What is the best protein skimmer for a 120?

[Daddeo]

I know this sounds like all the other "what is" threads but I just want to get your responses in this thread. If you have read my signature then you'll know why I ask this question . I need to upgrade a.s.a.p. for the sake of my tank inhabitants. The Seaclown does a pretty good job but I need/want better. I know that a good one is going to cost a pretty penny but if you know of a good online deal please let me know. Now onto the meat and potatoes, what would best benefit my tank of a 120 gallons the most?


Thanks,
Daddeo

 

[Daddeo]

No input on skimmers.......? I usually see a bunch of replies about this kind of topic.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

you should let people know if you want in-sump or external & what your $ limit would be - IMO
that should help!

 

[sjm817]

You only gave it 1hr
As above...HOB, external, in sump? Physical size limit? Price range?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

If you're going to run a pressure rated pump get a Beckett driven skimmer. A mazzei injector is a good choice, too.
If you want to spend less on operating costs (electricity) get one of the needle wheel types.
Read about "Skimming Basics 101" here:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/fm/feature/index.htm

 

[Daddeo]

Thanks for the replies, I guess I was a little impatient . It will be a in-sump and the budget will be around $250 to $350.

Thanks for the link Gary.

 

[slovan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6360710#post6360710 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Daddeo
It will be a in-sump and the budget will be around $250 to $350.

I'll give you the standard reply. Get an ASM G3. That's what I would've gotten for my 120 but I got something else when I do move to a bigger tank so I only have to buy it once.

 

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6360741#post6360741 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slovan
I'll give you the standard reply. Get an ASM G3.

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner.

 

[Daddeo]

Thanks, so far I like what I'm reading about the ASM G3.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

An MRC1 would also be a good choice...then in the future you can easily & pretty inexpensively upgrade if you get a larger tank.

ASM is a good skimmer as well.
ETSS Reef Devil
ALS Predator

 

[trueblackpercula]

a mrc mr2 with a single injector that s what i got for my 120m cube.

 

[kabal2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6360741#post6360741 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slovan
I'll give you the standard reply. Get an ASM G3.

really nice skimmer i got one for my 120 that im putting toguether
good luck with your tank

Gabriel

 

[Daddeo]

Well the tank is doing fine, I just want to upgrade skimmers since the Seaclown isn't enough for this size tank. I greatly appreciate the input so far. I'm deciding between the ASM G3 and Reef Devil, both seem really nice and just what I'm looking for.

 

[moonpod]

the biggest, baddest skimmer that fits your budget and your space. It's a generic answer but it's also "the right" answer. I personally don't believe there is a thing such as "overskimming". So my idealized recommendation will bust the wallet and probably the space available. The reef devil I would avoid. There are some happy ETSS owners out there, but they generally have the 600 and up units. For the price the G3 is a good skimmer.

 

[cmhollis]

I am running a dual-beckett MR3 on my 120g (although I have a 70g fuge and 100g sump) driven by a blueline HD70. The thing is amazing - granted it isn't in the price range you have listed, but I am from the 'buy it once' school of thought.

 

[NoSchwag]

I personally hated the G3 for my 120, it was the only money that I felt I "wasted" for the tank.

 

[HappyReefer2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6361761#post6361761 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NoSchwag
I personally hated the G3 for my 120, it was the only money that I felt I "wasted" for the tank.

I'm actually looking at upgrading my fish only tank to a better performing skimmer... why don't you like the ASM G3? I've read a lot of threads on it and everyone seems to praise the heck out of this unit. Before I spend any $$$, I like to find out any negative on this unit.

 

[Daddeo]

Same here.

 

[sjm817]

Protein skimmers are strange things. People can have very different results from the same product. It has to do with more than the skimmer itself. The water chemistry, the display/overflow/sump flow setup all can make a skimmer work great in one setup, poorly in another.

I had an ASM G2 that really worked well in my setup. Others cant get them to do anything. I had a Remora Pro, that I could never get anything out of. Others have good success with them. Now I run a Deltec AP600 which I would say I have the typical success others would with that skimmer.

 

[HappyReefer2]

where are deltec sold at? i've never heard of this brand... i guess i'll do some searching on RC to see what others are saying about this unit.

my remora pro is working great for my 60g reef tank... i'm just looking for something stronger for my fish only tank, which produces a lot of waste.