Protein skimmer upgrade question

[fredflinstone]

Hi,

II currently have aG1 with G-500 pump. The skimmer works but totally doesnt work with restart. Everytime I stop my skimmer for water change or cleaning purposes, I had to restart the skimmer 5-6 times before it actually starts producing enough bubbles because sometimes I only get bubbles till half the barrel. Sometimes when the skimmate is half full, it overflows.

So I think its time for an upgrade and I want to know which one would be best. I had AquaC remora before and it would overflow everytime I add calcium in it. So I was looking at Vertex IN-100, Octopus Reef Octopus Extreme 160, Octopus NW 150.

I have a 80G tank with 20G sump. My nitrates are always at 10-20PPM. I feel the skimmer that I have is not that great. I am also on a budget but want to get a better skimmer for the tank. I have 6-7 fishes and lots of soft corals.

 

[THE ROOK]

All reasonable choices in that price range. The 160 has the best pump of the three but I'm sure is the most expensive also.

 

[fredflinstone]

Can I get a better pump for the G1? Is that a possibility? Whats wrong with this skimmer? Are all teh skimmers behave like this?

 

[SnowManSnow]

I once had an octopus NW recirc 150 and it had the EXACT problem.... It wouldn't start making foam unless I blew really hard into the intake tube to blow the water out .

As far as an upgrade goes I would recommend a nice EuroReef skimmer. IMO it's hard to beat the ER's at the price point.

JMHO.
b

 

[fredflinstone]

Euroreef is very expensive. I cannot afford it. Can anyone suggest a good skimmer?

 

[Kenmx10]

I have th Octo DNW 150 and it works great. I also hear good things about the Octo Extreme as well.

 

[fredflinstone]

campared to ASM G1 does DNW 150 perform similar?