coralife skimmer?

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Is anybody using the coralife in sump needle wheel skimmer or have any experience with it. I am helping a friend in the Bay upgrade his system to a more reliable type. In a nutshell he had too much load and the wrong equipment and a poor maintence schedule that resulted in a crash. Currently he has one of those P.O.S. wet/dry, bioballed, integrated skimmer sumps. I am planning on getting rid of this maintence pain and generally non effective collection of junk and replace it with a simple Petco glass tank for a sump, filter sock, and perhaps one of these skimmers.

Keeping this one as straight forward, and simple as possible for reliability and maintence.....but without paying an arm and a leg.

I know that it isn't a Euroreef, Deltec, or H&S.....but its better than a HOB type and would like some input from people who have had one. Or can you suggest another affordable in sump entry level needle wheel for a 75g?

Thanks!!

And I showed amazing restraint and didn't buy a single thing at Atlantis this morning!!!!!

 

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I guess I will let you guys know, the guy gave him the "cash" discount and we'll have to give it a whirl.

 

[MrMikeB]

Doug,

I used a Coralife skimmer (their largest model) for about 3 months on my 150. It was a mediocre skimmer in my book, and I had issues getting the Venturi to run in my sump due to the water level being too high - actually had to feed it air through an air pump. The skimming quality is nowhere near what I get with the Eurorerf, but then again it cost a third less. If you do end up going with this type, get one that is way overrated for the load you have (e.g. you have a 150, get one rated at 200+) because it barely kept up with my load (which I would consider medium to medium high). Still might be cheaper than getting one of the name brand types though.

Personally and keeping to your own signature line, "if you buy cheap, you buy twice," I would spend a little more and go with a tried and trued brand.