Which is the Best Skimmer??? Please Help

[Dadany]

Which is a better Skimmer for a SPS tank?

My current specs:
90 gallon corner unit
250 MH HQI
90 lbs of rock
4" substarte


ETSS
Super Reef Devil

Evolution 500

Precision Marine Protein Skimmers
Bullet 1

Aerofoamer Protein Skimmers
Aerofoamer 600 Series

Euro-Reef

Aqua C

I don’t have much experience with these products. Could you please post your pros and cons with respect to each? If there are other comparable skimmers on the market please post comments about them as well.

 

[Tremelle]

I purchased the Aqua C EV-120 a month ago and have been real happy with it and it's performance. You can check it out a www.proteinskimmers.com

You will find a wealth of info on skimmers by using the search function on this site. The skimmers you have listed have been discussed in depth a few times.

 

[Anonymous]

Here a link to a comparison test where some of these skimmers were tested side by side. Skimmer Comparison

 

[cklayko2000]

EuroREEF all the WAY!!!!!

 

[golfish]

Its nice to see you finally threw the best skimmer :wink: in there. I'm sure all those skimmers are good, well, except for the Reef Devil. I use an ER and love it. I had it out of the box and in the sump skimming in 10 minutes. Its very much plug and play.

 

[Dadany]

I have reviewed most comparisons to these brands and find none are really definative in there findings, that is why I am asking for your input.

 

[Anonymous]

Of the skimmers listed, the Aerofoamer and ER are probably the best at removing waste, but are the most expensive as well. The ER consumes a lot less electricity than any of the becket style since they require a larger pump by design. I guess it would depend as well on your price range, in-sump vs in-line, etc. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the ones listed, although I would probably take the ETSS of the list when comparing it to all the others.

 

[FMarini]

Hi:
you have choosen a number of good skimmers.They will most likely all work for you.
Allow me to focus your search.
1) what is your price range?
2)-where will this skimmer sit (under cabinent or outside)-whats the height of cabinent
3) externally plumbed or in sump?
4) are you concerned w/ energy consumption? (some skimmers require a high powerd pump to run effcienctly
5) how much maintence are you willing to perform?

I think if you answer these questions truthfully you'll find what your looking for. Here is a basic backgound on all the skimmers and specifically on beckettheaded ones.

frank

 

[Anonymous]

You forgot Lifereef. Damn fine skimmer IMHO!

http://www.lifereef.com/

Louey

 

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

Euro-reef, after owning them all (cept the cheap Reef devil), I find its the best skimmer regardless of price. And actually considering how super efficient it is on electricity and the fact that it actually comes WITH a pump, its probably the most affordable too factoring that in.

In all reality they are all good units(minus the Reef devil and AquaC model)but the ER and becketts are the best.

 

[Dadany]

1) Price range? Dependant on performance
2) Under cabinent -- 36" clearance
3) In sump
4) Energy consumption is important
5) How much maintence are you willing to perform? what ever is necessary

 

[Anonymous]

Based on those criteria, I would go with the ER, being as enegry consumption is important(one of the most energy efficient on the market), in sump, and since your price range in dependent on performacne and it performs at the top of its class.

 

[bpnc]

I have the AquaC EV240 and it produces plenty of dry foam. I am happy with it...

Bill

 

[wasabi]

i cant make a comparison of those skimmers. but i live about 10 minutes from andy,s shop here in lawrenceville and i stop in from time to time he builds a quality skimmer and reactor i have his skimmer on my 325 and it's a workhorse. i checked prices on many of the skimmers mentioned and i think i got the most bang for my buck. he's building me 2 sets of reactors right now, i cant wait to get them hooked up. check myreef creations.

 

[FMarini]

Hi:
By the way most people have a budget. As an example, they say I will spend no more than $300bux for a skimmer. This will ultimately choose the skimmer for them. Since you have a price is no object ideal, then you should explore. (since all the skimmers you identify will perform well for you)
However, you did add a key point- Energy consumption is important to you.
So you've really narrowed it down to a Euroreef or similar brand. All the other skimmer which require outside pumps will be energy hogs in comparision. To get great efficiency w/ the becketthead skimmers you'll have to use mag12 or bigger pumps. The Etss units require similar sized pumps. The AquaC is really the only smaller pump using skimmer.
So since money is no object look into the biggest under cabinent ER -type unit you want to buy.

 

[tazdevil]

R&B why are you so against the aqua c-ev series, from what I have read and seen, they are a very decent performer, just initial break in is a little tricky, but once they're dialed in, you basically leave them alone.

 

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

Taz: I had my share of AquaC skimmers(EV150,200)and found them decent at best. But they are not in the company of say an Aerofoamer,PM, or ER skimmer. I found quite a few small flaws that bugged the **** out of me. 1st being the in-sump installation. To work somewhat consistently they needed to be raised up a few inches and the gate valve needed to be above water level or the skimmer would fluctuate madly. 2nd was the pump situation. Their original recommendation were the Rio pumps and claims of awesome skimmer performance on small pumps. I found this to be a bit exagerated,as I was using a Mag12 wide open on a 150 with the gate valve removed from the output on the skimmer and replaced with one on the actual pumps output instead. Since their "forced injection" nozzle is nothing more than a venturi realistically, I found it also true that a much larger pump drove the skimmer considerably better. And over the last year AquaC now adds in mag drives as "optional" pumps on their website. Another quirk is dry foam production, couldnt get it regardless of pump used or adjustment,and I think this was also brought up in a recent test,and in my case many times I would come home and the skimmer would be overflowing piss colored water. Also a unit I sold off a year ago to a local gentleman has developed cracking around the riser tube base, and there have been a few other reports of this too over the last few months. Seems like there is/was a problem with the quality of the acrylic used or the weld used for the seams. Considering how many units AquaC makes I am sure its no biggie, but it still raised an eyebrow with me. I know AquaC adressed some of the issues which I feel is great, the big one being the gate valve return being raised up a few inches, but it still didnt cut the mustard for me. I found quite a few other brands to be true PnP out of the box with much better performance overall and no tinkering needed unlike the AquaC models. Others may disagree, but this is from my own experience going through over a dozen different skimmers over the course of 2 years.