Best Skimmer for Large System (for the price)?

mokujin22 · 03/09/2006, 12:23 PM

hey all,

setting up a ~300 gallon SPS system (150W main + 60 frag + 90 sump) this summer and am looking at picking up components now. as for a skimmer, i've been surfing threads and came to the conclusion that 4 skimmers are generally referred to as "the best": Deltec, AquaC, Euroreef and ASM. the AquaC and Euroreef are expensive; while the Deltec is very expensive. the ASMs didn't seem all that pricy though.

while I need a great skimmer for keeping and raising SPS, with the $5K+ setup cost, I'd like to not waste large sums of money on equipment that is only marginally better than something much cheaper.

suggestions? diy to start?

thanks kindly,
tony.

dhnguyen · 03/09/2006, 02:20 PM

If you're capable of DIY then by all means do it. No matter what anyone say, you CAN DIY a skimmer cheaper that will work just as well as the commercial ones.

Also I would not put Aqua C on the same list of skimmers as those above. They're expensive yet are not efficient and do not perform as well as the needle wheel skimmers.

Deltec is expensive no doubt but do make good skimmers. Euoreef skimmers are also good but IMO way over priced as are the Deltecs. ASM skimmers are decent and a bit cheaper.

You might want to look into a Geo skimmer as well.

What's your budget on the skimmer really?

D.

dhnguyen · 03/09/2006, 02:27 PM

By the way another new brand of skimmers that you might consider reading up on

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=749634

REEF-DADDY · 03/09/2006, 02:33 PM

For a large SPS system I would seriously consider a Beckett skimmer. Other than higher power consuption I really don't see any cons, and the up from cost will be less.

DocG · 03/09/2006, 02:52 PM

For the price the ASM G6 is very hard to beat. It just requires a huge footprint and is very tall.

gcarroll · 03/09/2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dhnguyen
Also I would not put Aqua C on the same list of skimmers as those above. They're expensive yet are not efficient and do not perform as well as the needle wheel skimmers.

I'd have to disagree, I used an AquaC EV400 with great results on my sps tank. I recently updraded to a custom made EV1000. Aqua C has excellent build quality and if run with a slightly larger pump than the manufacturer recommends, can perform as well as any of the higher end skimmers on the market. An EV400 will work just fine on your system.

mokujin22 · 03/09/2006, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dhnguyen
If you're capable of DIY then by all means do it. No matter what anyone say, you CAN DIY a skimmer cheaper that will work just as well as the commercial ones.

Also I would not put Aqua C on the same list of skimmers as those above. They're expensive yet are not efficient and do not perform as well as the needle wheel skimmers.

Deltec is expensive no doubt but do make good skimmers. Euoreef skimmers are also good but IMO way over priced as are the Deltecs. ASM skimmers are decent and a bit cheaper.

You might want to look into a Geo skimmer as well.

What's your budget on the skimmer really?

D.

thanks for the info. i may try to diy. right now, i'm figuring $500 on the skimmer, but would rather spend less if possible while not encountering issues down the road with my SPS. ie: i'd rather spend the extra $100-$200 than have my corals suffer and then end up spending more to replace the original unit anyway...

then again, i'm relatively sure that everyone with a successful SPS tank doesn't own a $1000 skimmer.

tony.

RichConley · 03/09/2006, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by REEF-DADDY
For a large SPS system I would seriously consider a Beckett skimmer. Other than higher power consuption I really don't see any cons, and the up from cost will be less.

Agree.

THe main issue with becketts on small tanks is energy efficiency. On big tanks light that, you have to worry about using multiple NW pumps, which stops being efficient.

Theres a thread in DIY somewhere with someone running this 6ft tall quad beckett monster off a sequence dart.

jimbo045 · 03/09/2006, 04:24 PM

SeaClone 150, less than 200 i say. JD

kawasaki00 · 03/09/2006, 08:33 PM

I have owned every skimmer imaginable and the 2 that stand out to me are the deltec and the euro reef rc line, I have had aqua c and it was ok but very inconsistent. I liked the mrc beckett but I did not have that much room under the tank to run a riser. I also tried a second injector. I just could not get the performance out of the second injector without going to the bigger pump (pw200). Problem is that you cannot run a mr-2 with 2 injectors and the 200 pump without the riser tube. With the gate all the way open it overflowed the cup within seconds of turning it on. I know if I had the room for the taller beckett it would be great. I continue to go back to the needlewheel skimmers every time. I am running a RC500 euroreef on a 240 with about 300 gallons total. It is unbelievable how much cleaner the tank is than with the beckett.
Don't get me wrong like I said, becketts have there place, just not on my tanks. That being said, the rc500 is 12X30 with 2 pumps and it still draws only half the power of a pump needed to run 1 beckett, let alone 2.
To each his own.

gcarroll · 03/10/2006, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mokujin22
i'm figuring $500 on the skimmer, but would rather spend less if possible while not encountering issues down the road with my SPS.

you better be looking at the ASM or consider Geo and MRC because as far as new goes:

Aqua C EV400 w/mag 24 $595
Euroreef CS400 $998
Euroreef RC500 $1528
Deltec - I won't even waste my time looking up the price becasue even used you won't find one rated for 300 gallons in this price range

Speding under $500 for a skimmer on a 300 Gallon SPS tank is hard to do unless you are looking at used skimmers or a diy.

REEF-DADDY · 03/10/2006, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kawasaki00
I have owned every skimmer imaginable and the 2 that stand out to me are the deltec and the euro reef rc line, I have had aqua c and it was ok but very inconsistent. I liked the mrc beckett but I did not have that much room under the tank to run a riser. I also tried a second injector. I just could not get the performance out of the second injector without going to the bigger pump (pw200). Problem is that you cannot run a mr-2 with 2 injectors and the 200 pump without the riser tube. With the gate all the way open it overflowed the cup within seconds of turning it on. I know if I had the room for the taller beckett it would be great. I continue to go back to the needlewheel skimmers every time. I am running a RC500 euroreef on a 240 with about 300 gallons total. It is unbelievable how much cleaner the tank is than with the beckett.
Don't get me wrong like I said, becketts have there place, just not on my tanks. That being said, the rc500 is 12X30 with 2 pumps and it still draws only half the power of a pump needed to run 1 beckett, let alone 2.
To each his own.

Did you ever hook up the panworld 200 pump?

sjm817 · 03/10/2006, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimbo045
SeaClone 150, less than 200 i say. JD

I think that is overkill. The SeaClone 100 would be fine.

REEF-DADDY · 03/10/2006, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DocG
For the price the ASM G6 is very hard to beat. It just requires a huge footprint and is very tall.

It also uses 270 watts(Well into Beckett territory) and is not made half as well as some of the other skimmers mentioned. The thin acrylic is not an issue for the smaller skimmers, but when you get to a 4' tall 8" wide skimmer it becomes and issue. A drain is a must on these as is a gate valve. By the time I was done mine cost about $800 to my door.
As far as performance, its great at skimming dry, but forget about skimming wet, it just aint going to happen. It will overflow at the drop of a hat. You also have 3 submersible pumps to clean(and you will have to clean with a high ca SPS reef). Don't get me wrong I really like the smaller ASM's and often wonder why people spend so much more on the higher end skimmers, but for a large tank they just don't get it done.

PITSTOP · 03/10/2006, 10:12 AM

MRC

gcarroll · 03/10/2006, 12:18 PM

If power consumption is an issue, keep in mind that a mag24 used with a aqua c ev400 will only consume approx 130 watts. That's not bad and in some cases better when compared to some of the multiple pump needle wheel skimmers

dhnguyen · 03/10/2006, 12:24 PM

Also just in case anyone was thinking about picking up an ER skimmer. You should read this first

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=767759

This is not the only thread I've seen about ER either.
Required reading IMO.

D.

viggen · 03/10/2006, 12:26 PM

I would look for something used! I found my ER 12-2 here on RC & it was several hundred less then new & my 12-2 never saw water

I then converted it to a RC500 with the new SP4 pump & it takes out a TON of crap from my 260g FO.

I would not skimp on a skimmer

dhnguyen · 03/10/2006, 12:27 PM

better hope you don't need to replace a part for that ER anytime in the future viggen.

REEF-DADDY · 03/10/2006, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dhnguyen
Also just in case anyone was thinking about picking up an ER skimmer. You should read this first

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=767759

This is not the only thread I've seen about ER either.
Required reading IMO.

D.

wow posting his personal info is something else!

REEF-DADDY · 03/10/2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gcarroll
If power consumption is an issue, keep in mind that a mag24 used with a aqua c ev400 will only consume approx 130 watts. That's not bad and in some cases better when compared to some of the multiple pump needle wheel skimmers

The 24 actually uses 245 watts

gcarroll · 03/10/2006, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by REEF-DADDY
The 24 actually uses 245 watts

Not when used on the EV400. The head pressure caused by the injector actually reduces current draw. This has been verified by Aqua C as well as Dave Botwin of o2manyfish.com when he conducted the skimmer tests, actually he says 125 watts.

sjm817 · 03/10/2006, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gcarroll
you better be looking at the ASM or consider Geo and MRC because as far as new goes:

Aqua C EV400 w/mag 24 $595
Euroreef CS400 $998
Euroreef RC500 $1528
Deltec - I won't even waste my time looking up the price becasue even used you won't find one rated for 300 gallons in this price range

I'll help.
Deltec AP701
Capacity: Normal Stocking: 380g
Heavy Stocking: 250g
Pump: Eheim 1260
Total Power Usage: 52 watts
Air Intake: 950 L/H
H2O Throughput: 475gph
Dimensions: Length: 15" Width: 12.25" Height: 23 "
Cylinder: 8"

Price: $1,079.00

If you want bang for the buck, maybe an ASM G4-X would do it.

mokujin22 · 03/10/2006, 02:48 PM

welp- after reading that ER thread, i probably won't be getting one from them.

i totally agree on not skimping on a skimmer. i have no problem going above the $500 range. just wanted to get a consensus on the value of these "Ferrari" skimmers.

t.

mokujin22 · 03/10/2006, 02:50 PM

the ASM G4-X almost seems like a ER knockoff... at 1/4 the price.

maybe the MRC MR-2?

both are in the $300-$400 range.

03/09/2006, 12:23 PM	#1
mokujin22 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 215	Best Skimmer for Large System (for the price)? hey all, setting up a ~300 gallon SPS system (150W main + 60 frag + 90 sump) this summer and am looking at picking up components now. as for a skimmer, i've been surfing threads and came to the conclusion that 4 skimmers are generally referred to as "the best": Deltec, AquaC, Euroreef and ASM. the AquaC and Euroreef are expensive; while the Deltec is very expensive. the ASMs didn't seem all that pricy though. while I need a great skimmer for keeping and raising SPS, with the $5K+ setup cost, I'd like to not waste large sums of money on equipment that is only marginally better than something much cheaper. suggestions? diy to start? thanks kindly, tony. __________________ 26 gallon bowfront sps: 10 gal sump/fuge w/ MAG 5 return on SQWD, SEIO 820, 2 MJ900s and MJ600 on wavetimer, CPR HOB skimmer, Aquamedic 250W 15K MH, URI 18" VHO x2 Current Tank Info: 110 Afr Cichlid, 45 Planted, 26 Reef, 20L turtle, 29 Planted, 8 Biocube (in the works)

03/09/2006, 02:33 PM	#4
REEF-DADDY Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: CT Posts: 3,164	For a large SPS system I would seriously consider a Beckett skimmer. Other than higher power consuption I really don't see any cons, and the up from cost will be less. __________________ Steve 280 Gallon BB mixed reef PM bullet 3 powered by a PCX-70,400w HQI Radiums,Tunze Wavebox,AC III Litermeter III,PCX-70 pushing 2 Eductors,Geo 624 Ca Reactor,125 sump, Dart Return Current Tank Info: 280 SPS reef

03/10/2006, 10:12 AM	#15
PITSTOP Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Greenwich, CT Posts: 1,592	MRC __________________ SPS-Anon Current Tank Info: 120 SPS

03/10/2006, 12:18 PM	#16
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	If power consumption is an issue, keep in mind that a mag24 used with a aqua c ev400 will only consume approx 130 watts. That's not bad and in some cases better when compared to some of the multiple pump needle wheel skimmers __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

03/10/2006, 12:26 PM	#18
viggen Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 2,213	I would look for something used! I found my ER 12-2 here on RC & it was several hundred less then new & my 12-2 never saw water I then converted it to a RC500 with the new SP4 pump & it takes out a TON of crap from my 260g FO. I would not skimp on a skimmer __________________ A tub of fish

03/09/2006, 02:20 PM	#2
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	If you're capable of DIY then by all means do it. No matter what anyone say, you CAN DIY a skimmer cheaper that will work just as well as the commercial ones. Also I would not put Aqua C on the same list of skimmers as those above. They're expensive yet are not efficient and do not perform as well as the needle wheel skimmers. Deltec is expensive no doubt but do make good skimmers. Euoreef skimmers are also good but IMO way over priced as are the Deltecs. ASM skimmers are decent and a bit cheaper. You might want to look into a Geo skimmer as well. What's your budget on the skimmer really? D.

03/09/2006, 02:27 PM	#3
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	By the way another new brand of skimmers that you might consider reading up on http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=749634

03/09/2006, 02:52 PM	#5
DocG Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sarnia, Ontario Posts: 561	For the price the ASM G6 is very hard to beat. It just requires a huge footprint and is very tall.

03/09/2006, 04:24 PM	#9
jimbo045 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aiea, HI. Posts: 1,788	SeaClone 150, less than 200 i say. JD

03/09/2006, 08:33 PM	#10
kawasaki00 Money pit contributor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 216	I have owned every skimmer imaginable and the 2 that stand out to me are the deltec and the euro reef rc line, I have had aqua c and it was ok but very inconsistent. I liked the mrc beckett but I did not have that much room under the tank to run a riser. I also tried a second injector. I just could not get the performance out of the second injector without going to the bigger pump (pw200). Problem is that you cannot run a mr-2 with 2 injectors and the 200 pump without the riser tube. With the gate all the way open it overflowed the cup within seconds of turning it on. I know if I had the room for the taller beckett it would be great. I continue to go back to the needlewheel skimmers every time. I am running a RC500 euroreef on a 240 with about 300 gallons total. It is unbelievable how much cleaner the tank is than with the beckett. Don't get me wrong like I said, becketts have there place, just not on my tanks. That being said, the rc500 is 12X30 with 2 pumps and it still draws only half the power of a pump needed to run 1 beckett, let alone 2. To each his own.

03/10/2006, 12:24 PM	#17
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	Also just in case anyone was thinking about picking up an ER skimmer. You should read this first http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=767759 This is not the only thread I've seen about ER either. Required reading IMO. D.

03/10/2006, 12:27 PM	#19
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	better hope you don't need to replace a part for that ER anytime in the future viggen.

03/10/2006, 02:48 PM	#24
mokujin22 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 215	welp- after reading that ER thread, i probably won't be getting one from them. i totally agree on not skimping on a skimmer. i have no problem going above the $500 range. just wanted to get a consensus on the value of these "Ferrari" skimmers. t. __________________ 26 gallon bowfront sps: 10 gal sump/fuge w/ MAG 5 return on SQWD, SEIO 820, 2 MJ900s and MJ600 on wavetimer, CPR HOB skimmer, Aquamedic 250W 15K MH, URI 18" VHO x2 Current Tank Info: 110 Afr Cichlid, 45 Planted, 26 Reef, 20L turtle, 29 Planted, 8 Biocube (in the works)

03/10/2006, 02:50 PM	#25
mokujin22 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 215	the ASM G4-X almost seems like a ER knockoff... at 1/4 the price. maybe the MRC MR-2? both are in the $300-$400 range. __________________ 26 gallon bowfront sps: 10 gal sump/fuge w/ MAG 5 return on SQWD, SEIO 820, 2 MJ900s and MJ600 on wavetimer, CPR HOB skimmer, Aquamedic 250W 15K MH, URI 18" VHO x2 Current Tank Info: 110 Afr Cichlid, 45 Planted, 26 Reef, 20L turtle, 29 Planted, 8 Biocube (in the works)