Please help. Can't decide on skimmer.

fisher99 · 10/03/2015, 08:04 AM

I'm in need of new skimmer for my lightly stocked 90 gal.No sump so must be HOB.
i'm looking at a RO 2000 and a Aquamax-XC. I need quiet and also one that will take care of the tank, as that is my only filtration.
I've seen reports of the RO overflowing and that has me worried, as often I have to go out of town for a few days at a time.
Any personal experience with either of these would be very helpful in my decision.
Thanks in advance for any input.

fisher99 · 10/04/2015, 08:41 AM

Surely someone has experience with these skimmers.
I really need some advice.

Tigerdragon · 10/04/2015, 09:29 AM

Bubble magus makes a decent hob skimmer. Although i really would recommend at looking at setting up a sump it has more advantages like more water volume=more stable params, have somewhere to put mechanical and chemical filtration rater than hanging a bunch of equip on your tank. Do you need a sump? No you dont absolutely need one can be done without just depends on your sys and how you feel about asthetics

emily97 · 10/04/2015, 03:07 PM

Save your money for skimmer and buy a sump or do it your sump too .Depending on your money,you be able to get both.Insump skimmers are way better skimmers then hob.

Allentown · 10/04/2015, 03:11 PM

I used a RO hang on the back for a couple years back in the day. I still have them in the attic. The work ok and pull out gunk but occasionally (as all skimmers do) they will overflow...with HOB that means they go in the floor.

I had it happen once just from adding some water to the tank and I was on my way ou the door, it hit the outlet behind the tank and burned up the outlet, lucky it didn't burn down the house.

That was pretty much the end of using HOB skimmers for me.

ericarenee · 10/04/2015, 06:00 PM

check out bulk reef supply skimmer line.. they sell good stuff . then you can price shop elsewhere if you like...

fisher99 · 10/05/2015, 07:08 AM

I do appreciate the responses but right now, a sump is out of the question.
I have to stick with a HOB skimmer. I'm leaning towards the Aquamax, but not sure if it's strong enough for my 90 gal tank, being my only filtration.

pdiehm · 10/05/2015, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisher99

I do appreciate the responses but right now, a sump is out of the question.
I have to stick with a HOB skimmer. I'm leaning towards the Aquamax, but not sure if it's strong enough for my 90 gal tank, being my only filtration.

the Aquamaxx XC will be strong enough IMO. If you have any doubts, you can always go with the Reef Octopus BH 1000 or 2000 HOB.

Chupakabra-King · 10/05/2015, 08:36 AM

Here is a second vote for the Reef Octopus HOB skimmers . . .

10/03/2015, 08:04 AM	#1
fisher99 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cape Coral FL Posts: 62	Please help. Can't decide on skimmer. I'm in need of new skimmer for my lightly stocked 90 gal.No sump so must be HOB. i'm looking at a RO 2000 and a Aquamax-XC. I need quiet and also one that will take care of the tank, as that is my only filtration. I've seen reports of the RO overflowing and that has me worried, as often I have to go out of town for a few days at a time. Any personal experience with either of these would be very helpful in my decision. Thanks in advance for any input.

10/04/2015, 03:11 PM	#5
Allentown Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Augusta, Ga Posts: 975	I used a RO hang on the back for a couple years back in the day. I still have them in the attic. The work ok and pull out gunk but occasionally (as all skimmers do) they will overflow...with HOB that means they go in the floor. I had it happen once just from adding some water to the tank and I was on my way ou the door, it hit the outlet behind the tank and burned up the outlet, lucky it didn't burn down the house. That was pretty much the end of using HOB skimmers for me. __________________ NEW Build: 225g 72x27x27 Tigger Emerald 39 Sump, ConeS CO-3, 3xHydra 52, BRS 2 part dosers, Vortech MP-40 QD Gyre XF150, Neptune Wav x2, 2x Jaebo RW-4, SMR-1, MR-1

10/04/2015, 06:00 PM	#6
ericarenee Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Louisville Kentucky Posts: 3,110	check out bulk reef supply skimmer line.. they sell good stuff . then you can price shop elsewhere if you like... __________________ 240+G Mixed BB Reef tank.. 350 G Marine Pond. And the expensive stuff that runs it. Chic's are for Chic's You silly men Go Fishing or something... Current Tank Info: 240= gal Reef /550 Gallon Saltwater pond 72 G Bay front Tropical aquarium

10/05/2015, 08:36 AM	#9
Chupakabra-King Mmmmmm Goats ! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 408	Here is a second vote for the Reef Octopus HOB skimmers . . . __________________ If I get more obsessed with reefkeeping I will be divorced, living in the back of my LFS ! Been keeping fish (salt and fresh) since the 1970s. Started reefing in 1998 . 40 Breeder Club AP24 Club Current Tank Info: AP24 soft coral tank & JBJ Nano 12DX, 40 Breeder

10/04/2015, 08:41 AM	#2
fisher99 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cape Coral FL Posts: 62	Surely someone has experience with these skimmers. I really need some advice.

10/04/2015, 09:29 AM	#3
Tigerdragon Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 424	Bubble magus makes a decent hob skimmer. Although i really would recommend at looking at setting up a sump it has more advantages like more water volume=more stable params, have somewhere to put mechanical and chemical filtration rater than hanging a bunch of equip on your tank. Do you need a sump? No you dont absolutely need one can be done without just depends on your sys and how you feel about asthetics

10/04/2015, 03:07 PM	#4
emily97 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 44	Save your money for skimmer and buy a sump or do it your sump too .Depending on your money,you be able to get both.Insump skimmers are way better skimmers then hob.

10/05/2015, 07:08 AM	#7
fisher99 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cape Coral FL Posts: 62	I do appreciate the responses but right now, a sump is out of the question. I have to stick with a HOB skimmer. I'm leaning towards the Aquamax, but not sure if it's strong enough for my 90 gal tank, being my only filtration.