Today getting a P.skimmer any tips...

[King Ron]

its at a LFS corallife or inst ocean. both have small footprints both no airstone. in sump and HOB.not adding more LR i have some just for looks. have bio balls. waiting for tank to mature . i test all my levels so far so good. i ll ask peeps at LFS if both are near 270gph. i wanna make the PS do its wrk . so i added a powerhead M.land 1200 for flow as i will slow the return of my rio 2100. i am still a newbie lol let tha posting begin !!!

 

[glenns]

If it is a SeaClone, run for the exit. I have no experience with the other, but if it is the one I think it is, it requires constant adjustments to keep it dialed in.

 

[chimmike]

don't buy from your LFS. spend some time doing research on here and on the net and you'll find better ones for the same price or less.

 

[Zebodog]

Coralife will do well in a sump with contant water levels.

If your plan is to run it HOB, you'll need to pick up a mop and some buckets to clean up after the flood. I ran a CSS125 HOB for a little less than a year and found that every 2-3 months it would overflow and dump a few gallons of water on the floor; they do not tolerate even small fluctuations in water level.

To its defense though, it did a decent job (flooding aside) once I added a gate valve and essentially bypassed that red knob. The stock knob cannot provide a decent level of control.

 

[Zebodog]

don't buy from your LFS

I would probably agree with this for the majority of large pet store chains who have little to no knowledge of marine aquaria however buying from your LFS and supporting the local economy is always a better solution.

Most good LFS will work with you to get you the products you want at fair prices.

 

[KafudaFish]

I would probably agree with this for the majority of large pet store chains who have little to no knowledge of marine aquaria however buying from your LFS and supporting the local economy is always a better solution.

Most good LFS will work with you to get you the products you want at fair prices.

Not if they are trying to sell you a product with a poor performance history.

As you stated your skimmer flooded your room every few months.

Why endorse a product that has flaws?

 

[chimmike]

Not if they are trying to sell you a product with a poor performance history.

As you stated your skimmer flooded your room every few months.

Why endorse a product that has flaws?

agreed. This LFS sounds like they stock lower end high-production stuff, like most LFS' do. IF you find a LFS that carries reef octopus or bubble magus or others, chances are likely that's a good shop.

Shops that only carry instant ocean/coralife stuff just deal with one big supplier that most pet stores do, and those skimmers are mediocre at best, and at LFS prices, a ripoff.

 

[Percula9]

I recommend the Eshopps brand of skimmers. They will do a good job without the high price tag.

 

[King Ron]

my LFS has M.land. Eshopps. octopus bubble magus bio cube. frm $99.99 to over $2000. they just do fish . i just was eyeing those 2 . and didnt want to wait for shipping. i will not run it HOB rather in sump.

 

[Zebodog]

Not if they are trying to sell you a product with a poor performance history.

As you stated your skimmer flooded your room every few months.

Why endorse a product that has flaws?

Most good LFS will work with you to get you the products you want at fair prices.

 

[davocean]

I sure would rather wait for shipping myself for a much better skimmer at a much better price.
marinedepot does next day delivery for us.
I had the coralife, eh, it was ok, compared to my previous bak pak and prizm(stop laughing!LOL)
I would MUCH rather have a reefoctopus extreme or MSX, or SWC than what has been mentioned already.
My CSS220 needed constant adjustment, it did work, but looking back it was a pain.

 

[stingythingy45]

Your LFS doesn't even sell auto top-off equipment,but they sell the best and least expensive skimmers?:hmm4:

 

[davocean]

I do like to support my LFS, at least the ones that are cool, but I do that w/ livestock which I prefer to observe/look at rather than order online, and things like frozen foods and such.
Gear, too easy to research and ship it, too good of a deal not to IMO.

 

[KafudaFish]

Yes a good LFS will work with you but if I go into one and ask them what skimmer they recommend and they tell me brand x which I know through my research is terrible how am I suppose to take their word on other things such as fish tank size requirements etc.?

To me all they want is my money. I probably won't be back and I won't be spending additional money in their store.

Why should I have to ask them to special order something else when they don't carry it in the first place?

 

[davocean]

^^ Another issue is for example our biggest LFS makes more profit selling the junk products, so I always see them pushing rio's and bak paks, crud like that.

 

[Zebodog]

Yes, the majority of large chains are only interested in turnover of merchandise.

It's often the smaller, independents that see the value in developing long term relationships with their customers.

With that said, I always encourage folks to research online and ask questions but where possible make the purchase locally, even it it costs a few extra dollars. Those extra dollars support local jobs and generates disposable income that improves local economies. Buying online doesn't do jack squat for you locally(unless the online supplier happens to be local)

Of course, there are some businesses that make no effort to work with you or provide competitive prices and are just out-and-out rude. I usually give a second chance, and if they still don't get it I go elsewhere.

 

[King Ron]

I dnt have much space to use in my sump if I put it on top of my rio 2100 I ll have 22" high and 8x8.

 

[King Ron]

So I am now at tha check online and see if my LFS will order to help my city if not just do what's right for for my fish and my pocket lol. Seeing I. Enjoy your great post. Point me in right place to find the right PS

 

[davocean]

Well, having had a coralife, and I actually kind of liked it/supported them for a spell, looking back now and owning a couple reefocto's have made me aware of how there are much better skimmers for close to the same price.
I'd go online and check footprints, and maybe post a pic of your sump for best advice.
I have to say out of good conscience, NOT a fan of rio's either.

 

[King Ron]

my sump