Help finding a decent protein skimmer for ~$200

N

Newreeflady

New member
Right now my 36g has a CPR bakpak II that i'm sure I could outskim by blowing bubbles into the tank by myself.

I'm looking at maybe the Octopus NW-110 (not the recirc), or a Tunze Nano. I am looking to spend around $150-200 and to actually collect skimmate with the least possible noise. Also must fit in my sump (not huge, but the area is something like 9"w x 10"l x 12"h. If you have any suggestion please let me know.

Thanks!
Angela
 
I have a Pacifc Coast RPS-1000 that I need to hook up. I'm planning to run it externally because I have a 10gal tank as a sump, so I've got limited space to work with.

I had an AquaC Remora and although it worked okay, I sold it to upgrade to the RPS-1000.

If you're limited in sump real estate, running a recirc skimmer externally might be worth looking into.
 
dhnguyen, have you seen them in action? It seems they aren't well known, and the reviews are conflicting.

chem-e, i'm limited in sump RE, but also in living space. I don't want anything else external because I may already need a chiller, and I also have top off external. Too much stuff... :)

-A
 
If you can stretch you budget a little bit, I would consider the H&S 90-F1000, very small footprint, quiet, energy efficient (4watts) and a great performer. Just another one to confuse the choices some more. :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8347689#post8347689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Newreeflady
dhnguyen, have you seen them in action? It seems they aren't well known, and the reviews are conflicting.

chem-e, i'm limited in sump RE, but also in living space. I don't want anything else external because I may already need a chiller, and I also have top off external. Too much stuff... :)

-A
Click to expand...


Yes I have seen them in action and they work rather well. In actuality the Octopus skimmers are quite well known at this point :)

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=903403
 
octopus skimmers are coming up these days...

my aquac remora nano on my 8g tank is so amazingly loud. It's been 2 weeks, and it's quieted a little, but compared to my tunze nano, this is like a prius vs. a diesel big rig.

my tunze nano is really virtually silent. It's not nearly as loud as any pumps, and it skims pretty good after it's broken in =)

it also uses VERY little wattage due to it's super efficient pump. I'd highly recommend the tunze on noise. I know for a fact that they work well (probably not the best, but does get a good amount of skim) and are the most silent skimmers I've ever had.
 
Look into the Coralife Super Skimmer as well. They are needlewheels and the one's I've seen (at work, on nanos) seem to work well. Maybe Vlad (Zepplock) will pipe up, since he's got one. I think it was $75 or so. Probably the best performing skimmer in that price range.

V
 
Thanks everyone!

I'm not considering the CSS since it seems they are heavily modded for the most part, and i've heard of many floods.

Sounds like the Octopus might win. I'm not sure the Tunze Nano will be ok with ~45g of water, it might be on the small side.

Are the Octopus quiet? The CPR Bakpak II is noisy. I will look into other suggested models next weekend and try to settle on something at that point.

Thanks!
Angela
 
Mine is very quite. I can only hear it if I put my head 6" away from it.
I also have the bakpak and the octopus is definitely nothing like that in terms of noise.
 
I'm also looking into an Octopus DNW-110. That looks pretty darn good, especially since it's already a recirc model with a collection cup drain! They know what us reefers want =)

The only thing keeping me from getting one yet is the noise. My AquaC nano remora sounds like a truck compared to my Tunze nano skimmer, but some people say the Remora Nano is really quiet. So standards are a bit skewed I guess.

ANybody near Berkeley? Angela: Maybe we could tour some people's tanks and check out their skimmers in person?
 
octopusskimmer dot com has them for the cheapest price right now. premium aquatics also carries them.
 
Kinetic - I'm going to try and hook up my skimmer this weekend. If I can get around to it, I'll let you know how it sounds. From what I understand, the Pacifc Coast RPS-1000 is the same as the Octopus DNW-110, so I'm guessing that they use the same pump.
 
Hi all. Thanks for the help. Sounds like Viper is very pleased with the noise situation on the NW-110.

Art, I agree. Everyone has a different idea of noisy. The Bakpak is way too noisy with the venturi maxijet kit. I can't take it. I think i'll unplug it tonight since it's collecting so little anyhow.

Hey, maybe we can save on shipping if we both end up ordering the Octopus skimmers since we are just a few minutes apart.

:)
Angela
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8360324#post8360324 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Newreeflady
Hi all. Thanks for the help. Sounds like Viper is very pleased with the noise situation on the NW-110.

Art, I agree. Everyone has a different idea of noisy. The Bakpak is way too noisy with the venturi maxijet kit. I can't take it. I think i'll unplug it tonight since it's collecting so little anyhow.

Hey, maybe we can save on shipping if we both end up ordering the Octopus skimmers since we are just a few minutes apart.

:)
Angela
Click to expand...

hey angela, that sounds like a plan.

It seems like the skimmer performs great, so the only thing holding me back is the noise =)

I guess we'll wait to see if we can hear someone's skimmer in person =)
 
Well, looks like I may be going for the H&S 90-f1000 for this system. It's a little more than I wanted to spend, but it uses less power and is said by some to work better.

Any comments, bring 'em..
Thanks,
Angela
 
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