What Protein Skimmer should I get?

[waynem]

I should add I don't believe any skimmer on the market is better then any other performance wise. They are all within the same ball park. Most people making claims I have read here over the years have nothing to compare to or are comparing different size models.

The major difference is customer service and quality. The rest is PR.

Reputation and flag waving fans are the biggest influences over peoples decisions.

Which is why BK with a cool name and bright Red colors stands out. Some great marketing work. Red dragon pumps??? how cool is that. Marketing had taken over skimmers these days just look at the names used now. If the trend keeps up the next MP40 power head will be called a Prop blaster Super Jet 5000.

I am not saying anything is wrong with it, just take the flag waving with a grain of salt, all the skimmers above work and work well.

 

[joe blo]

atb is the way to go

 

[porthios]

i'm with waynem. reliability, efficiency, and usability are much more important.

 

[boris MAC]

I would go with probably the best skimmers curently on market ATB.

 

[LECorals]

LOL waynem, you do have a good point. Those ATI skimmers do seem pretty similar to the BK, and you can't really argue with the price. I do like the idea of diffuser plates though for skimmers. It seems like the way to go as far as getting an even distrabution of air into the skimmer.
Anyone else have any feedback on those ATIs? I cant seem to find any good descriptions of the manufacturing and specs of them anyone have a link?

 

[drpo21]

These cones look really good:
http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/c...MSX-Cones/c22_71/p243/MSX1A/product_info.html

I have an msx, very nice build quality at a fraction of the price. this certain skimmer has an askoll pump.

Another one ive noticed out there is the I-tech (i believe thats what its called) It's under the lighting and filtration forums. Looks amazing.

 

[stunreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14390243#post14390243 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LECorals
Anyone else have any feedback on those ATIs?

IME they're garbage.

It had major start-up problems... basically had to take it out of the sump every time. Build quality and materials were cheap and flimsy.

 

[bag151]

I have the ATI bubble master 300 ( Largest in the line), it definitely can suck a dead body out of the water.

If you just let it run constantly it runs great, but start up on the Sicce pumps is a Pain in the A**. Build quality is fair, not rock solid, but I haven't had any problems except for the gate valve tends to get harder to turn if you don't keep the threads clean.

Hindsight, I wish I would have spent the cash and bought the BK supermarin 250 so I can turn it on and off when I feed.

 

[MG21]

H&S 300.

 

[Klaus Jansen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14379719#post14379719 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stunreefer
Agreed BK over Deltec...

FWIW the Red Dragon pump is the same as the ATB Airstar... the ATB is cheaper...

Sorry, wrong Statment. Red Dragons are not the same as ATB-airstar :

Airstar is based of a Pond Pump

Red Dragons based of a Aquarium-Pump
Red Dragons are Custommade by Askoll/Hagen for Royal-Exclusiv, with any different technical Futures :

> different Electronic
> powerful max. 200 Watt-Startelectronic
> more Torque
> stronger magnetic-shafts
> tungsten-shaft
> Siliciumcarbide-bushings
> Anti-lime-Bypass
> Titanium-screws
> 1,5 meter cable

Airstar dont have this Futures.......its cheaper Copys of Red Dragon Pumps....

regards.. Klaus

 

[Jar*Head]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14550572#post14550572 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MG21
H&S 300.

I agree with H&S

Here is my custom Mini H&S protein skimmer :lol:

FYI, i have own BK400ext but i am HAPPIER with my H&S may be i am more into the older technology but i sleep well at night..

 

[Jar*Head]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14565700#post14565700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Klaus Jansen
Sorry, wrong Statment. Red Dragons are not the same as ATB-airstar :

Airstar is based of a Pond Pump

Red Dragons based of a Aquarium-Pump
Red Dragons are Custommade by Askoll/Hagen for Royal-Exclusiv, with any different technical Futures :

> different Electronic
> powerful max. 200 Watt-Startelectronic
> more Torque
> stronger magnetic-shafts
> tungsten-shaft
> Siliciumcarbide-bushings
> Anti-lime-Bypass
> Titanium-screws
> 1,5 meter cable

Airstar dont have this Futures.......its cheaper Copys of Red Dragon Pumps....

regards.. Klaus

Klaus, thanks for the great info. How can we tell the differences? Does the pump have any special marking to identify either for pond or aquarium? As for the shaft, any idea what ATB use? I have own both ATB and Red dragon and honestly i can't tell the different even the marking on the screw is the same.

When you said more torque does that mean the pump will never have start up problem?

Do you happen to have any comparison picture between the two pump so us reefers can learn?

The only noticeable different between the two pump that i can see is the lime bypass. What does the lime bypass do anyway? Because my BK400ext RD pump has it but i always find stuff behind the impeller. Does that mean my lime bypass has problem?

Thank you so much for your time sir. I am looking forward to see comparison picture to tell the different between the two.

Thanks
Steve

 

[MG21]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14566464#post14566464 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jar*Head
I agree with H&S

Here is my custom Mini H&S protein skimmer :lol:

FYI, i have own BK400ext but i am HAPPIER with my H&S may be i am more into the older technology but i sleep well at night..

Steve,
That skimmer is sick. Joe and I tried to load it in the car when we picked up the frag tank but it was too big. lol

 

[Jar*Head]

That is my baby

 

[Paulairduck]

we should do head to head test, I just fired up my 8.2 Red Dragon man this thing moves some water:eek1:

but I feel the same I looked very close at the ATB pumps really saw no difference.

just had to get the Red Dragon to match the BK 400

 

[Jar*Head]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14568499#post14568499 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paulairduck
we should do head to head test, I just fired up my 8.2 Red Dragon man this thing moves some water:eek1:

but I feel the same I looked very close at the ATB pumps really saw no difference.

just had to get the Red Dragon to match the BK 400

Aren't you glad they don't make Calcium reactor and lighting or else you will be broke...

So you like the older model BK better than the newer? I think RE come out with the new BK400 because the older design was under power even with the RD2500. The new BK400D come with 2 RD 2000....