Best skimmer for the $$$

N

Nereaga

New member
Ok starting 75g display w/ 20g long sump/fuge. Footprint in sump is 10''x11'' for skimmer. I have a budget of $300 for a skimmer. I want to have an average- heavy bioload. It will be a reef too.

What would you do?

Aqua C EV 120?
Octopus NW 150?
Euro reef RS 100?
ASM G-1x?

Thanks guys
 
Skimmer questions/preferences are tough because it's a lot of opinion... but it's hard to turn down a EuroReef skimmer. I believe that would be my vote.
 
Scratch the first and last item off your list. If you stay with ER, you need to look at the RS135, instead of RS100. I think the NW150 is fine, but I haven't owned one, so not sure.

A better choice might be the DAS EX-1 and it's within your budget. I think for a little more, the ATi Bubblemaster 160 is a beast. I just bought one for my 90g and it's awesome. But then, they're a little pricier than your budget, very small footprint and dead quiet.
 
Actually I would go RS80 on the Euro-reef. It will handle a 75gallon no problem whatsoever and you can get them for $150 right now from ER as a returned but certified blemish. This is probably the best bang for the buck. I have the ER100 and I think it actually needs a pump somewhere in between the sedra 3500 and 5000. I think it needs a good bit more air than the Sedra 3500 provides. The RS80 would probably be perfect for this pump.

(note: i've also done the meshmod to boost the air in my RS100 and I still don't think it's enough)
 
Just all depends on what you "want" to spend. The das ex1 is a great skimmer and if your sump is gong to fluctuate in water level is a perfect match. If yo are looking for good and cheap and your water level in your sump will be consistent then a octo150 will be fine. You can meshmod and redo the venturi and it'll be great.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11054365#post11054365 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fishbulb2
Actually I would go RS80 on the Euro-reef. It will handle a 75gallon no problem whatsoever
Click to expand...
I have to disagree with this statement. If he's going with heavier bioload, the skimmer will struggle to keep up. Give yourself a little buffer to protect your investment, RS135. The pump is much better than the RS80 pump.
 
I don't know. I think it's an opinion. I think the RS80 will be more than enough for anything reasonable in a 75g tank. I think there is a truly ridiculous tendency these days to get enough enormous skimmers way to big for our tanks these days. If the skimmer is too large, you'll never get a decent foam head either. That's what i'm struggling with now. With the RS80 you'll just have to dump the cup once a week or so and perhaps skim dryer if you won't have a chance to get to it that week. if you go way too big, then the skimmer won't even work at all. I think ER rates their skimmers quite well. The RS80 will save you a TON of money, work absolutely just fine on any 75g tank, and should be way quieter as the pump is smaller and drawing less air. I would again, definitely go with the RS80.
 
I would also go with the DAS ex-1. I been running the ex-2 for about 8 months. Its a really great skimmer and i don't think you can find anything in this price range that will perform better.

There is a pretty big DAS skimmer club thread if you want to get some more feed back.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11054690#post11054690 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fishbulb2
I don't know. I think it's an opinion. I think the RS80 will be more than enough for anything reasonable in a 75g tank. I think there is a truly ridiculous tendency these days to get enough enormous skimmers way to big for our tanks these days. If the skimmer is too large, you'll never get a decent foam head either. That's what i'm struggling with now. With the RS80 you'll just have to dump the cup once a week or so and perhaps skim dryer if you won't have a chance to get to it that week. if you go way too big, then the skimmer won't even work at all. I think ER rates their skimmers quite well. The RS80 will save you a TON of money, work absolutely just fine on any 75g tank, and should be way quieter as the pump is smaller and drawing less air. I would again, definitely go with the RS80.
Click to expand...
It always better to get a bigger skimmer. RS80 is too small for this tank, IMO.

Also you should be cleaning the collection cup at least twice at week, IMO. Leaving the skimmer neck dirty really hurts it performance.
 
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Well, i guess the neck diameter on the RS135 is no larger than the RS100 so on a crowded 75g it would probably work fine. But I still don't think it's necessary. The RS80 should get the job done. Also, I think the RS135 will make better use of the 3.5" neck compared to the RS100 because the 135 has the larger pump.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11054690#post11054690 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fishbulb2
I don't know. I think it's an opinion. I think the RS80 will be more than enough for anything reasonable in a 75g tank. I think there is a truly ridiculous tendency these days to get enough enormous skimmers way to big for our tanks these days. If the skimmer is too large, you'll never get a decent foam head either. That's what i'm struggling with now. With the RS80 you'll just have to dump the cup once a week or so and perhaps skim dryer if you won't have a chance to get to it that week. if you go way too big, then the skimmer won't even work at all. I think ER rates their skimmers quite well. The RS80 will save you a TON of money, work absolutely just fine on any 75g tank, and should be way quieter as the pump is smaller and drawing less air. I would again, definitely go with the RS80.
Click to expand...

Wow, I couldn't agree with this statement more. I think that the RS80 would be just fine. Just think, the tank is 75gal, the sump is 20gal, but is realistically only going to hold 10-12gals, + the room LR takes up. You are looking at right at 75-80gals of water. I am a big believer of not overdoing it, that is unless, you plan to go overkill on the fish in the tank, but on the other hand, how many fish can you fit in a 75gal without it looking crowded anyways. . .? Just my 2 cents, I think an ER80 would be a perfect match.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11054699#post11054699 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by USC-fan

It always better to get a bigger skimmer.
Click to expand...

No, definitely not always. There are literally people on these boards putting bubblemasters rated for 160 or 200 gallons on 50 gallon tanks. And they are complaining that they can't get any skimmate in to the collection cups.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11054951#post11054951 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fishbulb2
No, definitely not always. There are literally people on these boards putting bubblemasters rated for 160 or 200 gallons on 50 gallon tanks. And they are complaining that they can't get any skimmate in to the collection cups.
Click to expand...
But that is not what we are discussing here. ;)

RS80 avg load 80gal
heavy load 50gal

RS100 avg load 100gal
heavy load 80gal

RS135 avg load 135gal
heavy load 100gal

BM design is what limiting why the skimmer doesn't perform well on smaller tanks, IMO. That is why you don't see me suggesting a BM for most people tanks.

Anyways i still would go with the DAS ex-1 over all listed here.
 
DAS EX-1 has worked great on my 80g, with a good (now heavy) bioload.

I could have gotten the EX-2, but decided on the EX-1 for the exact reason people are discussing.

I get a nice constant foam head and pull steady wet dark tea colored skimmate all day long. I get about 1/2 to 1 collection cup per 24 hours.

Here is a pic of about a days worth, on average. I get more the day after I clean the cup, and clean it about every three days:

skimmate.jpg
 
FWIW, I have an EuroReef CS6-1, which has the same dimensions as the RS100. It's on a 75 gallon mixed reef. I agree that the stock pump is weak. I put a Sedra 5000 on mine (no mods), and it's a totally different skimmer. I also added the gate valve and the air control valve on the intake tube. With the air restricted just a bit, it makes a thick, consistent foam. If you get the RS100, I'd def. upgrade the pump. It's unbelievable how much of a difference it makes.
 
Thanks for the input guys! I know these threads always get very opinionated.

I will probably go with the Euro Reef RS100. I have heard really good things about these line of skimmers.

Does anyone know where I can get my hands on a used/refurbished Euro Reef???

Thanks,

Brad
 
Darn, that stinks.... I wish I could find a used RS100... The RS 80 would be too small for my setup.... :(

Anyone else have any ideas on finding a blem?

Thanks
 
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