$1,000 Skimmer Budget

[pentrix2]

I have roughly about $1,200 budget for a skimmer. What do you recommend as the best bang for the buck?

I'm looking for in-sump skimmers and measurements of the skimmer doesn't matter because I will be building my sump tank and stand around it.

[96p993]

More info on this tank would help...size, planned bio load, types of coral, etc

[pentrix2]

the display tank is 185g and it will be heavily SPS stock

[pentrix2]

the sump tank will be 90gs

[USC-fan]

Super Reef Octopus 5000 Internal Protein Skimmer

Like said in your other thread would be perfect.

Really is the best skimmer line out right now.

[96p993]

I would agree with USC...Save yourself some money, the SRO line of skimmers is a solid performer

[pentrix2]

would a bubble king SM250 be too much of a skimmer?

is the royal-exclusiv vertex alpha 250 the same as the bk sm250?

[96p993]

I dont think you are getting the best bang for the buck with the BK...Many have been a bit underwhelmed by their performance...Unless you are just dying to spend the entire grand

[pentrix2]

Originally Posted by 96p993

Unless you are just dying to spend the entire grand

hahaha,

[USC-fan]

BK and atb are old and out dated....

Both run on pond pumps. The sro is the latest and greatest. Plus they don't cost an arm and a leg.

But if you just want to blow money than get whatever but they will perform less then the skimmer I posted.

[jcw]

Originally Posted by USC-fan

BK and atb are old and out dated....

Both run on pond pumps. The sro is the latest and greatest. Plus they don't cost an arm and a leg.

But if you just want to blow money than get whatever but they will perform less then the skimmer I posted.

And what is wrong with a pond pump that has been proven to work for years? just curious.

I have the small bubble blaster pump for my reef octopus 1000sss and really dislike it. Whether it's the design of the SSS line of skimmers or the pump, there are so many threads complaining about inconsistent skimming. I also do water changes through the skimmer by plugging the air line to the pump and letting the pump overflow into the skimmer cup. Using the ATB, the pump is strong enough to overflow it easily and every time. On the smaller 1000SSS, it struggles.

I believe that the performance of a skimmer is more than 50% related to the performance and matching of the pump to the skimmer body. ATB has been around long enough that they have it down perfectly.

Just my .02.

[pentrix2]

Originally Posted by USC-fan

BK and atb are old and out dated....

Both run on pond pumps. The sro is the latest and greatest. Plus they don't cost an arm and a leg.

But if you just want to blow money than get whatever but they will perform less then the skimmer I posted.

I'm still new to this hobby, only about 1 year of experience. I tried things on my own and not ask anybody, in the end I'm always regretting and spent way more than I budgeted. I learned to stop acting like I know whats best and listen to the experts and the ones who has a lot more experience than I do.

Thank you so much for your help.

[moondoggy4]

Bummer you just missed a BK Supermarine used for 450

[njreefermadness]

Vertex Alpha Kone 250. This thing is a real foam cannon. Got a nice quiet Red Dragon 1500 and pulls lots of air. Has been working great on my 180 for a couple of years now.

Herb

[USC-fan]

Originally Posted by jcw

And what is wrong with a pond pump that has been proven to work for years? just curious.

I have the small bubble blaster pump for my reef octopus 1000sss and really dislike it. Whether it's the design of the SSS line of skimmers or the pump, there are so many threads complaining about inconsistent skimming. I also do water changes through the skimmer by plugging the air line to the pump and letting the pump overflow into the skimmer cup. Using the ATB, the pump is strong enough to overflow it easily and every time. On the smaller 1000SSS, it struggles.

I believe that the performance of a skimmer is more than 50% related to the performance and matching of the pump to the skimmer body. ATB has been around long enough that they have it down perfectly.

Just my .02.

Going by your logic. Then if it overflows its over matched for the skimmer body....that would be correct??

There is nothing wrong with the pond pump but FOR YEARS people talk about the red dragon like it was built my god myself. Then the secret can out and look it just some pond pump that they mark up 300%.

And you dont think i could find many thread complaining about ATB skimmers? My goodness how many redesign are they at now??

I can throw out 6054949% of what is what but that dont make it true.

There is no magic to make skimmers, its just mixing bubbles with water. Its not rocket science.

Just look at any skimmer line out there. The more LPH the skimmers has the higher the rating. Comparing 2 skimmers with one at 1500 lph and the other at 2100lph...its not a fair fight.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by 96p993

I dont think you are getting the best bang for the buck with the BK...Many have been a bit underwhelmed by their performance...Unless you are just dying to spend the entire grand

I am one of those underwhelmed. And customer service is not the fastest or most responsive. Just my opinion.

[USC-fan]

Originally Posted by pentrix2

I'm still new to this hobby, only about 1 year of experience. I tried things on my own and not ask anybody, in the end I'm always regretting and spent way more than I budgeted. I learned to stop acting like I know whats best and listen to the experts and the ones who has a lot more experience than I do.

Thank you so much for your help.

You are welcome. It in the end its your choice. I dont think you will be happy with any skimmer in this thread. If you research the forum here you will get tons of info.

Just dont fall for the hype or you will over spend. Like I said there is no secret to skimmers. Its just mixing air with water.... the more air the more powerful the skimmer.

[pentrix2]

so much to chose from... I thought building my stand and acrylic tank was the hardest part with no experience until I met this beast

so much things to think about:

1. how long will it last until it breaks
2. best skimmate output
3. most reliable output
4. customer service
5. how much electricity required
6. 31" height is my max
7. how many reviews, forums & youtube
8. don't want to keep buying skimmer every couple of months because I'm not fully happy with it

I'm not in a huge rush to buy something immediately because it will be another month or two until my tank is fully built. I have 4 spare skimmers so I can use that in the meantime to cycle the water.

lesson learn from all my spare skimmers. don't keep buying until you know whats out there and ask what experience others have. with the money i spent on 4 skimmers now doing nothing i could of purchased a $2k skimmer easily.

[biecacka]

i don't believe you need to spend a grand on a skimmer for a tank that size. you could lurk around the for sale forums here and find a used skimmer for a great deal. i bought a custom used Geo skimmer that rocks for 225. came off a 450 gallon tank
corey

[Mike de Leon]

I have a Vertex Alpha cone 170. My first tank was set up 2003. Have gone thru four skimmers during that time. The alpha will be my last one. Have had the best skimmate production out of all of the five. One thing that one needs to consider also is ease of maintenance.

[pentrix2]

Originally Posted by Mike de Leon

I have a Vertex Alpha cone 170. My first tank was set up 2003. Have gone thru four skimmers during that time. The alpha will be my last one. Have had the best skimmate production out of all of the five. One thing that one needs to consider also is ease of maintenance.

Ease of maintenance is very important, a good point indeed.

I read the Reef Octopus has that self-cleaning head. Is that worth getting or will it just be a waste of money?

[pentrix2]

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

Bummer you just missed a BK Supermarine used for 450

I was up and saw that post, but unfortunately at that time I wasn't looking into skimmers as much as I am now.

For that price it was indeed a bargain...

Pen

[sneaton]

look at the swc 300 or 250...nice and quiet and also beastly

[mchud]

Not to start a fight Usc-fan but there are a lot of good choices for a skimmer in that price range and below. The Octopus line are nice units but there are other choices. The only answer you give is the 5000 no matter what question is asked. My advice is to read some of Mojo's reviews. And read up on other peoples reviews. I am in the same place right now and went another direction on a skimmer choice. Good luck on your choice.

[Mike de Leon]

Originally Posted by pentrix2

Ease of maintenance is very important, a good point indeed.

I read the Reef Octopus has that self-cleaning head. Is that worth getting or will it just be a waste of money?

self cleaning heads only clean the head which is important for efficiency. But only cleans the top part. I find them to be very expensive.
The SRO line is Chinese made. I almost pulled the trigger on one but the body will not come apart except for the cone with the pump inside. But you won't want that. The contact time is shorter. It would also be a pain to lift the whole thing up with the pump attached for cleaning.

I have spent enough money from trying to spend less...In this world, you get what you pay for, for the most part.

Check out the Vertex line and see the build quality for yourself..