Help, skimmer for a 280 gal with low energy consumption

[Chihuahua6]

I am looking for a decent skimmer for my 280. I plan to have a moderate to fairly large fishload. The thing is I want to buy it second hand since there are some great deals here in the buy/sell forums and I just don't want to spend alot. I also don't want to spend alot to run it. I am hoping to find one for around $300. Someone is selling an MR2. I thought that might work but seems to use a lot of energy.

Also I prefer an insump design as it seems easier for me to hook up.

Can someone give me some suggestions so I can begin my research? I am pretty clueless in this department.

[GSMguy]

i cant think of anything for $300 that would work for a 300g system the MSX 250 for
$399 is the only one i can think of.

[Chihuahua6]

That's why I was going to get a used skimmer. They usually end up selling for 50% less than new. I should be looking for something that costs $700-$800 new.

Maybe I should change the question. What skimmer for a 280 gal in the $600-$800 price range has lower energy consumption?

I'll also check out the MSX 250.

[GSMguy]

be careful a good used skimmer will retain much more than 50% of its value.

plus you could always get a broken skimmer and not have much recourse, at least ask us if its a good idea first.

for all i know the MSX200 at $299 would be better than whatever you find used for 300....

[Jim_S]

Originally posted by GSMguy
be careful a good used skimmer will retain much more than 50% of its value.

Absolutely true.

Not so true of the Chinese imports, but anything made in Germany or Austria will more than likely maintain well over 50% of its value.

[Chihuahua6]

I found a used MTC HSA 1000 http://marinetechnical.com/page8.html
Is this a good skimmer? It seems like it's not made for the sump since it's so tall but I can't be that picky anyway.

[Chihuahua6]

I just saw the above posts. Thanks. I guess that makes sense. If it's a very desired skimmer it will probably sell for less than new but maybe not as low as I thought. I was just going by some of the posts I have seen for used skimmers. It seems that they're not that easy to resell with the economy the way it is. I guess it depends on the skimmer though.

[GSMguy]

thats as inefficient a design as they come but with a huge pump it would work ok.

the problem with a skimmer that tall is the amount of power needed, to get skimmate all the way to the top.

something short and fat with big air numbers and low watts would server you better.

[Chihuahua6]

I checked out the MSX 250 and it seems to have what I'm looking for plus folks here seem to like them. I remember the name.

I haven't found one for $400 though GSMguy. I found it for $480ish which isn't bad but they were sold out. Does anyone know a reputable company that I can buy one from?

[nces519]

http://www.aquacave.com/octopus-extr...lvue-2201.html

[GSMguy]

http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ca...duct_info.html

this one has the better pinwheel.

[Chihuahua6]

Originally posted by GSMguy
thats as inefficient a design as they come but with a huge pump it would work ok.

the problem with a skimmer that tall is the amount of power needed, to get skimmate all the way to the top.

something short and fat with big air numbers and low watts would server you better.

I see what you mean. I'm learning. I haven't gotten into the differences of skimmers much because I always get overwhelmed once people start throwing out brands, designs, upgrades etc.

I have an old ETSS that I never used but was going to put on my 75. Unfortunately it's packed away in my garage and I cant' find it.
I have a Aqua Remora Pro that I used on several of my tanks over the years and it used to work well but recently had me so frustrated I removed it. Now I'm just doing alot of water changes but that's not going to cut it with the 280.

The MSX 250 seems to have it all: good performance, low energy consumption, in sump design, good price.