Skimmer .Reasons for price.

[JMorris271]

What makes the price of skimmers range from $275 to $625?
Can someone please explain what active features that are not present on the lower priced units that justify the higher price.
I understand that normally you get what you pay for. So how does this hold true for an acrylic device that is separating out broken down organics from the water?
Not all members here are engineers .No Brand names please.
Thanks for your help

 

[Adamc1303]

In general you are paying for craftsmanship, a better pump and better overall performance. However there are cheaper skimmers that perform just as well as the expensive ones. You can get a great skimmer for a lower budget these days which wasn't always the case. Some are built using cheaper quality materials so just handle it with care and maintain it well.

 

[JMorris271]

Is that to say that a given brand uses inferior craftmanship on one unit based on what the unit is priced and a higher standard on a more expensive line

 

[Potatohead]

It's like asking why a Mercedes is triple the price of a Kia

 

[chrisfont23]

Is that to say that a given brand uses inferior craftmanship on one unit based on what the unit is priced and a higher standard on a more expensive line

Agreed. I was wondering that early on. I don't see that much of a difference if the products all essentially do the same thing - all other things being equal (footprint, feeding, water flow/turnover etc). I would imagine the difference from class to class (HOB, in sump, recirc) are warranted but I am still unsure the within class differences are claimed.

 

[rtparty]

Some come with far better materials used. Better pump. Better customer service. Better warranty even.

Some are just overpriced. Everything in this hobby (and life really) is this way

 

[JMorris271]

It's like asking why a Mercedes is triple the price of a Kia

I knew that would come up. Both cars get you there.
I'm not talking about the comfort aspect or power.
I'm asking about why should someone buy a mercedes if a KIA will get them to the same place or end result. Mabe without the heated seats.

 

[Potatohead]

I knew that would come up. Both cars get you there.
I'm not talking about the comfort aspect or power.
I'm asking about why should someone buy a mercedes if a KIA will get them to the same place or end result. Mabe without the heated seats.

If you have to ask that question, just buy the cheaper car/skimmer. As you state they both do the same job.

 

[vhuang168]

The biggest difference is in the quality of the pump. There are 2 brands that have the exact same body but 2 different pumps. The one that uses a Sicce pump is about $100 more.




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[anthonys51]

the difference (like stated before) is quality of the equipment used. cheaper skimmers are made cheap, expensive ones use better parts. now some of the price is also in the name, so yes its possible to get a very good skimmer for not a lot of money. but most of the times you get what you pay for, you have to decide if the extra money is worth it. less amp pump costing more upfront, but cheaper in the long run

 

[Preble]

I go by the motto, buy what you can afford.
A cheap one is better than not having one.


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[justindinh24]

Sometime, people just buy it because of brand name and their customer service. Also depend how much you can afford to it.

 

[ssick92]

I go by the motto, buy what you can afford.
A cheap one is better than not having one.


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Agreed.

No skimmer < cheap skimmer < expensive skimmer (generally speaking)

But as to why are some are more expensive, everyone has already mentioned it. Better parts, better warranty, customer service, etc. (i.e., longevity). Cheap ones may last a year, whereas a more expensive one may last 3 or 4. Take your pick -- buy 4 cheap skimmers that keep breaking, or 1 high quality skimmer that will last.

There is obviously a limit to this thinking though. At a certain point the price is because of the brand name, but these typically already use high quality parts which is why they got their name in the first place.

 

[Potatohead]

A skimmer is one thing it doesn't make sense to not have anyway. If you want to do more water changes to make up for not having one, you're just costing yourself more in salt and eventually having a skimmer is going to pay for itself.

 

[JMorris271]

If you have to ask that question, just buy the cheaper car/skimmer. As you state they both do the same job.

That was rather presumptious.
I did not ask that question foregarding the purpose of buying a new skimmer. Just thinking about what makes one better than the other.
I am guilty of not understanding the better qualities of a skimmer but in my book, expensive does not necessarily indicate quality.

 

[thegrun]

The for sale boards are littered with cheap brand skimmers that don't turn out to be such good deals when they are sitting in your garage because they didn't perform well or broke.

 

[Potatohead]

That was rather presumptious.
I did not ask that question foregarding the purpose of buying a new skimmer. Just thinking about what makes one better than the other.
I am guilty of not understanding the better qualities of a skimmer but in my book, expensive does not necessarily indicate quality.

Alright

Most cost difference is in the pump. Obviously a nice pump is a fair bit more pricey than a cheap pump. A nice pump will be quieter, run for many years without issue (of course still needs to be cleaned) and parts are usually readily available. The rest comes down to the thickness and grade of the acrylic, whether it uses titanium or plastic screws, things of that nature. Branding is absolutely part of it but generally you are getting a better skimmer overall when you buy a top brand. Whether or not those nice upgrades here and there are worth double is obviously up to you.

 

[Mad_Reefer]

Try without a skimmer. My nitrates just went to zero on a new tank that I'm probably moving too fast with. I don't do a lot of water changes. Keep it simple.

 

[JMorris271]

Alright

Most cost difference is in the pump. Obviously a nice pump is a fair bit more pricey than a cheap pump. A nice pump will be quieter, run for many years without issue (of course still needs to be cleaned) and parts are usually readily available. The rest comes down to the thickness and grade of the acrylic, whether it uses titanium or plastic screws, things of that nature. Branding is absolutely part of it but generally you are getting a better skimmer overall when you buy a top brand. Whether or not those nice upgrades here and there are worth double is obviously up to you.

Thanks for that info. Now I know :beer:

 

[Ron Reefman]

Alright

Most cost difference is in the pump. Obviously a nice pump is a fair bit more pricey than a cheap pump. A nice pump will be quieter, run for many years without issue (of course still needs to be cleaned) and parts are usually readily available. The rest comes down to the thickness and grade of the acrylic, whether it uses titanium or plastic screws, things of that nature. Branding is absolutely part of it but generally you are getting a better skimmer overall when you buy a top brand. Whether or not those nice upgrades here and there are worth double is obviously up to you.

Most of the difference is how much profit the company making the skimmer thinks they can get. And there is nothing wrong with that. I see skimmers that look almost exactly the same where one costs $350 and the other costs $950. That's not due to the cost of the pump. If somebody wants to pay that kind of a premium for a bit better quality, a little better pump, a better warranty and better customer service, that's their right.