skimmer for 150 gallon tank

[yacn]

I have 150 gallon display tank on 1st floor, and 40 gallon sump in basement. So noise and height of skimmer isn't an issue.

My Bubble Blaster pump just died on my for my SRO xl2000 cone skimmer. Instead of paying $245 for a new replacement pump I thought I might buy a new skimmer instead.

The LFS recommended Bubble Magus Curve 7 with ROCK pump....LFS has it in stock for $245 which seems like a bargain for a new skimmer rated for a takn my size....LFS store also said replacement pump for this skimmer is only $50.

I like the compact footprint of this skimmer, that the motor mounted inside the skimmer, and was going to install it into the last chamber of my sump. if I do this it will allow me to re-install a fuge in the middle compartment. I had to install the SRO in the middle compartment and dismantle the fuge due to the SRO footprint...it wouldn't fit anywhere else.

The last compartment is 10 inches wide by 12 inches long where the skimmer would fit, and the water level is 10 1/4 deep in that area. So bubble magus would fit perfect in that area, and from what I read the depth is the perfect range it recommends.

I don't like the fact the bubble magus collection cup isn't a twist off....neither was my SRO. My old Euro Reef skimmer had twist off collection cup which I liked much better. But I guess I can live with the collection cup not being a twist off if the rest of the skimmer is reliable and works good.

I have no idea what it's like to clean. If it will be as easy to use like my other skimmers...set it and forget it. Are there any other issues or concerns I should be aware of before buying it

Any advise is appreciated. Including other skimmers I might consider that won't cost me an arm and a leg (over $400) and fit in the area I've described.

Thanks~

 

[Watchm@n]

I'm using a deltec deltec sc 1456 in my 150... Happy with its performance and runs pretty silent although that is not an issue for you..

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[jda]

Pump inside of the skimmer cuts down on contact space. There are not any new skimmers that are any better than the one that you had or even an old ER. Some of them are more compact and people think that they are sexier, but I have an old ER 12-2 with Sedra Pump that will perform every bit as good as anything with a bubble plate or cone neck. I am sure that you know this, but the pump makes the skimmer.

I have a older SRO with a Sicce PSK and it is really good. I also had one with one of their newer pumps (aquatrance pump?) and I had to get rid of it for underperforming.

I will put higher end Deltec and LifeReef above most of these, though... but they are not really in your budget unless you find some used.

I would just replace the pump if you are happy with it... or at least keep it for a while so that you can go back to it if you hate the Magnus.

 

[yacn]

thank you both for your recent and quick replies. I appreciate you taking the time to offer help!!!

I appreciate the logic too. I too don't think there is much differences between most decent skimmers....except perhaps ease of cleaning, reliability, customer service, ease of set up plus adjustments, and replacement parts cost down the road.

I do like the compact design and space saving design of the bubble magus but never thought about the motor housed inside the chamber causing less contact time....that's why I appreciate forums like this and peoples input like yours.

I did compare side by side my Euro Reef and Super Reef Octopus.....The SRO did perform a bit better....but not so much to brag about or even choose one over the other honestly.

The SRO had a larger footprint, and forced me to use the middle compartment in my sump that I once had a fuge in. So I forgo the fuge area to utilize the SRO. I am back running my old euro reef in the 3rd (last) compartment and thinking seriously about going back to a fuge area again.

I don't want to spend $245 for a new motor for my SRO....especially since I am really considering adding a fuge again in the only space the SRO would fit in.....Maybe I keep the money in my pocket and keep using the Euro Reef skimmer instead...LOL.

I'm going to look into Deltec as I'm not really familiar with that skimmer. But I do know reading people rave about them.

I am a bit familiar with LifeReef and people raved about this skimmer too, and I was considering it....but I don't want another external pump like the blueline 30...I'm already running an energy eater Iwaki 70 as a return pump from my sump to the DT, and I don't think the combination of the mag 9.5 pump with the lifereef skimmer will fit in the 3rd compartment I want to utilize....I will look at this again too to make sure.

Would there be that much of a difference adding a lifereef or deltec over bubble magus to justify the expense if all will 3 will fit in the sump area I want to utilze? Wouldn't it be minimal like I experienced with the SRO and ER side by side tests I did?

 

[jda]

I do think that the LifeReef skims better, but if you don't have room, then you don't have room. They need some height, but basement sumps are great for this. If you do get one, just use a Mag (or equivalent) and keep it internal.

I think that BM skimmers are cheap junk, but probably capable of doing an OK job for a year or two until they need a new pump, or something. They are not even old enough to know if they are reliable. If you are OK a consumable build quality, then it might be OK with that expectation. I have never seen a $50 pump that is worth a darn.

In reality, more volume means more bubble and more contact time... but also more compartment space. Only you can choose which is more important to you.

 

[zooman72]

I would have to disagree with the Bubble Magus being "cheap junk" - a lot of aquarists on this forum and others have used the Curve skimmers, and they are typically rated well (4.5 out of 5 from most retail customer summaries). I have employed 3 of the Curve 5's for over 4 years now, and I have only had to replace one pump, which was easy and inexpensive to do (didn't need an impeller, just the pump, so only $35 - the SP pumps come with needlewheel impeller, the WP do not and are less $$$). I don't clean them as often as I should, and yet the are relatively quiet and perform well.

I am not the biggest cheerleader of Chinese equipment, but Bubble Magus and Maxspect have done well for me over the years. The Rock pumps are not as nice as the Sicce pumps typically found in similar sized/ type skimmers, but I found found that they are pretty close (90-95%). I would have no problem recommending a BM Curve skimmer to anyone, but I am not sure the Curve 7 would be the right size for a 150g if it was heavily stocked. BM tends to overstate their skimmers capacity (like several other manufacturers do), but if buying it from your LFS, they might work with you if it is undersized. I also agree that the gasketed collection cup is not as desirable as a twist-off (like my Eshopps s-120), but I have learned to work with it.