Skimmer Q&A Thread

[roni]

i've got a 180 gallon tank with a 40 gallon refugium plumbed in. I feed a ton (4-6 times per day) and the plan is to eventually have display tank volume of 350 gallons (probably about 500 total volume).

what skimmer would you recommend? i have a euroreef 12-2 now and either i'm not running it correctly or it's not up to the task.

thanks in advance.

 

[mojo~]

Folks,

I have a new build pending on a 120g SPS dominate reef with moderate bio-load. Tank will be setup using a ULNS system like Prodibio or MB7 and vodka, which needs a powerful skimmer. I have been using an older ATB Small Cone, but wondering if something better might be out there.

Any suggestions on a skimmer in the $1200-1500 price range for my tank?

Thanks,
L3

I would stick with the ATB. Great skimmer, Well balanced unit and a great size for your setup and everything you are doing. I believe if you went bigger you would be shutting down your skimmer eventually. Especially going ULNS

you are good to go. Save the money and maybe get some cool lights or controller or something. You are good in the skimmer department.

Mojo~

 

[mojo~]

Thanks Mojo,
But if it was your own tank and you were looking for a skimmer which one would you choose ? And if you can can you put them in order of one's you would choose ? thanks

If I was setting up a 150g well stocked I would be looking at the following skimmers. In this order

ATB 1050A
bk mini 180 gen 2
hurricone cat 1
SRO xp 3000
SWC askol cone , might be a little big for just 150g
WM as 200


Thats just me. I would most likely buy the atb 1050A if I had the money.

But the CAT 1 has the askol pump as well and is under $500 at reefspecialty right now too.

 

[mojo~]

i've got a 180 gallon tank with a 40 gallon refugium plumbed in. I feed a ton (4-6 times per day) and the plan is to eventually have display tank volume of 350 gallons (probably about 500 total volume).

what skimmer would you recommend? i have a euroreef 12-2 now and either i'm not running it correctly or it's not up to the task.

thanks in advance.

I would get the SRO xp 3000 or int 3000 most likely. Unless you could swing the atb 1050A

good luck

Mojo~

 

[Jason.Wright]

I posted this question elsewhere, but it looks like it belongs here ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New to the hobby, so I appreciate any input.

I have a RR 125 FOWLR. (about 80lb LR with crushed coral substrate) It has one overflow located in the middle of the back wall. I installed a Durso standpipe.

I have a sump that was converted by the previous owner from wet/dry. It has a max capacity of about 15 gallons and is made of black acrylic. I'm using a BlueLine 30 HD external pump for return. The sump has a built in skimmer that I'm not using. A Sea Clone skimmer was also included with the aquarium. I haven't set it up either.

My aquarium is currently home to a sole 12" Snowflake Eel.
I plan to slowly add a few fish with a Porc Puffer as the center piece. From what I've read, my biolode will be high with the eel and puffer.

My current sump's dimensions will support a skimmer base of 9x9 without further mods. I can cut out some dividers to make more space. I can then support a 9x15" footprint. I'm not opposed to moving to a new sump. I measured and could fit a 20 long or 29 without modifying the stand. But, I think the skimmer that I can fit in my current setup will fit that much better in the larger sump.

My budget is ~$250-300. I would like a few recommendations that I can check for at my LFS. But, I will buy online if price is great.

Thanks ...

 

[rzlinux]

Depends on the tank size. smaller tank the internal. larger tank the cone.

The neck on the int is smaller than the neck on the xp. So say 120g + go to the cone. then at 180g I would go to the 3000 model.

Well I bought the XP hopefully for a very well stocked 90. thanks for your time and advice I know I have asked 15 quesitons alone and read this entire thread ad dozen times. Thanks again for the time you dedicate and inspire.

Hopefully a wonderfull reef

Rodney

 

[Antwan620]

If I was setting up a 150g well stocked I would be looking at the following skimmers. In this order

ATB 1050A
bk mini 180 gen 2
hurricone cat 1
SRO xp 3000
SWC askol cone , might be a little big for just 150g
WM as 200


Thats just me. I would most likely buy the atb 1050A if I had the money.

But the CAT 1 has the askol pump as well and is under $500 at reefspecialty right now too.

Thanks Mojo,
Is the hurricone cat 1 worth the extra $100 than the SRO xp 3000 ? I want to get a skimmer that I will be happy for a long time with it. If it is then I go with the hurricone because the atb is a little out of my price range.

 

[MedRed]

Ok... I need some skimmer help as I'm new to higher end skimmers (cone/mesh wheel/needle wheel it's all foreign to me.) I'm planning a 60 Gallon Solana XL. The sump dimensions are 23" x 10.5" x 16" and the internal sump footprint is 15" x 10". I'd like something capable of handling a medium to well stocked tank. A compact design would be ideal. What are your recommendations?

 

[Antwan620]

Also out of the 2 which one makes less noise ?

 

[MedRed]

Ok... I need some skimmer help as I'm new to higher end skimmers (cone/mesh wheel/needle wheel it's all foreign to me.) I'm planning a 60 Gallon Solana XL. The sump dimensions are 23" x 10.5" x 16" and the internal sump footprint is 15" x 10". I'd like something capable of handling a medium to well stocked tank. A compact design would be ideal. What are your recommendations?

bump

 

[solitude127]

Ok... I need some skimmer help as I'm new to higher end skimmers (cone/mesh wheel/needle wheel it's all foreign to me.) I'm planning a 60 Gallon Solana XL. The sump dimensions are 23" x 10.5" x 16" and the internal sump footprint is 15" x 10". I'd like something capable of handling a medium to well stocked tank. A compact design would be ideal. What are your recommendations?

I'd go with a SWC cone 160. Very small foot print and very powerful skimmer.

 

[MedRed]

Is that the best choice? even vs. the Reef Octopus? Are there any issues I need to be concerned with?

 

[NyReefNoob]

the octo would more then likely be too much skimmer. the swc 120 might be more the right size skimmer the nac7 cone decent skimmer also. guy on here has a new das ex1 recirc killer skimmer as well, use one myself

 

[layer3switchguy]

I would stick with the ATB. Great skimmer, Well balanced unit and a great size for your setup and everything you are doing. I believe if you went bigger you would be shutting down your skimmer eventually. Especially going ULNS

you are good to go. Save the money and maybe get some cool lights or controller or something. You are good in the skimmer department.

Mojo~

Thanks Mojo!

 

[Jason.Wright]

I posted this question elsewhere, but it looks like it belongs here ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New to the hobby, so I appreciate any input.

I have a RR 125 FOWLR. (about 80lb LR with crushed coral substrate) It has one overflow located in the middle of the back wall. I installed a Durso standpipe.

I have a sump that was converted by the previous owner from wet/dry. It has a max capacity of about 15 gallons and is made of black acrylic. I'm using a BlueLine 30 HD external pump for return. The sump has a built in skimmer that I'm not using. A Sea Clone skimmer was also included with the aquarium. I haven't set it up either.

My aquarium is currently home to a sole 12" Snowflake Eel.
I plan to slowly add a few fish with a Porc Puffer as the center piece. From what I've read, my biolode will be high with the eel and puffer.

My current sump's dimensions will support a skimmer base of 9x9 without further mods. I can cut out some dividers to make more space. I can then support a 9x15" footprint. I'm not opposed to moving to a new sump. I measured and could fit a 20 long or 29 without modifying the stand. But, I think the skimmer that I can fit in my current setup will fit that much better in the larger sump.

My budget is ~$250-300. I would like a few recommendations that I can check for at my LFS. But, I will buy online if price is great.

Thanks ...

Mojo? Anybody?

 

[nikesb]

need a recommendation for a ~50g total volume sps dominated with 3-5 fishes

 

[mojo~]

Check out the octopus extreme line with the new sicce syncra pumps. the 160 would fit and the 200 would be a better fit for your tak if it will fit your sump.

The vertex in 180 would be another good choice but its a bigger unit too.

 

[mojo~]

Thanks Mojo,
Is the hurricone cat 1 worth the extra $100 than the SRO xp 3000 ? I want to get a skimmer that I will be happy for a long time with it. If it is then I go with the hurricone because the atb is a little out of my price range.

both are good. the askol is a nice pump. a little more quiet but both are good.

 

[mojo~]

Ok... I need some skimmer help as I'm new to higher end skimmers (cone/mesh wheel/needle wheel it's all foreign to me.) I'm planning a 60 Gallon Solana XL. The sump dimensions are 23" x 10.5" x 16" and the internal sump footprint is 15" x 10". I'd like something capable of handling a medium to well stocked tank. A compact design would be ideal. What are your recommendations?

SWC bmk 150
BM nac7
SRo 1000
bk mini 160

 

[mojo~]

need a recommendation for a ~50g total volume sps dominated with 3-5 fishes

SWC 120 cone
BM NAC 3
MRC ocean force 100