Study of Skimmers!!! Lets Discuss!!!

[lukinrats]

Ok... I have been doing nothing but studying protien skimmers the past couple of weeks... I am waiting on someone to build me a custom sump ( not having much luck in finding someone to do this!!!!!!!!!!!), and I find myself with so much extra time to critique the skimmer selection!

Now... I have narrowed (and I use this term loosely) it down to several choices... If you folks can kindly give me any experience that might help me put one of these over the top, I would greatly appreciate it

Here are my choices in no particular order ( I am open to any of them)

1. Aqua- C ( i really like the design of these ) COMPACT!!!
2. Precision Marine (seem to be similar to the AquaC )
3. Euro Reef (it seems that the PINWHEEL is the way to go)
4. Tunze????????????
5. ASM/ Octopus Rec. (I had almost decided to go with this)


Ok please help. I stumbled across the thread for the CSS skimmers and ended up buying one, but now that I have time on my hands I may send it back after reading reviews on these others... I hope this turns into a great discussion about each one of these skimmers because as far as I can tell they are the ones to choose from. I only want to discuss this in one place so that maybe we dont have to search around each thread so much!!


Thanks in Advance!!!!!!!,

 

[lukinrats]

OOPs!!! The thread title was supposed to be

Study of Skimmers!!!!!!!!

Lol

 

[shyland83]

I have an ASM G3. I have no experience with any of the others, but the general consensus is the asm is only good if it's modded. I did the meshwheel mod and the recirc mod and it's works great. If money isn't a factor i would go for one of the others but it is a cost effective alternative if you don't mind doing the mods

 

[lukinrats]

Thanks shyland83.. This is exactly what i am hoping for.. The experience with these skimmers is what matters the most.

the upsides and downsides to each one that people use is what i consider the most helpful.

I really appreciate that info.. this Forum is great!!!!!!!!

 

[lukinrats]

Also I am wondering if I can Get an Aqua C , and change the pump to a needle wheel or Maybe even a Euro Reef modified Pinwheel ( if i could come up with one)

If anyone has info about that it would be beneficial

 

[BryanJ]

I have the euroreef 8-1 it is ok I am a little disappointed in it after all the hype a few years back. I am impressed with my aquamedic turbofloater multi. I have ran into several people who think Tunze is the best even though it is not the most popular brand. ASM users seem to be happy as well. Several people in my reef club have them and like them. Most people I know that have Aqua c are not happy with them. Hope this helps.

 

[luke33]

lukinrats, there are so many good skimmers out there these days its tough to say whats the best. IMO what works for each individual is the best. You have to look at more than just a brand, think about how large your system is going to be, how large a footprint you will be able to house as well as height, is this going to be a fowlr, semi reef, full blown reef. What size tank, are you looking to upgrade in the future. All these are just SOME of the components to look at.

 

[luke33]

Also, what kind of price can you afford. There are becketts, NW's, venturi's, air stone driven along with others that you can pic from. Is electric cost an issue? Some more food for thought.

 

[kodyboy]

luke is right, lots of variables to consider.
For my 2 cents here is what I have experienced:

Tunze 9010: awesome skimmer, small, quiet easy to use, pulls out lots of skimmate. No mods, other than a different collecting cup or a cup/drain tube addition.

D&D marine typhoon: a really good (and really) inexpensive HOB skimmer. I am looking at two mods for this one: a gate valve and a T or some such addition to stop siphon problems with the skimmate drain line. I think simply drilling a hole might work fine.

ASM G3: great skimmer! not well built, but easy to use and it pulls out lots of gunk. The mesh-mod really increases perfomance and a gate valve is useful, but not neccessary. Never tried the recirc mod. I do like the locking top though, euroreefs and others are not attached and fall off when cleaning the collecting cup, and entrance into the skimmer body is easy too.

odyssea PS160: a decent skimmer, not badly built, works well out of the box. Have not tried to mod it.

saphire nano 12: not too bad for a tiny unit, but finicky and the pump is not the best. For a nano skimmer it is a decent unit, and it is built well.

rio nano skimmer: a better skilter........not really great

skilter: crap

seaclone: better than a skilter, but not by much.

visitherm skimmer: crap, even worse than a skilter, if you can beleive it

Internal airstone skimmers: Lees and Sanders: they work, but are a PINTA to deal with. I am glad airstones are a thing of the past for me.

 

[supertech3]

I run a remora pro w/mag and it is an alright skimmer nothing to brag about but have had thoughts of going with a tunze or deltec but am hesitant due to the fact, will I see an improvement that justifies buying a new skimmer

 

[lukinrats]

Man!!!! This is working out really well! I really expected this thread to get lost in the shuffle real quick.

Ok... I am going to try to ask and Answer some questions

#1--- Bryan J--- Thanks for the input, but why are you not happy with the Euro reef (Elaborate a little) , also the people that dont like the Aqua C... What are some of the complaints? thanks for the input!

#2---Luke--- I understand that the Brand makes not a difference in world really... as I mentioned I have been studying, and thinking a lot about my skimmer options.... the ones that I picked were based solely on this... I intend to have a full reef... My tank is a 90 gallon tall, and the sump that I plan to build is going to be around 25 gallons w. skimmer section---> return section----->small fuge... I may upgrade one day (not sure) and this is the reason that i liked the Aqua C ... it seems that you can get a larger skimmer and still keep a smaller foot print than with some of the others... and finally I just decided that since IMO the skimmer is the MOST imp. Accessory that i would just spend whatever I need to.! Thanks for the input

#3---Kody--- Great list man!!! but which skimmer do you use (curious)

 

[lukinrats]

also the Aqua C that i am wanting to go with is NOT the Remora HOB.... I want one of the sump models that kind of resemble the precision marine bullets

 

[jbeltmann]

Hey lukinrats, did you ever check out melevsreef about your sump intentions? You should really check it out if you haven't yet. He is also a member on this forum too. Very knowledgable and would probably help you out if you get stuck somewhere in your build.

 

[lukinrats]

Thanks Jbelt, but the thing is this... I have been studying that site for the past 3 weeks... IT IS GREAT BTW!!!... that guy really knows his S(*&... I however dont, and i dont have any of the tools or acrylic, etc, and i figure by the time i get geard up for all that i could just pay someone to do one for me... I sent MELEV some emails because it says on his site that he still builds and ships them, but i think he is very busy with his sumps, site and whatnot... so i am really just trying to find someone who is set up and wants to make a few extra bucks... See i am an oilfield worker, and do not have time for hobbies like that... My tank is all that i can manage... I wish i could do a sump like MELEV and get the satisfaction of it, but i would probably just screw it up in the end

thanks,

 

[BryanJ]

my turbofloater pulls more gunk period. no matter what system I put it on then the euroreef. for the price euroreef charges it should out perform the turbofloater hands down. As far as the aqua c complaints same thing for what they payed they feel it should produce more skimmate.

 

[jbeltmann]

Lukinrats, I understand the whole time thing and you guys work very hard. If you could get your hands on a tablesaw through someone you know that would be all you really need toolwise. If you aren't really comfortable at first start with some small samples so if you screw up its nothing to get burnt up about. On the other hand if money isn't an issue just go to a local acrylic or plastic place and I'm sure they could build you one or know someone who could.

 

[lukinrats]

I might try that J... I live in rural Mississippi tho... dont know if I have ever seen a shop like that... i will check into it though.. thanks,

 

[lukinrats]

However money IS NOT an issue... that is why I tried MELEV first... Then when I could not get him i thought surely i can come across someone willing on RC... so far tho it seems that I cant!

 

[Jim_S]

Bryan, what pump are you running on the ER?

the older models had weak pumps on the 8" skimmers.

The new pumps will out perform the turbofloater, hands down.

ER no longer uses those pumps on their 8" bodied skimmers, and the performance is night and day.

Jim

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9773052#post9773052 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shyland83
I have an ASM G3. ...f money isn't a factor i would go for one of the others but it is a cost effective alternative if you don't mind doing the mods

Considering that the G3 is $12 less than the ER RS135, I'd say the last thing the G3 is, is cost effective.