Skimmer Q&A Thread

[mojo~]

well the 200 is a far better skimmer than the two you suggested and would work fine. I just think if you could cycle more water you would be better off. Thats why I suggested teh 250 as it uses two pumps.

 

[tinnghe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14554795#post14554795 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
Well I believe you are pushing the limit of the 200. you will want something that cycles a little more water. what is your budget? Here are a list of skimmers I would suggest that would be a step up
Bubble king mini 200 gen2
Warner Marine AS200
the New Alpha vertex cone will work very well.
ATB econo 1050
Warner Marine K2

All this will work very well. and would be a step up from the 200 you could go with a MSX 250 as well. As it will add a second pump.

i am interested in getting a cone, budget really depend, but my most concern is the space, i set it to the point that the 200 fit in perfectly. i was thinking of the i-tech medium. what do you think?

 

[HOBrien]

Is there anything wrong with the AquaEuroUSA 250 model that has 2 pumps? I can get a used one

 

[Eldredge]

Thanks for doing this thread Mojo. I have a 125 gallon tank with a 55 gallon sump/fuge. I have had zero nitrates for quite a while using a cruddy little skimmer that came with the aquarium (both used). The rio pump on the skimmer went out right before I went out of town last week. After a week without a skimmer, my NO3 is still 0 - I have a lot of live rock, fairly light load, and run carbon 24/7. I have checked the nitrate levels in the past with another kit, and it also read 0.

I would like to increase my bio-load, so I think I want a new skimmer, but I am a little worried to start skimming heavily when things seem to be okay right now (sps, lps, and softies doing fine, but I do have some algae).

Anyway, I am considering going with a modest skimmer like one of the basic octopus skimmers, or the bubble magus 100 v2 or maybe 150. I would like something that is a good value - not to expensive, very stable and dependable, and easy to use out of the box. I have a timer that shutts the skimmer off for 15 minutes twice a day, so it has to re-start without any problems too. Do you have any suggestions for me? Thanks for your help.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14554954#post14554954 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinnghe
i am interested in getting a cone, budget really depend, but my most concern is the space, i set it to the point that the 200 fit in perfectly. i was thinking of the i-tech medium. what do you think?

I have heard things about itech but they are hot air welded and am not as certain about their quality control as some of the others. I cant say anything good or bad about them. I just havent seen anything but pictures of them. The 200 is a good skimmer and if it will fit perfect the cones will most likely not as they have larger bases.

 

[mojo~]

not sure what you want to spend but a vertex in 180 would work really well for what you want to do. Basically a euro reef with a bubble plate. Price is about $289 and should work pretty well for what you want to do. The msx 200 would work well but the pumps cans start in either direction which might change how it runs. hope this helps Mojo~

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14554970#post14554970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HOBrien
Is there anything wrong with the AquaEuroUSA 250 model that has 2 pumps? I can get a used one

nothing wrong with it. I am just not a aqua euro fan. THeir are better bang for the buck skimmers out there. Its pretty old school design compared to whats available now days. I would get a nicer skimmer even if its used.

 

[cpllongjk]

Mojo,

Currently I have a Euro-Reef cs80. Im looking to upgrade my skimmer but have the future in mind not just my current tank.

My tank now is 60g main, 10g sump.
My next tank, approx 1-2 years from now will be 120g main, 20-30g sump.

This is as large as I will ever have, 150g total water volume. The tank will be heavily stocked with fish, and mainly sps. I havent decided on BB or not for my next build.

I have a few skimmers in mind but dont know what is best for me:

BK mini 180
BK mini 200
BK Cone, either of the new sizes
ATB Econo 840

Price isnt as important as quality and performance. I dont want to have to buy twice is all.

Thanks for any help you may be able to provide.

 

[wayne_sreef]

Thanks for the reply. But I am asking about the performance.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14554711#post14554711 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
The ATI skimmers were a great skimmer when they came out. THey are built pretty chea in my opinion. Not really my choice for the $$$ You would be much better off with a MSX 250 or 300.Just my 2 cents.

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14555671#post14555671 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wayne_sreef
Thanks for the reply. But I am asking about the performance.

There mesh mods are sloppy and bubble plates restrictive, mojo was right to point you towards the MSX.

 

[HOBrien]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14555231#post14555231 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
nothing wrong with it. I am just not a aqua euro fan. THeir are better bang for the buck skimmers out there. Its pretty old school design compared to whats available now days. I would get a nicer skimmer even if its used.

The only reason I ask is I am waiting on a response back to a $125 for the aqua euro 250. I just dont want to drain all of my excess money just incase I have to get something else when I get the new tank in the house is all.

 

[HOBrien]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14555231#post14555231 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
nothing wrong with it. I am just not a aqua euro fan. THeir are better bang for the buck skimmers out there. Its pretty old school design compared to whats available now days. I would get a nicer skimmer even if its used.

Would a Sump Buddy 40 be enough for a heavly stocked 200? They rate it at 180 but I am only FOWLR

 

[Dalmerjd]

Hi Folks!
I need a new skimmer though I'm new to reef keeping I need some advice. There are so many to choose from I am overwhelmed. I am also learning that a rating versus an actual volume capability varies greatly.
My current system has a total volume of 580 gallons in three tanks. All three tanks are mixed reef with light to moderate bio load leaving room for growth.
I am currently running an undersized Coralife 220. How do I tell it is not doing a good enough job?
I would love some advice and suggestions which skimmers have a good track record and are big enough for my system.
Thanks in advance.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14556600#post14556600 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HOBrien
Would a Sump Buddy 40 be enough for a heavly stocked 200? They rate it at 180 but I am only FOWLR

I would say no. You would want to go to the SB 60 if that is the way your wanted to go. A warner Marine as 200 would work well too.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14574447#post14574447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dalmerjd
Hi Folks!
I need a new skimmer though I'm new to reef keeping I need some advice. There are so many to choose from I am overwhelmed. I am also learning that a rating versus an actual volume capability varies greatly.
My current system has a total volume of 580 gallons in three tanks. All three tanks are mixed reef with light to moderate bio load leaving room for growth.
I am currently running an undersized Coralife 220. How do I tell it is not doing a good enough job?
I would love some advice and suggestions which skimmers have a good track record and are big enough for my system.
Thanks in advance.

There is no way that your coralife 220 is enough skimmer for 580 gallons. You have a pretty large sytem. I would actually go with a Bermuda BPS 8C or a hurricone CAT 2. Those would be pretty good skimmers for your system. What you have now is way undersized for 580 gallons of anything in my opinion. Hope this helps. Mojo~

 

[HOBrien]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14575799#post14575799 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
I would say no. You would want to go to the SB 60 if that is the way your wanted to go. A warner Marine as 200 would work well too.

How quite are the Sump Buddy's?

 

[acliao]

HI Mojo,

I would like to thank you for starting this wonderful Q&A thread and the comprehensive reviews on various skimmers. Great work!!!

I am in the process of upgrading my tank to 120G and am deciding between the Octo/MSX 200 and Vertex IN-180. the Octo/MSX200 has better pump but Vertex seems to have better reaction chamber design. Both units are similarly priced. Can you provide your recommendations on these units?

thanks again for the great info.

 

[PowermanKW]

I was wondering if you could throw in your .02 on what I poted in another thread. I did read you write up on the 160.

I have the EV-120 on my 90g reef now that is normally stocked. May be heavily in the future depending on skimmer. I bought a PM Bullet 1 and a Mag12. I'm waiting for that one to get here. It's over seas.

So, now I have a line on a BK mini 160 right here local. It is only 8 months old. He went to the Gen II 180. He wants $550.

I know the PM1 will be better than my EV-120. Still excited to get it. However, the BK is at a good price and lightly used. I would never drop the cash for a new one. Of course, for both these I am taking off the money I expect to get from my 120/mag7.

The same guy also has a ER RS 180. He used that one for a year and a half. It includes the SP4 pump, as well as the SP5, and the gate valve mod. He wants $300 for that.

I can always turn around and sell the Bullet1/12 when it comes in.

Any input on the differences would be most appreciated. I'm not very knowledgeable on the ER and BK. Heck the Bullet 1 is new to me.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14578752#post14578752 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by acliao
HI Mojo,

I would like to thank you for starting this wonderful Q&A thread and the comprehensive reviews on various skimmers. Great work!!!

I am in the process of upgrading my tank to 120G and am deciding between the Octo/MSX 200 and Vertex IN-180. the Octo/MSX200 has better pump but Vertex seems to have better reaction chamber design. Both units are similarly priced. Can you provide your recommendations on these units?

thanks again for the great info.

The MSX 200 would be a good choice. The vertex isnt a bad skimmer by any means but there are a lot more parts out there for the sicce pump. Several pinwheels and mesh mods too. I would get the msx 200 over the vertex. But they are both good skimmers but for the same $$$ you get a better pump...

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14578874#post14578874 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PowermanKW
I was wondering if you could throw in your .02 on what I poted in another thread. I did read you write up on the 160.

I have the EV-120 on my 90g reef now that is normally stocked. May be heavily in the future depending on skimmer. I bought a PM Bullet 1 and a Mag12. I'm waiting for that one to get here. It's over seas.

So, now I have a line on a BK mini 160 right here local. It is only 8 months old. He went to the Gen II 180. He wants $550.

I know the PM1 will be better than my EV-120. Still excited to get it. However, the BK is at a good price and lightly used. I would never drop the cash for a new one. Of course, for both these I am taking off the money I expect to get from my 120/mag7.

The same guy also has a ER RS 180. He used that one for a year and a half. It includes the SP4 pump, as well as the SP5, and the gate valve mod. He wants $300 for that.

I can always turn around and sell the Bullet1/12 when it comes in.

Any input on the differences would be most appreciated. I'm not very knowledgeable on the ER and BK. Heck the Bullet 1 is new to me.

Hands down the Bk 160. All the others are great units. But the Bubble king 160 is so quiet and smooth. Built like a tank and I love everything about the bubbleking. I miss mine to be honest. I cant wait to get the Vertex/BK alpha Cone skimmer here in another couple weeks. The pm skimmer will be a little louder and cycle more water. Great skimmers...just not the same as a BK in my opinion.