Opinions on my choices of Protein Skimmer and Pumps please

realbrit70 · 10/13/2009, 09:49 AM

Here is the list of Protein Skimmers that I'm considering.

AquaC EV400 - 450 gallon capacity
Vertex Alpha Kone 250 - 350 gallon capacity
EuroReef VS350 - 350 gallon capacity (max to 800 gallons)
CoralVue Octopus Super Reef 5000 - 400 gallon capacity

The tank will be a mixed reef tank with a fair variety of fish and inverts. Corals will be mainly soft and mushroom types with a few hard to be added later in the upper reaches of the tank. I want the skimmer to be able to handle the bio-load which is why I'm looking at 350-450 gallon skimmers for my 220 display tank.

Of the options I'm looking at I've received a lot of good feedback on the AquaC, however it is the most expensive to run. The Vertex has also be highly recommended and while it's the least expensive to run it is the most expensive to buy. The Euroreef is the most cost effective but I haven't received much information on it's performance. The one I'm leaning toward is the Octopus Super Reef 5000 or 6000. While I know it's a new skimmer it is competive in terms of cost effectiveness and the initial reviews seem to be that it is a very good skimmer in terms of bubble production.

Given that space is not an issue which would you go with and why?

Also I'm looking for information on pumps to help me make that decision too. My LFS owner (through whom I purchased the tanks) and I were discussing them last night when he delivered the tanks. He was suggesting using an Iwaki for the return and then a Reeflo Dart for the closed loop, but I don't think that would give me enough flow.

I'm looking to generate around 7500GPH (about 30x tank volume) with about 1500-2000GPH flowing through the sump/return to give a good flow for the Gracilaria I intend to use for nutrient removal/tang feeding, and 5500-6000 through a closed loop.

I had intended to use a single closed loop pump taking water from 2 intakes and feeding an Ocean's Motion device to 4 returns. However it struck me that doing that I would need a big, loud pump to get the flow I require. So now I'm thinking that I should build 2 seperate loops each fed from 1 intake and running 2500-3000 GPH. That would allow me to run two Darts (which I hope would be quieter than one big pump as these pumps will be sitting right under the display and not in the basement like the return pump). However I'm uncertain as to how I should return them to the tank. If I put an Oceans Motion 4 way on each of them then I have an extra 4 holes in my tank bottom for a total of about 14 holes. That's a little concerning. What would you do?

Then there's the sump return pump. I have about 18' of head to overcome and while the Iwaki will do that it won't do it at 2000GPH. The Reeflo Barracuda Gold or a Hammerhead would seem to do that as would the Dolphin Ampmaster. Are there any others I'm missing?

I appreciate any input you guys can give me.

imnotanerd · 10/13/2009, 09:56 AM

I would go euroreef or octo both run great. Euro reef has proved it self over time and the vs is pretty much the same as the rs series they just use pvc for parts now. I like the vertex cones but there still arent alot of people running them. As far as the octo goes just look up the bubble blaster pump on youtube and it will amaze you. I'm thinking about getting one of the super reef octos too.

cobbobby · 10/13/2009, 10:27 AM

I'd pass on the ER and the AC.

kentrob11 · 10/13/2009, 10:31 AM

Agreed...Old technology. The Octo is easily the best bang for the buck.

MCCOOL · 10/13/2009, 10:32 AM

Have you thought about running the closed loop returns over the top of the tank so you wouldn't have to drill as many holes?

realbrit70 · 10/13/2009, 10:55 AM

McCool: Not really much choice. The tank is an in-wall 360 viewable between foyer and great room. Build thread here. I can't plumb the returns through the tank and split them above because of the lighting plus I don't want to have to hide more plumbing than is necessary with rock.

kentrob11: I'm in O'Fallon, IL currently too although we're building the house and tank out in Sunset Hills, MO.

rbnice1 · 10/13/2009, 11:18 AM

Well I cant speak to all those skimmers.

I did have a AquaC EV120 and loved it.
I now have a Alpha200 and So far really like it.

MCCOOL · 10/13/2009, 11:52 AM

I agree that's a lot of holes to drill in the bottom of the tank, maybe use a reeflo hammerhead rather than the dart. I've never used one personally but I doubt the noise is much worse than the dart.

suthrnmn · 10/14/2009, 05:20 PM

the etss downdraft is pricey but is a heck of a skimmer....i love mine.

skimmy · 10/14/2009, 07:55 PM

for skimmers,
also look at the SWC 250a, 300a,
90scfh, less than 80 watts, $550-$600.

and for flow,
personally I would ditch the closed loops and do a gyre with multiple tunze, vortec, or octopus/sun sun low watt wide flow pumps.

and for your sump, i would probably leave the Iwaki on there, because you only want about 3x-4x going through the sump, if you need to, provide your gracillaria with more flow via powerhead. the more water molecules dwell in the sump, the more likely they are to be cleaned by the skimmer/fuge/media reactors. if they are flying through the sump very fast then they are less likely to be cleaned by your skimmer/fuge/media reactors

10/13/2009, 09:49 AM	#1
realbrit70 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 14	Opinions on my choices of Protein Skimmer and Pumps please Here is the list of Protein Skimmers that I'm considering. AquaC EV400 - 450 gallon capacity Vertex Alpha Kone 250 - 350 gallon capacity EuroReef VS350 - 350 gallon capacity (max to 800 gallons) CoralVue Octopus Super Reef 5000 - 400 gallon capacity The tank will be a mixed reef tank with a fair variety of fish and inverts. Corals will be mainly soft and mushroom types with a few hard to be added later in the upper reaches of the tank. I want the skimmer to be able to handle the bio-load which is why I'm looking at 350-450 gallon skimmers for my 220 display tank. Of the options I'm looking at I've received a lot of good feedback on the AquaC, however it is the most expensive to run. The Vertex has also be highly recommended and while it's the least expensive to run it is the most expensive to buy. The Euroreef is the most cost effective but I haven't received much information on it's performance. The one I'm leaning toward is the Octopus Super Reef 5000 or 6000. While I know it's a new skimmer it is competive in terms of cost effectiveness and the initial reviews seem to be that it is a very good skimmer in terms of bubble production. Given that space is not an issue which would you go with and why? Also I'm looking for information on pumps to help me make that decision too. My LFS owner (through whom I purchased the tanks) and I were discussing them last night when he delivered the tanks. He was suggesting using an Iwaki for the return and then a Reeflo Dart for the closed loop, but I don't think that would give me enough flow. I'm looking to generate around 7500GPH (about 30x tank volume) with about 1500-2000GPH flowing through the sump/return to give a good flow for the Gracilaria I intend to use for nutrient removal/tang feeding, and 5500-6000 through a closed loop. I had intended to use a single closed loop pump taking water from 2 intakes and feeding an Ocean's Motion device to 4 returns. However it struck me that doing that I would need a big, loud pump to get the flow I require. So now I'm thinking that I should build 2 seperate loops each fed from 1 intake and running 2500-3000 GPH. That would allow me to run two Darts (which I hope would be quieter than one big pump as these pumps will be sitting right under the display and not in the basement like the return pump). However I'm uncertain as to how I should return them to the tank. If I put an Oceans Motion 4 way on each of them then I have an extra 4 holes in my tank bottom for a total of about 14 holes. That's a little concerning. What would you do? Then there's the sump return pump. I have about 18' of head to overcome and while the Iwaki will do that it won't do it at 2000GPH. The Reeflo Barracuda Gold or a Hammerhead would seem to do that as would the Dolphin Ampmaster. Are there any others I'm missing? I appreciate any input you guys can give me.

10/13/2009, 09:56 AM	#2
imnotanerd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tulsa Posts: 88	I would go euroreef or octo both run great. Euro reef has proved it self over time and the vs is pretty much the same as the rs series they just use pvc for parts now. I like the vertex cones but there still arent alot of people running them. As far as the octo goes just look up the bubble blaster pump on youtube and it will amaze you. I'm thinking about getting one of the super reef octos too.

10/13/2009, 10:27 AM	#3
cobbobby Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: At a Tea Party Posts: 393	I'd pass on the ER and the AC.

10/13/2009, 10:31 AM	#4
kentrob11 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: O'Fallon, IL Posts: 4,520	Agreed...Old technology. The Octo is easily the best bang for the buck.

10/13/2009, 10:32 AM	#5
MCCOOL Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,135	Have you thought about running the closed loop returns over the top of the tank so you wouldn't have to drill as many holes?

10/13/2009, 10:55 AM	#6
realbrit70 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 14	McCool: Not really much choice. The tank is an in-wall 360 viewable between foyer and great room. Build thread here. I can't plumb the returns through the tank and split them above because of the lighting plus I don't want to have to hide more plumbing than is necessary with rock. kentrob11: I'm in O'Fallon, IL currently too although we're building the house and tank out in Sunset Hills, MO.

10/13/2009, 11:18 AM	#7
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	Well I cant speak to all those skimmers. I did have a AquaC EV120 and loved it. I now have a Alpha200 and So far really like it.

10/13/2009, 11:52 AM	#8
MCCOOL Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,135	I agree that's a lot of holes to drill in the bottom of the tank, maybe use a reeflo hammerhead rather than the dart. I've never used one personally but I doubt the noise is much worse than the dart.

10/14/2009, 05:20 PM	#9
suthrnmn Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: N.C. USA Posts: 286	the etss downdraft is pricey but is a heck of a skimmer....i love mine.

10/14/2009, 07:55 PM	#10
skimmy T3am Zissou Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Galactic Sector ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha Posts: 1,123	for skimmers, also look at the SWC 250a, 300a, 90scfh, less than 80 watts, $550-$600. and for flow, personally I would ditch the closed loops and do a gyre with multiple tunze, vortec, or octopus/sun sun low watt wide flow pumps. and for your sump, i would probably leave the Iwaki on there, because you only want about 3x-4x going through the sump, if you need to, provide your gracillaria with more flow via powerhead. the more water molecules dwell in the sump, the more likely they are to be cleaned by the skimmer/fuge/media reactors. if they are flying through the sump very fast then they are less likely to be cleaned by your skimmer/fuge/media reactors