skimmer comparison

[michealprater]

I am looking for reviews on the following skimmers. I am shopping for a skimmer for my new 240 and here are the ones I am considering, If you own or owned one, please let me hear your opinion.

Turbofloter 5000 Shorty

AquaC EV400

ASM G4+

Precision Marine Bullet 3

Tunze 9015 or 9020

Trigger Systems TS500

Octopus Dual Recirculating 250

MRC MR-3


Thanks in advance!

 

[dynamixone]

taggin along

 

[fliynhi]

me too!

 

[kodyboy]

the tunze 9015 would be insufficient, the 9020 would work well (basically two 9010s hooked together).
With the mesh-mod, volute increase and venturi improvment (enlarged hole and tubing) an ASM G4x would work fine. If you could recirc mod it even better Without mods I do not think it would be that great.
I like trigger system workmanship and have heard good things.
I don't know much about the others.

 

[michealprater]

Thank you for your opinions. Everyone, keep them coming. I would prefer to have something plug and play versus skimmers that need modding.

 

[Taylor40299]

This may not be much help, but who knows. I have a recirculating reef octopus. (I completely trust my lfs owners advice) he believes in this product. It is installed ioutside of my 75 gal sump, and I have had no leaks. It is fed water by the overflow ( no pump ) It worked like a champ. It has stripped the water very clean. I think it is the 250 model, definitely not the dual. I have a 115 reef / with 3 tangs, 2 angels, 2 clowns, gramma, mandarin, and I feed often. Nitrates are less than 2. This tank is less than 6 months old, although it use to be the 75 gal. Skimmers are hard to evaluate, or research, but mine has be all that was promised.

Tony

 

[Nanook]

I had two Aquamedic Turboflotor 5000 Twins. I gave on to capncapo as barter for work he did for me and I sold one to a friend who uses it on his 215g tank and 100g sump, he is Lost Marbles here on RC. I would say for an 8" x 6ft skimmer that it is just right for his system. I wouldn't use anything smaller.

 

[saveafish]

I like the beckett's and spray/downdraft. They or kinda touchy at first to get dialed in. Though once you do they do a good job. One of the reasions I like them is when you feed they stop skimming for a bit. This gives time for things to feed even the micro life in the filters/sumps. Downdrafts and becketts have been proven to pull out Phospates. Than you also have the point. That becketts and downdrafts are flat out made for bigger tanks. Go to the forums for the bigger tanks 180 and above and see how many use the becketts/downdraft. If you want to strip the water dont drive a Honda moped (needle wheel)

 

[michealprater]

I noticed in Reefkeeping magazine this month, the thread of the month had a guy propagating corals in Portugal. The guy was running dual skimmers. Is this an effective method? I have an Aqua C EV150 (old model) maybe I could add another skimmer and run both in a sump. Let me know.

 

[shaw]

two skimmers is a great idea.
As one skimmer becomes dirty and less efficient, the other skimmer can start pulling out gunk.

 

[saveafish]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1369070 Here is a thread of why some use 2 skimmers

 

[michealprater]

need more opinions on these skimmers. keep it coming!

 

[mutualbill]

I just purchased a DAS EX2 because I heard they were a great plug and play skimmer. $439 plus shipping from Petorama. Just make sure and call the store direct to make sure they have something in stock. Mine will be in on Friday so.............the only evidence that I have that they are a good skimmer is from reading the posts here. They are a deltec clone. You would need the EX3 though for your system.

 

[JRaquatics]

Have you considered A reeflo skimmer? Are you looking for something energy efficient, consistent, set and forget, what have you owned before? All these will help fit you with the correct skimmer.

 

[michealprater]

Please give me the reeflo skimmer model that is rated 400 or 500 gallon.

 

[JRaquatics]

Reeflo 250
http://www.reefspecialty.com/produc...d=219&osCsid=bd4300f8ffbd1e2c241d24f7a3467c32

And can also be upgraded.
http://www.reefspecialty.com/produc...d=253&osCsid=bd4300f8ffbd1e2c241d24f7a3467c32

This is the only NW that I have seen to skim and produce a head of foam like a becket.

 

[Patrick12]

I have owned the ASM and it is a great skimmer, especially considering the cost to production ratio. It is easily modded to prevent air bubbles in the sump. Of the choices you have listed, it would be my favorite. I have also worked with the MRCs and they are OK, but more energy to run one and the production is not better than the ASM. I do not have enough contact with the others to comment.

 

[michealprater]

I bet it is a skimmer for 1250. All the skimmers I have listed are half that price I highly doubt it is twice the skimmer they are. Thanks for the suggestion though, I appreciate it.

 

[michealprater]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12346596#post12346596 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Patrick12
I have owned the ASM and it is a great skimmer, especially considering the cost to production ratio. It is easily modded to prevent air bubbles in the sump. Of the choices you have listed, it would be my favorite. I have also worked with the MRCs and they are OK, but more energy to run one and the production is not better than the ASM. I do not have enough contact with the others to comment.

The more I research, the better the ASM looks.

 

[gcarroll]

I was very happy with my AquaC EV400. I ran it with the Mag 24 and it skimmed like a beast. I moved up to the EV1000 w/ a Mag 36 because I wanted to add lots of fish and not worry about the huge amounts of food I was adding to the tank. This thing skimmed so well I only run it 18 hours per day. Unfortunately I am reconsidering to find a more energy efficient skimmer as here in SoCal we are paying up to .36 kilowatt/hour. If I payed anywhere near what the rest of you pay, I would not look back and let the AquaC skim away!