Opinions on protein skimmers

sorts · 02/25/2009, 07:32 AM

Hey everyone. My roommate and I are starting a 72 gallon bow front, both of our first attempts at a reef set-up. Anyhow, I am looking for a protein skimmer to keep in the refugium and need some opinions. We are hoping to save some $, but not end up with a piece of junk that we have to replace anyway. Here are some I was looking at on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Protein-Skimmer-...rkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/Protein-Skimmer-...rkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/SeaClone-Protein...rkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/SeaClone-100-Pro...rkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318

THANKS!

roadracn · 02/25/2009, 08:55 AM

all I can say is that if I were to add up the amount that I and others have spent on skimmers that are sitting in a junk heap somewhere it would be overwhelming. Buy a quality skimmer to start with. In the long run you will be miles and hundreds of dollars ahead. I finally bought an msx 250 (although the 200 would be great for your tank) and love it. I am getting good skimmate on a daily basis, and it wasnt that expensive. The msx200 for your tank is less than 300 shipped, and it works great as well. Rumor has it that their 160 isnt nearly as good, so I would look at that before you buy undersized. The MSX skimmer club has a forum on here so just look for them

Jefe12234 · 02/25/2009, 10:06 AM

Cheap and poorly designed skimmers like those always end up in a junk pile. You're better off saving up. The cheapest skimmer I would consider running is the Bubble Magus BM100.

http://www.nuocean.com/skimmers/bubb...115v-60hz.html

I don't think you'll find a cheaper skimmer with as many good reviews. Here's a thread on them. Read towards the end of it since they updated the skimmer to version 2 at some point which fixed the pump problems.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1438511

mixer911 · 02/25/2009, 10:14 AM

Those are all Junk.... Agree with roadracn, spend a litle more up front and save a bunch in the long run. And have a nice looking tank.

sorts · 02/25/2009, 12:25 PM

Thanks a lot for the help all! Looks like I'll be investing in a Bubble Magus. I can't wait to get this tank running! It has been a dream of mine for a long time after a decade toying with freshwater.

THE ROOK · 02/25/2009, 12:41 PM

MSX 200 - $279.00 to your door.

It will handle that tank & then some. You won't be dissapointed & Marine Solutions has a great rep here on RC. Mine will arrive monday.

02/25/2009, 07:32 AM	#1
sorts Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: CT Posts: 4	Opinions on protein skimmers Hey everyone. My roommate and I are starting a 72 gallon bow front, both of our first attempts at a reef set-up. Anyhow, I am looking for a protein skimmer to keep in the refugium and need some opinions. We are hoping to save some $, but not end up with a piece of junk that we have to replace anyway. Here are some I was looking at on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Protein-Skimmer-...rkparms=66%3A2\|65%3A1\|39%3A1\|240%3A1318 http://cgi.ebay.com/Protein-Skimmer-...rkparms=66%3A2\|65%3A1\|39%3A1\|240%3A1318 http://cgi.ebay.com/SeaClone-Protein...rkparms=66%3A2\|65%3A1\|39%3A1\|240%3A1318 http://cgi.ebay.com/SeaClone-100-Pro...rkparms=66%3A2\|65%3A1\|39%3A1\|240%3A1318 THANKS!

02/25/2009, 10:06 AM	#3
Jefe12234 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: MN Posts: 885	Cheap and poorly designed skimmers like those always end up in a junk pile. You're better off saving up. The cheapest skimmer I would consider running is the Bubble Magus BM100. http://www.nuocean.com/skimmers/bubb...115v-60hz.html I don't think you'll find a cheaper skimmer with as many good reviews. Here's a thread on them. Read towards the end of it since they updated the skimmer to version 2 at some point which fixed the pump problems. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1438511 __________________ Serenity now!!!

02/25/2009, 10:14 AM	#4
mixer911 Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 1,566	Those are all Junk.... Agree with roadracn, spend a litle more up front and save a bunch in the long run. And have a nice looking tank. __________________ Rick --::-- Baffleless Sump Club Shallow Reef Club Rimless Aquarium Club Current Tank Info: 103 Gallon Starphire Reef Savvy Cube / 250w Galaxy Dimmable - Radium - Lumenbright Mini / 2 x 24" VHO / 2 x 24" T5 / 3x Power Brite Act LEDs /2 x Tunze 6025 / Vortech MP40ES / Neptune APEX Lite / CS200 Cone with Octo BB 2000

02/25/2009, 08:55 AM	#2
roadracn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Aurora Posts: 675	all I can say is that if I were to add up the amount that I and others have spent on skimmers that are sitting in a junk heap somewhere it would be overwhelming. Buy a quality skimmer to start with. In the long run you will be miles and hundreds of dollars ahead. I finally bought an msx 250 (although the 200 would be great for your tank) and love it. I am getting good skimmate on a daily basis, and it wasnt that expensive. The msx200 for your tank is less than 300 shipped, and it works great as well. Rumor has it that their 160 isnt nearly as good, so I would look at that before you buy undersized. The MSX skimmer club has a forum on here so just look for them

02/25/2009, 12:25 PM	#5
sorts Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: CT Posts: 4	Thanks a lot for the help all! Looks like I'll be investing in a Bubble Magus. I can't wait to get this tank running! It has been a dream of mine for a long time after a decade toying with freshwater.

02/25/2009, 12:41 PM	#6
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	MSX 200 - $279.00 to your door. It will handle that tank & then some. You won't be dissapointed & Marine Solutions has a great rep here on RC. Mine will arrive monday.