Replacement Skimmer 40gal +20gal sump

[richie reef]

I had a Vertex IN80 skimmer for about 9 years and the ehiem 36w pump I had used as a great replacement has finally kicked the bucket.

I would keep using the vertex skimmer however, I cannot clean the internals very well. It seems like a little rust color has made its way to the surface of the plastic on the internals and it's not able to clean unless I was to cut the bottom off. That being said I'm on my way to purchase a replacement.

I'm trying to figure which skimmer I should buy for a replacement. I am looking at the 2 skimmers below:

1. Aquamaxx fc-120
2. Eshopps S-120

Both of this skimmers seem to be about the same price range and rated about the same tank sizes.

Here are specs for the pumps.
The s-120 has sicce se-200 357gph
Aquamaxx Fc-120 has shark 1.2 15w ? Gph

Not sure how to compare these pumps. My opinion is that these skimmers have weak pumps installed in them. I am not sure if that is to keep the cost lower.

Any other comments or evaluations would be great! I will appreciate your responses!

Thanks,
Richard

 

[joecc]

I had a Vertex IN80 skimmer for about 9 years and the ehiem 36w pump I had used as a great replacement has finally kicked the bucket.

I would keep using the vertex skimmer however, I cannot clean the internals very well. It seems like a little rust color has made its way to the surface of the plastic on the internals and it's not able to clean unless I was to cut the bottom off. That being said I'm on my way to purchase a replacement.

I'm trying to figure which skimmer I should buy for a replacement. I am looking at the 2 skimmers below:

1. Aquamaxx fc-120
2. Eshopps S-120

Both of this skimmers seem to be about the same price range and rated about the same tank sizes.

Here are specs for the pumps.
The s-120 has sicce se-200 357gph
Aquamaxx Fc-120 has shark 1.2 15w ? Gph

Not sure how to compare these pumps. My opinion is that these skimmers have weak pumps installed in them. I am not sure if that is to keep the cost lower.

Any other comments or evaluations would be great! I will appreciate your responses!

Thanks,
Richard

Aquamaxx FC 80 would be the better size

 

[coxreefer]

I have the Eshopps 4th gen S-120 and it's a great skimmer don't know much about the other one.

 

[richie reef]

What's the new or current generation? How do I determine the current generation?

Thanks!

 

[ROB2005]

Which skimmer brand are you looking at to determine the generation? Don't know much about the aquamaxx but the eshopps 4th gens S series come with an Eddy type bubble plate and a gate flow control mechanism. You can also look at the AXIUM line of eshopps skimmers, a step below the S series but a great performer nonetheless.

 

[richie reef]

I was replying to the previous post about 4th gen Eshopps s-120. Is that the latest generation? From the previous post it might be the current.

 

[coxreefer]

eshopps 4 th gen is the most current one it is says it on the skimmer the older one is the third and it is known as the snow cone skimmer it has the same pump and is similar, it doesn't have the eddy bubble plate and the exit flow pipe is a grey pipe that is a twist style adjustment, I have both. I bought mine at Dr.s Foster and Smith and got 15% off plus a 45 dollar e gift card, add that up it's $90 off the $299 price best deal around, but you have to wait for the sale sometimes they have 25% off plus the gift card that would be the best.

 

[richie reef]

Thanks for the shopping advice from dr fosters and smith they are offering the same promotions until Wednesday. Looks like the Aquamaxx skimmers don't have a lot of feedback about them on the web yet. I am assuming since these are new skimmers.