Best Skimmer
- Thread starter Alex T.
- Start date
skimmers
skimmers
definitely a fan of the reef octopus and asm models. two different monsters. The reef octopus is like a honda civic, and the asm is like a american muscle dodge challenger. the asm hasn't really changed their design but the most important part is the pump and the seadra is one of the best. I like the new octopus because of the cone shape. I believe the cone helps force the bubbles to the top of the canister vs the traditional shape. The sicce pumps like any other pump can have their problems. Again, you can't go wrong with a seadra pump. I would always get a skimmer that is rated greater than your total saltwater in tank.
skimmers
definitely a fan of the reef octopus and asm models. two different monsters. The reef octopus is like a honda civic, and the asm is like a american muscle dodge challenger. the asm hasn't really changed their design but the most important part is the pump and the seadra is one of the best. I like the new octopus because of the cone shape. I believe the cone helps force the bubbles to the top of the canister vs the traditional shape. The sicce pumps like any other pump can have their problems. Again, you can't go wrong with a seadra pump. I would always get a skimmer that is rated greater than your total saltwater in tank.
reefsurfing
New member
Bubble kings are worth the money! I do like the concept that goes into the skimz with the below water exhaust and my reef octopus xp was a solid performer but nothing like the BK. It grabs solid dark chuncks that my other skimmers could only dream of. Oh, almost perfectly Sillllennttttttt, the noise is so minimal I open the stand to make sure its running.
Jeremy Blaze
Former Reef Addict
The best skimmer is the one that will be coming out next month!
Jeremy Blaze
Former Reef Addict
Who knows, but I'm sure its the best thing yet!
ostrow
It's Dr. Goodluck Himself
If you decide not to go with a Beckett or Downdraft, then really I wouldn't lose too much sleep on the decision regarding a venturi skimmer.
They all do about an equal job with similar problems. Cone or cylinder, needle or mesh, it's not worth the time spent considering.
If not status-hungry (ATB, Bubble King), find the one that is best price-to-money. My $.02 here, but really, you will get about the same results whether you go SWC, Octopus, WM or Bubble Magus, or any of the other brands producing essentially the same design. Even the pumps have quite similar specs.
For the most consistent and productive skimming, none of these compare to a good beckett/downdraft. They'll skim well, don't get me wrong. But in terms of skimmate production, in terms of stability, in terms of oxygenation, not as much.
But you need a pressure rated pump, so venturi skimmers are far less costly to run.
They all do about an equal job with similar problems. Cone or cylinder, needle or mesh, it's not worth the time spent considering.
If not status-hungry (ATB, Bubble King), find the one that is best price-to-money. My $.02 here, but really, you will get about the same results whether you go SWC, Octopus, WM or Bubble Magus, or any of the other brands producing essentially the same design. Even the pumps have quite similar specs.
For the most consistent and productive skimming, none of these compare to a good beckett/downdraft. They'll skim well, don't get me wrong. But in terms of skimmate production, in terms of stability, in terms of oxygenation, not as much.
But you need a pressure rated pump, so venturi skimmers are far less costly to run.
I'm looking into the sro xp2000 as well. How's your bioload?
tallreefguy
New member
This is what you should be looking for. All skimmers are built on the same principles, but usually the more $$$ ones fine tune it in & don't skimp on build quality. The good manufacturers will list the air intake, but know you'll be paying for it.
I didn't skimp 2 years ago when I bought a Deltec TC-2060 external skimmer. That sucker is a MONSTER. Very quiet, very reliable, excellent quality.
ostrow
It's Dr. Goodluck Himself
In the most general sense, yes. But not in the sense of the rest of your post, which refers primarily to venturi skimmers, which are built essentially the same, as I indicated above.
I would challenge any skimmer to compete with a BK in solid craftsmanship and noise level. I could not believe how quiet my BK SM 300 was. If it actually pulls out more DOC's or not, I would not know, but regarding sound, it blows my old Deltec literally out of my sump water.
tallreefguy
New member
Sounds like I know what my next skimmer will be!
I use a Red Dragon return, a bubble king 300 skimmer and what actually makes most sound in my tank is the 4 Tunze 6105 and overflow to 2x Durso. The rest is inaudible. Got 220 gallons of water in my living room.
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