Skimmer Q&A Thread

[Wellcraft25]

@Wellcraft25 - Stick with a good 6" body skimmer. In my opinion you will not have enough bioload to go with an 8" body skimmer, and I think you'd get more consistent results with the 6" body. Take a look at the Vertex Omega 150, Aquamaxx CO-2, or Octopus Prime 150. All would handle your system just fine and come in at the sub $400 price tag shipped to your door.

+1 to this statement^^^^

thanks i think either of these two will fit my budget Aquamaxx CO-2, or Octopus Prime 150

I am leaning towards the aquamaxx co-2

 

[Fade2White12]

Hey all.

I'm in the market for a skimmer for my new build. DT is about 85g with around a 29g sump with the skimmer chamber about 12"x10". Tank will be a mixed reef. Aquascape is pretty minimalist with a low amount of rock. Budget is ~$400

So far, I'm between the AquaMaxx EM200, Vertex Omega 150, and the RLSS R6-I. If you have any suggestions between these, or have another suggestion, let me know! Thanks!

 

[Fade2White12]

Looks like the EM200 is on back order now for 6-8 weeks. So unless I want to wait, looks like that's out.

 

[Drae]

Jns sk2.

 

[Fade2White12]

Jns sk2.

Thanks for the recommendation, but I think the footprint is too large. From what I can find, the length with the pump is 33cm (13in). I only have about a 12"x10" area to work with. Do you have another suggestion?

 

[Drae]

Thanks for the recommendation, but I think the footprint is too large. From what I can find, the length with the pump is 33cm (13in). I only have about a 12"x10" area to work with. Do you have another suggestion?

Have a look at the sea side aquatics cs1. I will say this about the Rlss though, very balanced unit and capable of skimming your size tank without breaking a sweat. I'm just not a fan of the pumps and controller they come with. I know the first generation dc 3000 pumps were problematic and I believe they have since swapped those out and replaced them with the dc3500 but I'm not positive. The cs1 is a well banced unit with the sicce psk600 and it works well. Quiet, small footprint, and affordable @ $329.99

 

[Fade2White12]

Have a look at the sea side aquatics cs1. I will say this about the Rlss though, very balanced unit and capable of skimming your size tank without breaking a sweat. I'm just not a fan of the pumps and controller they come with. I know the first generation dc 3000 pumps were problematic and I believe they have since swapped those out and replaced them with the dc3500 but I'm not positive. The cs1 is a well banced unit with the sicce psk600 and it works well. Quiet, small footprint, and affordable @ $329.99

Thanks so much for the suggestion. I'll check them out.

Regarding the RLSS R6-I, it says it comes with a DC4000 pump. I have 0 experience with DC pumps, so I have no idea if this is a better pump than the ones you were referring to (DC3000 & 3500).

Also, JNS makes Aquamaxx, correct? Do they make an equivalent to the EM200 - and if so, would you rank that as my top option over the SSA?

 

[Drae]

Thanks so much for the suggestion. I'll check them out.

Regarding the RLSS R6-I, it says it comes with a DC4000 pump. I have 0 experience with DC pumps, so I have no idea if this is a better pump than the ones you were referring to (DC3000 & 3500).

Also, JNS makes Aquamaxx, correct? Do they make an equivalent to the EM200 - and if so, would you rank that as my top option over the SSA?

The aquamaxx em series are the best space saving skimmer out imo. I've had several. I'm not sure if jns makes the em series though. Also you are correct about jns making aquamaxx. They rebrand them aquamaxx for the US market. The seaside aquatics cs1 is neck and neck with the em200. I've had one of these also. Another option is the skimz space saver but I've heard they have issues with the impeller, a buddybof mine has one and it pulls like a tow truck but broken parts and shotty customer service has steered me away from the skimz. Marine depot gets the em series often... It never takes as long as they say either.

 

[Fade2White12]

The aquamaxx em series are the best space saving skimmer out imo. I've had several. I'm not sure if jns makes the em series though. Also you are correct about jns making aquamaxx. They rebrand them aquamaxx for the US market. The seaside aquatics cs1 is neck and neck with the em200. I've had one of these also. Another option is the skimz space saver but I've heard they have issues with the impeller, a buddybof mine has one and it pulls like a tow truck but broken parts and shotty customer service has steered me away from the skimz. Marine depot gets the em series often... It never takes as long as they say either.

If Aquamaxx is the best for the price, maybe I should go ahead and just order the EM200 hoping it will come in earlier. The tank is new and isn't even wet yet (hopefully this weekend), so I still have a long cycle to go before it'll even be in use.

Thanks again for all the help. If I have any other questions, I know where to find ya.

 

[pcriv3833]

I hope some one is still monitoring and answering questions on this thread.
I have a 260 gal tank with 50 gal in a sump/refugium that has a ASM G4 skimmer with the sedra 5000 pump. My pump died and I'm using and old G3 to get buy until I either get a new sedra 5000 or upgrade my in sump skimmer. I thinking of a Bubble Magus NAC66 as a possible replacement, or maybe just get a Sedra 9000 to replace the burned out 5000. Any suggestions? Please?

 

[pcriv3833]

Sorry. I mis-spoke. The 5000 pump was on the G3. I'm using a G2 as a backup. I do not have a G4 at all.

 

[pdiehm]

Hoping to pick up a skimmer on Black Friday.

System Specs:

120 gallons
40 gallon breeder
Beginner corals, and mdeium to heavy stocking

Was looking at the Bubble Magus 180 Hero, but was told that it's difficult to tune, and the pump isn't all that efficient without modification.

Was looking at the Tunze 9410, be was told that even though it's rated up to 264 gallons, it's better for 100 gallon systems or less.

So I'm back to square one. Looking for a skimmer to handle the heavy bioload, but also very quiet. Where the tank will be, quiet is a must.

 

[azjohnny]

Hoping to pick up a skimmer on Black Friday.

System Specs:

120 gallons
40 gallon breeder
Beginner corals, and mdeium to heavy stocking

Was looking at the Bubble Magus 180 Hero, but was told that it's difficult to tune, and the pump isn't all that efficient without modification.

Was looking at the Tunze 9410, be was told that even though it's rated up to 264 gallons, it's better for 100 gallon systems or less.

So I'm back to square one. Looking for a skimmer to handle the heavy bioload, but also very quiet. Where the tank will be, quiet is a must.

Usually a skimmers ratings are for a very light bioload

What is your budget?

 

[pdiehm]

Usually a skimmers ratings are for a very light bioload

What is your budget?

300-350...trying to stay closer to 300 than 350

I've also read some very good things regarding the Aquamaxx EM200.

 

[ksed]

That's a great skimmer. i have the EM300 and love it.

 

[pdiehm]

the question I have about the EM200 is if it woudl be overkill for a 120.

 

[wcharon]

I have one in my 125 with 30 gal. sump and this guy is a CHAMP..

 

[pdiehm]

The more I read on the aquamaxx em200, the more I am leaning to getting it.

 

[ksed]

I have the EM 300 on a 120 and skims great. No worries on the 200.

 

[s2nhle]

Hi, I am about to purchase a vertex omega 180i. Does anyone have experience on this particular skimmer? how does it perform? any pros and cons? Thank you very much in advance.