What skimmer would you upgrade to?

[Inigma]

I'm currently running a 40G bb with a 15G sump, and am thinking of upgrading from my cheap knock off protein skimmer.

I'm thinking around $200 or less, in sump design, and could be used if I upgraded to a 90g.

What do you think?

Thanks in advance,
Kris

 

[funman1]

That's not too much of a budget for a skimmer that big that's name brand.

 

[Natterjak]

The AquaC Urchin Pro is about $215 with a Rio pump, $226 w/ a Mag 3. Can usually find some used for much less than that on these boards.

 

[prodman]

ASM is you best bet. I would get the g1x or for a little more get a g3 if you plan on upgrading to the 90g

 

[Inigma]

Sorry to make it seem so money limited, I meant around the $200 range. I didn't want to hear about a $400 skimmer cause I know I don't want to spend that much. I'll look into the afformentioned, any other suggestions?

And thanks for being helpful to those that have already made suggestions!

Kris

 

[Nu2SW]

Take a look at the Cpr Bak Pak 2, its about 120 and works real good.

 

[Elite]

Get an ASM.. for $309 plus shipping you can get a G3. You can use it if you upgrade the tank later on.

 

[UCanDoIt]

You can get a blemished Euro-Reef 5-3 same model as 5-24 for $145 from Euro-Reef's retail website:
http://commerce2.i2net.com/able5stores/stores/33/product1.aspx?SID=33&Product_ID=559&Category_ID=548

HTH, it's a bargin for less than $200 (inc s/h/i & sls tx) out the door. Personally, I would go with the ASM as that's the best bang for the buck, but seems like ASM might still be out of your price range that you want to spend.

 

[prodman]

you should look around for a used asm or euro reef and you will find onein your price range.

 

[dhnguyen]

Check out the Reef Octopus (Pacific Coast Imports) skimmers. They're cheaper than ASM and ER and look to be performing quite well.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=749634



http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/itemdetail.asp?itemid=PS-CVOCT-NW-200
http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/itemdetail.asp?itemid=PS-CVOCT-VENTU-100
http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/itemdetail.asp?itemid=PS-PCRPS-2000
http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/itemdetail.asp?itemid=PS-PC-3000
http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/itemdetail.asp?itemid=PS-PCRPS-3000

 

[Kinetic]

ASM would be my suggestion. The prices will be going up soon, thereefgeek dot com has the older prices which aren't skyrocketing yet.

Corallife also makes skimmers for very cheap, rated at 220 gallons and around $200 or less. cheap, but I hav eheard they work great as well.

 

[Inigma]

Are the Corallife skimmers any good? Any one tried one yet?

 

[otterpop510]

one of my friends has a coralife skimmer, said he thought it worked well and skimmed pretty smelly stuff.. but also said he had to fiddle with it alot too..

 

[Inigma]

Well that stinks. As I upgrade, I'd like to make things as low maintenace as possible so I don't have to spend any time fiddling. Any ideas on a really good skimmer I won't really have to adjust?

 

[dhnguyen]

low on maintenance usually means money in this hobby

FWIW Deltec has a self cleaning model. But it's gonna cost ya an arm and a leg

-EDIT-
I think most of the forementioned skimmers ASM, Reef Octopus, Deltec are pretty much set and forget type.

 

[tonggao]

I used to have two coralife superskimmers. They skimmed very well, but were very sensative and easily overflow. I sold them recently and bought one ASM and one Euroreef.

 

[trmiv]

For the price you're looking at, I'd get either a CSS, a Euro-Reef blem for h2otropicals, or Reef Octopus Needle Wheel 200 (Coralview).