Skimmer selections Opinions please

[kris101]

I have a 300 DD that I am building and my Lifereef VS3-30 will not be big enough which I am very disappointed about. I like to over skim and I am not afraid to buy quality as long as it works.

I have narrowed it down to 3 skimmers but will accept and suggestions

The specs

The Tank is a 300 DD with about 340g water volume
80 gallon sump
It will be medium to heavily stocked ( have a large queen angel and a Indo Trigger that is large)

Skimmer choices
Reef Octo RPS 5000 EXT I like externals
Reef Octo Elite 220-INT
I have a Alpha 300 and I think it is a little to finicky and to big for my tank

Any input is appreceated

 

[d2mini]

Why don't you get a bigger LifeReef or add an extension?
Call and talk to Jeff!

Everybody switches from these other skimmers to LR, but nobody goes the other way. :uhoh3:

 

[kris101]

I agree Dennis. I did talk to Jeff again yesterday but the problem is I don't have the stand height to go bigger or I would. Believe me I am not happy about this, but I am out of options

 

[jrp1588]

Why don't you get a bigger LifeReef or add an extension?
Call and talk to Jeff!

Everybody switches from these other skimmers to LR, but nobody goes the other way. :uhoh3:

Fanboy alert! Not saying their skimmers aren't great, but the other skimmers listed are great too. Nothing wrong with going new tech. Call it ideological differences, but most of his website came across as "I don't trust all this new fangled stuff. I'm going to stick with what I know and am comfortable with."

Would I run one? Absolutely, but it's not at the top of my list.

 

[d2mini]

I agree Dennis. I did talk to Jeff again yesterday but the problem is I don't have the stand height to go bigger or I would. Believe me I am not happy about this, but I am out of options

Ah, darn! The old stand height issue. That's too bad.
Maybe you need two smaller ones.

Fanboy alert! Not saying their skimmers aren't great, but the other skimmers listed are great too. Nothing wrong with going new tech. Call it ideological differences, but most of his website came across as "I don't trust all this new fangled stuff. I'm going to stick with what I know and am comfortable with."

Would I run one? Absolutely, but it's not at the top of my list.

Of course I'm a fan. Anyone who has used one is. Obviously the OP is, too.
The thing about his website is it's all true, IME, whether you like the way its written or not. Other than power savings and size, there is absolutely nothing new/better with today's skimmer designs.
I'm never going back to a needle wheel/cone/space saving/proprietary pump/whatever the latest fashion trend skimmer is.

 

[jrp1588]

Unfortunately all I have to go on is reviews. I don't have the bankroll to afford trying multiple skimmers first hand. Like any niche product, the Lifereef seems to have a community of ardent fans. I tend to ignore those sorts of reviews entirely when I'm looking to buy something, and look for more moderate reviews.

The moderate reviews were along the lines of, "it's a good skimmer, but so are all these other skimmers. No better, no worse." They are certainly a viable option. I'd buy one if I found the right deal, but from my research on them, they are not THE option.

 

[jschultzbass]

I have the Reef Dynamics INS350E (internal) on my 300 and absolutely love it. They make external skimmers as well. I have never had a more consistent skimmer (previous experience with Reef Octopus SRO series). Jeff from Reef Dynamics is very knowledgeable and loves talking skimmers. Give him a call with any questions. The thing is built like a tank and right here in the USA. They are similar to Life Reef in the fact that they build a great skimmer and don't add a bunch of the "new" technology (bubble plates, DC pumps, etc) that may or may not help (they have tested these but found their current configuration still the best). I have never had a Life Reef but have heard good things about them as well. After having this RD skimmer though they have a customer for life.

 

[jschultzbass]

Skimmer Nog

Skimmer Nog

Picture of the stinky skimmer nog

 

[kris101]

Thanks jschultz! Ill check them out

 

[wildman926]

My AquaMaxx EM300 produces some nasty, stinky nog as well. LR is not the only skimmer that can do that. The LR are space and power hogs, and if you don't mind that, then they are just as good as any other skimmer..

 

[Bryopsis]

From my experiences so far, the only thing I call a requirement with another new skimmer, would be recirculation. (other than mostly flood-proof designs, collection cup drains/spillover too)

Though I can't speak to many skimmers because I have no sump and have only ever used hob skimmers, the LX2000S rocks. Bubble blaster pump inside...
In hindsight though, I would love to be able to plumb all my reactors etc, based around a recirculating skimmer so there would be one water loop to the skimmer, and everything is contained in that one water loop. (more oxygen, less detritus making it to the tank without first going through the skimmer, any problematic gasses, less bacterial mass making it to the tank from reactors/bp reactor...)

 

[d2mini]

My AquaMaxx EM300 produces some nasty, stinky nog as well. LR is not the only skimmer that can do that.

Any skimmer worth a darn can (and should) skim well. If they didn't skim, they wouldn't sell.
That's not the advantage of a LR.
But the OP knows that already.

 

[wildman926]

Any skimmer worth a darn can (and should) skim well. If they didn't skim, they wouldn't sell.
That's not the advantage of a LR.
But the OP knows that already.

Now, now don't get your LR cheerleading nickers in a bunch.... They are still a power and space hog, and if they weren't, the OP wouldn't be asking for an alternative. From reports here, they do not produce the amount of nog as compared to the water throughput, power, and space used as compared to in sump skimmers.

BTW - the airline plumbed into the collection cup is a gimmick NEEDED by a LR skimmer. Normal skimmers, when powered off to clean the cup, the water will back flush into the airlines to clear any salt buildup. Keep your maintenance up on the normal skimmers, and that airline to cup plumbing is not necessary. I found out very easily. LR skimmers do not back flush airline when powered off, and that is due to its design. :wave:

 

[kris101]

Have it narrowed to 2 skimmers

Have it narrowed to 2 skimmers

Most skimmers of quality can and do skim very well. Lifereef is a quality skimmer! its just different Tech than needle wheels, beckets or any other tech that skimmers use. Personally I have ran lifereef since 94 and its a great skimmer, but My space has limited me from getting a proper sized Lifereef for my tank. I like to over skim so the proper size would be a 48" skimmer which I have no room for.

For the record, you can run energy efficient pumps on a lifereef so that is not a concern.

I have narrowed my choices down to 2 skimmers

1st is an Alpha 300 with 2 red dragon pumps- Its a beast. Skim docs out fast and it does nothing until there is something to skim- not a big deal

The other is a New ReefOcto Elite 220 INT- Its rated for 530g and has a DC pump. It is actually a very well built Skimmer with higher quality Material that typical Reefocto's have. looks like a Alpha.
Still a very nice skimmer

 

[viggen]

Since you already have the apha 300 why not just use that? It's a well built and designed skimmer from what most owners state.

In regards to the octopus elite - my take is that it would not be able keep up with the bio load on your tank and is probably better off on a 200g lightly loaded tank. The body is only 9in at its base and is only 24in tall..... Comparing that to other skimmers imdoubt it would work well on a 300g let alone on a 540g that they rate it at and stay ahead of the bio load. If you compare the elite 220 to other similarly sized and better quality skimmers... 150-200g is probably the size tank that it should be on. It's somewhere between the new cheaper vertex 170 and 200 model. The vertex vx 300 is rated up to 300g and is larger vs the elite220

If you are willing to pay for quality I would consider a quality brand and not a company that throws gimmicks and gadgets to improve sales.

 

[kris101]

Alpha vs Elite

Alpha vs Elite

I do like the alpha. I have to say that this Elite is impressive

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[kris101]

Viggen
This skimmer come with a DC pump so maybe that is how they are rating it so high.

I think ratings are guesses anyway. don't put much stock in them

 

[azjohnny]

I am with Viggen, go with what you have 1st. I am not sold on DC pumps especially for a skimmer

Like d2mini I will never go back to a pinwheel pump. If I ever go to a different skimmer it would be an MTC or MRC

How much space do you have in your sump?

 

[kris101]

Its a 80 gallon sump 4 x 24 x 16

 

[d2mini]

Now, now don't get your LR cheerleading nickers in a bunch.... They are still a power and space hog, and if they weren't, the OP wouldn't be asking for an alternative. From reports here, they do not produce the amount of nog as compared to the water throughput, power, and space used as compared to in sump skimmers.

BTW - the airline plumbed into the collection cup is a gimmick NEEDED by a LR skimmer. Normal skimmers, when powered off to clean the cup, the water will back flush into the airlines to clear any salt buildup. Keep your maintenance up on the normal skimmers, and that airline to cup plumbing is not necessary. I found out very easily. LR skimmers do not back flush airline when powered off, and that is due to its design. :wave:

Nothing is in a bunch, I'm just letting you know that the skim mate production isn't the usual reason people switch to LR.

BTW the airline is to let moist air into the venturi to prevent salt build up which has been an issue with some other VENTURI driven skimmers. So you get the benefits of a venturi skimmer without the hassles. Your skimmer isn't venturi driven, so of course you do not need this feature.