Help Choosing Skimmer

TheFallofSidney · 05/13/2008, 03:47 PM

I hate posting these "which should I buy" threads, but I can't find any good comparisons between the skimmers I'm considering.

The setup is a 50g display and 25g sump with heavy bioload.

I'm looking at:

BK 160 Mini
ATI Bubble Master 160
MSX 160
H&S A110

USC-fan · 05/13/2008, 04:45 PM

If it was me, I would get the MSX-160 or DAS ex-1.

The das ex-1 is a lot like the H&S A110 but performance would be better and its also cheaper.

lark · 05/13/2008, 05:02 PM

They all have good reputations. Can't really go wrong, I bet.

I just made a similar decision and bought the MSX 160. Seemed like a good mix of price and performance -- plus there is a very active owner's thread on this board so I figured I would always have a place to go to get help. I gave serious thought to the DAS -- I was intrigued with a recirc. But ultimately, I went with the MSX.

I didn't consider the BK, since it's way out of my price range.

GSMguy · 05/13/2008, 05:11 PM

msx or DAS, and the BK if the silence and exclusivity matter.

TheFallofSidney · 05/13/2008, 06:21 PM

The DAS's footprint is too large for me, so I guess I'll look even more into the MSX. The BK isn't too expensive for me, but I know it isn't cheap either. I would prefer to have something reliable that doesn't need a lot of tinkering since I'm going to have less time to do these things in the coming months.

thysrof · 05/13/2008, 06:53 PM

There's a skimmer comparison chart on this site under comparison charts.

http://www.aquariumcontrollers.com/

CDReefLover · 05/13/2008, 07:06 PM

I would got with something established if you don't have time to mesh around with adjustments, either the A110 or BM160, but I think the BM160 might be a little overkill for your 50g setup unless it is extremely heavy bioload and feedings. If you read up on the BM160, it seems they demand a higher bioload to work effectively. With that said, go for the A110, a proven product and long history of performance and success. MSX is new kid on the block, I would wait a little longer to see if any other issues come up that need to be fixed. Always some risk with brand new products, so wait for all the issues to show and be fixed.

05/13/2008, 03:47 PM	#1
TheFallofSidney Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buena Park, CA Posts: 964	Help Choosing Skimmer I hate posting these "which should I buy" threads, but I can't find any good comparisons between the skimmers I'm considering. The setup is a 50g display and 25g sump with heavy bioload. I'm looking at: BK 160 Mini ATI Bubble Master 160 MSX 160 H&S A110 __________________ My folks were always on me to groom myself and wear underpants. What am I, the pope? Current Tank Info: 50g 24"x24"x20" Display & 75g 60"x24"x12" Prop Using ZEOvit

05/13/2008, 05:11 PM	#4
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	msx or DAS, and the BK if the silence and exclusivity matter. __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

05/13/2008, 06:21 PM	#5
TheFallofSidney Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buena Park, CA Posts: 964	The DAS's footprint is too large for me, so I guess I'll look even more into the MSX. The BK isn't too expensive for me, but I know it isn't cheap either. I would prefer to have something reliable that doesn't need a lot of tinkering since I'm going to have less time to do these things in the coming months. __________________ My folks were always on me to groom myself and wear underpants. What am I, the pope? Current Tank Info: 50g 24"x24"x20" Display & 75g 60"x24"x12" Prop Using ZEOvit

05/13/2008, 06:53 PM	#6
thysrof Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Santa Rosa,ca Posts: 1,264	Comparrison Chart There's a skimmer comparison chart on this site under comparison charts. http://www.aquariumcontrollers.com/

05/13/2008, 04:45 PM	#2
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	If it was me, I would get the MSX-160 or DAS ex-1. The das ex-1 is a lot like the H&S A110 but performance would be better and its also cheaper.

05/13/2008, 05:02 PM	#3
lark Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 535	They all have good reputations. Can't really go wrong, I bet. I just made a similar decision and bought the MSX 160. Seemed like a good mix of price and performance -- plus there is a very active owner's thread on this board so I figured I would always have a place to go to get help. I gave serious thought to the DAS -- I was intrigued with a recirc. But ultimately, I went with the MSX. I didn't consider the BK, since it's way out of my price range.

05/13/2008, 07:06 PM	#7
CDReefLover Moved On Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 56	I would got with something established if you don't have time to mesh around with adjustments, either the A110 or BM160, but I think the BM160 might be a little overkill for your 50g setup unless it is extremely heavy bioload and feedings. If you read up on the BM160, it seems they demand a higher bioload to work effectively. With that said, go for the A110, a proven product and long history of performance and success. MSX is new kid on the block, I would wait a little longer to see if any other issues come up that need to be fixed. Always some risk with brand new products, so wait for all the issues to show and be fixed.