what skimmer is best?

[aceface562]

new to the hobby and recently purchased a 150 (48x30x24) glass tank with a 32x20x15" sump.

i'm researching protein skimmers and top two brands i found were vertex 150 or diablo 200. Reviews are good but what are your opinions?

my buddy told me to save some money and buy aqua-medic or ASM g-2?

please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,

 

[Ryan2013]

Check out the bubble magus curve series too. Idk how big your skimmer section is but I like the small footprint of my curve 7. It's easy to adjust the internal water height and the body can be taken apart pretty easily. It also has a built in drain line for the collection cup and the price is only around 300 bucks.

 

[Uncle Luke]

Look into the Aquamaxx skimmer line. Have been hearing excellent things about them.

 

[Tanthaitrung]

I'm thinking about Bubble King

 

[aceface562]

Look into the Aquamaxx skimmer line. Have been hearing excellent things about them.

Thanks guys, i'll do a little research on the two mentioned as well.

are the pumps quiet? the chamber to the sump is decent size. i thnk it should fit well with some live rocks down there.

 

[fltekdiver]

Look into the Aquamaxx skimmer line. Have been hearing excellent things about them.

+1

I just ordered the Aquamaxx ConeS-CO3

 

[dotcommer]

Reef Octopus by CoralVue are some nice skimmers.

 

[hedgedrew]

I gave virtex 150 on hospital tank and got rid of asm before that. There is no contest. Asm sucked

 

[Drae]

Aquamaxx are the best skimmers in their price range without a doubt. Get a cone 2 or a em-200. They're balanced better than the vertex omega, reef octopus, and asm for sure. They're quieter and come with italian sicce shark pumps that produce a nice stable foam head.

 

[byee]

I gave virtex 150 on hospital tank and got rid of asm before that. There is no contest. Asm sucked

Ditto. I also had an ASM G3 which required the gate valve and mesh before it started to skim.

Once tuned it was ok until you had to empty the skim mate. Readjust each time .

It was a pain!

Now considering the BM Curve 5 for my 45g cube

 

[Salinity01]

Im happy with my reef octopus.

 

[univalreef]

I'm very happy with my Aquamaxx ConeS-CO3 (running for 1 week only, silent, easy to tune it right, consistent bubbles) - 1/2 cost of the BK. I had BK mini and sold it in 1 month. Running Deltec before Aquamaxx ConeS-CO3, took weeks to tune it right.

I posted some picture of Aquamaxx ConeS-CO3 on another thread

 

[azjohnny]

Whats your budget?

 

[aceface562]

Thanks, Everyone. it appears aquamaxx are popular skimmers. i will do some research on this brand and make my final decision.

my budget is $400 but wouldn't mind getting a lower end skimmer if its as effective. i just want to invest right the first time without regretting and having to replace months later.

 

[aceface562]

Aquamaxx are the best skimmers in their price range without a doubt. Get a cone 2 or a em-200. They're balanced better than the vertex omega, reef octopus, and asm for sure. They're quieter and come with italian sicce shark pumps that produce a nice stable foam head.

what's the difference between the cone 2 and em-200 series besides what it's rated for per gallon?

 

[Drae]

what's the difference between the cone 2 and em-200 series besides what it's rated for per gallon?

The em series are space savers with the pump ( or pumps) located underneath or inside of the skimmer body. They also have a traditional cylindrical shape. The cone and coneS series skimmers have a non space saving (pump located always outside of the skimmer body) design, and they have a hybrid cone/full body shape. The cone and coneS are better skimmers imo for the the simple fact that they have better contact time and a smoother transition to the neck of the skimmer. Both designs are extremely balanced and both run the same sicce shark pumps that are becoming a favorite in the reefing community for their quietness and production. Both designs are just a cut above any other skimmer in their price ranges and they honestly give the more expensive skimmers a run for their money.

 

[Ron99]

The em series are space savers with the pump ( or pumps) located underneath or inside of the skimmer body. They also have a traditional cylindrical shape. The cone and coneS series skimmers have a non space saving (pump located always outside of the skimmer body) design, and they have a hybrid cone/full body shape. The cone and coneS are better skimmers imo for the the simple fact that they have better contact time and a smoother transition to the neck of the skimmer. Both designs are extremely balanced and both run the same sicce shark pumps that are becoming a favorite in the reefing community for their quietness and production. Both designs are just a cut above any other skimmer in their price ranges and they honestly give the more expensive skimmers a run for their money.

At $400 the Omega 150 is a beast. The build quality and materials used are much more impressive than the others. I would seriously look at it.

 

[barry_keith]

We have the same tank. I run the reef octopus extreme 200 on mine, I'm happy with it. It produces good consistent skim, without the need for constant adjusting.

 

[aceface562]

The em series are space savers with the pump ( or pumps) located underneath or inside of the skimmer body. They also have a traditional cylindrical shape. The cone and coneS series skimmers have a non space saving (pump located always outside of the skimmer body) design, and they have a hybrid cone/full body shape. The cone and coneS are better skimmers imo for the the simple fact that they have better contact time and a smoother transition to the neck of the skimmer. Both designs are extremely balanced and both run the same sicce shark pumps that are becoming a favorite in the reefing community for their quietness and production. Both designs are just a cut above any other skimmer in their price ranges and they honestly give the more expensive skimmers a run for their money.

Thank you for the elaborate explanation. so i think i boiled down to two new choices which is the aquamaxx cone-2 or bubble magnus curve 7. Aquamax is a tad more then the curve 7 but both are way within budget.

now its decision time... :headwally:

 

[Ryan2013]

It's totally up to you. Just email or call the company you're thinking about ordering from and get their opinion too. They deal with them everyday so I'm sure they here lots of feedback. I ordered mine from fragtastic reef and they were a big help on deciding what to buy.