Help me choose a new skimmer!!

[RobbyVonAwesome]

I have a Reef Octopus skimmer that I'm tired of monkeying around with. It's never really done what I wanted it to do, and now one of the pumps is out. I'm going to take the opportunity to upgrade.

I'm looking for something that will fit inside my sump, where I have a floorspace of 12X18". To fit in my stand with enough room to work the skimmer must be a maximum of 23" tall (preferably shorter), which eliminates some of the designs with the pump in the bottom of the reaction chamber.

I really don't have a set "budget." I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount, but I want to get the best possible skimmer for my setup.

I like the looks of the ATB cone skimmers, does anyone have experience with them?

 

[dugg]

I have a nw150 Octopus skimmer that i have had for 4 or 5 years. The only time it didn't work right was when i modified it with a gate valve. I went back to the original setup and it has produced a full cup of tar black skim every week since. When i had the gate valve on it i had to adjust it all the time, with the original setup back on it the only thing i have ever had to do is clean it with vinigar about once every 6 months and empty the cup. I just put about 3 gallons of vinigar in a tub and let it run for about an hour and rinse and it's like a new skimmer again.

 

[cjilge]

how big is your tank? I'm running an aquaC ev180 on my 150 and like it so far it can run external or internal and your choice of pump I'm just running a mag 7 on it. I think the dems would work for you.

 

[cody6766]

SWC skimmers get quite high reviews. I don't own one, so I can just toss the name out for you to investigate.

 

[happysak]

Yes, ATB skimmers are great quality and performance( not cheap, but worth it). Also Alpha cones by Vertex with Red Dragon pump are fantastic skimmers in ATB price range. But if you can wait, ATI will hit US market with new cone skimmers in next few months. With new impeller design, top knotch quality and good priced. They can be worth of waiting.

 

[RobbyVonAwesome]

The ATI skimmers look pretty good. I found a page with a video of an ATI cone skimmer, but I can't watch it at work. I'll check it out when I get home, but from what I've read it moves a massive amount of air.

I might just have to wait for an ATI.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Plan on waiting quite a while, They are waiting over 4 months after order in EU and they are not even released in the US yet.