Skimmer Q&A Thread

Considering the size of the AS200 is there any reason I wouldn't consider a K2? The k2 is listed at $799 and the as200 is $699 so it's not *that* much more.

What about the Vertex Alpha cone skimmers? Are they worth considering?

One last question...What is the Vertex IN280 like? It's only 24" tall so I'm sure it's quite a fatty.

Thanks!

-Ian
 
Nap the K2 uses a sicce pump and will work well of course. But it isnt going to move the water like the AS 200 will. If you contact Jon Warner he had a Demo AS200 for around $525 I thought.

The Vertex in 280 is 10 inch body I believe. Fat squatty skimmer
 
I asked Jon Warner about K-2 and the AS-200. He pretty much said the AS-200 is a brute force skimmer - powerful pump and flows a lot of water. The K-2 is just more efficient, less water flow, less power required but apparently great skimming.

I'm pretty much considering the same ones for a future 120g + sump I think the Alpha 170 & 200 are definite considerations - especially when we finally hear the specs. I haven't ruled out the ATB Econo 840 either. It's owners also seem to think it's a perfect fit for that sized tank.
 
Alot of people will say that as well. I think the 840 is a good little skimmer for up to 125g or so. After that I would get something that moves more water. I know I could be slammed for saying that but hey its my opinion.

And well to be quite honest. I get just about as good results skimming with a Cylinder skimmer as I do with a cone. AS I have said many times its all about a balance. Needs to be a well thought out design. Out of however man skimmers I have run over the years. You all want to know what I am running on my tank at home with great results?
A Warner marine S150. Been on there a couple weeks now. No bubble plate just a simple sedra 7000 pulling about 600lph. I think the bubble plate version works a little better but it is what it is. A simple design that works.
Are your corals going to grow faster and look better if only have a good skimmer over the best your money can buy. Man its hard to say. I like many skimmers all for different reasons. So when someone asks what should I get? it just depends on what they are looking for. Myself. I really prefer a gate valve over a wedge pipe. but thats me. Someone else might like the pipe better. However the bubbleking wedgepipe I like as it works smoothly and I can adjust it with ease. Some of them take some force and are harder to fine tune. With all the skimmers out there and all I have owned an seen. I dont get much "wow" factor out of them anymore.
Cones are just hot in the market now. I like the cones but others work just as well.
I cant say too much about the alpha cones right now as the 250 is just too big to run on the system I compare all the others too. I may or may not be getting the Apha 170 to compare them too. I will have to wait and see. If I was spending my money on a skimmer for a 75 to 90g reef tank I would be looking at the following skimmers
MSX 200
Vertex in 180
Warner MArine AS150
Ocean force 200
ATB 840
BK mini Gen 2 180

For a 120 to 180 gallon tank I would consider the
Vertex in 180 or 280
Warner Marine AS200
BK super marin 200
BK mini 200 gen 2
ATB 1050
swc A cone
WM k2

For something like a 220
I would go with a Warner MArine AS 300
MSX 300
Vertex 280
Vertex alpha 250
BK super marin 250
ATB 1050 or a medium with the airstar.

Notice all the brands are pretty much the same. These are all in sump.
If you need small foot print the msx 160, ETSS Sumpbuddy 40 and the bermuda skimmers are nice options as well.
These are my suggestions for everyone. I know some will not like it but I can only give you my thoughts.
Notice the price difference on the skimmers in the same groups. It all depends on what you are looking for in a skimmer. Performance and ease of operation are two big factors for me.
I hope this helps


Mojo~
 
I missed it. It will work ok but its borderline for the msx 250. the 120 would be ok with the 200 but a 180 I would go with the 250 as you would benift from the added water turnover.
 
Hey i had a quick question..(i hope) im going to be setting up a 180 gallon mixed reef. I have heard really good things about the msx 250 skimmers for my tank size. While i was looking up the skimmers on a web site i found the 300 for only 20 bucks more. Would that be a worthwhile investment or would it really skim way to much out of the water?

Heres a link to marinesolutions website.
MSX Skimmers

Thanks for the help!
 
The 250 will do fine. If you have the room the 300 is a bigger skimmer with the same pumps. I would just go with the 250 and run the pinwheels on it.
 
Thanks for your input! Size isn't to much of a problem im going to refit my current 75g in to the sump. The only reason i was even wondering about the 300 was due to the fact it was only 20 bucks more and if it would help a lot with out removing to much it may be worth it. I really don't plan on over feeding to much but i rather be able to then underfeed.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14914124#post14914124 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
Alot of people will say that as well. I think the 840 is a good little skimmer for up to 125g or so. After that I would get something that moves more water. I know I could be slammed for saying that but hey its my opinion.

And well to be quite honest. I get just about as good results skimming with a Cylinder skimmer as I do with a cone. AS I have said many times its all about a balance. Needs to be a well thought out design. Out of however man skimmers I have run over the years. You all want to know what I am running on my tank at home with great results?
A Warner marine S150. Been on there a couple weeks now. No bubble plate just a simple sedra 7000 pulling about 600lph. I think the bubble plate version works a little better but it is what it is. A simple design that works.
Are your corals going to grow faster and look better if only have a good skimmer over the best your money can buy. Man its hard to say. I like many skimmers all for different reasons. So when someone asks what should I get? it just depends on what they are looking for. Myself. I really prefer a gate valve over a wedge pipe. but thats me. Someone else might like the pipe better. However the bubbleking wedgepipe I like as it works smoothly and I can adjust it with ease. Some of them take some force and are harder to fine tune. With all the skimmers out there and all I have owned an seen. I dont get much "wow" factor out of them anymore.
Cones are just hot in the market now. I like the cones but others work just as well.
I cant say too much about the alpha cones right now as the 250 is just too big to run on the system I compare all the others too. I may or may not be getting the Apha 170 to compare them too. I will have to wait and see. If I was spending my money on a skimmer for a 75 to 90g reef tank I would be looking at the following skimmers
MSX 200
Vertex in 180
Warner MArine AS150
Ocean force 200
ATB 840
BK mini Gen 2 180

For a 120 to 180 gallon tank I would consider the
Vertex in 180 or 280
Warner Marine AS200
BK super marin 200
BK mini 200 gen 2
ATB 1050
swc A cone
WM k2

For something like a 220
I would go with a Warner MArine AS 300
MSX 300
Vertex 280
Vertex alpha 250
BK super marin 250
ATB 1050 or a medium with the airstar.

Notice all the brands are pretty much the same. These are all in sump.
If you need small foot print the msx 160, ETSS Sumpbuddy 40 and the bermuda skimmers are nice options as well.
These are my suggestions for everyone. I know some will not like it but I can only give you my thoughts.
Notice the price difference on the skimmers in the same groups. It all depends on what you are looking for in a skimmer. Performance and ease of operation are two big factors for me.
I hope this helps


Mojo~
Click to expand...


Do you have any suggestions for smaller than a 75-90 gallon? Like, specifically a 40 breeder/20 sump? I was using an ASM mini G (i love my ASM G3 on my 90 but the mini G pump is horrid IMHO). I bought an octopus DNW-110 originally but it doesn't fit in my sump due to the footprint (well technically it fits but I can't get plugged into that intake without kinking the hose so it doesn't work). Both those skimmers are now sitting in my pile o stuff, but I really should get a skimmer going on the tank. Budget of 500 or so....any suggestions for me?
 
Check out the MRC Ocean force 100. its a great little skimmer that has asmall footprint and is built really well. here are the spcs on it.

Overall Height - 22"

Body Diameter - 4.5"

Pump - 6520 NW

Power Consumption - 18 watts

Ozone Compatible - Yes

Gate Valve - Included for precision adjustments

Bubble Plate - to reduce turbulance and produce a dense head of foam

Footprint - 5.5" x 4.5"

Capacity - 100 gallons max

I think this will meet about all the needs you are looking for and its a great quality unit. I think its priced around $299.
Mojo~
 
here's my Warner Marine K-2, just under 48hrs after cleaning.

IMG_2143.jpg


IMG_2142.jpg


 
Well im going to be buying a new skimmer in a month for sure!

I think you guys talked me into the MSX 200....

Good choice still??
 
Mojo thanks for the advice. I ended up going with the AS200 and you were right, John is so helpful. It's been set-up for almost a week and it's starting to skim pretty well (been skimming wet so far). I can't wait to see how much gunk this thing pulls, the bubble production is amazing!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14960646#post14960646 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nap
Mojo thanks for the advice. I ended up going with the AS200 and you were right, John is so helpful. It's been set-up for almost a week and it's starting to skim pretty well (been skimming wet so far). I can't wait to see how much gunk this thing pulls, the bubble production is amazing!
Click to expand...

Glad to hear. If you would be so kind to post a couple pics here when you get a chance that would be great. Good luck and I am glad you like your skimmer.

Mojo~
 
i have a euro rs80, it is runnin as wet as it gets, an hour or so after it is cleaned, the top of the neck gets realy dirty and has like coffe grain looking spots on it. the skimmate it pulls in this ammt of time is very small, just about enough to cover the bottom. but with the skimmer, it doesnt bubble that far up, and the bubbles seem to just rest inside the neck and dont spill over. i think the pump may be busted?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Broken reefer
Skimmer
Replies
7
Views
340
wvned
wvned
S
Back up power supply
2
Replies
22
Views
990
Reefing102
Reefing102
ClownBubbaJoe
Skimmer, TALL skimmer vs short under cabinet type ?
Replies
13
Views
653
BeanAnimal
B
I
Plumbing an internal skimmer externally
Replies
4
Views
333
wvned
wvned
Tamara Marshall
Comprehensive Article About Protein Skimmers- Manta Systems Article
Replies
0
Views
228
Tamara Marshall
Tamara Marshall
Back
Top