Best Skimmer for Large System (for the price)? - Page 3

marino420td · 03/12/2006, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gcarroll
Since we have been having this discussion on skimmers I was wondering: How does one tell if a skimmer is truly performing at a high level? What is to say that one skimmer is better than another (other than build quality)? Just a question that I have always wondered.

I would love to know this as well. I'm currently shopping for skimmers for a 200 gal total capacity sps system and the options are mind boggling. I don't mind spending the cash if it is justified. But I don't want to pay hundreds more for a nice sticker on the front of the unit.

viggen · 03/12/2006, 07:38 PM

My guess is mostly it's build quality be it in the skimmer body itself or the pumps used on the skimmer. ASM uses sendra, ER uses sendra & GenX, Deltec I think uses eheim, & BubbleKing or one of those pricey brands use a red dragon pump which make eheims looks cheap

I would think that due to the pumps & build quality as well as physical size of the skimmers it makes the prices go up or down.

I think the materials have a LOT to do with the price & going with a larger diameter body does increase price a LOT but it is "suppose" to perform better as well. Like a ASM G3 vs G4 which are about the same heigth & the G4 costs $100 more with a slightly better pump.

With knowing how the skimmer performs on a specific tank I think it's all in the eyes of the beholder.

For my tanks I think my ER performs better because the stuff is a LOT darker. However a little more fiddleing with the riser tube on my G3 should allow the stuff to look more like my ER.

well that sure didn't help

mokujin22 · 03/12/2006, 08:44 PM

yikes.... well, thank you all so very much for your input. it's reasons like this that RC ROCKS!

after spending the last 3-4 hours reading through this thread, other threads, looking at tons of vender and manufacturer sites and setting up an XL spread sheet, i've come to the following conclusions:

-MR2 with blueline 55 ($450 with pump): MR3 better, but too tall for under tank
-ASM G4X ($370 incl pump): good value, like ties to ER, pump incl (frontrunner currently)
-Bullet 3 ($620 with pump): nice skimmer, but too tall at 32" (Bullet 2 too small)
-Pacific Coast/Octopus RPS-3000: $489+pump cost = too much for untested product. it is a recirc model though...
-GEO: couldn't find much on this skimmer. only found the model rated at 250 gal.
-Barr, Deltec, ER, H&S too much $

i've figure a max height of about 30". how many folks have stands higher than this? does anyone keep these taller skimmers under the tank? i don't reall have room off to the side or in an adjacent closet.

also am intrigued by the recirc models... are they that much better?

again, thanks so much all,
tony.

mokujin22 · 03/12/2006, 08:50 PM

oh yeah, even spent an hour contemplating building one out of a 5 gallon water jug. i love this website.

t.

curbdog · 03/12/2006, 09:24 PM

http://www.superskimmer.com/ETSS%20600.htm
This is the skimmer I like.

mokujin22 · 03/13/2006, 06:44 AM

that is a nice skimmer... do you have one?

asnatlas · 03/13/2006, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by viggen
I think the materials have a LOT to do with the price & going with a larger diameter body does increase price a LOT but it is "suppose" to perform better as well.

When talking to GEO about a custom 16" dia skimmer I think he stated that the acrylic tubing was almost $300.00 a ft, yes I said per ft...

viggen · 03/13/2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mokujin22
yikes.... well, thank you all so very much for your input. it's reasons like this that RC ROCKS!

-MR2 with blueline 55 ($450 with pump): MR3 better, but too tall for under tank
-ASM G4X ($370 incl pump): good value, like ties to ER, pump incl (frontrunner currently)
-Bullet 3 ($620 with pump): nice skimmer, but too tall at 32" (Bullet 2 too small)
-Pacific Coast/Octopus RPS-3000: $489+pump cost = too much for untested product. it is a recirc model though...
-GEO: couldn't find much on this skimmer. only found the model rated at 250 gal.
-Barr, Deltec, ER, H&S too much $

i've figure a max height of about 30". how many folks have stands higher than this? does anyone keep these taller skimmers under the tank? i don't reall have room off to the side or in an adjacent closet.

also am intrigued by the recirc models... are they that much better?

again, thanks so much all,
tony.

yea it's amazing how much info/knowledge is on this site. The problem is, is that you spend MANY MANY hours surfing.... then you spend more then you wanted to on products because of being able to see how it works for other people.

Before giving up on a ER check the following link out & you will see their Blem models. This is a great way to get a skimmer for quite a bit less then their retail price. There are a few listed that might work for you

http://commerce2.i2net.com/able5stor...ategory_ID=548

Then there's Premium Aquatics which has 1 ER left from the old line & it's almost $600 but would rock!!!

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Code=Clearance

One thing to remember when comparing a ER RC skimmer vs the ASM G4x is that the ER comes drilled for RC with the gate valve kit included. If you go with a G4 (or any ASM) you pay $10 per hole that needs drilled plus $40 for the gate valve kit. Thus a $370 quickly becomes a $450+ skimmer if you want it performing the best it can.

I am not a fan of some of the other skimmers not because they don't work well (the ETTS, MRC's etc work GREAT many people feel) it's just I don't like the idea of using a large power hungry pump to run a skimmer when you can get by with 1/2 or less of the power consumption with a needle wheel skimmer

tomnmaddie · 03/13/2006, 04:16 PM

Well I must say if you read the ER thread just a bit and don't sift through the whole bloody thing then your wrong wrong wrong about
ER and customer service or the quality of product!!! This is one persons opinion during a specific event that reading the whole thread is totally absurd. Seems to me the old instint
gratification syndrome. I have a ER RS8-1 it is is the best damn skimmer I have ever had. True its is a wee bit overkill for a 120 but my bioload might be a wee bit high as well ;>) and remember u get what u pay for.........

dhnguyen · 03/13/2006, 04:32 PM

Tom-

ER's customer service has no bearing on how well their skimmers are built or perform. You're missing the whole point here. Also this is not the first thread I have seen about how bad ER customer service is. No one is doubting that ER skimmers are well made and work very well.

Just because a company sells a good product doesn't mean that company can treat their customers like caca so to speak. That attitude will decrease their sales numbers very quickly believe me.

D.

dhnguyen · 03/13/2006, 11:00 PM

and in case any of you wanted to see a Reef Octopus skimmer in action

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...37#post6949037

Alaskan Reefer · 03/14/2006, 12:46 AM

Happy Euroreef customer here, questions answered within 24 hours when I had a problem via email, PM, and phone. They hit me at all three just to make sure I got the message.

One dissatisfied customer makes more noise than 100 satisfied ones, pretty basic principal of business. Stuff happens, and some people are very sensitive to people not listening to them right away and might be motivated to use a forum like ER to express their displeasure and gain a mob to become more inflamed.

Just keep it in perspective.

For your needs, the ASM sounds just right.

dhnguyen · 03/14/2006, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alaskan Reefer
...One dissatisfied customer makes more noise than 100 satisfied ones, pretty basic principal of business. ...

You are absolutely right that one happy customer may tell one but one ****ed off customer will tell a hundred. And it is basic business 101.

It seems to me the people running ER should go back to business school though after reading some of their comments on these threads. Here's rule #1 "The customer is always right"

Alaskan Reefer · 03/14/2006, 07:23 AM

Ah yes, that one. I disagree, coming from a field where cynicism is the daily grind.

Some customers are clowns, and only about 80% of them are always right.

dhnguyen · 03/14/2006, 09:04 AM

Yes some ARE clowns. Though not from the threads that I have read on here. It didn't seem to me their requests were so unreasonable. And why is it that we don't see similar threads about how awful it was to deal with ASM or PCI or Aqua C or Deltec or H&S or....?

mokujin22 · 03/14/2006, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by viggen
yea it's amazing how much info/knowledge is on this site. The problem is, is that you spend MANY MANY hours surfing.... then you spend more then you wanted to on products because of being able to see how it works for other people.

Before giving up on a ER check the following link out & you will see their Blem models. This is a great way to get a skimmer for quite a bit less then their retail price. There are a few listed that might work for you

http://commerce2.i2net.com/able5stor...ategory_ID=548

Then there's Premium Aquatics which has 1 ER left from the old line & it's almost $600 but would rock!!!

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Code=Clearance

One thing to remember when comparing a ER RC skimmer vs the ASM G4x is that the ER comes drilled for RC with the gate valve kit included. If you go with a G4 (or any ASM) you pay $10 per hole that needs drilled plus $40 for the gate valve kit. Thus a $370 quickly becomes a $450+ skimmer if you want it performing the best it can.

I am not a fan of some of the other skimmers not because they don't work well (the ETTS, MRC's etc work GREAT many people feel) it's just I don't like the idea of using a large power hungry pump to run a skimmer when you can get by with 1/2 or less of the power consumption with a needle wheel skimmer

i checked the Premium Aq deal on the ER skimmer and while sweet, it looks a bit small for my setup. i think that i'll probably check back often for ER blems. when you mention the recirc option, it seems like a better deal now.

thanks,
Tony

mokujin22 · 03/14/2006, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mokujin22
i checked the Premium Aq deal on the ER skimmer and while sweet, it looks a bit small for my setup. i think that i'll probably check back often for ER blems. when you mention the cost of the recirc option (something i'll eventually definately want), it seems like a better deal now.

still torn though... at least i have some time to figure it out. i'll just keep an eye out for a deal. you never know what might fall in your lap.

thanks,
Tony

mokujin22 · 03/14/2006, 12:38 PM

oops.. screwed up that edit...

RichConley · 03/14/2006, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by viggen

I think the materials have a LOT to do with the price & going with a larger diameter body does increase price a LOT but it is "suppose" to perform better as well. Like a ASM G3 vs G4 which are about the same heigth & the G4 costs $100 more with a slightly better pump.

The larger body size is mostly so they can be shorter.(IE fit in a stand) A taller, slightly thinner skimmer woudl be more effective, the problem is you need pumps that can pull harder.

If you want effective, Becketts are the way to go. THeres a reason all the public aquariums use giant beckett style skimmers (by giant, I mean like bigger than cars)

Once you start getting big, nothing is nearly as effective as them.

fishaholic911 · 03/14/2006, 04:52 PM

Very happy ASM user here

03/12/2006, 07:38 PM	#52
viggen Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 2,213	My guess is mostly it's build quality be it in the skimmer body itself or the pumps used on the skimmer. ASM uses sendra, ER uses sendra & GenX, Deltec I think uses eheim, & BubbleKing or one of those pricey brands use a red dragon pump which make eheims looks cheap I would think that due to the pumps & build quality as well as physical size of the skimmers it makes the prices go up or down. I think the materials have a LOT to do with the price & going with a larger diameter body does increase price a LOT but it is "suppose" to perform better as well. Like a ASM G3 vs G4 which are about the same heigth & the G4 costs $100 more with a slightly better pump. With knowing how the skimmer performs on a specific tank I think it's all in the eyes of the beholder. For my tanks I think my ER performs better because the stuff is a LOT darker. However a little more fiddleing with the riser tube on my G3 should allow the stuff to look more like my ER. well that sure didn't help __________________ A tub of fish

03/12/2006, 08:44 PM	#53
mokujin22 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 215	yikes.... well, thank you all so very much for your input. it's reasons like this that RC ROCKS! after spending the last 3-4 hours reading through this thread, other threads, looking at tons of vender and manufacturer sites and setting up an XL spread sheet, i've come to the following conclusions: -MR2 with blueline 55 ($450 with pump): MR3 better, but too tall for under tank -ASM G4X ($370 incl pump): good value, like ties to ER, pump incl (frontrunner currently) -Bullet 3 ($620 with pump): nice skimmer, but too tall at 32" (Bullet 2 too small) -Pacific Coast/Octopus RPS-3000: $489+pump cost = too much for untested product. it is a recirc model though... -GEO: couldn't find much on this skimmer. only found the model rated at 250 gal. -Barr, Deltec, ER, H&S too much $ i've figure a max height of about 30". how many folks have stands higher than this? does anyone keep these taller skimmers under the tank? i don't reall have room off to the side or in an adjacent closet. also am intrigued by the recirc models... are they that much better? again, thanks so much all, 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)

03/12/2006, 08:50 PM	#54
mokujin22 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 215	oh yeah, even spent an hour contemplating building one out of a 5 gallon water jug. i love this website. 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)

03/13/2006, 06:44 AM	#56
mokujin22 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 215	that is a nice skimmer... do you have one? __________________ 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)

03/13/2006, 04:16 PM	#59
tomnmaddie Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Posts: 92	Well I must say if you read the ER thread just a bit and don't sift through the whole bloody thing then your wrong wrong wrong about ER and customer service or the quality of product!!! This is one persons opinion during a specific event that reading the whole thread is totally absurd. Seems to me the old instint gratification syndrome. I have a ER RS8-1 it is is the best damn skimmer I have ever had. True its is a wee bit overkill for a 120 but my bioload might be a wee bit high as well ;>) and remember u get what u pay for......... __________________ Tom one must learn to look a big things in a small way and small things in a big way Current Tank Info: 120G reef tank, two 175W MH, 4 T5's HO all icecap, T-3 return,Euro-Reef RS8-1 protien skimmer

03/12/2006, 09:24 PM	#55
curbdog Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: EHT, NJ Posts: 27	http://www.superskimmer.com/ETSS%20600.htm This is the skimmer I like.

03/13/2006, 04:32 PM	#60
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	Tom- ER's customer service has no bearing on how well their skimmers are built or perform. You're missing the whole point here. Also this is not the first thread I have seen about how bad ER customer service is. No one is doubting that ER skimmers are well made and work very well. Just because a company sells a good product doesn't mean that company can treat their customers like caca so to speak. That attitude will decrease their sales numbers very quickly believe me. D.

03/13/2006, 11:00 PM	#61
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	and in case any of you wanted to see a Reef Octopus skimmer in action http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...37#post6949037

03/14/2006, 12:46 AM	#62
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Happy Euroreef customer here, questions answered within 24 hours when I had a problem via email, PM, and phone. They hit me at all three just to make sure I got the message. One dissatisfied customer makes more noise than 100 satisfied ones, pretty basic principal of business. Stuff happens, and some people are very sensitive to people not listening to them right away and might be motivated to use a forum like ER to express their displeasure and gain a mob to become more inflamed. Just keep it in perspective. For your needs, the ASM sounds just right. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

03/14/2006, 07:23 AM	#64
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Ah yes, that one. I disagree, coming from a field where cynicism is the daily grind. Some customers are clowns, and only about 80% of them are always right. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

03/14/2006, 09:04 AM	#65
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	Yes some ARE clowns. Though not from the threads that I have read on here. It didn't seem to me their requests were so unreasonable. And why is it that we don't see similar threads about how awful it was to deal with ASM or PCI or Aqua C or Deltec or H&S or....?

03/14/2006, 12:38 PM	#68
mokujin22 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 215	oops.. screwed up that edit... __________________ 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)

03/14/2006, 04:52 PM	#70
fishaholic911 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 2,822	Very happy ASM user here __________________ happiness is like peeing in your pants everyone can see it, but no one feels the warmth as you do. Current Tank Info: 80 gallon, vertex 150 skimmer, 2 mars aqua 165 watt leds and 2MP40WQD