Skimmer guy's help please

biger · 03/07/2008, 02:12 PM

I have very limited space for an in sump skimmer and have kind of narrowed my choices down to 3 skimmers that will fit in my sump. just wanted to hear some thoughts from all the skimmer guys.

1) ETSS sump buddy 40
2) Bermuda BPS3C
3) Tunze 9010

This would be for my 180. I have 2 sumps so I could put a skimmer in each sump if I need to in the future. I like the idea of in sump skimmers in case of a leak or overflow.

These are all about the same footprint and close in cost.
Thanks for any help and any other suggestions for other similar size skimmers. ( quiet is also a factor)

saveafish · 03/07/2008, 03:17 PM

My reefer budy got the sump buddy 60 and he is as happy as a kid in a candy store with it. I will get to see it run this weekend. but the size and its performance seems to be good. I like the idea of not having the stick out gate on it

Iostream · 03/07/2008, 03:42 PM

I would certainly go for ETSS on this tank, though honestly I would go for the sump buddy 60 if you can swing it for a 180G. The 40 is spec'd for a 180G max, and I think you might get much better performance from the 60. You can call AE Tech (they are much better about handling calls than emails it seems).

HerbieK · 03/07/2008, 05:42 PM

I have a Bermuda 5C on my 180 using a Mag 12. This thing pulls out close to 1/2 gallon of "strong green Tea" skimmate a day. (I like to skim wet). I have a fairly heavily stocked SPS tank, and could not be happier with my skimmer choice.

I think a 3C may be a little light for a 180.

Hope this helps.

Herb

biger · 03/07/2008, 07:21 PM

My only Problem is I should have planned more space. I built the sumps myself and like a moron I only left a 8" x 8.5" space in each one for a protein skimmer. That rules out the BPS5C and the sump buddy 60 but I see there are a couple other ETSS skimmers that would fit. So to bring the list up to date.

1) ETSS sump buddy 40
2) ETSS Reefdevil Deluxe
3) ETSS Evolution 500
4) Bermuda BPS3C
5) Tunze 9010

These are the ones that I have found that would fit so far. I know these may be small but I can always buy another skimmer later and run 2 (1 in each sump) if I really need to. I would think that 2 of any of these would be enough. Or no?

Thanks again for the help and suggestions.

luke33 · 03/07/2008, 07:23 PM

IMO none of those skimmers are goin gto handle a 180g with a sump.

biger · 03/07/2008, 08:21 PM

Luke, so u think I should just get an external skimmer and quit searching for an internal one that will fit?

DarG · 03/07/2008, 09:20 PM

Go external so you dont limit your choiices to undersized skimmers. Bermuda makes nice skimmers by the way.

geoxman · 03/07/2008, 09:29 PM

that is too bad the sumpbuddy 60 wont fit! I had a a brief conversation with Iostream in a PM about this skimmer. I am looking forward to when he gets it.

I like the Bermuda, ETSS and any beckett for external. I have tried many of NW and they are fine as well. Your choices are numerous-good luck

luke33 · 03/07/2008, 09:31 PM

Like dar said the bermuda's are nice skimmers, if you get one get the 5c for that large a tank. And yes i think you should just go external. Get a das ex2 for 400bux and be done with the search. There on ebay right now for that price. Otherwise you'll pay 440 from www.petorama.net

biger · 03/07/2008, 10:22 PM

Hey Luke, are those Das externals easy to plumb? It looks like the pumps on it are for recirc. Do I still need a pump to feed it? I am pretty new to skimmers that's why I was planning on in sump. They seemed like they would be easier to deal with and I wouldn't have to worry about leaks. Looks like the Das EX-2 might be the best choice for external tho.

luke33 · 03/07/2008, 10:28 PM

Yep, i think so two. They are easy to plum as well, you just hook up the pump's and put your feeder pump in your sump and connect it with a hose, or feed it from your overflow, and have the output of the skimmer going into the sump. Its an easy plumbing job.

biger · 03/08/2008, 12:15 AM

Ok I think I will Probly do the DAS. Thanks for the help Luke and all the input from everyone.

USC-fan · 03/08/2008, 12:18 AM

check out the DAS club. Ton of info on these skimmers.

biger · 03/08/2008, 05:50 PM

Will do, thanks

03/07/2008, 02:12 PM	#1
biger Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: colorado Posts: 777	Skimmer guy's help please I have very limited space for an in sump skimmer and have kind of narrowed my choices down to 3 skimmers that will fit in my sump. just wanted to hear some thoughts from all the skimmer guys. 1) ETSS sump buddy 40 2) Bermuda BPS3C 3) Tunze 9010 This would be for my 180. I have 2 sumps so I could put a skimmer in each sump if I need to in the future. I like the idea of in sump skimmers in case of a leak or overflow. These are all about the same footprint and close in cost. Thanks for any help and any other suggestions for other similar size skimmers. ( quiet is also a factor)

03/07/2008, 03:17 PM	#2
saveafish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: indiana Posts: 873	My reefer budy got the sump buddy 60 and he is as happy as a kid in a candy store with it. I will get to see it run this weekend. but the size and its performance seems to be good. I like the idea of not having the stick out gate on it __________________ If it was'nt for the sea I could not see or sing ( Jimmy Buffet ) I like to glue animals to rocks and put disturbing amounts of electricity and saltwater next to each other Reefing is'nt how long you been in it. It is how deep you get in it. Current Tank Info: 400g display build, 300g sump, 75g ATO, 75g refug and a few more. Close to a 1000g. 200g mixing station.

03/07/2008, 03:42 PM	#3
Iostream Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 433	I would certainly go for ETSS on this tank, though honestly I would go for the sump buddy 60 if you can swing it for a 180G. The 40 is spec'd for a 180G max, and I think you might get much better performance from the 60. You can call AE Tech (they are much better about handling calls than emails it seems). __________________ Click on the little red house to see my 90G build thread. Current Tank Info: Red Sea Max 34G started 9/07 90G Reef Ready restarted 10/11

03/07/2008, 07:21 PM	#5
biger Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: colorado Posts: 777	My only Problem is I should have planned more space. I built the sumps myself and like a moron I only left a 8" x 8.5" space in each one for a protein skimmer. That rules out the BPS5C and the sump buddy 60 but I see there are a couple other ETSS skimmers that would fit. So to bring the list up to date. 1) ETSS sump buddy 40 2) ETSS Reefdevil Deluxe 3) ETSS Evolution 500 4) Bermuda BPS3C 5) Tunze 9010 These are the ones that I have found that would fit so far. I know these may be small but I can always buy another skimmer later and run 2 (1 in each sump) if I really need to. I would think that 2 of any of these would be enough. Or no? Thanks again for the help and suggestions. __________________ "All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke Current Tank Info: 180 gal in wall

03/07/2008, 08:21 PM	#7
biger Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: colorado Posts: 777	Luke, so u think I should just get an external skimmer and quit searching for an internal one that will fit? __________________ "All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke Current Tank Info: 180 gal in wall

03/07/2008, 05:42 PM	#4
HerbieK Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kendall Park, NJ Posts: 253	I have a Bermuda 5C on my 180 using a Mag 12. This thing pulls out close to 1/2 gallon of "strong green Tea" skimmate a day. (I like to skim wet). I have a fairly heavily stocked SPS tank, and could not be happier with my skimmer choice. I think a 3C may be a little light for a 180. Hope this helps. Herb

03/07/2008, 07:23 PM	#6
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	IMO none of those skimmers are goin gto handle a 180g with a sump.

03/07/2008, 09:20 PM	#8
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Go external so you dont limit your choiices to undersized skimmers. Bermuda makes nice skimmers by the way.

03/07/2008, 09:29 PM	#9
geoxman Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in my office Posts: 3,848	that is too bad the sumpbuddy 60 wont fit! I had a a brief conversation with Iostream in a PM about this skimmer. I am looking forward to when he gets it. I like the Bermuda, ETSS and any beckett for external. I have tried many of NW and they are fine as well. Your choices are numerous-good luck __________________ "Why do you necessarily have to be wrong just because a few million people think you are?" F-Zappa Current Tank Info: an ice cube tray with brine shrimp in each cubicle

03/07/2008, 09:31 PM	#10
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Like dar said the bermuda's are nice skimmers, if you get one get the 5c for that large a tank. And yes i think you should just go external. Get a das ex2 for 400bux and be done with the search. There on ebay right now for that price. Otherwise you'll pay 440 from www.petorama.net

03/07/2008, 10:22 PM	#11
biger Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: colorado Posts: 777	Hey Luke, are those Das externals easy to plumb? It looks like the pumps on it are for recirc. Do I still need a pump to feed it? I am pretty new to skimmers that's why I was planning on in sump. They seemed like they would be easier to deal with and I wouldn't have to worry about leaks. Looks like the Das EX-2 might be the best choice for external tho. __________________ "All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke Current Tank Info: 180 gal in wall

03/07/2008, 10:28 PM	#12
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Yep, i think so two. They are easy to plum as well, you just hook up the pump's and put your feeder pump in your sump and connect it with a hose, or feed it from your overflow, and have the output of the skimmer going into the sump. Its an easy plumbing job.

03/08/2008, 12:15 AM	#13
biger Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: colorado Posts: 777	Ok I think I will Probly do the DAS. Thanks for the help Luke and all the input from everyone. __________________ "All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke Current Tank Info: 180 gal in wall

03/08/2008, 12:18 AM	#14
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	check out the DAS club. Ton of info on these skimmers.

03/08/2008, 05:50 PM	#15
biger Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: colorado Posts: 777	Will do, thanks __________________ "All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke Current Tank Info: 180 gal in wall