guys with 500g + systems......what skimmer are you using

[flyyyguy]

Im drawing up plans for a 500............barebottom sps dominated with a buncha fish

Im just looking for a top three list for what you people with big tanks are using. Ill do some more homework from there.......


any details and experience welcome

 

[biecacka]

i dont have one bt i hear the volcano is a awesome skimmer!! can someone vouch for me on this( who has one)

 

[flyyyguy]

thanks.......

His name came up in a few different searches.

 

[mark0933]

Unlimited $$ - Volcano

Still expensive - Bubble King

Decent and not way expensive - Reeflo 250

 

[flyyyguy]

I thought I read that spazz's skimmers are actually cheaper than bubble kings pound for pound.......and at LEAST as good ??

Is that not true??

I did just PM spazz to see what he had to say.

 

[Untamed12]

I sent a msg to him on his website...no answer.

 

[tangers]

I would go with the orca 250 pro. friend has one on his 700 gallon system and I have the 200. Excellent skimmer, best I have ever seen!

 

[Jflip2002]

Who cares, lets start the build thread fly! lol. Bubble King Deluxe 400 internal looks nice and big if you have a leg to sell lol.

 

[flyyyguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13310541#post13310541 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jflip2002
Who cares, lets start the build thread fly!

lol

It will be a while...Im just in planning stages. Im building a house.......and I finally get my REAL fish room.

 

[Jflip2002]

Very nice. Good to start planning everything out now, so you know exactly how to set up the fish room. I need to finish school so I can buy a house and get an elite set up. Congrats on both of your future upgrades.

 

[thor32766]

I have a Orca Reeflo 250 Pro Kit and swear by it. I could have bought a BK, but went with the orca because to me it was a better skimmer.
I have a 450 gallon tank with a 230 gallon sump with 13 very large tangs in it and it keeps my water clear!!!!!!

 

[flyyyguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13313786#post13313786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thor32766
I have a Orca Reeflo 250 Pro Kit and swear by it. I could have bought a BK, but went with the orca because to me it was a better skimmer.

It was a better skimmer why??

 

[ReefingBuddha]

I have about a 580g system

I'm using two skimmers on mine. A Deltec 851 and a Deltec TS1060 which do a good job. I use one to inject ozone as well. I would like to mention that these came with the tank though, would probably have not been my first choice.

A ATB large or extra large cone skimmer have been getting great reviews and are probably what I would go with if I had to buy a new skimmer.

 

[flyyyguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13313842#post13313842 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thirschmann
I have about a 580g system

I'm using two skimmers on mine. A Deltec 851 and a Deltec TS1060 which do a good job. I use one to inject ozone as well. I would like to mention that these came with the tank though, would probably have not been my first choice.

A ATB large or extra large cone skimmer have been getting great reviews and are probably what I would go with if I had to buy a new skimmer.

Thanks. I am at this point considering the BK's and the ATB's in all the reading I have done in the last 24 hours. Volcanos were a consideration but after hearing some custopmer service negatives as well as seeing him read my PM about purchasing a couple of very expensive skimmers and him not even taking 3 seconds to say he read it and will get back to me...I will pass on him as a consideration at this point.

What I didnt mention here yet is that I am actually setting up TWO systems....one a 500 gallon display, and the other similar sized FO tied into a bunch of shallow frag tanks. Tons of fish poop to feed the frag tanks....but Im gonna need to remove it quick of course.

SO...with that being said...i might just take the opportunity not many have to use both a BK and a ATB and get a first hand comparison for myself.

 

[jnarowe]

build one yourself.

 

[JRaquatics]

Save your money and go with the Reeflo 250 pro. Once you get it, you won't look back. They are well built skimming power houses.

 

[rsmall175]

tunze?

 

[jnarowe]

:lol: NOT. I have never seen a Tunze skimmer actually skimming. I am sure I'll get flamed for that, but it is my observation.

 

[dew2loud1]

You can make/modify anything to work well, I have a heavily modified asm G6 that pulls out 5 gallons a week on my 600 gallon system,does a great job, I've also used a couple DIY dart needlewheel skimmers I've built taht did well, Right now I have a volcano in the works as well, it all depends on your budget and if you wan't plug and play or to mod things. Are you looking for internal or external? Any laguna based skimmer has been doing very well as does the reeflo skimmers.
Lots of choices out there.
I'm still a firm believer of there is no replacement for displacement, and a larger bodied skimmer is capable of doing a much better job with the proper pump

 

[wmilas]

I have an ATB XL. Do yourself a favor and go see one running before you make a decision one way or another.