I would like to skim like you!

[seesick]

Goning to buy a new skimmer and it's looking like the REEFLO pro 200 from mike @ Reef Specialty.
What do you all think? If you had 1000 BUCKS to spend on a skimmer which one would you buy and why? Thanks for your input in advancaed michael

Tank 130 gal bow SPS dominated!

 

[Reefer08]

ATB or Bubble King.

Reeflo is too much electricity and a Bubble King will out perform it easily.

 

[mnml]

How about the new Warner Marine K-2 cone skimmers?

ATB/BK are great considerations as well.

 

[moo0o]

i would look into the ATBs, the one i had performed well.

 

[soccerbag]

I have a Reeflo 250 with the Pro Kit from Reef Specialty and love it. The 200 is s fine skimmer as well. As the above posters have mentioned, you simply cannot go wrong with ATB or BK. Not to say that it's the best skimmer on the market (Reeflo) but it works well for my needs. JMO of course.

Mike will take good care of you. Fast shipping and fantastic customer service (before and after the sale). Having $1K to spend on a skimmer is a very nice problem to have...: )

 

[Poseidon]

I am thinking of Alpha from Bubble King, or Warner Marine...

 

[bkwudzjeep]

I am really liking the I-Tech.....huge bang for the buck and the customer service from John is excellent....

 

[mflamb]

I too am an I-tech fan. I had my I-tech 400 for over 6 months now and it's by far the best skimmer I've ever used, and a great bang for the buck.

 

[GROWSZOAS]

WARNER MARINE

 

[Reefer08]

I think this should be in the equipment forum

 

[macreefster]

for the money the RE/vertex alpha cones look very promising. for intro price of $649 you could get the alpha 170 or for $749 the alpha 200 from premium aquatics. i am looking forward to seeing the specs for these skimmers but from what i've heard the 170 should work for you... its currently rated up to 200 gals, but word is the specs will show it can handle more.... we should know soon when the specs come out.

 

[thereefaquarist]

The RE alpha 250 seems like the logical choice right now, I will be preorderig my alpha 300 soon =)

 

[James77]

Im using an ATB 840 cone, and it is a great skimmer. It uses less than 20 watts compared to the Orcas ~100 watts. Ive also had more dark, sludgy skimmate out of my ATB than I ever did out of my Orca 200.

Are you limited to an external skimmer?

 

[surge19us]

+1

James77

Im using an ATB 840 cone, and it is a great skimmer. It uses less than 20 watts Ive also had more dark, sludgy skimmate out of my ATB

Same here the stuff is nasty stinky. Clean it twice a week at least. You can bump up to the 1050 and still hit your price point.
Check out the ATB forums for more info.

 

[seesick]

Are you limited to an external skimmer?
No, I do not have any limitations. it would be nice if I could fit it underneath the tank. I have 32 inches of clearance.
Do you think it is worth stepping up to the

ATB Econo 1050 Protein Skimmer [ATB-1050]

I would like to stick with Mike at Reef Specialtyjust because I have read alot of nice posts and people have said alot of nice things about him. Also talked to him yesterday on the phone and he seems like a pretty nice guy. Of course the most important thing is to get the right skimmer. fortunately, Mike carries the Reeflo and the ATB skimmers.

 

[surge19us]

How big is your sump? That could be the deciding factor. The econo 840 just fit in mine. If room is not a factor the 1050 is probably a little overkill on a 130g system unless sump is very large. The cones have a bigger footprint because of the large base.

 

[seesick]

The sump is very big no prob. There, and for the 1050 been over kill I always go bigger because when is comes time for a bigger tank I can tell the wife that I already have a skimmer that will work just fine. Did the same with my chiller I got it ½ horse power for a 48 gal. tank at the time was, Jest a little over kill as well.

 

[GSMguy]

you will love the 1050 are you getting the dual mini airstars or the 1050a with the single airstar 1300?

 

[seesick]

don't know is the dual wort it, also do you know if its posible to add it later on?

 

[GSMguy]

The dual is cheaper but just as efficent and with about the same amount of air. The airstar mini is sicce based and the airstar1300 is askol based.

The airstar mini draws 28-35 SCFH @ 26w with the large pinwheel and 22-24 SCFH @16-17w with the small pinwheel.

The airstar 1300 draws 60SCFH @ 43w

Both are silent it's just up to you what you want.

If your going to upgrade the 1050 I'd a great choice but for a 130g the 840 is a better fit that's what jeremy is using on his 180g