EuroReef ES5-3 vs Turboflotor 1000, advice needed.

[Mihai]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a protein skimmer (and dump the SeaClone -> by the
way, I remember that I stumbled at some point over a SeaClone mod page
that had 3 mods to improve the efficiency, does anybody have the
link?). After some significant research and after considering the
available budget (<$250 ideal, <$300 max), I narrowed it down to two
and a half skimmers:

EuroReef ES5-3

and

Turboflotor 1000 or Turboflotor 1000 multi

My tank is a 90gal that will eventually be mixed reef.

The general consensus seems to be that the EuroReef is the best of the
best. Does this apply to the "cheap" ES series, or only to the CS
series (which is outside the budget).

However, the Turboflotor is rated for tanks 25-250gal, while the
EuroReef ES5-3 claims that the ideal aquarium size is 90gal... Is this
a marketing trick? I've been told that I should really buy a skimmer
for an aquarium larger than mine (twice!)?

Am I missing anything? Can you recommend any of the above skimmers
over the other one?

Thanks a bunch,
Mihai

 

[ChrisRD]

I think you'll get a lot more useful responses to this thread in the main discussion forum. I'll move it there for you and leave a copy in the NRF as well...

 

[Mihai]

I hope so . Anything would be better than what I got in the NRF .

I'm leaning more and more towards the EuroReef, but I'd like the blessing of the experts before I shed some money

M.

 

[Len]

I say go with the Euroreef. The turboflotor is a nice skimmer for the value, but it's on the finicky side. The Euroreef, IME, is more reliable and its impellar/pump assembly performs better. The TF multi with the Ocean Runner pump does a little better then the standard TF IME, but the Euroreef still beats them both.

Of the three ....
If I had a tight budget, I'd go with the TF1000.
If I needed a hang-on, I'd go with the multi.
For neither is my primary concern, I'd get the Euroreef.

If you're asking for personal experiences, it's better to post it in a forum where people aren't new to the hobby

 

[Anonymous]

i just bought the ES-53 and am pretty darn happy with it.

i started a thread regarding the new economy models and had little response.
my bet is the performance is every bit of that you would get from the CS-6. the injection molded plastic (as opposed to acrylic) shouldn't harm performance.

 

[hillbilly]

I bought a euro-reef after seeing some in action on other reefs. I will be buying more for my other tanks as the budget allows. It is by far the best skimmer I have ever used, and I have used several different ones over the years.

 

[Jolieve]

I have the ES5-3 and I am in love with this thing. You should see the evil skimmate it puts out. I have to wear a mask to clean the collection cup... none of the skimmers I have owned previously have performed this well.

J.

 

[Anonymous]

I have the ES5-3 and I am in love with this thing. You should see the evil skimmate it puts out. I have to wear a mask to clean the collection cup... none of the skimmers I have owned previously have performed this well.

J.

i was shocked at the smell and i am running wet.

i nearly gagged the first time i cleaned it.

 

[Mihai]

OK, I'm convinced now. The budget is not big, but I think that can afford a small euro-reef. Thanks a lot for the advice, I'll go for the euro-reef. If only I could find one used...

Mihai

 

[hillbilly]

OK, I'm convinced now. The budget is not big, but I think that can afford a small euro-reef. Thanks a lot for the advice, I'll go for the euro-reef. If only I could find one used...

Mihai

Try H20 Tropicals, they sell Euro-Reef blems, and have a euro-reef upgrade exchange program. They have a web site. Sure to save some bucks.

 

[Mihai]

Thanks for the hint. They don't have any for sales now, maybe later...
Mihai

 

[Dubge]

I just picked up a used one from someone local (4 months old) for 180.00
I can swear I saw another one for sale somewhere.....maybe the for sale fourm on reef central? I think it was 170 plus shipping

Ray

 

[Mihai]

Ray,

That would be so cool. Where? Where? I just looked last night both here and on RC...

Thanks,
Mihai

 

[Dubge]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthrea ... did=324091

 

[Mihai]

I see, not bad, but it's an ES5-2 not an ES5-3.
I measured my space and I can afford an ES5-3.
I assume that the ES5-3 would be more efficient (more reaction space), and that's all there is to it, right? I want the most efficient skimmer that fits in my space. So I'll go for the ES5-3 instead.

But thanks a lot, I completely missed that (I was looking for EuroReef).

Thanks again,
Mihai

 

[Dubge]

sorry I wasn't paying attention to the model I just saw euroreef

Ray