Quality BUDGET skimmer experiences

agreeive?fish · 09/14/2010, 05:39 AM

Please post your personal experiences with quality budget skimmers and please list the skimmer all tank sizes welcome

not all of us can afford the billion dollars skimmers so if your personal experience dont include QUALITY BUDGET SKIMMERS please reframe from posting as this is not a buy expensive skimmers only thread but an thread looking for positive experiences with budget skimmers that will prefom the job at hand that a wont take my life savings to buy

jasonrp104 · 09/14/2010, 05:42 AM

I've got a bottom budget skimmer (odyysea ps-75)that works great on a 45. Can't go wrong for $30 and the only mod I've done is drill the airhole out a bit

I've heard alot of good about bubble magus

slowwrx137 · 09/14/2010, 06:46 AM

I've got a Eshopps psk-150 on a 90 gallon fowlr tank for over a year now and it works really well. I'll probably buy another one for the nano tank that I'm going to be starting.

CJO · 09/14/2010, 06:51 AM

I'm not sure what you consider budget, but I really like my SWC Xtreme 160 cone. It runs around $225.

CJ

mallorieGgator · 09/14/2010, 07:07 AM

I use the reef octopus 110 on my 55 gallon (goes up to 90 gal I think) and it was $189.00. It works great and is very quiet.

cdeboard · 09/14/2010, 08:28 AM

I have a used coralife SS 125 on my 90 right now. I did the fishing line mod. I have had it on several tanks, a 37g, a 125g, and now my 90. I like it and only paid $50 used. I have had varying levels of stocking in the different tanks and had no issues. As long as I keep the skimmer clean (give it a good overhaul about once a month) it handles it well.

lordofthereef · 09/14/2010, 08:29 AM

ASM G3 used ran me about $120. I have been happy with it without mods, although I am considering modding just because of the rave reviews.

lordofthereef · 09/14/2010, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdeboard

I have a used coralife SS 125 on my 90 right now. I did the fishing line mod. I have had it on several tanks, a 37g, a 125g, and now my 90. I like it and only paid $50 used. I have had varying levels of stocking in the different tanks and had no issues. As long as I keep the skimmer clean (give it a good overhaul about once a month) it handles it well.

That's awesome that it works for you. I think this is quite literally the only positive comments I have EVER seen about Coralife's super skimemr!

PIMPALA · 09/14/2010, 08:31 AM

I have a Skilter on my 20L for about 8 months now, and its freakin AWESOME! The price cant be beat either.

cdeboard · 09/14/2010, 08:37 AM

lordofthereef: I have several friends who have them on my recommendations as well. Mostly the 65g model. The fishing line mod is really simple, reversible, and makes a WORLD of difference. Similar to the mesh mod but more simple and cheap. I would recommend it for any people with that type of impeller.

Though at one time on my 125 I did have a vertex in-180 running. Now that was a wicked skimmer, but I wouldnt consider it full blown budget. I paid $280 for it new.

jeff@zina.com · 09/14/2010, 08:45 AM

+1 on Eschopps skimmers, good for the price.

Jeff

Kamel · 09/14/2010, 08:51 AM

I've got a coralife 65, and it's decent but finicky and somewhat a pain to adjust. If you don't know already, never get the seaclone.

agreeive?fish · 09/14/2010, 09:07 AM

CJO

i did not put a price as to whats considered budget on purpous..to get varried view points on diffrent skimmers without excluding one because it is $20 over what i consider budget..

cdeboard
i have had coralife before and was never happy with it..what is the fishing line mod. any links

kamel
yeap iam familiar with the seaclone "skimmer" and the reasons not to buy one

all other posters thanks for the comments on your particular skimmer and experience

keep them comming the more reviews + more options = better decision ability

theatrus · 09/14/2010, 10:06 AM

Older Octopus DNW-200 recirculating on a 90G. Since its sitting in the sump fed from the drain, I modified the output to use a standpipe instead of the finicky gate valve. Has been a solid performer for 3 years now.The recirc adds a price premium, but you can get the "same" skimmer in non-recirculating for $100 less.

noraspop · 09/14/2010, 10:28 AM

I've been using a Bubble Magus BM150 for over a year now on 90 Gallons. Works well for me.

Pdubss · 09/14/2010, 11:55 AM

I have had good experiences with Eshopps

BigRig450 · 09/14/2010, 12:15 PM

I have heard alot of good things about the bubble magus line,Ive got the nac7 coming thursday an im pretty excited to see how it performs

SMT6h · 09/14/2010, 12:52 PM

ahh, open the flood gates!!!!

Here goes- currently running a ASM g3 used for 150bucks. It rocks!! Un modified.

CPR Backpack plus version. It is really, really great also. Would recomend it to anyone looking for an HOB model

Super Skimmer---sucked, in the parts bin now.
Top Fathom--use it to oxygenate water when I mix it for water changes----I am not sure it has ever skimmed a cup in its life.
Marine Land Skimmer---running currently on a tank I keep in a bike shop. Skims well, but seems to need tweaking on a regular basis to keep it skimming well. lots of tiny air bubbles and a seemingly good design minus the water return aspect. I think that if I lifted it up on a platform in the sump it may be more consistent, but the stand it is under does not give that option.
Sea Clone--joke of a skimmer, good for oxygen.

-Shawn

davocean · 09/14/2010, 01:32 PM

Lets see, using the reefoctopus 160 right now, totally set and forget.
Had the coralife 220, pulled good skimate, but finicky, constant adjust.
HATED my bakpak and prizm.

09/14/2010, 05:39 AM	#1
agreeive?fish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,803	Quality BUDGET skimmer experiences Please post your personal experiences with quality budget skimmers and please list the skimmer all tank sizes welcome not all of us can afford the billion dollars skimmers so if your personal experience dont include QUALITY BUDGET SKIMMERS please reframe from posting as this is not a buy expensive skimmers only thread but an thread looking for positive experiences with budget skimmers that will prefom the job at hand that a wont take my life savings to buy

09/14/2010, 08:28 AM	#6
cdeboard Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Grayson, KY Posts: 520	I have a used coralife SS 125 on my 90 right now. I did the fishing line mod. I have had it on several tanks, a 37g, a 125g, and now my 90. I like it and only paid $50 used. I have had varying levels of stocking in the different tanks and had no issues. As long as I keep the skimmer clean (give it a good overhaul about once a month) it handles it well. __________________ CVRC Current Tank Info: 90g

09/14/2010, 08:29 AM	#7
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	ASM G3 used ran me about $120. I have been happy with it without mods, although I am considering modding just because of the rave reviews. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

09/14/2010, 08:37 AM	#10
cdeboard Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Grayson, KY Posts: 520	lordofthereef: I have several friends who have them on my recommendations as well. Mostly the 65g model. The fishing line mod is really simple, reversible, and makes a WORLD of difference. Similar to the mesh mod but more simple and cheap. I would recommend it for any people with that type of impeller. Though at one time on my 125 I did have a vertex in-180 running. Now that was a wicked skimmer, but I wouldnt consider it full blown budget. I paid $280 for it new. __________________ CVRC Current Tank Info: 90g

09/14/2010, 10:06 AM	#14
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Older Octopus DNW-200 recirculating on a 90G. Since its sitting in the sump fed from the drain, I modified the output to use a standpipe instead of the finicky gate valve. Has been a solid performer for 3 years now.The recirc adds a price premium, but you can get the "same" skimmer in non-recirculating for $100 less. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

09/14/2010, 05:42 AM	#2
jasonrp104 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: vt Posts: 1,113	I've got a bottom budget skimmer (odyysea ps-75)that works great on a 45. Can't go wrong for $30 and the only mod I've done is drill the airhole out a bit I've heard alot of good about bubble magus

09/14/2010, 06:46 AM	#3
slowwrx137 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 174	I've got a Eshopps psk-150 on a 90 gallon fowlr tank for over a year now and it works really well. I'll probably buy another one for the nano tank that I'm going to be starting.

09/14/2010, 06:51 AM	#4
CJO Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 578	I'm not sure what you consider budget, but I really like my SWC Xtreme 160 cone. It runs around $225. CJ

09/14/2010, 07:07 AM	#5
mallorieGgator Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Gainesville, Fl Posts: 1,134	I use the reef octopus 110 on my 55 gallon (goes up to 90 gal I think) and it was $189.00. It works great and is very quiet.

09/14/2010, 08:31 AM	#9
PIMPALA Moved On Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tulsa, Ok Posts: 97	I have a Skilter on my 20L for about 8 months now, and its freakin AWESOME! The price cant be beat either.

09/14/2010, 08:45 AM	#11
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	+1 on Eschopps skimmers, good for the price. Jeff

09/14/2010, 08:51 AM	#12
Kamel Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 52	I've got a coralife 65, and it's decent but finicky and somewhat a pain to adjust. If you don't know already, never get the seaclone.

09/14/2010, 09:07 AM	#13
agreeive?fish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,803	CJO i did not put a price as to whats considered budget on purpous..to get varried view points on diffrent skimmers without excluding one because it is $20 over what i consider budget.. cdeboard i have had coralife before and was never happy with it..what is the fishing line mod. any links kamel yeap iam familiar with the seaclone "skimmer" and the reasons not to buy one all other posters thanks for the comments on your particular skimmer and experience keep them comming the more reviews + more options = better decision ability

09/14/2010, 10:28 AM	#15
noraspop Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Minneapolis, Minnefrozen Posts: 32	I've been using a Bubble Magus BM150 for over a year now on 90 Gallons. Works well for me.

09/14/2010, 11:55 AM	#16
Pdubss Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Wheaton, IL Posts: 461	I have had good experiences with Eshopps

09/14/2010, 12:15 PM	#17
BigRig450 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Pekin, IL Posts: 92	I have heard alot of good things about the bubble magus line,Ive got the nac7 coming thursday an im pretty excited to see how it performs

09/14/2010, 12:52 PM	#18
SMT6h Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 150	ahh, open the flood gates!!!! Here goes- currently running a ASM g3 used for 150bucks. It rocks!! Un modified. CPR Backpack plus version. It is really, really great also. Would recomend it to anyone looking for an HOB model Super Skimmer---sucked, in the parts bin now. Top Fathom--use it to oxygenate water when I mix it for water changes----I am not sure it has ever skimmed a cup in its life. Marine Land Skimmer---running currently on a tank I keep in a bike shop. Skims well, but seems to need tweaking on a regular basis to keep it skimming well. lots of tiny air bubbles and a seemingly good design minus the water return aspect. I think that if I lifted it up on a platform in the sump it may be more consistent, but the stand it is under does not give that option. Sea Clone--joke of a skimmer, good for oxygen. -Shawn

09/14/2010, 01:32 PM	#19
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Lets see, using the reefoctopus 160 right now, totally set and forget. Had the coralife 220, pulled good skimate, but finicky, constant adjust. HATED my bakpak and prizm. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

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