Skimmer for 350G+

[neogenix]

Hi!

I need a little guidance. I've just been offered a BubbleKing 200 Deluxe External for the 600 range. From what I can tell that's a great deal on that skimmer, but then I looked in the 600 range, and there seems to be a TON of choice for this sort of range skimmer. Anyone have any guidance on if this is the right skimmer, or if I should take one of these alternatives.

For info, I'm building a basement fish room which will at some point have a 100g+ frag tank, and at least 100G sump, with a 180G display upstairs. The external skimmer can be fed from my reeflo barracuda hybrid, so 500GPH shouldn't be an issue in the slightest. Here're some of the alternatives:

* AquaMaxx Cone 5 In-Sump Protein Skimmer (Rated to 550G, 43W, $700)
* AquaMaxx AM350 In-Sump Protein Skimmer (Rated to 350G, 80W, $600)
* AquaMaxx EcoMaxx EM500 In-Sump Protein Skimmer (Rated to 500G, 45W, $600)

* Reef Octopus Super Reef 5000sss Internal Skimmer (Rated to 500G, 45W, $650)
* Reef Octopus Diablo XS 350 (Rated to 400G, 60W, $720)
* Reef Octopus SRO-5000INT Super Reef In-Sump Protein Skimmer (Rated to 500G, 45W, $610)
* Reef Octopus DCRS-200EXT Diablo Recirculating External Protein Skimmer w/ DC Controllable Pump (Rated to 350G, 45W, $650)

* ATI PowerCone 250 I-Series Protein Skimmer w/ Pump (Rated to 500G, 35W, $630)

* EV-400 Protein Skimmer w/ JG Fitting (Rated to 450G, $480)
* EV-1000 Protein Skimmer w/ JG Fitting (Rated to 1000G, $660)

* ASM G-4XX Protein Skimmer w/ Sedra 15000 Pump (Rated to 450G, $440)

* Bubble Magus BM-220-CS Cone Protein Skimmer (Rated to 450G, 33W, $490)
* Bubble Magus NAC66A Dual Core Skimmer (Rated to 320G, $210)

* Skimz SK-222 Kone E Series - External Protein Skimmer (Rated to 533G, 20W, $620)
​

And, then :

* Bubble King Deluxe 200 External (Rated to 525G, 45W, $600)
​

 

[neogenix]

Oh, and there's also a LifeReef for the same sort of range, and same sort of volume...

 

[ca1ore]

For me personally, once past 250 waste-generating gallons, I'd do with a big skimmer and forget all the toy ones you listed. MRC, MTS, lifereef would be my short list.

 

[DOGGIE750]

Got this thread on my radar... Just fishing for true reliable rating too for 400g tank.

 

[baddiesel]

+1 vote for Life Reef Systems protein skimmer. Best customer service you'll ever find. They're "drop dead-reliable"!!!, just like German Mauser. I've been operating my SVS3-24 over 3 years now, never has failed me. You just cannot make an error in purchasing a Life Reef.

 

[Rwinfrey]

If it were me I would be looking at the bashea, etss(if you can find one ), mrc, skimmers at that tank volume........

 

[ca1ore]

I am currently using an ASM G4+ (Sedra 9000 pump) on my 265, and it works fine, but I am looking for something better. So, something better .......



MTC mazzei recirculating skimmer. Not inexpensive, but it does come with it's own pump ..... and blue-handled ball valves

 

[jformani]

Interesting, I was considering one of the above skimmers but now looking into life reef for 400g system.

 

[neogenix]

Thanks guys! You've got me looking at brands I didn't even know existed.

I've been reading a lot of FS threads that have folks selling off their BK's for LifeReef, and MRC.

so, if I was to choose between a BK, LifeReef, or MRC, which would you guys choose? (all sort of around the 600 range)

 

[neogenix]

This thread was an interesting read for those following along :
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...38&highlight=atb+1050+protein+skimmer&page=16

 

[gcarroll]

IMO, I would rule out the BK on a system this large. The 525g rating is really for a lightly stocked tank. The true rating is 200 - 525g.

Since it's going into a basement (noise won't be an issue, you really can't go wrong with a larger skimmer like the MRC, Lifreef, MTC, AquaC, ETSS, ect... Unless you have inflated energy rates like we do here in CA.

I would also add, this if you decided to choose a needlewheel skimmer, I would go with the ATI Powercone 250. It's a 10" skimmer that draws much more air than any of the others and produces bubble much smaller than the others as well.

 

[neogenix]

So, I'm picking up a LifeReef I found online for dirt cheap... will keep you guys updated

 

[bernie lyons]

mtc

mtc

I am currently using an ASM G4+ (Sedra 9000 pump) on my 265, and it works fine, but I am looking for something better. So, something better .......



MTC mazzei recirculating skimmer. Not inexpensive, but it does come with it's own pump ..... and blue-handled ball valves

Beautiful skimmer ... I'll bet any money it will blow away ANY pinwheel set up out there !!!

 

[baddiesel]

You will not be disappointed with a life reef protein skimmer. Parts, repair, reliability, and customer service is top shelf!!! Jeff Turcheck (sp) will answer any questions that you might have, and assist with anything. He's very knowledgeable.

 

[ken6217]

Beautiful skimmer ... I'll bet any money it will blow away ANY pinwheel set up out there !!!

Bernie, it does. This skimmer is mine. It replaced my Bubble King. I have owned previous to this: Deltec, Warner Marine, H&S, SWC and none perform as well.
Ken