skimmer choice?

[labatt]

bang for the buck, what would you guys concider better, aquac ev-120(about $350) or coralife 220(about $180)

 

[xtrstangx]

Neither. The AquaC's aren't great and the Coralife's aren't great if you have a bigger tank (they are way overrated)

On your 75g (I assume), I would look at an ASM G3. They are about $235 so its right in your price range.
Try http://reeftanksupply.com

 

[labatt]

very interesting, thank you. Anyone else?

 

[TrojanScott]

My Aqua C EV150 seems to do the job on my tank. I've debated on a new skimmer though, so I'm taggina along. I hear nothing but great about Deltecs, but they are pricey, that's for sure.

 

[TrojanScott]

My Aqua C EV150 seems to do the job on my tank. I've debated on a new skimmer though, so I'm taggina along. I hear nothing but great about Deltecs, but they are pricey, that's for sure.

 

[mg426]

ASM Has done a better job for me. I have a Remora pro that works fair. Cant get the dark stuff with it but It will pull something everyday. Had a Coralife 220 that would not work period, Nothing at all . The ASM works great, makes the coralife look like a toy.

 

[UCanDoIt]

Skimmer & Lighting are the 2 most important elements of every reef tank, don't skimp in these areas, buy right the first time and you don't have to waste money upgrading later. Believe me, I speak from plenty of bad experience.

 

[UCanDoIt]

On my 175g FOWLR tank, I went from:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7384615#post7384615 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
EuroReef (3 years), then switched to AquaC EV-180 (18 months) when I thought that was the latest and greatest. Then over to ASM G3 (6 months) and now the H&S A200-1260. I almost think that the A200 is overkill for my 175g.

But what I have now is expensive, but has outperformed every skimmer I've had on this tank in just 5 days time, I got more out of my H&S skimmer than any of the others in 2 weeks time.

For a 75g, you can use the H&S A110-F2000 $459 or I love Deltecs too, but that's another price range again. HTH, just don't skimp on either the skimmer or lighting.

 

[Amphiprion]

I have to agree with UCanDoIt. If your budget allows, do look into the H&S line as well as Deltec. If not, I believe the ASM skimmers to be another good choice.

 

[hahnmeister]

The G3 is a good choice...you can even recirculation mod it with a Sedra 9000 to turn it into a deltec/H&S type skimmer if you desire...look here for details... www.asmskimmer.com .

I would stay away from an AquaC, Beckett, ETSS, or venturi in favor of a needlewheel for a 75g.

 

[KEstep]

I second the ASM g3 with the recirc mod. Its awesome.

 

[labatt]

so g3 seems to be the choice then. Anyone know what they charge to do the mod at asm? Its like they say on their site, in a bit scared to cut holes and stuff in my new skimmer, lol

 

[mburnickas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7392855#post7392855 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xtrstangx
Neither. The AquaC's aren't great and the Coralife's aren't great if you have a bigger tank (they are way overrated)

On your 75g (I assume), I would look at an ASM G3. They are about $235 so its right in your price range.
Try http://reeftanksupply.com

With the right pump an Aqua C will stay up with D&S or Deltec. It will blow an ASM out of the water.

Problem, as most will say, is the pumps that Aqua C recommends are poor. I upgraded to a Eheim pump on my EV-120 and my god, this skimmer is great now. Using on my 75 gal and it is unreal.

$295 for the skimmer with JG and $119 for the Eheim 1260 pump.

 

[labatt]

thanks for the info mike, any thoughts on an aqua c w/mag 5?
OOH, and another thing, my lfs tried to tell me that the aquac's are "plankton friendly", I think this is most likely BS, are they stupid, or am I?lol

 

[mburnickas]

The mag 5, well sucks. I have an extra one (hint hint). It will work but foaming will take days big time. It took me about 1 days using my Eheim 1260 to get what takes the Mag 5 about 4 to 6 days! It does work but is VERY sloooooow. Feed with adds on food, stick hands in tank etc;will take about 5 to 7 hourx to come back (foam stops). Eheim is about 80% less time.


plankton friendly??? No clue, maybe because of the injector the EVââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s use? Guessing here.

 

[gcarroll]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7396164#post7396164 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by labatt
thanks for the info mike, any thoughts on an aqua c w/mag 5?
OOH, and another thing, my lfs tried to tell me that the aquac's are "plankton friendly", I think this is most likely BS, are they stupid, or am I?lol

I would definitely agree with the plankton friendly claim. At first, on my EV1000 running a mag36, I was getting microbubbles back into the tank. After hanging a filter sock on the output for a couple days I found 100s of pods squirming around in the filter sock.

I would also advise you to use the eheim1260 on the EV120. It is the best combination aside from the external pressure rated pumps. Also if you can swing it, pay the extra $ and get the EV180 w/ the Eheim 1262. Then when you get a bigger tank you can take it up with you!

 

[mg426]

I have a Remora pro running with a MAG 5. Works OK not great But OK. You really think a EHIEM will make it work that much better???

 

[gcarroll]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7398221#post7398221 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mg426
I have a Remora pro running with a MAG 5. Works OK not great But OK. You really think a EHIEM will make it work that much better???

Sorry I know nothing about the Remora/Urchin line. My only experience is with the EV. Ask the question in the AquaC Club thread.

 

[labatt]

so ev 120 w/ehiem 1260 or asm g3 w/recirc mod and what not?

 

[normanviking]

hey hahnmeister why do you say it is better then tbe beckett design? Why is the needle wheel better? Are you saying that just because his tank size? More info on that please. I was thinking about getting a skimmer from these guys, sorry for the highjack.
http://barraquatic.com/standard_skimmers.php