Skimmer Q&A Thread

[bprinehart]

I have a 45 Gallon Cube, and a rubbermaid 100 Gallon stock tank sump. Total system volume is approximately 100 gallons. I'm leaning towards the SRO 1000 or the SWC Xtreme 160 Cone. Anyone see any significant advantages of one over the other? If it were your money which would you go with?

 

[freeswimmingfis]

The swc 160 cone is really about the best for the space you have.

Thank you.
I will take a close look at the swc 160 cone.

 

[msayani2]

Hey mojo,

I'm planning on a new reef aquarium with ~150 gallon display tank and a 30 gallon sump. The tank will host couple of LPS and a few SPS corals along with 12-15 small fish (2" length) and 4 large ones (4" long tangs). Im guessing this is a low-med bioload.

For this setup, I have looked through the forums and your recommendations and have shortlisted my skimmer choices to the following. Keep in mind that I do not plan to upgrade for another 4-5 years.

1. ATB 840 V2
2. ATB elegance 200 PRO
3. ATB 1050A v1.5
4. BK mini 180 gen 2
5. BK mini 200 gen 2

The most important thing for the skimmer is to be built well, perform consistently with the least tinkering possible , set it and forget it type skimmer that is sized appropriately for my setup. It must have a great track record and reliability. I plan to buy this one skimmer and keep it for a while.

In your honest opinion, based on the above information, what is the best product to go for?

If there is some other product you recommend over the above, do let me know

 

[msayani2]

Hey mojo,

I'm planning on a new reef aquarium with ~150 gallon display tank and a 30 gallon sump. The tank will host couple of LPS and a few SPS corals along with 12-15 small fish (2" length) and 4 large ones (4" long tangs). Im guessing this is a low-med bioload.

For this setup, I have looked through the forums and your recommendations and have shortlisted my skimmer choices to the following. Keep in mind that I do not plan to upgrade my tank for another 4-5 years.

1. ATB 840 V2
2. ATB elegance 200 PRO
3. ATB 1050A v1.5
4. BK mini 180 gen 2
5. BK mini 200 gen 2

The most important aspects for the skimmer is to be built well, perform consistently with the least tinkering possible , set it and forget it type skimmer that is sized appropriately for my setup. It must have a great track record and reliability. I plan to buy this one skimmer and keep it for a while.

In your honest opinion, based on the above information, what is the best product to go for?

If there is some other product you recommend over the above, do let me know

 

[msayani2]

So after doing some searching im also considering the deluxe 8.5 from ATB.

At the same time im probably gonna be sticking to atb over BK due to the pump issues with BK red dragon and acquiring a new one if required might be problematic.

Side note : BTW, is this a replacement pump for the BK mini skimmers ? -

Royal Exclusiv Mini Red Dragon Pump 2,5 m³

there is a 3,5m³ version also at reefdepot.com.sg

 

[freeswimmingfis]

Hey Mojo,
There is someone from my local club that has a Deltec APF600 Skimmer for a decent price.
Is this a good skimmer? Will it fit in the 7 x 9 space I have? Is it equal or better than the swc 160 cone you recomended earlier? They are about the same price.
Thanks

Hello.
The pump (20 year old Little Giant) for my PM Bullet 2 skimmer just died.
Instead of relacing the pump, I might just get a new in sump skimmer.
I have about 7 x 9 footprint, and about $300 to spend.
What would be a good option for my $300 budget?
The tank is a light/med stocked 90 gal, about 25 gal in the sump.
Thanks

 

[msayani2]

Bump.

 

[freeswimmingfis]

Hey Mojo,
There is someone from my local club that has a Deltec APF600 Skimmer for a decent price.
Is this a good skimmer? Will it fit in the 7 x 9 space I have? Is it equal or better than the swc 160 cone you recomended earlier? They are about the same price.
Thanks

OK, so the Deltec will not fit with out cutting the plate...
So, now I am down to these:
SWC 1600 extreme cone
Reef Octopus Diablo Cone Skimmer
Super Reef Octopus XP1000 Space Saver

All of these are in the $300 range and should fit due to not having a plate.
I am leaning towards the DIABLO 2500 at this time.
Thoughts?

 

[mojo~]

Hello All! Got a skimmer question. I have around 120g total volume, mixed but more sps, will end up a medium to heavy stock tank. Looking for a good in sump skimmer in the $300 to $400 range. I am leaning toward the:

• SWC Xtreme 180 cone
• Seaside Aquatics CS2
• Skimz SK201
• SRO ?

It seems like the better pumps are in the CS2 and SWC and the price is better, I prefer a cone skimmer I had a ATB medium years ago and it was the best skimmer i have seen. The SWC is only a little more $ and pulls more air so it seems like a better setup. I also saw the SRO cone units not sure which one of those would work. Any recommendations?

Rich

The sea side aquatics CS2 or the SRO 2000. Those are going to be thebest performers for the money for you.

 

[mojo~]

I have a 45 Gallon Cube, and a rubbermaid 100 Gallon stock tank sump. Total system volume is approximately 100 gallons. I'm leaning towards the SRO 1000 or the SWC Xtreme 160 Cone. Anyone see any significant advantages of one over the other? If it were your money which would you go with?

How about the seaside CS1? Both of what you picked are good but the Psk600 pump in the sea side is a better pump than the atman. The sro1000 would be work well.

 

[mojo~]

Hey mojo,

I'm planning on a new reef aquarium with ~150 gallon display tank and a 30 gallon sump. The tank will host couple of LPS and a few SPS corals along with 12-15 small fish (2" length) and 4 large ones (4" long tangs). Im guessing this is a low-med bioload.

For this setup, I have looked through the forums and your recommendations and have shortlisted my skimmer choices to the following. Keep in mind that I do not plan to upgrade for another 4-5 years.

1. ATB 840 V2
2. ATB elegance 200 PRO
3. ATB 1050A v1.5
4. BK mini 180 gen 2
5. BK mini 200 gen 2

The most important thing for the skimmer is to be built well, perform consistently with the least tinkering possible , set it and forget it type skimmer that is sized appropriately for my setup. It must have a great track record and reliability. I plan to buy this one skimmer and keep it for a while.

In your honest opinion, based on the above information, what is the best product to go for?

If there is some other product you recommend over the above, do let me know

You are borderline really. With the 30g sump you may be better off with a mini. I would say the 840 would do well but with the big tangs in there I would step up to the 1050a. But it would take up a good part of your sump. The bk mini 180 gen 2 would do really well. I think the 200's larger neck on your tank may be a little too large for constant performance. with that said I would lean towards the bk mini 180 gen 2. For performance ,ease, and room left in sump. If you jumped up to like a 180 I would go with the 1050a.

 

[mojo~]

So after doing some searching im also considering the deluxe 8.5 from ATB.

At the same time im probably gonna be sticking to atb over BK due to the pump issues with BK red dragon and acquiring a new one if required might be problematic.

Side note : BTW, is this a replacement pump for the BK mini skimmers ? -

Royal Exclusiv Mini Red Dragon Pump 2,5 m³

there is a 3,5m³ version also at reefdepot.com.sg

The bk red dragon pump is the same as the atb 1050a motor block.

They both use an askoll/ laguana 1500 motor block. You can buy the pumps for about $150. Then put your machined parts off your old pump on it.

the difference between a red dragon pump and a laguana 1500 is a sticker and shorter power cord for the most part...

 

[mojo~]

OK, so the Deltec will not fit with out cutting the plate...
So, now I am down to these:
SWC 1600 extreme cone
Reef Octopus Diablo Cone Skimmer
Super Reef Octopus XP1000 Space Saver

All of these are in the $300 range and should fit due to not having a plate.
I am leaning towards the DIABLO 2500 at this time.
Thoughts?

the diablo uses a psk 2500 pump. the others listed use a better pump. I would go with the sro 1000 or the swc 160. Both are nice enough skimmers.

 

[msayani2]

So from what I understand:

1. The ATB 840 v2 may not be able to handle my tank (its small for it)

2. The ATB 1050A would be better but it is suited for a tank larger than the one I plan to build and only consider if i am considering a 180g instead of 150g.

3. The Mini 180 would be a perfect fit for the bioload and has a small footprint.

Just want to make sure I get what you want to say.

Thanks for the help.

 

[msayani2]

Also, about the laguna/askoll pump replacing an RD pump on the mini 180:

If I put my RD machined volute and needlewheel impeller on the askoll, its basically the same pump. However, would the power consumption be the same too? As I understand the RD is modified for low power consumption. Is that how they achieve it?

 

[mojo~]

pwer will be the same after you put the volute nad venturi on it. same pump with a longer cord and no sticker. its like gmc and chevy trucks. Same but different.

 

[*reefermadness*]

I'm thinking about getting an Eshopps S-120 economy cone skimmer. Any and all opinions are appreciated. I am basically looking for the best skimmer for my buck. My tank is a 30 long with a large bioload of sps, lps, and nps.

 

[msayani2]

Thanks, Mojo. I'm buying the Mini 180.

Keep up the good work on this thread, skimmer reviews and more!

 

[leekevin]

mojo i have a 90 g display and a40g sump how much flow through the sump to match my swc 160 skimmer :hmm4:

 

[mojo~]

I'm thinking about getting an Eshopps S-120 economy cone skimmer. Any and all opinions are appreciated. I am basically looking for the best skimmer for my buck. My tank is a 30 long with a large bioload of sps, lps, and nps.

Yea the small cone would do fine, the NAC 3.5, swc 120 and tunze 9002 would all do well.