Skimmer Needs

[coralfish]

I have a 92 gallon corner tank with a medium bio-load and a total water volume of approximately 160 gallons.

Currently using an ASM G4x (w/Sedra 9000). I'm interested in upgrading to either a Sedra 15000 pump, or going to an entirely new skimmer.

Looking at either the Octopus or Bubble Magus. (Wanting to stay below $550 or close to it)

Thoughts?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JUNBUG361]

Try looking into simplicity skimmers

 

[wildman926]

Reef Dynamics INS-80 at Aquarium source. These are absolute workhorses, and with an external Sicce pump. $179.99 and will likely be the last skimmer you own. Built like tanks, and can use any skimmer pump with same specs.

 

[coralfish]

What about the LifeReef SVS3-30 or SVS3-36? I have a LifeReef 150 Trickle Filter and love the quality and craftsmanship. I also run O3 and they claim to utilize O3 without much modification. They are also upgradeable, so if I ever win the lottery and upgrade to a monster tank.

 

[jda]

The skimmer that you have is pretty good. Regardless of what other people will tell you about most needlewheels, they won't perform any better, if any at all - other than perhaps the elite ones way over your budget. The bigger pump is not a good thing - contact time is very important.

Lifereef is a different animal. They can really, really skim. IMO, a LR will outskim any needlewheel. The only downside is that you have to use more pump... but this is not big.

With only 92 gallons, I doubt that you can skim out more than the oversized G4x.

 

[tkeracer619]

Why do you want to upgrade?

I've used a g4x but on a larger system with a heavy bioload. It's not a bad skimmer.

What are your nitrates?

 

[coralfish]

Nitrates are 0; I use a korallin nitrate reactor...PO4 however is 0.36. I'm using Phosguard now to start pulling it down


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rtparty]

Nitrates are 0; I use a korallin nitrate reactor...PO4 however is 0.36. I'm using Phosguard now to start pulling it down


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You need some nitrates in there. I'd shoot for 5-10 depending on how your tank does. That will also help bring down your phosphate

 

[scooter31707]

Try looking into simplicity skimmers

The 5th best choice I have made during this time in the hobby.

 

[jubei2006]

I agree with jda and tkeracer. Been using the asm series for years and can skim wet or dry as needed. That skimmer should be enough unless you are feeding like crazy and livestock isn't utilizing it. If you're having phosphate problems look into a reactor possibly with the money instead?