Need a new skimmer. Any suggestions?

F

Frogspawn

I'm not real confident with the skimmer I have now and have been considering an upgrade for awhile. I have no knowledge on performance
of different types of skimmer and would like your input.

I will use an "in sump" skimmer for a 215g plus tank.

Thanks
 
What kind of skimmer are you running now, and how much are you willing to spend (if you don't mind me asking)? I recently upgraded to an ASM G4+, and after a quick and easy mod am very impressed with it's performance. Unfortunately, ASM's are getting harder and harder to find these days.
 
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1149440

saw this today on reefcentral might want to check out the performance
 
What's your budget, total water volume and bio-load like??

Off the top of my head, I would suggest you look at either a Bubble Master 250 or a Bermuda. I really like my BM200 now that I have it dialed in.
 
I'm currently using a SeaLife (model unknown and unmarked) that came with the tank when I bought it last Dec'. Total volume is going to be around 260g. Several soft corals and a few SPS. See sig for main fish loading. Budget is flexible but I want my money's worth. Preferably less than $300.

I'll check out the suggestions above now... thanks
 
less than 300 you'll probably want to check out RC's used equipment because for your size tank I can't think of a good skimmer that you can get for 300.
 
http://www.dfwmas.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=29391

he mods and he was building one when i was at his house...but his look professional...i know on rc, some hobbyists make their own skimmers but they look ghetto in my opinion but work
 
You may want to go with an octopus nw200. I would then mod it slightly. By just doing some simple mods, you may be able to do them yourself, this skimmer can easily handle a much larger tank. The mods are on the octopus mod thread on RC. HERE

If you don't feel comfortable doing the mods, you may want to pay quantam to do them for you. I bought my NW200 for my 90g. I plan on modding it to use it on a much larger tank in the future.

-Chuck
 
I also recommend the octopus skimmers, i just got a nw150 for my 90g.

The qaulity is very good and mine skimmed right out of the box very well, although i did enlarge the venturi yesterday and it is pulling quite a bit more air now.

Best bang for the buck imo

goto www.marinsolutioninc.com nw200 is 179.99 right now
 
Another option would be to get a TS-300 by Trigger Systems. David is the owner of the company and a DFWMAS member, located in Allen (north of Plano). His skimmer uses beckett injectors, so there is a slight noise issue to consider, but I've seen threads where people have modified theirs to run silently. For all I know David may make his so they are silent right out of the box.

The skimmer needs a Mag 18, IIRC.
 
I have been using an ASM G2 in my system, great skimmer. For your size tank may want to consider a ASM G4 or G4X. Saltwaterfish.com has best prices and free shipping, both are big enough for a 215 with room for a heavy bio-load if needed.

G4 -- http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=1406&parent_category=0&category_search=6&root_parent_id=6

G4X -- http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=2053&parent_category=0&category_search=6&root_parent_id=6
 
Anybody have any comments about the Pacific Coast Skimmers? They seem to be a good bang for the buck if they do the job.

http://www.aquariumsupplycompany.com/catalog/item/3157023/2799243.htm
 
I could be wrong, but I don't see how it could handle a large tank with a 4" wide chamber. But, like I said, I could be wrong.

-Chuck
 
I think that protein skimmer is over rated their performance...it will skim a tank that size but to get full maximum use i think a smaller tank is needed.....my euro reef cs62 is rated for 75 gallons and i believe it is a true 75 gallons is the same size as my coralife that is "rated for 220 gallons"

ths is my two cents pass on that skimmer .... search used boards or reefcentral.com or marshreef.com you will find a great deal on a skimmer. On a big tank you dont want to be skimpy.....

i have a etss 600 skimmer but it is not in sump that is sitting in my garage. has a external waste container too
 
If your going to go cheap I agree with the Octopus or the ASM line.

Triggersys is also a good option as is my reef creations for becketts but again you would have to go used for that price and system size.

Ya you sure can make your own but unless you have the right equipment it will look getto period.

I have a gigantic dual beckett 6ft tall mionster on mine it looks very getto but it was also $300 and can skim in the 1000G range. Anything commercial that size is pushing a grand or more.

You can make your own needlewheel also but unless you just want to do it for the learning you're paying yourself less then minimum wage with all the time involved!


My honest advice would be to save up and go for a high end skimmer. Either a Euroreef, oversized triggersys or MRC, Deltce, Bubbleking, Bubblemaster, etc. The quality is much much better and they are worth the extra money. On a tank that size it's a drop in the bucket anyway :)
 
also with in sump bigger the skimmer bigger the pump which means more heat iadded to your tank.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top