What's the best skimmer around $300?

keh9qd · 09/13/2011, 09:56 PM

I am looking for a new internal skimmer for my aquarium and I'm looking in the $300 range. Here are the ones I'm looking at:

1. Bubble magus
2. Reef octopus
3. Vertex
4. Swcc
5. Asm g-series

Which one is the best and why? Thanks

jbannick18 · 09/13/2011, 10:36 PM

Tank size?

BM- bubble plate is small
RO- expensive pump, requires a lower sump level then SWC
SWC - besides some restart issues with the atman 2500 its a solid skimmer.
ASM - swc/ro are better

SoLiD · 09/13/2011, 11:51 PM

I was torn between the SWC Xtreme Cone 160 and the Super Reef Octopus SSS (Super Sump Saver) 1000. Ended up with the SWC XC 160 and have been very happy with how much it skims and how quiet it is. Truly a great product for under $300. HTH

keh9qd · 09/14/2011, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbannick18

Tank size?

BM- bubble plate is small
RO- expensive pump, requires a lower sump level then SWC
SWC - besides some restart issues with the atman 2500 its a solid skimmer.
ASM - swc/ro are better

I apologize, it is a 125 soft coral only tank with a 55g refugium and a 37g cube linked to it. Total volume is 200g, but I dont need to run a large skimmer just something to pull some junk out.

I am open to other brand skimmers, but which would you guys choose?

t4zalews · 09/14/2011, 08:55 AM

I'd look at a reef dynamic rs80 or 100. Used to be Euroreef, they make solid, dependable skimmers. I used to use a rs80 but switched to xp1000sss only because of the bigger collection cup and smaller footprint.

scarface70706 · 09/14/2011, 12:49 PM

i was in the same boat between the swc cone 160 and the reef octopus xs 160. i picked the reef octopus xs 160 and this thing is a beast. skims great and very quite.

pja24 · 09/14/2011, 12:58 PM

I have the SWC Extreme 200. Also quiet and very good quality. Had a SWC 120 cone on old 55 gallon also was very good/quiet.

keh9qd · 09/14/2011, 04:33 PM

What is the difference between the 3 reef octopus models?

1. Super Reef Octopus
2. Octopus Xtreme
3. Standard reef octopus

The New Euro Reef Skimmers (reef dynamics) are like $500

whitepickle · 09/14/2011, 05:50 PM

Forget about the ASM. I switched to the reef octopus xs 160 from an ASM G-2. The octopus kills it. All 3 of those octopus skimmers use different pumps.

keh9qd · 09/14/2011, 10:34 PM

Do I go with the larger basic model or the smaller xtreme model

pmrossetti · 09/14/2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keh9qd

Do I go with the larger basic model or the smaller xtreme model

super reef oct hands down.

reefermad619 · 09/14/2011, 11:06 PM

Check out the reef octopus diablo. Should be about $300 when it comes out and handles up to 300 gal.

keh9qd · 09/14/2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefermad619

Check out the reef octopus diablo. Should be about $300 when it comes out and handles up to 300 gal.

I was torn between the bubble magus NAC7, SC 160, and the Reef Octopus 200.

Im sold on the diablo coming out and that will be purchased. Now just have to wait 15 days or so

scarface70706 · 09/15/2011, 07:02 PM

DAAAAAAAMN! the Diablo looks sooooo sick too bad i just bought my xs 160. now that i look at it it looks almost the same as mine. but you cant beat the gallon rating on that thing. that capacity is insane for the price.

tkeracer619 · 09/15/2011, 07:09 PM

there is no way in h*** a single sicce 2500 can skim a 300g tank. Looks to be an awesome skimmer for you and a good choice overall but I call shenanigans on that rating!

FWIW I would rather have a SRO 2000 over the diablo. The bubble blaster pump is better.

reefermad619 · 09/15/2011, 07:10 PM

I was going to buy a diablo, but ended up picking up a nwb200 from premium aquatics for $179.99

Theyre back to their normal price now @ $279.99. If it wasn't for the killer deal, I woulda stayed with the diablo.

09/13/2011, 09:56 PM	#1
keh9qd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 301	What's the best skimmer around $300? I am looking for a new internal skimmer for my aquarium and I'm looking in the $300 range. Here are the ones I'm looking at: 1. Bubble magus 2. Reef octopus 3. Vertex 4. Swcc 5. Asm g-series Which one is the best and why? Thanks

09/13/2011, 11:51 PM	#3
SoLiD -=Snake=- Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 999	I was torn between the SWC Xtreme Cone 160 and the Super Reef Octopus SSS (Super Sump Saver) 1000. Ended up with the SWC XC 160 and have been very happy with how much it skims and how quiet it is. Truly a great product for under $300. HTH __________________ -David 40 Gallon Breeder on Steroids!!! Current Tank Info: Where you'll find an Acan and Orange Ricordea Garden in Bloom...

09/14/2011, 08:55 AM	#5
t4zalews 65g Ritteri Tank Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Royal Oak, MI Posts: 2,673	I'd look at a reef dynamic rs80 or 100. Used to be Euroreef, they make solid, dependable skimmers. I used to use a rs80 but switched to xp1000sss only because of the bigger collection cup and smaller footprint. __________________ - Taylor - 65g - Radion XR30 G3 Pro x2 - Deltec SCA 1351 - APEX - Tunze - Vortech

09/14/2011, 12:58 PM	#7
pja24 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: royal palm beach, florida Posts: 67	I have the SWC Extreme 200. Also quiet and very good quality. Had a SWC 120 cone on old 55 gallon also was very good/quiet. __________________ 210 gallon, AGA 210, 75 gallon sump, Rapid LEDs, Apex, Aquamaxx cones 3, reeflo dart gold. 4-Mp40wes

09/14/2011, 11:06 PM	#12
reefermad619 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Salty D! Sandy let go of my eggo! Posts: 1,962	Check out the reef octopus diablo. Should be about $300 when it comes out and handles up to 300 gal. __________________ Fish tanks and Chevys... And my cousin's Datsun too. Some call it paranoid. I call it prepared. You have more post than I do... You MUST be right then!

09/13/2011, 10:36 PM	#2
jbannick18 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 312	Tank size? BM- bubble plate is small RO- expensive pump, requires a lower sump level then SWC SWC - besides some restart issues with the atman 2500 its a solid skimmer. ASM - swc/ro are better

09/14/2011, 12:49 PM	#6
scarface70706 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,364	i was in the same boat between the swc cone 160 and the reef octopus xs 160. i picked the reef octopus xs 160 and this thing is a beast. skims great and very quite.

09/14/2011, 04:33 PM	#8
keh9qd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 301	What is the difference between the 3 reef octopus models? 1. Super Reef Octopus 2. Octopus Xtreme 3. Standard reef octopus The New Euro Reef Skimmers (reef dynamics) are like $500

09/14/2011, 05:50 PM	#9
whitepickle Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Port St. Lucie, FL Posts: 53	Forget about the ASM. I switched to the reef octopus xs 160 from an ASM G-2. The octopus kills it. All 3 of those octopus skimmers use different pumps.

09/14/2011, 10:34 PM	#10
keh9qd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 301	Do I go with the larger basic model or the smaller xtreme model

09/15/2011, 07:02 PM	#14
scarface70706 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,364	DAAAAAAAMN! the Diablo looks sooooo sick too bad i just bought my xs 160. now that i look at it it looks almost the same as mine. but you cant beat the gallon rating on that thing. that capacity is insane for the price.

09/15/2011, 07:09 PM	#15
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	there is no way in h*** a single sicce 2500 can skim a 300g tank. Looks to be an awesome skimmer for you and a good choice overall but I call shenanigans on that rating! FWIW I would rather have a SRO 2000 over the diablo. The bubble blaster pump is better. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

09/15/2011, 07:10 PM	#16
reefermad619 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Salty D! Sandy let go of my eggo! Posts: 1,962	I was going to buy a diablo, but ended up picking up a nwb200 from premium aquatics for $179.99 Theyre back to their normal price now @ $279.99. If it wasn't for the killer deal, I woulda stayed with the diablo. __________________ Fish tanks and Chevys... And my cousin's Datsun too. Some call it paranoid. I call it prepared. You have more post than I do... You MUST be right then!

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