Skimmer Suggestions

BayouBeard · 03/24/2013, 10:52 AM

I'm in the process of building my 30 gallon DIY sump/fuge and need advice on a good protein skimmer. This will start out on a 75 Gallon FOWLR with a medium to heavy bioload but needs to be able to handle a Reef setup as that is my goal in the future. I want to stay as close to $200.00 as possible. I'm leaning towards the Reef Octopus 110. Any and all recommendations are welcome as this is my first marine tank and I'm not familiar with any of the skimmers out there...thanks.

Reef Rover · 03/24/2013, 11:18 AM

I dont know a whole lot about the RO 110. Ive never had one of these but I can tell you this from what I do know. Most skimmers are over rated by the manufacturers. So if you are going to run a 75 gallon with a 30 gallon sump your total water volume will still be around 75 - 90 gallons roughly depending on water displacement by rock and sand and how full you'll actually run your sump. So you probably need to look at skimmers ranging in the "rated" 150 - 200 gallon range due also to the planned heavy bio-load.

The $200.00 price range will be tough so I might would try and find something used. I got a used DAS EX2 rated for 250 gallons for $100.00. All it really needed was a new o-ring for the cup. A call to DAS and one was in the mail for $5.00. If you can locate something like that then you can save up some money and get something a little more appropriate like a RO Diablo 200, Reef Dynamics INS 135 or 150, RLSS R6i etc etc etc. All of these are in the $350.00 - $400.00 range I believe.

BayouBeard · 03/24/2013, 11:19 AM

Thanks for the input Reef Rover...I've looked for used skimmers all around my area with no luck. However...after some more research I found the Aquamaxx EM100. It is rated for a 120 gallon aquarium and the thing I like the most about this skimmer is the very small footprint which is a big plus. Does anyone have any experience with the Aquamaxx EM100? It uses a modified Sicce 1.5 which from what I've heard is a good pump. Looks like this one is swaying my vote over the Reef Octopus 110.

Reef Rover · 03/24/2013, 11:24 AM

Aquamaxx are good skimmers. I think Wildman knows allot about this brand.

BayouBeard · 03/24/2013, 11:30 AM

Yeah...I saw his post and really made me reconsider the RO 110...lol. I wonder if the EM100 would be good enough for my application or if the EM200 is worth the extra money?

03/24/2013, 10:52 AM	#1
BayouBeard Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 45	Skimmer Suggestions I'm in the process of building my 30 gallon DIY sump/fuge and need advice on a good protein skimmer. This will start out on a 75 Gallon FOWLR with a medium to heavy bioload but needs to be able to handle a Reef setup as that is my goal in the future. I want to stay as close to $200.00 as possible. I'm leaning towards the Reef Octopus 110. Any and all recommendations are welcome as this is my first marine tank and I'm not familiar with any of the skimmers out there...thanks.

03/24/2013, 11:19 AM	#3
BayouBeard Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 45	Thanks for the input Reef Rover...I've looked for used skimmers all around my area with no luck. However...after some more research I found the Aquamaxx EM100. It is rated for a 120 gallon aquarium and the thing I like the most about this skimmer is the very small footprint which is a big plus. Does anyone have any experience with the Aquamaxx EM100? It uses a modified Sicce 1.5 which from what I've heard is a good pump. Looks like this one is swaying my vote over the Reef Octopus 110. Last edited by BayouBeard; 03/24/2013 at 11:26 AM.

03/24/2013, 11:18 AM	#2
Reef Rover Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: The Big D, Texas Posts: 11	I dont know a whole lot about the RO 110. Ive never had one of these but I can tell you this from what I do know. Most skimmers are over rated by the manufacturers. So if you are going to run a 75 gallon with a 30 gallon sump your total water volume will still be around 75 - 90 gallons roughly depending on water displacement by rock and sand and how full you'll actually run your sump. So you probably need to look at skimmers ranging in the "rated" 150 - 200 gallon range due also to the planned heavy bio-load. The $200.00 price range will be tough so I might would try and find something used. I got a used DAS EX2 rated for 250 gallons for $100.00. All it really needed was a new o-ring for the cup. A call to DAS and one was in the mail for $5.00. If you can locate something like that then you can save up some money and get something a little more appropriate like a RO Diablo 200, Reef Dynamics INS 135 or 150, RLSS R6i etc etc etc. All of these are in the $350.00 - $400.00 range I believe.

03/24/2013, 11:24 AM	#4
Reef Rover Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: The Big D, Texas Posts: 11	Aquamaxx are good skimmers. I think Wildman knows allot about this brand.

03/24/2013, 11:30 AM	#5
BayouBeard Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 45	Yeah...I saw his post and really made me reconsider the RO 110...lol. I wonder if the EM100 would be good enough for my application or if the EM200 is worth the extra money?