Skimmer Recommendations?

[sigs4me]

I am setting up a 125g display with a 60 gallon sump. So a total of 185g. I am having a hard time choosing a skimmer. I plan on having LPS, SPS, and around 10-12 fish. So the bioload will eventually be pretty high. Please help me choose between the following.

Reef Octopus SRO3000

Reef Octopus XS200

Reef Octopus Diablo DCS200

Or is there something else you would suggest that's completely different? I'm looking to stay under $600

Thanks for your help!

 

[Speed]

I'm finishing up the exact same set up. should be putting water in it in the next 3 weeks or so.
I went with a Reef Octopus XS200 and am highly considering selling it for a Life Reef.

Life Reef's are very well reviewed here on RC. Check em out.

 

[Syntax1325]

following. I'm also looking for a skimmer, want it efficient and quiet as well.

 

[ridetheducati]

Chances are your total water volume is less that 180g. With rock and sand displacement probably 100g and 30g in sump, totally 130 -140g water volume. SRO 2000.

 

[sigs4me]

Yeah I'd say rock and sand displacement in the display will be about 15-20 gallons. The sump is 60 gal when running not total size. So about 160-170 gal total. Thanks for the input. Def something to keep in mind.

Ragga-Sounds like we're almost on the same time line. I want mine up and running Easter weekend.

 

[sigs4me]

Bump

 

[TylerHaworth]

I love my XP2000 for my total volume of ~130... I would have zero hesitation upgrading to a 3000 if I were to add 30-40 more gallons of work.

 

[d2mini]

Look into the SVS3-24 life reef.
It's $544 with the pump and you can upgrade to the larger size collection cup.

 

[Kearnel]

I use the Aquamaxx ConeS 2 on my 125 and it works great, it's quite and hasn't done me wrong. You don't hear much about them though, not sure why.

 

[sigs4me]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I've done more precise calculations and my total system water volume factoring in water displacement for sand and rocks will be 140-145 gallons. With that said would the SRO 3000int be too big? Would the SRO 2000int be a better balance and fit?

 

[ridetheducati]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I've done more precise calculations and my total system water volume factoring in water displacement for sand and rocks will be 140-145 gallons. With that said would the SRO 3000int be too big? Would the SRO 2000int be a better balance and fit?

The 3000 would work as long as you dont mind it periodically sleeping. The 3000 will do a heavy stocked 250 volume.

 

[sigs4me]

Also any comments on the Reef Octopus Diablo DCS200? There's a nice one for sale in the classifieds that I'm thinking about jumping on.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Skimmer

Skimmer

When I was looking i was impressed with Aquamaxx.

 

[spsfreak1977]

Advast cs1 thing is amazing

 

[Fishmommy]

I have Aquamaxx EM200 on my similarly sized system. Very quiet.

 

[Ryan2013]

I have a bubble magus curve 7 which is similar to the aquamaxx em series. It had a pretty strange break in period. I had to raise it about 2 inches higher than the recommended water level to keep it from overflowing. For such a small footprint and 300 bucks, I couldn't hope for anything better.

 

[hobbzz]

I would go with an ATB 840. Better than anything mentioned so far. New they're 659, so barely outside your budget, and used are usually in the 400 range.

 

[discocarp]

I love my Ocotpus SRO-2000 on a 109g with 30g sump. It is quiet, skims great, and very rarely needs fiddling with. I have a Diablo DCS-150 on my 80g. It seems great and is very quiet, but I haven't had it long enough to give a real evaluation (about a month).

 

[azjohnny]

If you go with a Reef Octopus I suggest the external models over the internal. Another good skimmer to add would be a Reef Dynamics, IMO more stable than a RO

http://www.reefdynamics.com/INS180-Protein-Skimmer-p/ins180.htm

 

[MrSkumFrog]

I purchased the DC powered DB8-I from RLSS (Reef Life Support Systems). I'm impressed with it. I have it on my 105g & Pyramid 36" Ruby Sump. The skimmer might be an overkill for my setup, but man... It's quiet and it pulls some black COFFEE colored skum out!