Best low-maintenance skimmer?

[Slickdonkey]

Hi,

I'm currently setting up a 240 gallon tank with about 90 gallons in the sump, and need to choose a skimmer. Reality and history dictates that I will not be able to babysit this skimmer every week, or maybe even every month.

I have seen a lot of posts on the "best skimmer" or "best value for the buck" skimmer, but couldn't find anything on "lowest maintenance" skimmer that still has decent performance. I realize there's always a trade-off. In an ideal world I would have a skimmer that requires no maintenance, performs best, and is cheap! I realize this isn't realistic and I'm willing to compromise. So here is an ordered list of my priorities:

1) Low-maintenance. This means it's not affected by sump level and will not stop working if I forget to clean it for three months.

2) Performance

3) Price

Other information
----------------------
- Both the skimmer and pump can be internal or external, I don't care.
- I have about 6 feet of room above the sump (basement), so size is not really an issue. The skimmer compartment in the sump will have a 14"x16" surface area if I choose an in-sump model.


I'm willing to pay to get what I want; I don't intend to keep trying skimmers until I find one that meets these conditions.

Many thanks for your advice!

 

[old salty]

The high dollar Deltecs have provisions for self cleaning heads. Expect to pay over a grand for the option, but it may be close to what you are looking for. They also have provisions for hooking up the collector cup to a bucket.

 

[Slickdonkey]

Don't the Lifereef skimmers have something similar? And they're cheaper.

 

[chrisc615]

If you going that long without cleaning you'll have to go with a Deltec with self cleaning head.

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

Deltec self cleaning, has to be if you're not going to clean for 3 months.

 

[rickburdeniuk]

I don't own one so I can't vouch for it personally and I'm not sure about 3 months... but the Tunze Comline DOC 9020 seems like a very low maintinance option (you'll have to copy and paste this nasty url):
http://www.tunze.com/149.html?&L=1&C=GB&user_tunzeprod_pi1[predid]=-infoxunter027

First it's a dual unit so you have two independent reaction chambers, both are fitted with foam extraction drains so you don't have to worry about a full collection cup. "On the fly" adjustments are made by it's pump so it won't "go nuts" with varying loads.

As I understand the only regular maintinance part you should be able to train a mokey to do. The top part is a combined cup/reactor neck you need to lift it off and rinse it out. Once it's off the rest of the unit goes into a self flush mode until you pulg the top part back in.

Should be about 1/4 the price of the smallest Deltec with a self cleaning head.

 

[okdave]

I would advise you talk to Jeff at Lifereef. I had an interesting conversation with him yesterday on this very subject. I don't own a lifereef skimmer but was impressed with his knowledge and perspective on the skimmer market. If you are concerned about performance with less maintenance you really should speak to him.

www.lifereef.com

 

[Slickdonkey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6923037#post6923037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by okdave
I would advise you talk to Jeff at Lifereef. I had an interesting conversation with him yesterday on this very subject. I don't own a lifereef skimmer but was impressed with his knowledge and perspective on the skimmer market. If you are concerned about performance with less maintenance you really should speak to him.

www.lifereef.com

Someone in our local club recommended one of these as a low-maintenance and reasonably priced option as well. I will definately look into these.

 

[Snprhed]

I have been doing this for a long time and recently got a Deltec. I am extremely impressed. The unit I have does not have the self cleaning cup so I cannot speak to that. The skimmer itself is the best I have ever seen.

 

[Slickdonkey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6921021#post6921021 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by old salty
The high dollar Deltecs have provisions for self cleaning heads. Expect to pay over a grand for the option, but it may be close to what you are looking for. They also have provisions for hooking up the collector cup to a bucket.

Whoa, you aren't kidding. I thought you meant over a grand for a skimmer with this option, but in reality only the larger skimmers have this option available, and the option itself is over a grand. So that puts the price range for this setup at $2-3k.

I guess I can't really justify this! Looks like laziness comes with a large price tag. I will look into the Lifereefs.