Where did you get the skimmer from? Fish Street? How is it on noise? I am going to be building a 200-250 gallon system shortly and finding a skimmer which is reasonably priced is rather hard.
Skimmer Q&A Thread
- Thread starter mojo~
- Start date
Where did you get the skimmer from? Fish Street? How is it on noise? I am going to be building a 200-250 gallon system shortly and finding a skimmer which is reasonably priced is rather hard.
jason2459
Well-known member
I've been out of the skimmer market the past couple years and wouldn't mind some input on some of the newer skimmers out.
I have a spare bedroom next to my basement sump room now so noise is a factor. Its going on a 180DT with 40 breeder sump. Fairly heavy stock and nicely fed. Going to replace a sro-30000sss.
I have my eye on a couple skimmers. But main things I'm looking for is a reliable pump( have already replaced a few bubble blasters), consistent/balanced (read no periodic overflowing), and in the $400-$600 range. I don't really fancy anything controllable. Also don't want the space saver pump in body design (I'm over that).
I'm already aware of the good reviews on the aquamaxx line but open to any other plusses or negatives on them. Any other suggestions welcome like any input on the skimz oval or the reef octopus prime? Any other ~8" bodies w/ 4-5" necks with a good reliable pumps?
I have a spare bedroom next to my basement sump room now so noise is a factor. Its going on a 180DT with 40 breeder sump. Fairly heavy stock and nicely fed. Going to replace a sro-30000sss.
I have my eye on a couple skimmers. But main things I'm looking for is a reliable pump( have already replaced a few bubble blasters), consistent/balanced (read no periodic overflowing), and in the $400-$600 range. I don't really fancy anything controllable. Also don't want the space saver pump in body design (I'm over that).
I'm already aware of the good reviews on the aquamaxx line but open to any other plusses or negatives on them. Any other suggestions welcome like any input on the skimz oval or the reef octopus prime? Any other ~8" bodies w/ 4-5" necks with a good reliable pumps?
SeargentSlice
New member
I picked up the co-3 on sale for my 150 build she is a Beast. I squeezed her in the sump on my 75 to break in and this is 24hrs of operation lol
Somewhat outdated tech at this point imo. For the money you can do better elsewhere.
Internal/external?
Any heigth or other size limitations?
For me I still feel Reef Dynamics makes some of the best skimmers out there. They aren't fancy with many of the gimmicks that these new chinese skimmers have, like the pic above that shows those cone things on the bubble plate of the co-3 skimmer. But they work quite well.... depending on your tank & room his XRC1000.5 would do the trick, or the xrc2000 but again depends on budget.
I do not have $4K laying around thus a new RD isn't coming my way anytime soon. I believe Life Reef and a few others get great comments from owners.
Any heigth or other size limitations?
For me I still feel Reef Dynamics makes some of the best skimmers out there. They aren't fancy with many of the gimmicks that these new chinese skimmers have, like the pic above that shows those cone things on the bubble plate of the co-3 skimmer. But they work quite well.... depending on your tank & room his XRC1000.5 would do the trick, or the xrc2000 but again depends on budget.
I do not have $4K laying around thus a new RD isn't coming my way anytime soon. I believe Life Reef and a few others get great comments from owners.
I have a 125 and am going to build a new hood and add 2 evo pwr heads and my question is this, is there an optimal placement for using a hang on type skimmer? I have no sump. Just wondering if it's better on the intake or output side of the tank? Or the center where will it do the best job? Also with the wave controller will that make a difference? Thanks
After checking out Reef Dynamics, that's what I will be getting. Looks like a quality piece of equipment. Price is a little steep, BUT I'm sure I'll be more than happy. Thanks for your input!
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Aaron - Jeff at Reef Dynamics makes great stuff. Check out his youtube video's for some of his builds.... lots of great info!!! Also be sure to check with your local fish stores, if they sell his stuff you can get a discount off his website prices
Corey - GEO if I recall is in columbus, depending on what $$ you have to work with he could make something for you. Do you want interal or external? I prefer external or at least a skimmer that is a recirc skimmer..... also your budget. Aquamaxx seems from what people state is a good entry skimmer as well as various skimmers that coral vue sells/imports.
Corey - GEO if I recall is in columbus, depending on what $$ you have to work with he could make something for you. Do you want interal or external? I prefer external or at least a skimmer that is a recirc skimmer..... also your budget. Aquamaxx seems from what people state is a good entry skimmer as well as various skimmers that coral vue sells/imports.
jason2459
Well-known member
So I've decided to go with this on my 180.
Sea Side Aquatics ES2 Protein Skimmer
http://www.saltycritter.com/protein...ics/sea-side-aquatics-es2-protein-skimmer.htm
Sale price at $379 with $0 shipping is very cheap for new which this may not be a current model but latest greatest isn't exactly what I'm looking for I just want something that works. I like that its a sicce pump for that reason too. And at that price I can deal with an internal pump. At least the body is secured together. It drives me nuts having the sro3000sss just press together and comes apart very easily.
Then I also got a quick, with in an hour, response to an email from seaside aquatics and salty critters early on a Saturday morning. I wasn't expecting any kind of reply from either of them really especially before Monday. So I felt really good about that and pulled the trigger.
Sea Side Aquatics ES2 Protein Skimmer
http://www.saltycritter.com/protein...ics/sea-side-aquatics-es2-protein-skimmer.htm
Sale price at $379 with $0 shipping is very cheap for new which this may not be a current model but latest greatest isn't exactly what I'm looking for I just want something that works. I like that its a sicce pump for that reason too. And at that price I can deal with an internal pump. At least the body is secured together. It drives me nuts having the sro3000sss just press together and comes apart very easily.
Then I also got a quick, with in an hour, response to an email from seaside aquatics and salty critters early on a Saturday morning. I wasn't expecting any kind of reply from either of them really especially before Monday. So I felt really good about that and pulled the trigger.
biecacka
Active member
I have a custom GEO beckett!!!! :bounce3::bounce3::dance: I really do like it, just trying to fine tune it and keep up with the cleaning. It makes me stay on top of tank maintainence though. GEO built my tank, calcium reactor, media reactor, and skimmer. They are all top notch. I was just kicking around the idea of something less maintanence.....we always tinker right?....
Corey
Stackemdeep
New member
I was in the same spot wanting one with a reliable pump above all else. Did some homework and determined I wanted one of the Askoll 1500 pumps. Bubble King uses them as their "Red Dragon" with a proprietary impeller. Found the SWC230 comes with the Askoll 1500 and I have had it running for a year. It is so quiet I have to open the stand and look at it to make sure it is running. One day I might buy one of those red dragon impellers for it but they sure are pricey. Paid 450.00 for skimmer NIB from an ebay reseller. Good Luck.
biecacka
Active member
Problem with anything red dragon from what I've heard is service. I have heard it sucks! I Pm'd Kluas(I think-the RE person on the forum, in November and he hasnt replied. Im sure he's busy but a month to answer a pm.....) everyone does swear by their products, but ppl want them to work due to investment in some cases. You do see them for sale, occasionally and I usually wonder why. I'm not sure what I'll do. Alpha is a good brand(some say), octopus, BK, ATB, and plenty of others. The beckett skims like no other, just takes a little work. But I also don't have it completely dialed in yet. Once I get it dialed in, Then it becomes less work.
Corey
Corey
To me that skimmer is way to small for your tank, that is if you will have much bio load. Even sea side lists it as "up to" 180g
The area above the bubble plate is tiny.....
Thunderfan
New member
I am setting up a 75g with 30g sump. I ran across a deal on a skimmer. I am new to all this so know nothing. I am learning but, there is so much to learn. The skimmer is a PRECISION MARINE RL175 SKIMMER. Is this a good brand and will it be a good size for me? It is used but is as clean as new and everything works as it should.
Thanks for any input.
Thanks for any input.
jason2459
Well-known member
The body, neck, air draw and water flow is what I was looking for. The skimmer met them. Seaside also said its rated to 300 but they recommend it ideal for around 180g. My SRO3000sss is also rated to 300 but I wouldn't run it on that size tank either and would also recommend it for around 150-220.
My biggest issue with the sro3000sss is I think it draws to much air and when trying to restrict the air it draws to much water. For some reason they made the neck on the sro3000sss smaller then they did with the 3000int/ext. Then with the pump inside and its a bit unstable at times. I was looking at those neck extenders but they made the sss an odd size and none of them fit.
I will definitely keep your post in mind though and will see how it performs. If it is lacking I'm not out to much. And really, thanks for the input.
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Completely agree on the sro, I haven't owned one just looked at numerous videos online and also use a bb5000 pump on my old skimmer. As you state the air to water ratio doesn't seem ideal. Even with the bubble plates there seems to be a lot of turbilance in their skimmers, I mostly looked at the 5000/6000/7000 line
I have always thought a big factor in skimming is dwell time. When bubble plates are used the area above that is the chamber thus even though the skimmer you are considering is listed with a 10 in base..... It's orobably 7-8 inches above the bubble plate? Maybe less?
Do keep us posted
I have always thought a big factor in skimming is dwell time. When bubble plates are used the area above that is the chamber thus even though the skimmer you are considering is listed with a 10 in base..... It's orobably 7-8 inches above the bubble plate? Maybe less?
Do keep us posted
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