup. Using the ATB, the pump is strong enough to overflow it easily and every time. On the smaller 1000SSS, it struggles.
I believe that the performance of a skimmer is more than 50% related to the performance and matching of the pump to the skimmer body. ATB has been around long enough that they have it down perfectly.
Just my .02.
I'm still new to this hobby, only about 1 year of experience. I tried things on my own and not ask anybody, in the end I'm always regretting and spent way more than I budgeted. I learned to stop acting like I know whats best and listen to the experts and the ones who has a lot more experience than I do.
Thank you so much for your help.
:beer:
moondoggy4
Team RC
Bummer you just missed a BK Supermarine used for 450
njreefermadness
Member
Vertex Alpha Kone 250. This thing is a real foam cannon. Got a nice quiet Red Dragon 1500 and pulls lots of air. Has been working great on my 180 for a couple of years now.
Herb
Herb
Going by your logic. Then if it overflows its over matched for the skimmer body....that would be correct??
There is nothing wrong with the pond pump but FOR YEARS people talk about the red dragon like it was built my god myself. Then the secret can out and look it just some pond pump that they mark up 300%.
And you dont think i could find many thread complaining about ATB skimmers? My goodness how many redesign are they at now??
I can throw out 6054949% of what is what but that dont make it true.
There is no magic to make skimmers, its just mixing bubbles with water. Its not rocket science.
Just look at any skimmer line out there. The more LPH the skimmers has the higher the rating. Comparing 2 skimmers with one at 1500 lph and the other at 2100lph...its not a fair fight.
I am one of those underwhelmed. And customer service is not the fastest or most responsive. Just my opinion.
You are welcome. It in the end its your choice. I dont think you will be happy with any skimmer in this thread. If you research the forum here you will get tons of info.
Just dont fall for the hype or you will over spend. Like I said there is no secret to skimmers. Its just mixing air with water.... the more air the more powerful the skimmer.
:beer:
so much to chose from... I thought building my stand and acrylic tank was the hardest part with no experience until I met this beast
so much things to think about:
1. how long will it last until it breaks
2. best skimmate output
3. most reliable output
4. customer service
5. how much electricity required
6. 31" height is my max
7. how many reviews, forums & youtube
8. don't want to keep buying skimmer every couple of months because I'm not fully happy with it
I'm not in a huge rush to buy something immediately because it will be another month or two until my tank is fully built. I have 4 spare skimmers so I can use that in the meantime to cycle the water.
lesson learn from all my spare skimmers. don't keep buying until you know whats out there and ask what experience others have. with the money i spent on 4 skimmers now doing nothing i could of purchased a $2k skimmer easily.
so much things to think about:
1. how long will it last until it breaks
2. best skimmate output
3. most reliable output
4. customer service
5. how much electricity required
6. 31" height is my max
7. how many reviews, forums & youtube
8. don't want to keep buying skimmer every couple of months because I'm not fully happy with it
I'm not in a huge rush to buy something immediately because it will be another month or two until my tank is fully built. I have 4 spare skimmers so I can use that in the meantime to cycle the water.
lesson learn from all my spare skimmers. don't keep buying until you know whats out there and ask what experience others have. with the money i spent on 4 skimmers now doing nothing i could of purchased a $2k skimmer easily.
Mike de Leon
New member
I have a Vertex Alpha cone 170. My first tank was set up 2003. Have gone thru four skimmers during that time. The alpha will be my last one. Have had the best skimmate production out of all of the five. One thing that one needs to consider also is ease of maintenance.
