What Skimmer are big tank owners using?
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reefrubble
Premium Member
I have an I-Tech Super Beast . Made in the USA . I-Techs are killer skimmers . It will be going on my new Marineland D D 300 , and it is still a big over kill for the 300 .
Reef Happy
New member
Super Reef Cone Octopus XP-5000 Enternal on a 300+.
Alex T.
Active member
I'm with Nanook. I would have never gotten into this hobby if I were trying to save kilowatts. If you actually add up the cost difference in kilowatts of newer skimmers with some beckett skimmers we're not even talking a $5 difference at the end of the month. You can lower your halide time by 15 minutes per day and save double that.
No one has chimed in about downdrafts, but I will not part with my ETSS 900 XR with Iwaki 55 RLT pump. It's been very reliable and extremely consistent. I don't have to worry about sump level fluctuations either. Sure, it's 4 feet tall, but for those of us who have dedicated fishrooms behind the tank....who cares? Most of the reason that the newer skimmers became popular is that many people can't house "a beast" next to their tank in the living room. Besides, it's become vogue to call downdrafts "outdated", when in fact the main reason they're bashed is that Gary at AE Tech holds all the patents.
My friend has a Bubble King and was boasting about its' skimmate production. I can out-gunk that $1100 skimmer with my downdraft all day. Also, someone posted that they have smaller bubble size with the newer skimmers. This is simply not true. Properly tuned downdrafts and beckett skimmers have most of the smaller bubbles in the injection tower, and my riser tube is thick with sludge by the time my Sunday water change comes around, with close to 4 gallons of skimmate that keep my water sparkling and nutrient free.
Walk behind the scenes of a public aquarium and tell me what skimmers you see....downdrafts and becketts baby!!!!
No one has chimed in about downdrafts, but I will not part with my ETSS 900 XR with Iwaki 55 RLT pump. It's been very reliable and extremely consistent. I don't have to worry about sump level fluctuations either. Sure, it's 4 feet tall, but for those of us who have dedicated fishrooms behind the tank....who cares? Most of the reason that the newer skimmers became popular is that many people can't house "a beast" next to their tank in the living room. Besides, it's become vogue to call downdrafts "outdated", when in fact the main reason they're bashed is that Gary at AE Tech holds all the patents.
My friend has a Bubble King and was boasting about its' skimmate production. I can out-gunk that $1100 skimmer with my downdraft all day. Also, someone posted that they have smaller bubble size with the newer skimmers. This is simply not true. Properly tuned downdrafts and beckett skimmers have most of the smaller bubbles in the injection tower, and my riser tube is thick with sludge by the time my Sunday water change comes around, with close to 4 gallons of skimmate that keep my water sparkling and nutrient free.
Walk behind the scenes of a public aquarium and tell me what skimmers you see....downdrafts and becketts baby!!!!
Alex T.
Active member
I used to run a Precision Marine Bullet 3. Although it was a great skimmer, my only complaint is having to clean the beckett often to keep it at peak performance. I also feel there are better beckett skimmers out there. When I switched to the ETSS 900, I was impressed with how much more skimmate it could pull with much less maintenance. Although these are two totally different skimmers (beckett vs. downdraft), the concept in essence is the same. The benefit to the downdraft is that simply installing a taller reaction tower can double the skimmer's output without requiring a larger pump. My skimmer was an ETSS 600 xr that I was running on my 150 sps reef. It's rated to skim a 180 gallon sps tank. When I added the extender tower to allow for more bioballs, I didn't have to upgrade pumps and the skimmer output was incredible, (listed on the AETech website as being capable of skimming a 300 - 400 sps tank. I believe it. I feed my fish HEAVY (sometimes 4 - 5 cubes per day with a pinch of pellet and nori) and rarely register any nitrate/phosphate.
If I was going to do a Beckett again, I really think there are far superior units to the Precision Marine Bullet Series. In fact, I don't think I would consider it. When compared with the new cone skimmers, I still believe these big boys kick the crap out of the tank. They need some time to adjust, but once they kick in, a couple gallons of skimmate per week can be the norm.
For ease of maintenance and performance I would say...
ETSS (the one that started it all)
MTC http://www.marinetechnical.com/page8.html
MRC/GEO (comparable products IMO)
PM (if you must)
If I was going to do a Beckett again, I really think there are far superior units to the Precision Marine Bullet Series. In fact, I don't think I would consider it. When compared with the new cone skimmers, I still believe these big boys kick the crap out of the tank. They need some time to adjust, but once they kick in, a couple gallons of skimmate per week can be the norm.
For ease of maintenance and performance I would say...
ETSS (the one that started it all)
MTC http://www.marinetechnical.com/page8.html
MRC/GEO (comparable products IMO)
PM (if you must)
Alex T.
Active member
I spoke with the guys at MRC about the whole copycat thing at MACNA last year. They say someone at PM started that.
I've never used or seen an Aqua C in person, but again...a black box design that has water injected at a high flow rate to create air bubble mix. Sort of the same concept with a twist.
I've never used or seen an Aqua C in person, but again...a black box design that has water injected at a high flow rate to create air bubble mix. Sort of the same concept with a twist.
SteveMH
New member
Oh wow! I've used PM products for 10 years or so now. What am I missing in the other brands you're comparing them to? I can't remember ever seeing PM placed at the bottom of a beckett list ... got me curious is all.
emilio c
Member
The PM is running at the top of this as far as I can see? I have a XL2 and I am going to upgrade to a XL4. I have been doing this for 15 years and have seen many skimmers come and go. Everyone has a right to an opinion and mine is that PM is very inovative and easy to operate. The owner of the company and staff have taken the service to a whole new level for me and others I know. Some people are unable to operate a PM skimmer it may seem to complex, so its easy for them to bable off how their experience was? "PM" does include instructions in full "color detail". :thumbsup:
brainchild24
New member
Super Reef Cone Octopus XP-5000 internal..
Alex T.
Active member
SteveMH, I'm not saying that PM's are no good in the Beckett category. But after seeing the build construction and performance of the Marine Technical Concepts and My Reef Creation skimmers in action, I have to tip my hat to them. Personally, I can't speak to the customer service of either company.
I've been very happy with my ETSS 900 xr and have had nothing but great advice and support from Gary (the patent holder and owner of AETech).
I've been very happy with my ETSS 900 xr and have had nothing but great advice and support from Gary (the patent holder and owner of AETech).
reefrubble
Premium Member
Beckett , Type skimmers require a lot of maintenance , compared to a Reeflo , Bubble King , or I-Tech .
They really don't
Taking the cup off and cleaning it when it gets dirty is no different than a needlewheel. If performance is down, taking the beckett apart, cleaning and reinstalling takes about 2 minutes. That is pretty damn easy, even for someone lazy like me sitting on the couch with a glass of scotch most of the time:lol:Now, cleaning and or replacing a needlewheel pump can be a bit laborious and if you haven't had to reseal a Reeflo pump yet with a bad seal, well, let's just say that is a bit more maintenance than I care to do.
I beg to differ on your beckett bashing
Just because a technology is older, doesn't mean it sucks
I agree, I run two Barr 5220's, twin Beckett skimmers that perform incredibly well, btw I also run an RK2 25PE commercial skimmer, all on my 600g system, all three remove a lot of skimmate, as a side note I do not believe one can over skim, if anything I think most of us under skim
emilio c
Member
Its seems to be a on going debate on all the forms. The needel wheel skimmer has its place. The beckett does aswell. As far as efficiency and Power! I have to opt for a dual Beckett with a Hybrid Hammerhead. A stocking level of 46 fish, dense coral reef and for 15 years. I have to stick with the PM Beckett.
SteveMH
New member
Got ya. That I can understand, if one gets the nod over the other. I've just never noticed any differences between any of those skimmers mentioned that would make one far superior over the other. That's what I was curious about. One thing I really like about the PM Bullets is they did away with the box when you get into their larger XL series. No matter how minor that may seem I always hated the box! And I also prefer their beckett housing design ... no thumb screws or unions, just a quarter twist and the beckett pops right out. One complaint with PM I will make is I wish they would polish the edges on their flanges a little smoother. They're not bad but I'm a picky b@st@rd! If I was going to single out one beckett manufacturer over all the others it would have to be Barr Aquatic. Unfortunately all I have ever seen are photos, never gotten my hands on one. But man they do look sweet. Sometime when you're bored check those out, if you haven't already.
Bite The Bullet - Evolution of the PM Bullet
Bite The Bullet - Evolution of the PM Bullet
