Buying a new protein skimmer.

[Jackie Blue]

Ya I know there are about a million of these threads a month but when I read each one I leave with more questions then I had going in so it's my turn to ask questions.

I have come up with a list of skimmers that I have had my eye on, from what I have read all of the skimmers have great reviews and a healthy following of happy people.

What I have running now is a modified Red Sea Berlin XL Venturi (driven by a Rio 3100) which I have shortened to 28" to get it to fit under my tank. It does not produce anything, not one freaking drop. I tried to cheap out when I got a skimmer and well ya know.

I have some LPS and about 71 lbs of live rock along with 10 fish in my 70 gal. with a 30 gal. sump. The footprint of the skimmer needs to be 8x12 inches with a clearance of 30 inches.

I would love to have a quiet skimmer, as far as I have read all of these seem pretty quiet, but if there is a silent one out there that would be nice also.

Here is the list that I have come up with

ASM G-1X ($288)
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewi...a3500Pump&utm_campaign=mdcse&site=google_base

ASM G-1 ($234)
http://www.aquacave.com/asm-g-1-protein-skimmer-1298.html

Bubble Magnus (BM 100 V2) ($129)
http://www.nuocean.com/skimmers/bubble-magus-bm100-115v-60hz.html

OCTOPUS EXTREME 160 ($262)
http://ibfishstore.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=3824639

MSX 160 ($269)
http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/catalog/p131/MSX160/product_info.html

OCTOPUS NW 150 ($169)
http://afishybusiness.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=516

OCTOPUS DNW 110 (Don't know what pump I would buy to run it) ($185 + cost of pump)
http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus-dnw-110-br-recirculatingbr-protein-skimmer-983.html

I have heard nothing but good things about the octopus line but at the same time the bubble magnus skimmer is pretty freaking cheap and from what I have read it seems to be on par with the octopus line.

If you have a skimmer that you think should be on the for me to consider please add it. If you have any information or thoughts please chime in.

 

[bravanc]

to me, your choices are all good, i favor the extreme because i have one as well as the ASM line of skimmers. Visit your friends and clubs members tanks and see what they use so you can see them in action and what they have in their tanks and compare to what you have and want in yours. you can then make a better decision base on what you see and can afford.

 

[sgarron]

OCTOPUS EXTREME 160 ($262)
http://ibfishstore.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=3824639

MSX 160 ($269)
http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/c...oduct_info.html

Basically the same skimmer, just different stickers. And by far the best of that bunch.

 

[mg426]

Octopus gets my vote.

 

[Jackie Blue]

Aww rats I was really hoping the cheap one would have a lot more votes, kind of like what they say if it's too good to be true, chances are that it is. As for visiting clubs and friends, I just realized that there is a reef club around here and went to their first gathering last month. You'd think I would of figured that out by now lol.

 

[shleprock30]

From the reviews I have read and what is on your list, I would probably go with the Bubble Magnus.

Now for a small footprint skimmer I love the Sump Buddy's from AeTech, move alot of water and air which has its own benefits, and if you have been using a Rio3100, you should not see much of a temp difference. You may even be able to use the same pump but I am using a Mag7 on mine.

 

[Jackie Blue]

No I dislike Rio I plan on getting that pump as far away from my tank as possible. Anywho I broke down and got the Octopus Extreme 160 so we will see if it lives up to the reviews. Thanks for the input.

 

[mojo~]

MSX extreme 160 has a better pinwheel and would get my vote out of those. Just my two cents.