Skimmer Recomendation for 70gal plus system

[chrishet]

Since PA stocks most of the skimmers I have been investigating, I am curious as to a recommendation...It's nearly impossible to get an unbiased reply on the forums so I am hoping PA could add some thoughts...

I am looking for a quality skimmer that is silent...this tank will be in my office. I am having Reef Savvy tank build to my specs and it will be ready in a week or 2...I have a 22 gal sump as well. I will be stocking SPS mostly with a moderate to high level of fish.

From my reading there seems to be a lot of RO fans out there, but some complaints on the noise...Also Vertex IN line seems to be recommended by a lot. The Vertex Alpha seems to be high end, I could afford it but not sure if it is a value buy. A sump saver would be nice but not required. The skimmers I have been looking at are:

RO - Extreme XS 160 Protein Skimmer
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/CV-XS-160.html

RO - Extreme XS 200 Protein Skimmer
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/CV-XS-200.html

RO - Super Reef Octopus 1000 Internal Protein Skimmer
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/CV-SRO-1000INT.html

RO - Super Space Saver Octopus XP-1000SSS Cone Skimmer
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/CV-XP-1000SSS.html

Vertex - Gen 3 Vertex Internal Pinwheel Skimmer 180
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/VX-IN180.html

Vertex - Royal-Exclusiv Alpha 170 Cone Skimmer
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/VX-PS-A170.html

SO MANY OPTIONS! HELP!!! lol...

 

[Jeremy B.]

Hi Chris, thanks for the inquiry. For your particular size system I think the XS 200 is going to be a little too much overkill. I would personally go for something along the lines of the Vertex IN-100, SRO 1000, SRO 2000, XS 160, or possibly a BK Mini 160 if you really wanted to go high end. I'd try to stick with something that has a 6" body, no bigger.

 

[chrishet]

Hi Chris, thanks for the inquiry. For your particular size system I think the XS 200 is going to be a little too much overkill. I would personally go for something along the lines of the Vertex IN-100, SRO 1000, SRO 2000, XS 160, or possibly a BK Mini 160 if you really wanted to go high end. I'd try to stick with something that has a 6" body, no bigger.

Thx Jeremy for the reply.

I really haven't seen any RC posts that boast about the value prop the BK's or Vertex Alpha skimmers bring to the table so unless I hear of a clear reason to invest $400-$600 more I probably won't go that route.

Based on your size recommendation I have narrowed my selection down a bit to these 3 skimmers...Although I am not sure as to the major difference between the SRO-1000LS and the SRO-XP1000SSS...the SRO-1000LS appears to be a new model...

My gut tells me either of these skimmer will work for my application however SOUND is going to be a major factor in this system so if you can let me know which one is going to be quieter that would help my selection. Thx again!

Vertex IN180
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/VX-IN180.html

SRO XP-1000SSS
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/CV-XP-1000SSS.html

SRO 1000LSS
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/CV-SRO-1000LSS.html

 

[Jeremy B.]

I think noise level is going to be very similar between all of those. However, in my opinion I think that the SRO 1000 LSS (Limited Space Saver) might be the best option for you. The XP 1000 SSS has a bit smaller diameter neck, which for a light to medium bioload would work better. If it's a heavier bioload then the slightly larger diameter neck of the 1000LSS would be a benefit to you. HTH!