Skimmer Q&A Thread

[NyReefNoob]

People say the sticker price of a GT-R is insane for a Nissan---all I say is drive it down your favorite twistie and you'll be grabbing your pen

i have drove one and thats a huge differance then the skimmers' really nice car btw,

dustin i was actually looking at the Skimz E-Series SK201 for my 80g heavy stocked tank, ended up getting the sm202 recirc to test. which is too big for my system and have it dialed way back, i see mojo stated he was having some noise issue, my es5000 is pretty silent, definately dont hear it over rest of equiptment

 

[Chyendra]

Thinking about upgrading my skimmer, but I don't have a huge budget (~$200). My display is 40g & and I have a 10g sump (only size that will fit under my stand). I just built the sump to fit my current skimmer (Aqua C remora), so the largest chamber available for an in-sump skimmer has a 10"x 8" foot print and 6" water hight, (currently my fuge). I'm happy with the out-put of my current skimmer, but others have suggested upgradeing to get better color out of my SPS. Ideas?

 

[pblogic]

the SRO is hard to beat for the $$

Awseome. I noticed it's much higher priced than the other two (349 is the cheapest I found it and the others are under 200 I think) and was wondering if for the money I should consider the AM200 or even AM250 which I think I can fit.

I got the eshopps pump working again and it's pulling about 1/2 inch of wet skim a day, but I think in the near future I'd still like better performance

 

[ludiNano]

My total system will be around 300G 120 display 100g stock tank 50g refugium 60g frag and thinking bout adding a small (30-40g) specialty tank.

What would be your top 5 skimmers you would recomend so i have some choices.

Im sure ATB 840 and super marin 200 will be at the top, but im wondering what kind of other close performers i could compare to. I want to drop $1500 on a skimmer but my wife isnt to happy bout it. [ i still might tho ; ) ]

 

[ludiNano]

Edit....

After Re-looking at ATB 840 im thinking it would be too small and a step up would be needed

 

[Beaviz]

If low noise is the absolute most important parameter what would you recommend for a 110g with 30g sump? Mixed reef with a lot of small fish and two tangs. My SRO 2000int drowe me crazy!

I have been looking at the ATB deluxe skimmers. Do the Airstar pumps with Askoll housings compare to the low noise levels of the Red Dragons?

 

[mojo~]

75 Gallon Total Water Volume SPS Heavy Stocked?

Skimz SK 181 Kone E
Skimz SM 161 Monzter
SRO 1000int
Other...

atb 840, sk 181 sro 2000 int.

 

[mojo~]

Thinking about upgrading my skimmer, but I don't have a huge budget (~$200). My display is 40g & and I have a 10g sump (only size that will fit under my stand). I just built the sump to fit my current skimmer (Aqua C remora), so the largest chamber available for an in-sump skimmer has a 10"x 8" foot print and 6" water hight, (currently my fuge). I'm happy with the out-put of my current skimmer, but others have suggested upgradeing to get better color out of my SPS. Ideas?

well you could go with a bm NAc 3.5 that would be about it. But if what you have is working. I would stick with it. It would be cheaper to just do more water changes.

 

[mojo~]

My total system will be around 300G 120 display 100g stock tank 50g refugium 60g frag and thinking bout adding a small (30-40g) specialty tank.

What would be your top 5 skimmers you would recomend so i have some choices.

Im sure ATB 840 and super marin 200 will be at the top, but im wondering what kind of other close performers i could compare to. I want to drop $1500 on a skimmer but my wife isnt to happy bout it. [ i still might tho ; ) ]

Top 5 for your setup.

ATB 1050A
SRO 3000xp
Aquamaxx am 250
MSX 250 A
Hurricone cat 1.

 

[mojo~]

If low noise is the absolute most important parameter what would you recommend for a 110g with 30g sump? Mixed reef with a lot of small fish and two tangs. My SRO 2000int drowe me crazy!

I have been looking at the ATB deluxe skimmers. Do the Airstar pumps with Askoll housings compare to the low noise levels of the Red Dragons?

BK mini 160 or 180 gen 2 hands down. They are the most quiet skimmers I have ever owned. Even more so than the ATBS I have had .

 

[Beaviz]

Thanks again Mojo!

I am actually more into the ATBs since I have heard quite some bad things about the lack of customer service from Royal Exclusive.

If you should compare the noise levels of the BK Mini 180 gen2 vs ATB Elegance, would you consider the ATB to be much more noisy or almost as quiet?

 

[shifty51008]

ok here is my deal. right now I have a 75 gal tank with 30 gal sump/fuge. I am going to be taking the 30 gal. off and adding a 100 gal. sump and 50 gal. fuge.

I am looking for a skimmer that will handle my tank now but also in the future am looking at getting a 180 gal. tank and replaceing the 75 gal. any ideas on what would be the best for my setup?

right now I am thinking these:
Hurricone CAT-2 External Protein Skimmer (don't have a listing for what it is rated for)
Footprint: 17"x16"
Tall: 27"
Body: 10"
Neck: 6"
Pump: Askoll 1500 with anti-lime loop

Super Reef Octopus XP-3000 External Protein Skimmer
Body Style: Cone
Pump: Bubble Blaster 3000 with a 3 year pump warranty! upgraded silicone nitride shaft and bearings
Wattage: 40w
Airpull: up to 55SCFH ---*(air numbers are subject to different testing meters and testing systems)
Base: 10”
Neck: 5”
Height: 27.875”
Footprint: 17.5” x 15.5”



BTW I am more intrested in external skimmers rather than internal, or any other types you would suggest?

TIA

 

[NyReefNoob]

shifty u might as well wait till you upgrade, those skimmers will be way too much for you system and wont run consistant

 

[shifty51008]

thanks for the input. the upgrade will prob. not happen for at least 2 years. well at least to the 180 gal. however I already have the 100 gal. sump and 50 gal. fuge ready to go online but am just waiting to get a skimmer to handle the extra water flow as my skimmer I don't think will handle it.

the skimmer I have now is a reefmania ps6 skimmer with Oceanrunner pump that also has a modded extended neck for more bubble contact.
http://www.reefmania.net/products-skimmers.php

any ideas on a skimmer that will handle the 75 gal tank, 100 gal. sump, and 50 gal. fuge? then I will upgrade skimmers when I get the 180 gal.

 

[sunil6784]

Hi guys,

Great thread... I have a moderately stocked 75 with 20 gallon sump. I'd like to upgrade the Remora Pro (tea color/wet skimmate) with a new skimmer (250 dollar price range). Is there a quiet skimmer that would also work for me when I upgrade to a larger tank in the 120 - 150 gallon range? I'd love to only buy a skimmer once...

 

[mojo~]

thanks for the input. the upgrade will prob. not happen for at least 2 years. well at least to the 180 gal. however I already have the 100 gal. sump and 50 gal. fuge ready to go online but am just waiting to get a skimmer to handle the extra water flow as my skimmer I don't think will handle it.

the skimmer I have now is a reefmania ps6 skimmer with Oceanrunner pump that also has a modded extended neck for more bubble contact.
http://www.reefmania.net/products-skimmers.php

any ideas on a skimmer that will handle the 75 gal tank, 100 gal. sump, and 50 gal. fuge? then I will upgrade skimmers when I get the 180 gal.

yea reefnoob is right on target. They are too big for what you have now. MAyb teh sro 2000 is the way to go for now. Then if you upgrade later you will have a good idea if you want to go to the 3000 or not.

 

[mojo~]

Hi guys,

Great thread... I have a moderately stocked 75 with 20 gallon sump. I'd like to upgrade the Remora Pro (tea color/wet skimmate) with a new skimmer (250 dollar price range). Is there a quiet skimmer that would also work for me when I upgrade to a larger tank in the 120 - 150 gallon range? I'd love to only buy a skimmer once...

well for $250 new you are a bit limited. THe Bubble magus Nac 6 and 7, the swc 160 and the octo XS 160 would all be pretty good choices and in or around the price range you want. the octo uses a better pump than the rest. but all work well.

 

[ludiNano]

Top 5 for your setup.

ATB 1050A
SRO 3000xp
Aquamaxx am 250
MSX 250 A
Hurricone cat 1.

Did my wife PM u and tell u not to recommend the super marine 200.

JK. I feel a lot better w/ an American product. (ATB)

But which online dealer do u recommend me order from. Aquacave said they stoped carrying ATB because of "low in-stock availability on products and parts"....


Thank you again mojo.

 

[mojo~]

ATB is from Austria. They are a bit limited but parts are always on hand. Victor is great on customer service.

The Atb is one of the best out for sure.

 

[ludiNano]

Oh... guess when I saw a link for ATB USA I just assumed. Who is victor?