Skimmer for a 120 SPS System

[Nanook]

Skimmers (according to this study ), only remove about 30% of TOC, so other factors like power efficiency, ease of cleaning, brand loyalty, etc, come into play.

 

[Drae]

Get something with a 6" body and a sicce pump pulling around 700 to 800 lph of air and you'll be good... Aquamaxx, sea side aquatics, Atb 840 (it's a 8" but perfect), vertex omega, euro reef/reef dynamics in135. All of the above are sicce powered skimmers that are proven to perform.

 

[jroovers]

I always liked Skimz skimmers. Had the SM-201E series on my heavy stocked 120 SPS tank, this skimmer kicks butt, and dead silent.All models after 2010 have new impeller , never had any problem with pump at all. Would recommend it to anyone.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I haven't really had the time to get on this yet, so in the meantime I'm unplugging my SRO every time I leave the house and go to bed to prevent overflows.

I've heard some good things about the Skimz skimmers, so I'm going to look into those. I like how the pump is inside the skimmer body, which makes for a smaller footprint. Also heard good things about the Vertex skimmers, so those are on my list.

 

[jroovers]

Get something with a 6" body and a sicce pump pulling around 700 to 800 lph of air and you'll be good... Aquamaxx, sea side aquatics, Atb 840 (it's a 8" but perfect), vertex omega, euro reef/reef dynamics in135. All of the above are sicce powered skimmers that are proven to perform.

You seem to know a lot about skimmers! Your help is appreciated... I see in a separate thread you've recommended RLSS skimmers too? Checking into those now...

Other thing is I'm hoping to upgrade to a 180 gallon in the not too distant future, so something rated for a bigger tank is a good though as well.

 

[jroovers]

Ok, here are two I'm looking at and their price, new (CND $'s):

AquaMaxx ConeS CO-2 In-Sump Protein Skimmer - $330
Vertex Omega 150 - $380

For the price, seems like the AM might be a better option, of course unless there is a major difference in performance.

 

[whitesquall]

I too am in the market for a new skimmer 120-180 gallon size, following along.

 

[TheReefKeeper]

Ok, here are two I'm looking at and their price, new (CND $'s):

AquaMaxx ConeS CO-2 In-Sump Protein Skimmer - $330
Vertex Omega 150 - $380

For the price, seems like the AM might be a better option, of course unless there is a major difference in performance.

I'm getting rid of my Omega I would cross that off honestly defiantly overrated and not quiet at all. Have it on 75gal. total SPS only and IMO I feel it's barely keeping up.

I'm looking at the Skimz or a ATB with DC pump.

 

[moondoggy4]

120 -180

120 -180

Ok, here are two I'm looking at and their price, new (CND $'s):

AquaMaxx ConeS CO-2 In-Sump Protein Skimmer - $330
Vertex Omega 150 - $380

For the price, seems like the AM might be a better option, of course unless there is a major difference in performance.

I would look into the ATB skimmer for that wide of a margin.

 

[jroovers]

I would look into the ATB skimmer for that wide of a margin.

Is there a model you would recommend? I just looked on their site and didn't see a skimmer priced under $900... a bit out of my price range.

 

[jroovers]

I'm getting rid of my Omega I would cross that off honestly defiantly overrated and not quiet at all. Have it on 75gal. total SPS only and IMO I feel it's barely keeping up.

I'm looking at the Skimz or a ATB with DC pump.

Okay thanks for that info. I'm going to look at Skimz too, where are you looking? Looks like they are made in Singapore? Which ATB were you looking at and what is your budget? The ATBs look nice but a bit pricey.

 

[ksicard]

Sea side aquatics ES 7 or ES2 or CS8/2 are all decent skimmers

 

[jroovers]

Buying a new protein skimmer is worse than buying a new car lol! Just when I think I have it narrowed...

The biggest issue I have with the SRO is that it is too difficult to dial in and frequently decides to overflow... if I had a bigger sump, that wouldn't be an issue. I'm looking for something that above all else is reliable and consistent, and is in the $300 to $600 range... Maybe that is too much to ask for. Maybe I should just go back to a modded ASM G3 with recirc and direct feed and just deal with the noise!

 

[giglio324]

Get something with a 6" body and a sicce pump pulling around 700 to 800 lph of air and you'll be good... Aquamaxx, sea side aquatics, Atb 840 (it's a 8" but perfect), vertex omega, euro reef/reef dynamics in135. All of the above are sicce powered skimmers that are proven to perform.

i have a reef dynamics in135 its a beautiful piece of equipment. worlds apart from the old asm model. I would recommend it all day, if they are considered over priced the performance itself pays for it. great suggestions tho

 

[jroovers]

i have a reef dynamics in135 its a beautiful piece of equipment. worlds apart from the old asm model. I would recommend it all day, if they are considered over priced the performance itself pays for it. great suggestions tho

I really appreciate everyone's input. :thumbsup:

Looks pretty good actually... its on the consider list... I wonder if it might be a bit under rated though for a fairly heavy stocked 120 SPS tank with about 145 gallons of total system water. My intent is to rely on more heavy skimming with biopellets and less on carbon/gfo (which I'm not running at all at present).

 

[Drae]

Reef dynamics with the eheim pump for sale for 220 right now in the equipment and dry goods section. Awesome skimmer. atb 840, Aquamaxx cone 2 or sea side aquatics es7 are good choices also.

 

[jroovers]

Thanks Drae and everyone else for their recommendations.

Just jumped on a JNS/AquaMaxx Cone 2, in stock in Montreal and free shipping, $335 CND all in. I'll let everyone know how it works once I get it up and running, with any luck I'll have it by the end of the week.

http://www.reefconcept.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_130&products_id=3531

 

[moondoggy4]

Nice choice, I think that you will be happy with your choice. Picking skimmers can be difficult so many choices and the next one is always 50 more.

 

[tom obrecht]

Pardon me if this has been covered already but where do you find ATB skimmers with a dc pump?

 

[TheReefKeeper]

I found The ATB by calling them overseas the price is like 700 delivered I'm sure we could get a better deal the more we do but I'm sure a group buy is against forum rules and I'm just too busy to organize one if the where not. May be I can buy a few and throw them up on eBay that may be easiest.

 

[rogerwilco357]

hmm I found the Royal Exclusives Alpha 170 more than enough skimmer for my 120. Even when fully stocked with sps..they are well made skimmers like the bubble king line also offered.