Need Skimmer for 180g

M

musky1963

New member
I am getting a 180g this weekend with a 55g sump/fuge ;) . I currently have a 75g with a Euro-Reef RS80 skimmer(only used it for maybe 5 or 6 weeks). I really like the ER skimmer, but I know I will have to go alot bigger. I will have a fairly large bioload and alot of LR. I will have a 30" height inside the stand. I guess I want an in-sump, but open to suggestions. Any ideas for the best skimmer on a $500 budget?
 
ETS downdraft is my choise.you can get a evolution 500 or a 600 pro would be better if it is within budget.they are lifetime skimmers and i have been using them for 12 years.
 
Obviously, the ER RS250 ($480) is one option. ATI BubbleMaster200 ($550), DAS EX2 ($400)
 
I ordered a RS250. Also setting up a 180g, with about 32" of space under my stand. The RS250 is 30" tall, and is supposed to be "zero clearance"...i.e. the cup can be removed without the need for additional height.
 
mrc...mr2 would be my choice
I have a diy clone of one on my 180 and it is incredible. After three skimmers purchased, I finally have a good one.

coralife ss220---not
octupus nw 250---not even close
etss reef devil...great skimmer, just not quite enought for a 180
mrc clone...here til the day I die!!!
 
Since you like ER, if you have the overhead clearance, the RS250 is a great choice. If you don't have the real estate or the height, a lot of hype going on with the ATi BM200, looks like a real winner.
 
I would go with the ORCA version of the DAS ex-2... or with the Ehiem pump. Much more for your $$ and nicely built products.
 
Does no one like the AquaC? I really don't know much about the others but the EV 180 works good on a friend of mine's tank.
 
i got it off of another forum board.
Might as well have diy sicne I had to re-do the whole thing.
I am still trying to figure out the waste container setup using a bucket, I have not been able to come up with a good setup yet. I have to figure out how to do one with no air leak from the bucket, which is hard to do...
They are awesome skimmer though. There is one for sale on swf.com in the classifieds for $200 right now that looks really nice ( it is a diy also)
 
joncat...
what is the other forum you got yours off of? where can i find diy for this?

im peckhead on swf, we have emailed back and forth a couple times. i like it better here, its cool that we can talk about other sites and stuff here but i still post on there too
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10090472#post10090472 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joncat24
i got it off of another forum board.
Might as well have diy sicne I had to re-do the whole thing.
I am still trying to figure out the waste container setup using a bucket, I have not been able to come up with a good setup yet. I have to figure out how to do one with no air leak from the bucket, which is hard to do...
They are awesome skimmer though. There is one for sale on swf.com in the classifieds for $200 right now that looks really nice ( it is a diy also)
Click to expand...

what is swf.com?
 
get another rs80 and run them both. clean them on an alternating schedule and enjoy the consistent skimming..

unless you want something new, big and shiny of course. nothing wrong with that ;)
 
musky1963- The ER RS-250 would be a good choice, it is a good plug and play skimmer that shouldn't need a lot of adjustment. There are many skimmer manufacturers that will make a skimmer for you, often for a little less money than companies that simply have a list of products. But there are disadvantages to this, as there are with buying a skimmer that is marketed for many individuals and not a specific person/tank.

jrobison- Aqua C skimmers use a spray injector which isn't as efficient/effective as the pinwheels and needlewheels that many other companies use.

porthios- The added dwell time and additional volume of a ER RS-250 would be much better than running 2 smaller skimmers. If the 2 skimmers were larger it might ba an option, but 2 ER RS-80's will not skim as effectively as a single ER RS-250.
 
Thanks for the input all.;) The biggest issue right now is the height. The RS-250 is 30" tall and I believe that is what the cabinet is. Even If I can fit it underneath, the other concern is they require an 8" water level and I would have to raise the skimmer up in the sump via shelf. I will be able to see if there is a way to make it work after I get the 180 here this weekend. Lotsa work to be done til' then! :eek2:
 
If you can stretch your budget a little you could go with a ER RC model, which would be recirculating and external so you wouldn't have to worry about height and water level.
 
I have an etss 600 that I was running on my 210. I went up to an etss900 given I had close to 400g's of volume. The 600 worked great, set it and forget it.

selling it for 250, less than half of new and it's in like new shape.
 
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