Skimmer decision...advice needed

[Anonymous]

I am setting up a 150 gallon tank with a large remote sump. Trying to save money, I have seen a few used skimmers for sale.
AquaC ev 180 for 300 bucks
Bullet 1 for 300 bucks
I havent seen any larger used skimmers for sale.

Is are either of the above worth it for my tank?
Am I just lying to myself and need something bigger?

RR :mrgreen:

 

[danmhippo]

I think the EV180 should do the trick for you currently. Until you have traded more frags in to your LFS and have more $$ on hand, you may consider either changing out the EV280 or add another one as a redundant backup.

 

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

For the money the bullit is a much better skimmer. AquaC skimmers perform marginally at best and are basically a cheap venturi skimmer(they take a plastic hose heat it up and crush it in creating a cheap venturi nozzle, which makes me wonder how they ever got a patent for it),for the money there are too many other skimmers on the market that perform better including the PM skimmers.

R&B

 

[danmhippo]

R&B, AquaC is not a venturi type skimmer. Do your homework first.

 

[GASaltwater]

I have a Aqua C Remora (hang on) and it works great, easy to clean too, make sure you get one with a collector cup!! The only dislike is the power head in the water, I think the Prizm has the external pump.

 

[JeremyR]

Those aren't exactly used prices...

AquaC isn't exactly a venturi skimmer... they don't suck air in by the common method of pipe restriction with an air inlet at the skinny point, but rather by splitting the water into 3 streams and shooting it into the water below at pressure. I Do agree they are poorly built and can't figure out how they ever got so popular, especially the hang-ons and the urchins.

Bullets are nice skimmers for sure, top of the line construction and quality performance. You won't go wrong there.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys,

What do you think about the size of the bullet 1 for my system?

RR
:mrgreen:

 

[Len]

I think since electrical usage is one of your top criteria, go with Euroreefs (CS8-3 or CS6-3 would work well for your tank). That's the main reason I switched back to Euroreefs after going throug the gambit of EVERY commericalized skimmer out there.

FWIW, I've never had qualms about AquaCs myself. I accept it's not the performer that Becketts are, but they never claim such a thing either. I used to run a EV-200 on my 120, and the skimmer performed admirably.

 

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

R&B, AquaC is not a venturi type skimmer. Do your homework first.

Didnt need to do homework here. I used to own these skimmers. "Forced induction" is basically just another term for what it really is, a venturi skimmer. A venturi nozzle uses a rigid tube that gradually skrinks in size in the middle needing some pressure from a pump to push water through effectively creating a spray.At the the output of the Venturi there is an air inlet to mix air and water together. The "forced induction" AquaC model does the same thing basically, but instead of using a venturi they use a pice of rigid plastic tubing that is heated up, then crush it in on itself creating this same spray effect. The effect is basically the same but on a whole doesnt work nearly as well as a good venturi skimmer like a Lifereef ( www.lifereef.com ) skimmer. I remember that one of AquaC's claims was that a small pump could be used to drive these skimmers, and they used to be recommended with only smaller Rio pumps. But after alot of testing with different pumps I found that these skimmers worked best with larger pumps that would be used for Venturi and Beckett skimmers, which makes sense as it is basically a Venturi skimmer. Aside from this point I would highly recommend the Bullit skimmer regardless, its a better built, better designed skimmer from the ground up. And when it comes down to it, it gets the job done much better in waste removal.

But I will also interject and add that I fully agree with Leonard above and state that you should go with the Euro-reef. Super quiet, super efficient, and cant be beat for pulling out organics.

 

[Mouse]

Deltec AP seris, thats what im going to use. :twisted:

 

[Mouse]

Look at their biggest mo'fo, mm-mmmmmm.

 

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

Looks like a German designed needlewheel. Similiar to the Euro-reef CS12 series skimmers.

 

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at MyReef yet? A MR-2 would easily handle yur tank and it is $250 new. It is a beckett style, so it isn't as energy efficient as the ER, but it is a much cheaper up front.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys!

I have been looking at the myreef MR 2, but was worried that it wouldn't be big enough given the size of the sump I may go with, another 150 gallons, bringing the system up to about 300. So when you hit the MR 3, the prices are about the same for ER, South Bay, or G Skimmer, or Bullet.

Although I am not the smart guy here, I am the guy asking the questins. So if I am wrong about any of the above please let me know.

RR

PS the prices listed above for used skimmers include the pump.

 

[Ben1]

I currently use the Euroreef CS8-3 on my 75, I have a 150 out in the yard just waiting for its place in the wall of my basement. I think this skimmer it good. It has some downfalls though. One is it can only be run in sump, are you planning on a skimmer in line or in sump. I also hate the sponge it uses for noise/bubble elimination, it reqiures cleaning and mine became loose and always slides down the tube.

I was torn between this and the new Aqua-C skimmers, like the ev-240. I liked that both have easy collection cups for removal. The reason I went with the Euroreef was the diameter of the reation chamber. It is 8" in the cs8 series meaning I get a long dwell time which means better skimming. I think the EV-240 pushs more water through it faster giving short dwell time. So Iguess the euroreef skims less water more effectivly then the Aqua C, but the Aqua C skims more water in the same time.

I also like the becket skimmers (myreef, PM) but they are noisy and require larger pumps. In the end the choice is yours but I would try to check each skimmer out in performance that you decide on before buying.

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

I have been looking at the myreef MR 2, but was worried that it wouldn't be big enough given the size of the sump I may go with, another 150 gallons, bringing the system up to about 300. So when you hit the MR 3, the prices are about the same for ER, South Bay, or G Skimmer, or Bullet.

Ahh... OK, that sump does make a difference... I probably wouldn't use the MR-2 on that setup either.

 

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

SKbok: Actually a "Myreef" wouldnt be cheaper than say a Euro-reef skimmer, as you still have to factor in the cost of a good pressure rated pump. Euro-reef's already come with a high quality Sedra pump. So add about $150 roughly to the price of a MR skimmer up front and then start adding electrical costs too as the months go along. As a beckett style skimmer draws alot of energy. A Euro-reef draws less than 50 watts of energy(.3 amps), you cant beat that.

 

[Anonymous]

True R&B, but you would still save initially since a MAG 18 runs about $110(+$250 for the skimmer) from MD and a ER CS6-3, which I think would be comparable, from MD is about $418, so a savings itially of about $50 . No doubt that in the long run a ER is going to save you energy wise. I was basing my suggestion on the initial post of the 2 skimmers mentioned, which didn't mention the inclusion of the pump at the time. My assumption was why pay $300 for a used skimmer w/o a pump for a 150 gallon (not including the 150 sump which I didn't know about) when you could get, IMHO, a better new skimmer for a cheaper price. Now knowing all the info, I would agree the MR-2 would not be the best choice.

 

[ChrisRD]

Righty:

As others have already pointed out, make sure to factor in the electrical consumption of your different options as it can add up fast.

For example, in my area I pay almost $0.10 per KWH. Running the MR-2 with the Mag 18 (145 watts) is quite a bit more costly than running the Euroreef CS6-3 which uses the Sedra 5000 (50 watts).

Assuming the skimmer runs 24/7, it would cost me an additional $82 a year in electric to run the MR-2. This would quickly negate the small initial cost savings of going with the MR-2.

This is why I own a Euroreef .

 

[kymmy]

are any of the skimmers you are talking about by Kent Marine? How are they as skimmers?