LF: reasonably priced skimmer with small foot print

Swamp Donkey

New member
Looking for a reasonably priced (meaning I dont have 300 to spend) skimmer with a small footprint. My sump isnt huge. I am looking to upgrade my skimmer using a Aqua C remora now on my 75 gallon tank
 
Check out the ebay ones. I've heard good things. CS-65 (125 for you) or something like that. They're magus-looking knock-offs.
 
Look into a SWC 160 cone, the SWC BMK150 if you don't care about the "cone" and also BM has a few skimmers that should work well for you in the range you're looking.... :thumbsup:
 
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I would stay away from the swc skimmers they both have the Atman 2500 pumps on them and they suck. They always have start up problems and then the pumps burn up and their customer service is just as bad

Used them multiple times without a single issue on any one of them with reliability or re-starts...

Aren't the BM skimmers also Atman based as well ???
 
Used them multiple times without a single issue on any one of them with reliability or re-starts...

Aren't the BM skimmers also Atman based as well ???

Yes they use the same pumps and have the same start up problems as the swc. I am not sure if all bm skimmer use the same pump. swc uses 3 different pumps You said you use them multiple time did the skimmer you had have the Atman or did it have a sicce or askoll pump. Why did you stop using the swc skimmers?
 
would something like this work for ya.
let me know i have a few more photos. unfortunately i seem to only be able to attach one.
its about 9 inches at the base by 4 inces and about 23 inches tall.
 

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FWIW, I own the SWC120 Cone skimmer with the Atman 1100 pump...I have been running this skimmer non-stop for 1.5 years (I am also the second owner) and I have never once experienced any issues with Atman restarting. This includes two recent power outages we had in our area just last month.
I do make it a point to give my skimmer a thorough cleaning every few months (it is super easy to do with this skimmer) to make sure it runs smoothly.

I can not attest to CS however, as I have never needed to call them.

(man I sure hope I didn't just jinx myself now...:lol:)
 
Yes they use the same pumps and have the same start up problems as the swc. I am not sure if all bm skimmer use the same pump. swc uses 3 different pumps You said you use them multiple time did the skimmer you had have the Atman or did it have a sicce or askoll pump. Why did you stop using the swc skimmers?

I'm a skimmer junkie. My two favorite tools are my SCFH meter and a kill-a-watt... LOL

Used SWC skimmers that used sicce pumps, double sicce pumps, atman pumps, pinwheel, meshwheel, hybrid pin/mesh, Euro-reef skimmers, Tunze skimmers, sapphire skimmers, reef octopus HOB versions, etc.

I was just now looking at ATB skimmers to try something different but I don't think I'll ever stop using my Alpha 170 as long as I'm in this size range of tank...

Just moved my way up to a BK style skimmer for a red dragon pump.... :thumbsup:
 
I have this for $150 (retails $350): C-Skim

It was originally the C-Skim 1200, but I upgraded the pump, that makes it equivalent to the 1800. It's in perfect condition and the pump has less than 100 hours of use. I didn't use it because I upgraded to a ETSS 1400 (200g system).

It's rated for three times your system volume and got excellent reviews. Very quite, small footprint and you wont need to adjust it once it's set. Check out the link, it's extremely well designed. Here's a demonstration: Video

One requirement, it has to be in the sump. The manufacture suggests it can be external, but I wouldn't trust the fittings.

I live in St. Charles and work in Oakbrook if that helps for pickup.

Thanks
 
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