Skimmer Q&A Thread

vertex in 180 is a really nice bang for buck skimmer.Sorry for not getting back sooner. Been building my cone skimmer ect..
 
no problem! ill look into getting the 180... the only reason i was leaning towards the other 2 was cause my buddy can get me a good deal on either one i want.
 
Hey Mojo, have you had a chance to get your hands on the xp 2000 yet? Saw one in person today and was pretty impressed with its build quality. I've been interested in it since first hearing about it but want to see some good reviews first before I buy. Don't want to make the same mistake I did when I bought an Alpha 200 a few months ago (since sold it). I've been looking at the octo cone or a i-tech 200.
 
I cant buy the skimmer and review it on here so I have been told. I can say the skimmer and pump are pretty nice. Not bad. you need to run it in 6 to 7 inches of water from my understanding. the build is good. Not earth shattering but seems to be a nice unit.
 
skimmer review

skimmer review

Great thread I am after a skimmer that will handle 180 gallon reef SPS AND 10 TANGS I currently have a ASM 4X Not sure it is big enough will spend up to 2000 if need be was looking at alpha 300 and bubble king supermarine 250 what would you recommend MOJO or any one else out their
Thanks
 
I also want to upgrade in the future to a 300 350 reef SPS in a 1-2 yrs
I have a 180 with 100gal sump currently looking at
a new skimmer in post up above
 
I would make sure you get something that will cycle plenty of water and air. I would consider the following. The atb large, the MSX 300A or the hurricone Cat 2 if you pla on going bigger. I am not a fan of the alpha series. The are built well but the R&D on them was terrible. There have been a ton of problems from day one. I cant stand the fact that it has been pushed off to the customer to do the r&d on the skimmer. Almost all the problems I had with mine have been addressed now finally. but at first I was told their wasnt a problem with te air to water ratio. Now I would go on record saying the 200 and 300 are the better of the 4 alpha series out there. But for the money you will spend on them I think you can get a better performing skimmer. I cantsay it will be built as well. Hats off the RE for building great stuff. But now if worked as well as it looked it would be the only skimmer worth buying. but until that day comes. I would stick with the tried and true.

Mojo~
 
thanks for the info I will research thoose three skimmers. out of the three what would you personnaly choose and why?
Thanks for your time.
MOJO
 
Great thread, lots of info read the whole thing, another skimmer recommendation question for you mojo. I have a 55g with 130lbs LR, 20g S/F, it is SPS dominated with little softies and large anemones. Bioload would consist of 6 fish total of abo 18" total, I feed throughout the day keeping them well fed. I'm looking for a long overdue upgrade from my SeaClone. The only space I have is a 5" 7/8 - 8" chamber. I was looking at the Sump Buddy 40, is this overkill for my setup. My budget is <$400 not including if a skimmer needs a feed pump. I'm considering any External skimmers like the Octopus Recirc models, any help to the right direction would be appreciated. I'm also in the process of either upgrading my system to a 120g - 150g, the current 55g display will be turned into the sump over time but will be using my 20g S/F for the meantime till that happens, then it will be a full time fuge. I don't know when im going to upgrade prob the end of the year or next year. Should I wait and pocket my $$ till I upgrade and get a skimmer for that system? I was looking at Vertex in 280 will fit in the 55, but what do you think about Sump Buddy 60? Would another skimmer be more efficient or would the vertex be the best bang for my buck.. What are your thoughts. If it helps, the Upgrade will be SPS dominated.
 
well if you are sure you are going to upgrade then I would wait if what you have is working. I would look at the tunze 9005 skimmer over the sumpbuddy because it is more quite and efficient. The sb40 is a good skimmer but requires a mag 7 to run and it is a little louder. If you can hold off until you upgrade then yes I would look at the vertex 280 and maybe even the cs200 cone. its around the same price. There are a few more that would work a little better but the price is much more. Not sure if its worth the extra $$$
 
Hey mojo.. I want to upgrade my rs80..

I have a 63g cube 36x24 with 40b sump. Space is no issue. It's mostly sps with a large fish load. I'm looking for ease of use as i've grown tired of babysitting the rs80.
I've considered the extreme 200 and was recently reccommended the new super xp2000. What are your thoughts reccomendation?
 
well the extreme 200 will have rotational issues that you will have to monitor upon startup. the xp2000 isnt bad. but do to the water and air it draws it needs to be in a lower water level.

I would check out the ATB 840 1.5 for the least amount of hassle.
Then I would look at maybe the vertex in 180 or even the cs200 with the q1 pump. Not sure on last one as I am still testing it. but it seems to be a good bang for the buck skimmer.
 
I am Running mine on a 180 gallon reef with lots of fish.
Pros- Made in the USA, Highest Quality Cell Cast acrylic, CNC machined parts, Super accurate, super adjustable US Made KBI Gate Valve, much better than a wedge pipe, Collection cup drain pre-installed, standard Air Silencer and .50” O.D.Silicone Air Hose. revolutionary VBT Bubble plate (reducing inner body turbulence to maximize the capacity for air flow) and no bubbles in the sump!! Now WM has a new RED Pinwheel that pulls even more air.

Cons None that I can think of.
 
what do you think about bubble king 250 supermarine or warnermarines new skimmer.

What is WM's new skimmer? The k2 has been out for a while now and is a great skimmer. its only drawback is the stock sicce volute. If it wasnt or that it would be much higher on my list of skimmers.

The super marine 250 is a nice skimmer. is it worth the extra $$$. Well with all the new kids on the block it is hard to say yes to that.
 
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