Best Skimmer... advice.

[jonovan02]

Hi all!

I recently bought an AquaC Urchin w/ MaxiJet 1200 upgrade (rated up tp 75 gal) which was intended to go in a 55 gal, but before I could buy the tank, I found a GREAT deal on an 80 gal with stand.

I am now thinking that this skimmer will not be sufficient for my new 80 gal. True? I am considering getting another skimmer. I've heard only good reviews on the AquaC line of skimmers, but the ev series is not in my budget range. I'm willing to spend up to $200.

Can anyone give me suggestions as to what is a good skimmer to purchase for my 80 gal considering my budget? I am planning to keep LR, fish, Clams and corals (I don't know which ones yet).

What do you guys think about the Turboflotor T1000 w/ Rio 2100 (rated for 25-250 gal)... this is a venturi w/ needle wheel right?

How about the Kent Marine Nautilus Turbo Eductor Skimmer (up to 150 gal)?

Red Sea Berlin Models? Tunze?

The skimmers mentioned above are the ones I have found to be in my price range (oh, the skimmer is intended for in-sump). Any comments on these skimmers or suggestions for other skimmers would be great! Thank you all for all of your help.

 

[Len]

You're gonna get a lot of opinions on this.

I've had good sucess with the Berlin and Turboflotor, and find them good value skimmers. I've heard good experieneces with the Kent skimmer as well. To be honest, I don't think you can go wrong with any of these three skimmers if you're on a budget.

I had a Tunze 230 skimmer that worked well, but was not as affordable as the three listed above. I've also used Bullet skimmers, ETS skimmers, and HSA skimmers in the past. These are very powerful, but are rather expensive (considering the required pumps). I currently use a Euroreef skimmer and am very happy with it, but it is also on the expensive side.

The Urchin may be a bit small to export nutrients during the first few months/years of the tank. I've found, however, that after the first year or two, skimmers don't remove nearly as much as they do with an immature reef tank. And fact is, skimmer ratings are rather arbitrary. The Urchin may work out for you granted you reduce nutrient import (i.e. R/O) and have complimentary methods of nutrient export (i.e. DSB, water changes, macro/microalgae harvest, etc.). I know people who use a Remora on heavily stocked 60 gallons with no problem.

 

[golfish]

Don't you think you would be better off waiting, saving and getting a good skimmer rather then buying another POS and having to replace it 3 months from now. There are lots of good skimmers out there in the 300-400 dollar range for your tank. The new cheaper line of Euro-reef skimmers look like a good deal, the MyReef skimmers are nice, the Southbays are another good deal. I really hate to see people waste money on something like this because their in a hurry. You can spend 200.00 now and have a lousy skimmer that will probably casue you headachs and money on down the road.

 

[mountainbiker619]

on my 100 gal I currently have a Red Sea Berlin hang on that has been running well for a year now. Only down side to it is at the bottom of the skimmer main tube you can not access it to clean it. And mine is in dire need of cleaning down there. Today I installed a Remora Pro Hang-On on the same 100 gal. So I have both skimmers running. We shall see how the Remora works out. But I have to say that I LOVE my Euro-Reef CS6-2 that I have running on my 60 gal.

 

[jonovan02]

The new cheaper line of Euro-reef skimmers look like a good deal...

Seriously considering upgrading to the ES5-2 or ES5-3. Looking at the posts on www.wetwebmedia.com: Great Reviews!

I'll wait to see what other people think before I commit myself (and my wallet) to this skimmer first.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Anonymous]

For reference I use a Urchin w/ maxijet on my 75 gallon and it works pretty darn well - tank is still settling in (cycled for 6 weeks then had livestock mved over another month) but I get about 1/3 cup skimmate every other day maybe? Running it with an insump fuge currently so I expect output to decrease some in time.

 

[Riotfishdude]

yes indeed,why keep upgrading,get yourself an Aerofoamer624,the last skimmer you will ever buy,even if you upgrade again....Riot....
www.reefconcepts.com