Skimmer suggestions?

[ahullsb]

I have a 55 gallon but eventually will upgrade to a 180. I know it's a big jump but is there a skimmer that won't be overkill now and be able to skim the 180? Is it worth spending 300-400 on a skimmer or do the DIY skimmers I've seen work well too? Right now I have a coralife 65 skimmer and I'm realizing that my bio-load is too heavy for it. Any suggestions?

 

[dieselgrk]

octopus skimmer nw-200 is my suggestion......

 

[pv1191]

I have a Euro Reef for my 80+g. Pricy but WELL worth it! Its rated for a 150g. I have a Red Sea Berlin Turbo on my 50g that is rated at 250g and it cannot hold a candle to the Euro Reef! Wanna buy a Red Sea berlin? It will be FS soon!

 

[pbetito]

I have one of the MARS DIY skimmer that works like a charm but is too tall for me. Brian Prestwood and others use it for their reefs and it handles that load easily. I will let it go for the price of the parts to make it.

Paul

 

[matttaylor]

My suggestion is the aquac remora pro i have sitting in my garage. $50 and includes the mag3 pump. Good for the 50, but a little under powered for the 180.

 

[eagleONE]

I have a ER and I love it. =)

 

[fishsoldseprtly]

I think a skimmer is worth spending on

 

[Pico1]

I cleaned out the neck of my euro reef today and there was sludge as thick as toothpaste. I highly reccomend euro reefs.

 

[brianbigoats]

I love my BM 200 great skimmer
might look into a BM 200 or BM 160

 

[Jim_S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10237772#post10237772 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishsoldseprtly
I think a skimmer is worth spending on

Couldn't agree more :thumbsup:

If you have the money, brands like H&S, Deltec and euro-reef (RC models) are ALL a sure bet.... If you have the money.....

The octopus line is a step down in stock performance, but others have great sucess with minor modifications to the pumps and a price that is impossible to beat (for what you get).

I'd stay FAR away from anything that is hang-on the back......

Mainly look into pinwheel or needle wheel skimmers for a tank your size.

Just my opinion

Jim

 

[fishsoldseprtly]

my H&S collection cup is full within 1-2 days after cleaning, now thats performance!

 

[Eclectic Taste]

No specific recommendation, but to go from 55 -> 180 is asking a lot of any piece of equipment. You'd be better off with buying a skimmer for the 55 & selling it when you get the 180, or buying a second skimmer. I don't know of anyone using 2 skimmers on a single tank, but I don't see why that wouldn't work.

 

[Jim_S]

Yeah, Eclectic Taste is right. Thats a big jump.

I'd buy one that you want now, and upgrade later when you get the 180.

The reason is that in my experience, grossly oversized skimmers don't perform well due to a lack of dissolved organic compounds in the water.

You also may want to look into DAS skimmers. They are an older style skimmer licensed from deltec. http://stores.petorama.net/Categories.bok?category=Aquarium+Supplies:Pumps/Filters:Filters

Jim

 

[Fragmented]

I have a PM Bullet 2. A good skimmer makes a huge difference. Well worth the investment.

 

[shiveley]

i kinda like the ETSS Reef Devil Deluxe.
the Pro Clear Aquatics Impact 200 is a great unit for the price as well.

you can get the economy version of the Euro-Reef, the RS-8-0, for a good price as well.

 

[ahullsb]

I'll take all that into consideration. Thanks guys. pv1191 how much are you selling the red sea for? pbetito how tall is the dyi skimmer? And does that aqua remora skim better than my coralife skimmer? If thats the case then 50 bucks seems like a great deal!