Need a few skimmer ideas

Curve · 05/22/2009, 11:00 PM

Okay I am setting up my 225 with a 75 sump in a few weeks and I have been against skimmers forever. Most of the stuff going into this tank is transfer from my 135 that has been setup for 5 years. I have never used a skimmer and I want to set my sump on the 225 up for a skimmer.

This tank is a fowlr with 300lbs. live sand, and about 175 to 200 lbs of live rock. I have a few fish that will get pretty big so I used more sand and less rock to give a little more swimming room. I will also be putting a deep sand bed in the sump to help aid in the filtration too.

I want some recomendations on an affordable not cheap good skimmer. I only have about 27" of clearance total after the sump is in there so I know this will play a large factor. Is there any affordable cone skimmers out there that I want to look into??

Sorry about all the questions I just want to do this right the first time.

I will also be interested in a used skimmer also.

nikon187 · 05/23/2009, 12:11 AM

budget? space inside sump dedicated for the skimmer? bang for buck MSX/octopus extreme line, very good skimmers for their price. I believe the cones for your tank size are anywhere from $800-$1600 depending on brand

X men · 05/23/2009, 12:19 AM

for a cone skimmer i think it is obvious : ATB. They are in the sponsored section of the forum, plenty of examples;

sjm817 · 05/23/2009, 06:16 AM

MSX250 for $380 is a great bang for the $

Curve · 05/23/2009, 06:22 AM

Keep the ideas coming.

THE ROOK · 05/23/2009, 07:52 AM

The new Vertex/BK Alpha 200 or 250 cones look pretty sweet.

Curve · 05/23/2009, 05:33 PM

Where can I find the vertex's at??

ChrisKirkland · 05/23/2009, 05:49 PM

I would use an ASM G-4 or better... They are probably the best large skimmer in my opinion...

Big_D · 05/23/2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Curve
Where can I find the vertex's at??

PremiumAquatics.com

I agree with sjm on the MSX250 as far as affordable performance...

Like nikon asked, what's your budget and size requirements? In sump or external?...

I'm lovin my Alpha 250, you can check out this thread for some info on them:

Link <<<---

ATB's are great skimmers too as far as cones go...

D

mojo~ · 05/23/2009, 06:13 PM

Not trying to hijack this thread, But many of the new alpha owners havent owned a Bubble King or an ATB skimmer to compare it too. Before you drop a lot of money just do your research.
The msx 250 is good bang for buck but the pumps can perform differently if they start backwards. Only drawback. The atb with custom volute solves this issue with a sicce pump.
I would look at a ATB 1050, the MSX cone with an Askoll pump. or maybe even go with the msx 250 with an askoll pump. The warner marine as 300 would also be a beast of a skimmer on that system.

Big_D · 05/23/2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mojo~
Not trying to hijack this thread, But many of the new alpha owners havent owned a Bubble King or an ATB skimmer to compare it too.

Hmmm... guess this is pointed at me since it looks like I'm the only one suggesting the Alpha that owns one?..

You're right, I haven't owned an ATB or a BK... but I'm pretty sure I told him ATB's were great skimmers as well, so I'm confused as to why this comment was even needed.

Hahn's?...

D

nikon187 · 05/23/2009, 07:16 PM

For the record an ASM G-4 isn't in any of the skimmers mentioned league.

05/22/2009, 11:00 PM	#1
Curve Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Farmerville, Louisiana Posts: 652	Need a few skimmer ideas Okay I am setting up my 225 with a 75 sump in a few weeks and I have been against skimmers forever. Most of the stuff going into this tank is transfer from my 135 that has been setup for 5 years. I have never used a skimmer and I want to set my sump on the 225 up for a skimmer. This tank is a fowlr with 300lbs. live sand, and about 175 to 200 lbs of live rock. I have a few fish that will get pretty big so I used more sand and less rock to give a little more swimming room. I will also be putting a deep sand bed in the sump to help aid in the filtration too. I want some recomendations on an affordable not cheap good skimmer. I only have about 27" of clearance total after the sump is in there so I know this will play a large factor. Is there any affordable cone skimmers out there that I want to look into?? Sorry about all the questions I just want to do this right the first time. I will also be interested in a used skimmer also. __________________ If you don't take some meds, you're going to burn out of this hobby everytime a shrimp farts. Current Tank Info: 210 aggresive, 3 gallon led build

05/23/2009, 12:11 AM	#2
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	budget? space inside sump dedicated for the skimmer? bang for buck MSX/octopus extreme line, very good skimmers for their price. I believe the cones for your tank size are anywhere from $800-$1600 depending on brand __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

05/23/2009, 06:16 AM	#4
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	MSX250 for $380 is a great bang for the $ __________________ - Scott

05/23/2009, 06:22 AM	#5
Curve Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Farmerville, Louisiana Posts: 652	Keep the ideas coming. __________________ If you don't take some meds, you're going to burn out of this hobby everytime a shrimp farts. Current Tank Info: 210 aggresive, 3 gallon led build

05/23/2009, 05:33 PM	#7
Curve Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Farmerville, Louisiana Posts: 652	Where can I find the vertex's at?? __________________ If you don't take some meds, you're going to burn out of this hobby everytime a shrimp farts. Current Tank Info: 210 aggresive, 3 gallon led build

05/23/2009, 12:19 AM	#3
X men Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: belgium Posts: 63	for a cone skimmer i think it is obvious : ATB. They are in the sponsored section of the forum, plenty of examples;

05/23/2009, 07:52 AM	#6
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	The new Vertex/BK Alpha 200 or 250 cones look pretty sweet.

05/23/2009, 05:49 PM	#8
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,739	I would use an ASM G-4 or better... They are probably the best large skimmer in my opinion... __________________ Chris Kirkland Reef Nerd. Current Tank Info: Getting back into the hobby.

05/23/2009, 06:13 PM	#10
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	Not trying to hijack this thread, But many of the new alpha owners havent owned a Bubble King or an ATB skimmer to compare it too. Before you drop a lot of money just do your research. The msx 250 is good bang for buck but the pumps can perform differently if they start backwards. Only drawback. The atb with custom volute solves this issue with a sicce pump. I would look at a ATB 1050, the MSX cone with an Askoll pump. or maybe even go with the msx 250 with an askoll pump. The warner marine as 300 would also be a beast of a skimmer on that system. __________________ Mojo~

05/23/2009, 07:16 PM	#12
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	For the record an ASM G-4 isn't in any of the skimmers mentioned league. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.