Skimmer Q&A Thread
- Thread starter mojo~
- Start date
Thanks Shred5 for your advice. After lots of back and forth, I ordered a Deltec 1351 from Adam of Battlecorals and feel pretty confident that this one will work. Installed it today so obviously, it's not tuned in yet, but I have great expectations. FWIW, Adam had some very nice things to say about you.
Mike
I currently have a 65 Gallon Display with 20 gallon sump, not large bioload. I have a Reef Dynamics INS 80 skimmer that the pump has taken a dump. Not sure if I should find a different pump to replace or get a new unit. If I get a new unit was debating between Reef Octopus Classic 110 or SKIMZ SN123 MONZTER MINI PROTEIN SKIMMER. Sny suggestions appreciated.
I can't comment on the SKIMZ skimmer, but I'd strongly recommend you NOT consider the Reef Octopus Classic 110. I recently ordered one for my 75, and it came without one (I thought) essential part.
I contacted the mfr's rep for a replacement and was told I was required to complete a ticket, provide proof of purchase, and a parts list for the skimmer showing the part that was missing before they would even consider sending me the missing part.
When the part finally arrived, and I tried to assemble the skimmer, I discovered that MORE essential parts were missing. Have you ever ordered a $200 product and found that 3 or 4 essential parts are missing? I haven't. I lost all confidence in the product and the mfr.
When I tried to return the product, the mfr's rep refused, but the retailer (Marine Depot) took it back for a store credit. The best skimmer I have ever used is an SRO 3000INT, but I will definitely not be considering RO or SRO products for some time to come.
Mike
shred5
Premium Member
What size tank?
shred5
Premium Member
They use Sicce pumps so they should be reliable and perform pretty well.. I have not tried one or seen one working. I would actually like to get my hands on one or at least see in action..
They look nice...
shred5
Premium Member
shred5
Premium Member
Your current skimmer is old but it is a nice skimmer if it has worked for you and you can find a pump why not. The old Euroreef and Reef Dynamics skimmers still hold up. Was that a Sendra pump on there?
Not into mini skimmers, they always disappoint.. You really need decent contact time and honestly in smaller tank I think it is even more important. Skimz is a decent brand though and well designed..
For tank under 75 gallons I like either the Aquamaxx CO-1 or the RLSS-db5i.
The RLSS mounts the pump so that it increases contact time over other space saving skimmers. The RLSS skimmer has been hard to get but now Coralvue is the distributor so they should bed readily available soon..
CO-1 is a cheap skimmer cheaply built but performs very well for it size.
For the RO skimmer I do not know much about that skimmer, they just keep releasing so many models it gets hard to keep up. I been hearing complaints on some of the models and other work perfectly.
There are other good skimmers out there for that size too..
Hello,
I am currently looking for a skimmer for a 40 gallon frag tank with a 20 gallon long sump. I'll have about 7 inches of water in the skimmer compartment so I need to find a skimmer that will operate in that much water. I've been looking at the Skimz 123 d-series but would like feedback or suggestions on that skimmer or anything else that would work.
I am currently looking for a skimmer for a 40 gallon frag tank with a 20 gallon long sump. I'll have about 7 inches of water in the skimmer compartment so I need to find a skimmer that will operate in that much water. I've been looking at the Skimz 123 d-series but would like feedback or suggestions on that skimmer or anything else that would work.
Pablos RSM 450
New member
You must have dealt with Carlos. The issue with Reef Octopus/Coralvue is that they do not allow the retailer in my case also Marine Depot to give a refund unless you open a ticket and take pictures/video to send them while they (Carlos) reply with an attitude. If you have any doubts look up Coralvue in the BBB. Other companies send you the parts no questions, pictures, and or videos requested. Red sea sends items no questions asked just email that is why I am a very happy customer. It is better to consider products that the retailer can handle without the manufacturer interfering. Best bet is to call Marine Depot, BRS, Salty Suply etc. and ask. BEST skimmer i have ever owned is the RLSS R6i but now that coralvue has taken over distribution of RLSS I expect there to be many customer support issues. Im lucky I got mine at Salty Supply.
jason2459
Well-known member
I've had a different experience with coralvue. Any problems I've ever had I do get asked questions to make sure there really is a problem with the equipment which if they don't and there is some other issue you will just have the same issues over and over again. I've never been required to send pictures. I have had to provide proof of purchase but that's a totally understandable request.
Any place that provides warranty for a product that sells through a retail outlet will require that. If you go directly back to the retailer they don't usually require that proof as its already in their system.
Coralvue gets a lot of heat for issues usually related to the products they are distributors for. Reef Octopus have never been a high quality product. People now a days seem to forget they were the original Chinese knock off kings before Jabeo. Maxspect, still cheap Chinese products but at least coming out with the new products that are being copied.
Elos and giessmann was a good move to get into some quality products. RLSS has some cool R&D and not just a copycat company so I think another good move on their part. Along with resurrecting icecap.
Any place that provides warranty for a product that sells through a retail outlet will require that. If you go directly back to the retailer they don't usually require that proof as its already in their system.
Coralvue gets a lot of heat for issues usually related to the products they are distributors for. Reef Octopus have never been a high quality product. People now a days seem to forget they were the original Chinese knock off kings before Jabeo. Maxspect, still cheap Chinese products but at least coming out with the new products that are being copied.
Elos and giessmann was a good move to get into some quality products. RLSS has some cool R&D and not just a copycat company so I think another good move on their part. Along with resurrecting icecap.
scott11
New member
Skimmer Q&A Thread
Need to upgrade my skimmer. Have a sca 302, and looking for something better. Have a 90 gallon, about 10 gallons in sump, so total volume is probably less than 90. Very heavy stocked. SPS.
What are my best options, high end ? and best lower cost?
Space is tight, so just going big isn't an option.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Need to upgrade my skimmer. Have a sca 302, and looking for something better. Have a 90 gallon, about 10 gallons in sump, so total volume is probably less than 90. Very heavy stocked. SPS.
What are my best options, high end ? and best lower cost?
Space is tight, so just going big isn't an option.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
shred5
Premium Member
That does not sound like Carlos to me, He has always taken care of any problem I have had. Carlos is a good guy and rather well known in the hobby. He used to be a moderator on Reefcentral. I also have had no issues with Coralvue.
I agree RLSS R6-I is a great skimmer though. But guess who now has the RLSS line? Coralvue.
shred5
Premium Member
Best low priced skimmer for that size if you can get it would be the RLSS R6-I or db6i if you can find it. RLSS skimmers are a little hard to get while they switch to Coralvue.
Best higher priced skimmer would be the Mini Bubble King 160
I used a ATB 840 v2.0 Protein Skimmer on a 90 and it skims the best I have ever seen a skimmer do.. It is a high end skimmer but not as high end as Bubble King mainly because they do not use as good as pumps, if you want something that is not as high priced. You can get this in a DC version or with a Sicce pump.. Sicce are very reliable and the DC pump will give you more control and is very quiet but a DC pump is not as reliable.
Last edited:
YES! Thank you for hitting the nail on the head. Marine Depot did me right. Coral Vue treated me like someone who was trying to scam a $1 part from them. No apology for failing to include the parts in the package. Insulting feedback when I tried to complain about response to my request for missing part. When I discovered that even more parts were missing from package, they refused to refund purchase of product that was delivered in UNUSABLE condition. Marine Depot, however, gave me store credit.
So congrats to Coral Vue, you made sure you were not scammed out of $3 worth of parts that your mfr. negligently failed to include in package, and soured one of your biggest fans for life. You win!
Mike
Last edited:
Glad to see you're still around, hope all is well!
shred5
Premium Member
Similar threads
