Frustrated Newbie - Where are the Product reviews??

N

Norstar

Premium Member
I am in the process of planning my first reef tank. I have been out of the hobby for about 20 years (where has the time gone...). Holy smokes, how things have changed!!! Now that I am married, I only have one crack at getting the proper equipment I need. You know, buying a $500.00 skimmer, only to find out that it's the wrong one (you married guys know what I'm talking about - javascript:smilie(';)')
wink ).

Here is my dilema. I am being bombarded with a bunch of brand names that don't necesarilly mean anything to me . I am looking at all the manufacturer's web sites, and gathering as much information as possible from a variety of sources. However, a lot of the info I'm seeing, seems to be glossed over. If so and so manufactures a wignut, I nice to know if it's really a piece of junk or not.

For example, I would love to buy a Euro Reef RC 500 skimmer, but would a Euro Reef RS 250 be just as good?

My new tank will be a Seastar 350 gal.- 90 x 32 x 30

So here is what I think I need so far:

Sump: 100 gal or more
RO/DI: Aquasafe 100 gpd
Skimmer: Euro Reef RS 250 or RC 500
Lighting: 4 @ Hamilton DE Pendants 400w MH
Marine Tech Calcium Reactor
Reefflow Dart Pump

I don't want to drive a Cadillac, but a Chevy or Chrysler 300 C would be nice.

Any ideas where I can get some honest opinions about what I need, and some non-glossy info about the products?

Thanks!

Camille (Norstar)
Edit/Delete Message
 
The Euro-Reef RC 500 is rated for much larger tanks than the RS 250. I would go with the RC 500 since it's rated for your tank size. There's no objective data on skimmer performance, though.

My Hamilton pendant was rather poor in efficiency. I like the Lumen Max setup a lot more, or some PFO parallel reflectors would be okay for a canopy.

The 100 gpd membranes tend to be less efficient than the 75 gpd, so I'd go with the lower output.
 
FWIW, Get as big skimmer as you can afford!!! Manufacturers tend to overrate their skimmers. I've found the hard way that one needs a skimmer rated 1.5 - 2 times for their system. RC 500 should do nicely, but if you plan on heavily stocking your tank with fish, I'd get the next one in line.
 
Have to go with pretty much everyone else and reccomend going for the biggest skimmer you can fit/afford. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that you buy the most expensive one, but since you're already looking into ER's, I can tell you're not looking for a skimmer based simply on its price. Euroreefs, H&S's, Deltecs, ect are all good choices, but if I were to choose myself, I would get the biggest ER I could. The extra size and larger pump would likely trump much of the gain you would get by getting a more expensive skimmer of a smaller size.

As for the lighting, I would definately reccomend reading these threads on different ballasts, bulbs, and reflector choices. Its something I wish I had done before buying a lighting set-up...

Sanjays New Reflector Findings

Sanjay 400Watt SE Reflector Findings

Sanjay's 250DE Reflector Findings

Also this will help you alot when you choose your ballast/bulb combo...

Sanjay's Ballast/Bulb Page

For what its worth, I would look into getting a 250 watt DE set-up with a good reflector and magnetic ballast. Cheap, efficient, and will help with the heat..
 
both good skimmers.

another idea which is what i do....

is have two rs250's then the other will get what one doesnt.

i think two of them is less than the rc500

also what i like about that is if one is down for some reason i have the other to get me by.
 
Norstar,

I too am married and though I don't have a reef at home, I am a guitarist and well, guitars and the related toys aren't cheap either :) ( at least not the ones I like :):):) ). I would be happy to spend some time with you on the phone or via e-mail answering any questions you may have about ours or our competitors products. We at Euro-Reef know all too well the myriad confusion that accompanies the task of choosing the right skimmer for your system..

Jeff Macare
949-770-9913 ext 17
jeff.m@euro-reef.com
 
Thank you for all your help!!!!

Euroreef, I will definately take you up on your offer the next chance I get!!!!
 
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