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Ridgewood, NY
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So I'm in the process of setting a DeepBlue 80 gallon shallow rimless tank and I'm debating between these brands of skimmers:

Reef Octopus
Bubble King
Vertex

Which brand and model would you recommend and why?

Thanks in advance.
 

E.intheC

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Location
Suffolk County
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The Octo and vertex (depending on which model) aren't in the same league as the Bubble King. They're good performing skimmers but the BK is $$$$. It's kind of like comparing a Honda, a Porsche, and a Toyota. (Unless you mean the Vertex Alpha.... But anyway..)

What's your stock level going to be like? You trying to keep SPS dominant? What's your budget?
 
Location
Ridgewood, NY
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The Octo and vertex (depending on which model) aren't in the same league as the Bubble King. They're good performing skimmers but the BK is $$$$. It's kind of like comparing a Honda, a Porsche, and a Toyota. (Unless you mean the Vertex Alpha.... But anyway..)

What's your stock level going to be like? You trying to keep SPS dominant? What's your budget?

Thanks for the info, the tank will be heavily stocked. SPS dominant and I have about $700-900 to spend on a skimmer. My sump holds about 65 gallons so it will have a total water volume of approximately 150 gallons.
 

E.intheC

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Suffolk County
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If it were my tank, I'd wait a bit for the larger Vertex Omega skimmer to come out honestly.

The super space saver models are ok if you don't have a lot of room in your sump. It's typically better to get the pump outside the body of the skimmer itself.
 
Location
Ridgewood, NY
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If it were my tank, I'd wait a bit for the larger Vertex Omega skimmer to come out honestly.

The super space saver models are ok if you don't have a lot of room in your sump. It's typically better to get the pump outside the body of the skimmer itself.

Thanks again, my sump is 36" by 20" by 20" and the skimmer compartment is very large. I also like the Vertex Alpha 170
 
Last edited:

E.intheC

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Location
Suffolk County
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Thanks again, my sump is 36" by 20" by 20" and the skimmer compartment is very large. I also like the Vertex Alpha 170

I have heard great things about this skimmer, and have read a few negative opinions (mainly that the neck is too large). No personal experience with it though.

An ATB 840 would be great. In your price range, and has almost nothing but extremely positive reviews. This skimmer would be my second choice (after the Omega).

Take a look at the SRO 2000int also. I had the SRO 1000int and liked it... Plus it will save you money.
 
Location
Ridgewood, NY
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54   0   0
I have heard great things about this skimmer, and have read a few negative opinions (mainly that the neck is too large). No personal experience with it though.

An ATB 840 would be great. In your price range, and has almost nothing but extremely positive reviews. This skimmer would be my second choice (after the Omega).

Take a look at the SRO 2000int also. I had the SRO 1000int and liked it... Plus it will save you money.

Will do, thanks a bunch. So many options, you are killing me, LOL. I appreciate the input.
 

E.intheC

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Location
Suffolk County
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150   0   0
Will do, thanks a bunch. So many options, you are killing me, LOL. I appreciate the input.

:lol2: I try to give options rather than only say "buy xyz" .. I've owned dozens of skimmers on tanks from 20 gallons up to 90 gallons and I've bought and researched a LOT. Plus I buy (and sell) skimmers often. Skimmers are fun for me.

If you can find a used i-Tech 200, then absolutely go for it. They are awesome, but aren't made any more. I had a 100 on my 90 and it was my favorite skimmer.

The Vertex Omega, ATB, i-Tech, and SRO skimmers all will treat you and your tank well. Can't go wrong with any of them.
 
Location
Ridgewood, NY
Rating - 100%
54   0   0
:lol2: I try to give options rather than only say "buy xyz" .. I've owned dozens of skimmers on tanks from 20 gallons up to 90 gallons and I've bought and researched a LOT. Plus I buy (and sell) skimmers often. Skimmers are fun for me.

If you can find a used i-Tech 200, then absolutely go for it. They are awesome, but aren't made any more. I had a 100 on my 90 and it was my favorite skimmer.

The Vertex Omega, ATB, i-Tech, and SRO skimmers all will treat you and your tank well. Can't go wrong with any of them.

Sounds great thanks, I was just looking at the ATB ($650). I will do a lot of research on all of them tomorrow.
 

NYreefNoob

Skimmer Freak
Location
poughquag, ny
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ok if you have that $ to spend then hands down get the atb 840 out of the 30+ skimmers ive owned this is probably the best balanced skimmer ive had. it will be perfect for that tank size and can easily handle a heavily stocked 120g system, i actually ran that skimmer when i had my 80g heavyyyyyy stock system, the skimz 181 would be another killer choice as well, personally i am not a fan of the octo line, bubble magnus makes a pretty decent skimmer as well.
 
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If you have $$$ to spend, I'd get either ATB or Bubble King. I've been through three different brands- SWC, Reef Octopus and now Bubble King Mini and I have to second previous comments- Bubble King is on a league of it's own, amazing skimmer.
 

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