skimmer comparison

[michealprater]

Law086. Excellent Post.

JTMA508, thanks for the opinion, I have heard nothing but great things about aqua C. Some people say they are not energy efficiant, but I am not too worried about that.

 

[law086]

The energy efficient stance comes from the venturi design of the AquaC. I've never personally owned one, so I can't comment on how well it performs. Generally speaking most NW skimmers will be the most efficient because they generally use the smallest pumps. Most average sized NW skimmer can be run for 40 to 80 watts (the G4 I believe uses either a Sedrea 5000 or 9000, which will be in that 40 to 80 watt area). The venturi skimmer (like the AquaC, Bermuda, LifeReef, etc), will take a step up in that they require a bit more of a hefty pump. My mag 18 consumes around 160 watts. Becketts however in my experience take the cake in that they love large pressure rated pumps. I've found a single injector to run just OK on something like an Iwaki 55, but better on something like an Iwaki 70.

 

[glassbox-design]

Michael,

It's difficult to ask for comparisons with the skimmers you're requesting. You're all over the charts. You have poor performers such as ASM mixed in with high performers like MSX. You have Venturi's mixed with Meshwheels.

Of all the spray induction/venturi/becket skimmers listed the PM Bullet is the best, in my opinion and many others. It's also made extremely well. That crosses off Aqua C, Trigger, MRC, and Bermuda

Of all the NW's listed the MSX is the best performer. They are relatively unknown, and only more serious reefers have interest in them due to the sicce psk meshwheel pump they use.

Just because they are not well known does not make them poor skimmers. Compare them to ATI Bubble Masters and Tunze Master DOC skimmers... they utilize the same pump.


There has been plenty of good advice given here, I'd suggest keeping it in mind and doing your own research to finding what skimmer will fit your needs best.

 

[michealprater]

This is just a small part of my research. I am simply asking for people who own these skimmers to give me their take on them. Sounds like you are suggesting using other sources and not RC. I am a proud RC member and will continue to use these board to get advise and opinions. Thanks for your take.

 

[Amoore311]

I went through the same debate when I started setting up my 90 Gallon.


I couldn't justify using a power sucking AquaC Series Skimmer when I could get better performance out of a MSX160 use a fraction of the electricity.

AquaC is a great series of skimmer I'll admit, but the power consumption on those mag pumps is ridiculous.

 

[law086]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12357585#post12357585 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by glassbox-design
Michael,

It's difficult to ask for comparisons with the skimmers you're requesting. You're all over the charts. You have poor performers such as ASM mixed in with high performers like MSX. You have Venturi's mixed with Meshwheels.

Of all the spray induction/venturi/becket skimmers listed the PM Bullet is the best, in my opinion and many others. It's also made extremely well. That crosses off Aqua C, Trigger, MRC, and Bermuda

Of all the NW's listed the MSX is the best performer. They are relatively unknown, and only more serious reefers have interest in them due to the sicce psk meshwheel pump they use.

Just because they are not well known does not make them poor skimmers. Compare them to ATI Bubble Masters and Tunze Master DOC skimmers... they utilize the same pump.


There has been plenty of good advice given here, I'd suggest keeping it in mind and doing your own research to finding what skimmer will fit your needs best.

I've never heard or read anything where a PM owner said to have liked it better than a Bermuda. In fact, I've never heard or read anybody not liking a Bermuda period (except maybe the HOB ones).

See that's the problem with people saying skimmer X is better than skimmer Y. Most of the time the person has never owned both skimmers being compared. They go by some story that their bother's friend heard as a frag swap or something.

 

[michealprater]

I realize there will not be a definative answer for me out of this thread, so if nothing else, it give us something to talk about. What I was really after was simply opinions of people who owned one. Such as, example.

"I purchased skimmer xyz and had it up and going for 6 months now. It has pulled tons of waste out of my aquarium and I have seen my sps improve. I also have not lost any fish since using it. I would recommend skimmer xyz."

 

[gcarroll]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12358461#post12358461 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amoore311
AquaC is a great series of skimmer I'll admit, but the power consumption on those mag pumps is ridiculous.

I would not quite call it rediculous. It is high when compared to a high end NW like BK and ATB. It is inline with many multipump NW skimmers though (of course Sicci pump skimmers excluded). I have measured mine with a Kill-a-watt meter. Many people see that a mag 24 is rated at 256 watts and assume that that is the draw of the pump on the skimmer. That is just not the case.

Mag 24 on an EV400 = 123 watts
Mag 36 on an EV1000 = 185 watts (when you factor in that I only need to run it 18 hrs/day = 141 watt average)

 

[glassbox-design]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12358647#post12358647 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by law086
I've never heard or read anything where a PM owner said to have liked it better than a Bermuda. In fact, I've never heard or read anybody not liking a Bermuda period (except maybe the HOB ones).

See that's the problem with people saying skimmer X is better than skimmer Y. Most of the time the person has never owned both skimmers being compared. They go by some story that their bother's friend heard as a frag swap or something.

You're right a comparison has never been done, but electric consumption, air intake, and body size do not lie. For the money and electric consumption the bullet will do it better. Beckets are just more powerful and the PM happens to be one of the best.

Again, you're right that is a problem. Most people buy their first skimmer and think its great, not realizing what else is available...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12358262#post12358262 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michealprater
Sounds like you are suggesting using other sources and not RC. I am a proud RC member and will continue to use these board to get advise and opinions. Thanks for your take.

I was merely suggesting searching RC as much of this has been discussed in the past.

Google> "site:reefcentral.com keyword"

 

[michealprater]

Google> "site:reefcentral.com keyword"

Never knew that! Thanks.

 

[michealprater]

UPDATE- I ended up going with an Aqua C ev2000, got a deal I could not pass up.

I am very intrigued by the msx. I may look to trade mine ev2000 for an msx. Only problem is you cant get them.