Too many skimmer choices

J

john1979

New member
We're planning on moving within the next 6 months, so I'm beginning to make plans for my new tank. I'm putting together my shopping list, with the hopes of purchasing all of the equipment little by little, so it's all ready to go when we move in to the new place next spring. I've got most everything picked out, with the exception of the protein skimmer. There are SO many different brand, and they all seem to have such similar names that my head is spinning.

I'm planning on a 120 gallon tank with a large sump. I don't really have any experience with a large skimmer, as I currently have an AquaC hang-on-back skimmer. I know there's a ton of experience on this board, so please let me know if you have any opinions on a particular brand of skimmer.

Thanks!
 
I vote Tunze...
But I have used octopus and swc with good success. Bubble magus might even be a good choice. Can't go wrong with any of these brands. Comes down to how much you want to spend.
 
I have had a few in the past. I'd say my octopus extreme external skimmer, if you don't mind the extra cash, is the best skimmer I've had
 
How much of a difference does the price make? There are some skimmers that cost $1000+, while there are similar sized skimmers that are half as much. What does that extra $500 get you? Are you paying for the brand name, or is there some feature that's really worth the extra money?

While I'm concerned about the cost, it's not the #1 concern. I'd like to get something that works well and will last for a long time. If it costs a little more, that's fine. But I don't want to pay a lot of money if I don't have to!
 
My external octo puts out a full cup of nasty skimmate consistently ever 4 days. Only cost me 600, bit the thing has to have room to operate and something like a mag 7 to feed it so there's more cash . But I'd takethe consistency anyday
 
So many great choices to pick from.

I'm so stoked. I just scored an ATB Small Cone on the main board. I lost a bid on the octo sro 3000 on ebay a few weeks ago, almost went for a swc xtreme 180 (but the seller was insisting that I pay for UPS to pack, ship and insure... pricey), and looked at another model of cone shaped skimmer that someone beat me to.

The ATBs have good reviews, and it looks like they are pretty solidly constructed. They accept a number of pumps. It was right in my price range for a used skimmer, though they appear are pretty expensive new.
 
over the years i have used tons of skimmers by far the best was the bubble king mini 200 i ran on my 120 but the price was way above the rest I think super reef octopus skimmers come close for a fraction of the price
 
yeah, there are a lot of them. Quality varies, some of the really pricey units use high end pumps and are easier to service.

I would focus on form fit function for your build and a quality pump.

bang for the buck the SRO's from reef octopus are fantastic. I have an XP3000 and it does a great job. ATB has great reviews - though you will spend more.

mojo is the skimmer "god", here is his thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1589426&pp=25

my vote is an SRO 2000 (if you go with an in-sump watch the water level, I believe thy like 6-7"), or a CS2 from seaside aquatics - good skimmer for the money.

I'm partial the the reef octopus XP series with the tapered cone, though I can't tell you it actually makes a difference. I'm also partial to external skimmers, though they bring the cost of an additional pump. Watch the height on the in sump reef octpus - they like shallow water. the CS2 in sump should (be sure to check) be happy around 10-11"
 
I run a SRO-3000 internal on a 125 w/ 40 gallon sump and I have to say that I probably would have been better off with the 2000. Being over-sized, it proves more challenging to dial in. I don't have a good explanation for why this is, but that's been my experience. Water level in my sump is very constant.
 
I have a 120 and have been thinking about upgrading my skimmer as well. Blurry recommended two of the skimmers on the top of my wish list, the SRO2000 internal and the Seaside Aquatic CS2, both are close to $400. The SRO pump comes with a 3 year warranty which is hard to beat.
 
My old ASM-copy is still working well years later... Not sure I can justify paying the money for a "high-end" model. That's just me though.
 
I love the SROs as externals. as internals the low water height matched with a tall skimmer makes for a tough fit.

for in sump I'm partial to the sea side and ATB
 
yea the big plus to operating the skimmer external i would say is the consistency in producing skimmate, little or no playing with water levels once you start it up! simply the best way IMO to run a skimmer if you have the room and willing to spend a little extra cash
 
FWIW, I use two large ASM skimmers(4xx) for the 600 gallon system.. I've had them for abut 7 years without problems and plenty of funky skimate. Not as shiny as some of the high end models but very reliable and steady with very limited maintenance. It's an in sump design,though.
 
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