Advise on protein skimmers
- Thread starter CloudIX
- Start date
crumbletop
New member
I think Angela has an ASM G3 on her 270 and I think I recall her saying it is a bit underpowered in her view for that size. 300 gallons is out of my league 
Maybe look at MRC, the Euroreef CS400, or one of the ATI Bubblemasters.
How's your solaris working (or do you have it yet)?
Maybe look at MRC, the Euroreef CS400, or one of the ATI Bubblemasters.
How's your solaris working (or do you have it yet)?
CloudIX
Website Developer
Price is not that big a deal, but i dont want to go broke either. I just want the best bang for my buck. How good are the ETSS ones?
I LOVE my solaris light, this thing is so awesome. As soon as i get the room that my tanks are in looking good. Then i plan on hosting a meeting and letting everyone see the lights and tank.
I LOVE my solaris light, this thing is so awesome. As soon as i get the room that my tanks are in looking good. Then i plan on hosting a meeting and letting everyone see the lights and tank.
TitansFan
Active member
Is size a concern? What about noise? In sump or external?
A MRC beckett would work great. I gave it alot of thought. After taking into consideration that my skimmer would have to be under my stand in the living room I went with a Deltec for its low amount of noise and energy consumption considerations.
On my other tank I run a euroreef which has been a great skimmer.
As Chris has brought up budget is something to know when considering a skimmer. The Deltec AP702 or AP902 would be my dream skimmer.
http://www.deltecusa.us
H&S makes a good skimmer as well. The A250-2x1260 would work well for you.
http://www.finsreef.com/product.php?productid=16146&cat=254&page=1
A MRC beckett would work great. I gave it alot of thought. After taking into consideration that my skimmer would have to be under my stand in the living room I went with a Deltec for its low amount of noise and energy consumption considerations.
On my other tank I run a euroreef which has been a great skimmer.
As Chris has brought up budget is something to know when considering a skimmer. The Deltec AP702 or AP902 would be my dream skimmer.
http://www.deltecusa.us
H&S makes a good skimmer as well. The A250-2x1260 would work well for you.
http://www.finsreef.com/product.php?productid=16146&cat=254&page=1
TitansFan
Active member
Any skimmer that is going to perform well with a small amount of tinkering on a 300 gallon volume of water is not going to be cheap. Of course opinions will differ... but in my tank setups the skimmer is the one most single expensive item in them all.
With a good skimmer you will be able to lengthen the time and amount of water changes that would be required. 300 gallons with the normal 25% water change a month is going to slowly rack up in salt cost, ro replacement filters, water, and not to mention valuable time.
With a good skimmer you will be able to lengthen the time and amount of water changes that would be required. 300 gallons with the normal 25% water change a month is going to slowly rack up in salt cost, ro replacement filters, water, and not to mention valuable time.
CloudIX
Website Developer
Ok, that helps answer some quesions. Noise is not that big of a issue since i have a converted closet as a pump room and that muffles some of the noise. As long as the skimmer does not get over 4 ft tall and 2 ft wide it would fit fine. I would prefere a external sump one.
TitansFan
Active member
I have never personally owned a beckett skimmer. I have seen what Gary's pulls out and was always impressed. I don't know how much of a big deal it is but, I had always read on here beckett skimmers can required abit more maintenance. Tinkering with the settings to get them right and be sure the becketts always stay clean.
For external that would count out bubblemaster and ASM. Neither are ran external out of the box and yes some say you can mod them but... When I am spending alot of money on a skimmer I don't want to have to mod it to make it work for me nor trust in my mod when we are considering 300 gallons of salt water.
Seeing that you have a solaris for lighting then I assume budget is not a huge issue... A Deltec AP902 with the self-cleaning head (auto cleans the neck of the skimmer for you) would rox
Ahh the battle between beckett and needle wheel.. gotta love it. My Deltec was plug and play the beckett is abit of a learning curve. In the end I think the performance can be equal. I do like the fact the AP902 runs off 2 very dependable, quiet, low energy consumption eheim pumps.
For external that would count out bubblemaster and ASM. Neither are ran external out of the box and yes some say you can mod them but... When I am spending alot of money on a skimmer I don't want to have to mod it to make it work for me nor trust in my mod when we are considering 300 gallons of salt water.
Seeing that you have a solaris for lighting then I assume budget is not a huge issue... A Deltec AP902 with the self-cleaning head (auto cleans the neck of the skimmer for you) would rox
Ahh the battle between beckett and needle wheel.. gotta love it. My Deltec was plug and play the beckett is abit of a learning curve. In the end I think the performance can be equal. I do like the fact the AP902 runs off 2 very dependable, quiet, low energy consumption eheim pumps.
streetracinsrt
New member
May want to talk to Steve AKA Turboex901 he is working for a new LFS in chatt that will be selling the MRC skimmers. He may be able to get you a good deal on whatever size you are looking for.
waynesworld
Premium Member
I pmed you I have a couple of skimmers for sale I have a couple of new MRCs and one older one.
turboex901
New member
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I use an ASM g4x on my 400gal system and I think it's great. I would guess an ASM 4 would be about right for a 300gallon.These skimmers are made of plastic and are much less expensive than the acrylic types. Mine was about $450. Plenty of fine bubbles,good skimmate and low maintenance. I've been using it for over a year without any complaints.
The best bang for you buck will be an MRC IMO.
http://www.myreefcreations.com/psstandard.htm
I ran an MR2 on my 90 and now extended that to an MR3 (single beckett) for my 120. I would think about an MR3 with 2 becketts or an MR4 for your size tank.
IMO you will have to spend around $1500 or more to get a good needlewheel for that sized tank. Like has been mentioned Deltec, H and S and Euroreef are all good skimmers. Geo would be my personal choice for a needlewheel. I have never used one but some people to like ASM's and others think they are junk. The ones I have seen have not impressed me but maybe I've just seen the wrong models
I do know you want to avoid the Sedra 5000 pump.
Some advantages to becketts are:
You can run an autotopoff container (a huge advantage for external run skimmers if you don't like water all over your floor from the occasional overflows, also works with ETSS)
More skimming power for your $
If you skim wet you won't have to clean the cup but every week or so.
Disadvantages:
A bit harder to learn to use
Use more power.....it should be noted that the larger multipump needlewheels when you add in the recirc pump use about the same though.
Here is a good recent debate on skimmer type pros and cons:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1131838
It should also be noted that it's a good general rule of thumb to get a skimmer rated for about twice the tank size you have.
hth, Chris
http://www.myreefcreations.com/psstandard.htm
I ran an MR2 on my 90 and now extended that to an MR3 (single beckett) for my 120. I would think about an MR3 with 2 becketts or an MR4 for your size tank.
IMO you will have to spend around $1500 or more to get a good needlewheel for that sized tank. Like has been mentioned Deltec, H and S and Euroreef are all good skimmers. Geo would be my personal choice for a needlewheel. I have never used one but some people to like ASM's and others think they are junk. The ones I have seen have not impressed me but maybe I've just seen the wrong models
I do know you want to avoid the Sedra 5000 pump.
Some advantages to becketts are:
You can run an autotopoff container (a huge advantage for external run skimmers if you don't like water all over your floor from the occasional overflows, also works with ETSS)
More skimming power for your $
If you skim wet you won't have to clean the cup but every week or so.
Disadvantages:
A bit harder to learn to use
Use more power.....it should be noted that the larger multipump needlewheels when you add in the recirc pump use about the same though.
Here is a good recent debate on skimmer type pros and cons:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1131838
It should also be noted that it's a good general rule of thumb to get a skimmer rated for about twice the tank size you have.
hth, Chris
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