what protein skimmer to use on 180?

joseph rinker · 04/20/2009, 05:29 AM

im switching my tank from a 110 to a 180 i have a bermuda bak pak skimmer but i want ot switch to a in sump skimmer instead what do you recommend?

LunarDDS · 04/20/2009, 06:27 AM

octo extreme 250,
atb 840 or 1050,
re/vertex cone,
hurricone cat 1,

list is long for that size tank. what kind of livestock?

joseph rinker · 04/20/2009, 06:53 AM

fish corals and inverts no acros

joseph rinker · 04/20/2009, 06:55 AM

is there any you can get off ebay

mrbigshot · 04/20/2009, 08:03 AM

id suggest the octo ex series as they have a pretty good foloing around here.

joseph rinker · 04/20/2009, 08:46 AM

i just want to make sure i get the right one so it will do a good enough job

Versus · 04/20/2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by joseph rinker
i just want to make sure i get the right one so it will do a good enough job

So many skimmers are good these days it really comes down to how badly you want to flaunt the "name" . You should really go for a skimmer which has good customer service . Chances are you wont need it but it always helps .

The popular skimmers you see on ebay are Bubble Magus , They are not awful skimmers but 1. If it arrives broke from china .. enjoy eating your money 2. The neck is very small on them .

Things you need to take in mind is how loud do you want it? Electricity use? ,. ex. Injector skimmers ( that use beckett's etc require a larger pump , are a tad bit louder but tend to not kill as many plankton or even pods sometimes . Or mesh wheels which tend to be quiter , smaller pumps , and often the best performers , They are also prone to having issues unless you do regular cleanings of it .

You also need to take note of the water level you have in your sump if you have baffles some skimmers can be greatly effected by this . But if you are looking for cheap , good build quality . You could
try I tech skimmers , MSX / OCTO ( marinesolutions ) , Or Hurricone skimmers ( kind of pricey but for what you get its very good ) .

Unfortunately there really is no best , Unless you can give a price range . people might be able to pick the best bang for the buck in that category

joseph rinker · 04/20/2009, 09:19 AM

im not lookin for the best ive just been ripped off by pet supply stores in the past when i was first settin up my tank and the skimmer wasnt big enough to run my tank. plus the heater they sold me blew up in my tank and the lighting wasnt enough to keep corals. long story short i want to make sure i get the right skimmer this time.

Versus · 04/20/2009, 09:40 AM

Ive made those same mistakes , Most of us have . Like you said do it right and you will not have to worry . assuming on your sump size go for a MSX 250 and use the needle wheel . They are 379 plus 15 dollars shipping. If you want to wait you could also get the MINI S cone once it arrives in their stock and after they do testing with it ( at the end of this month ) ( 499.99 )

You also might want to consider waiting until you see a decent skimmer for sale from a "known rc'er" in the B/S/T forums .

You could get by with a MSX 200 they are 300 dollars plus shipping but the 250 you could "grow into" .

joseph rinker · 04/20/2009, 09:47 AM

i was thinking of puttin a 58 gallon sump under my tank for enough room for refugium and skimmer to fit

nanojg · 04/20/2009, 09:54 AM

I used an asm g4+ on my 180, it worked great.

joseph rinker · 04/20/2009, 10:00 AM

my buddy has a asm on his tank i dont know the model but he seems to like it

tkeracer619 · 04/20/2009, 12:10 PM

I would go with a MSX 250 on that tank.

joseph rinker · 04/20/2009, 01:04 PM

whats the full name of the skimmer so i can find it on ebay

drummereef · 04/20/2009, 01:05 PM

I bought an MSX250 for my 180g.

tkeracer619 · 04/20/2009, 01:22 PM

Manufacturer direct

http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ca..._48/index.html

Looks like they are out of the 250 atm but they have the 300 for less then the 250 on ebay.

They take paypal... or you can get it from ebay for more money.

Look up octopus extreme

Greg 45 · 04/20/2009, 01:31 PM

LIFEREEF THEY WORK NO FUSSING WITH IT

cwegescheide · 04/20/2009, 01:44 PM

If I were you I'd check into the I-Tech Cone skimmers. They skim VERY well and they are relatively inexpensive especially compaired to ATB Econo etc.. They have a website www.i-techskimmers.com and you can review the specs and a lot of pictures of them. IIRC the 200 (medium) is around 600 with the Tunze 9420 skimmer pump.

I've had a Euro Reef, ASM, Aqua Medic and an ATB medium and its the best skimmer I've ever owned for quality and price.

Chris

joseph rinker · 04/20/2009, 02:07 PM

are the msx pretty easy to use looks a little different from other skimmers

tkeracer619 · 04/20/2009, 03:47 PM

they are very easy to use.

mojo~ · 04/20/2009, 05:22 PM

really depends on your budget. and what is important to you. For a 150 gallon. I would suggest the following.
Alpha 250 (I will have one really soon, like tomorrow)
ATB 1050
Warner Marine K2
Warner MArine as200
ATB 840
msx 250
vertex in 280
vertex in 180

ok, now for the why I think those. I gave you a pretty big price range there. You will want to make sure you are cycling enough water through your skimmer to make it count.
The WM AS200 moves alot of water and air. Works well great service and well its about midpriced for those I listed. The Alpha 250 cone skimmer would be a beast of a skimmer but it is atthe $1000 mark. The vertex in 180 on the low side if budget is pretty small. but Iwould go with the msx 250 over the vertex in 180. just because of water volume and air draw. run the msx 250 on pinwheels and you should be pretty happy. The guys over there are pretty good to deal with as well. Now the ATB 1050 and 840. Both are really nice but IMO the 840 would just on the small side if you are going to run a heavy load. The 1050 would be a great pic but again it goes for more $$$. but those are really nice units.
The WM k2 is really nice and would be a pretty good fit too. just depends on budget space and need. I can be a little more specific too. I have actually owned most of what I always recommend. or have a pretty good idea on what I am suggesting. I would try to get something with a more current design/ bubble plate. it does reduce turbulence and I feel you get a better reaction with the air and water mixture with a bubble plate. This from testing the same skimmers with and without one. I hope this helps Mojo~

joseph rinker · 04/20/2009, 05:51 PM

about 3 to 4 hundred is what i was trying to keep it at if i could i just want to make sure i do it right

clines4 · 04/20/2009, 06:18 PM

What about PM bullets? Probably 2 0r 3 series, I thought they were pretty good equipment.

04/20/2009, 05:29 AM	#1
joseph rinker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: new tripoli Posts: 35	what protein skimmer to use on 180? im switching my tank from a 110 to a 180 i have a bermuda bak pak skimmer but i want ot switch to a in sump skimmer instead what do you recommend?

04/20/2009, 09:40 AM	#9
Versus Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Tiger Shoals , FL. Posts: 1,403	Ive made those same mistakes , Most of us have . Like you said do it right and you will not have to worry . assuming on your sump size go for a MSX 250 and use the needle wheel . They are 379 plus 15 dollars shipping. If you want to wait you could also get the MINI S cone once it arrives in their stock and after they do testing with it ( at the end of this month ) ( 499.99 ) You also might want to consider waiting until you see a decent skimmer for sale from a "known rc'er" in the B/S/T forums . You could get by with a MSX 200 they are 300 dollars plus shipping but the 250 you could "grow into" . __________________ If I ever saw an amputee getting hanged, Id probably just start calling out letters

04/20/2009, 12:10 PM	#13
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I would go with a MSX 250 on that tank. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/20/2009, 01:05 PM	#15
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	I bought an MSX250 for my 180g. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/20/2009, 01:22 PM	#16
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Manufacturer direct http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ca..._48/index.html Looks like they are out of the 250 atm but they have the 300 for less then the 250 on ebay. They take paypal... or you can get it from ebay for more money. Look up octopus extreme __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/20/2009, 06:27 AM	#2
LunarDDS Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 334	octo extreme 250, atb 840 or 1050, re/vertex cone, hurricone cat 1, list is long for that size tank. what kind of livestock?

04/20/2009, 06:53 AM	#3
joseph rinker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: new tripoli Posts: 35	fish corals and inverts no acros

04/20/2009, 06:55 AM	#4
joseph rinker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: new tripoli Posts: 35	is there any you can get off ebay

04/20/2009, 08:03 AM	#5
mrbigshot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: mn Posts: 387	id suggest the octo ex series as they have a pretty good foloing around here.

04/20/2009, 08:46 AM	#6
joseph rinker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: new tripoli Posts: 35	i just want to make sure i get the right one so it will do a good enough job

04/20/2009, 09:19 AM	#8
joseph rinker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: new tripoli Posts: 35	im not lookin for the best ive just been ripped off by pet supply stores in the past when i was first settin up my tank and the skimmer wasnt big enough to run my tank. plus the heater they sold me blew up in my tank and the lighting wasnt enough to keep corals. long story short i want to make sure i get the right skimmer this time.

04/20/2009, 09:47 AM	#10
joseph rinker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: new tripoli Posts: 35	i was thinking of puttin a 58 gallon sump under my tank for enough room for refugium and skimmer to fit

04/20/2009, 09:54 AM	#11
nanojg Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,174	I used an asm g4+ on my 180, it worked great.

04/20/2009, 10:00 AM	#12
joseph rinker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: new tripoli Posts: 35	my buddy has a asm on his tank i dont know the model but he seems to like it

04/20/2009, 01:04 PM	#14
joseph rinker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: new tripoli Posts: 35	whats the full name of the skimmer so i can find it on ebay

04/20/2009, 01:31 PM	#17
Greg 45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bayonne,N.J. Posts: 1,159	LIFEREEF THEY WORK NO FUSSING WITH IT

04/20/2009, 01:44 PM	#18
cwegescheide YOU have been ignored! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 5,231	If I were you I'd check into the I-Tech Cone skimmers. They skim VERY well and they are relatively inexpensive especially compaired to ATB Econo etc.. They have a website www.i-techskimmers.com and you can review the specs and a lot of pictures of them. IIRC the 200 (medium) is around 600 with the Tunze 9420 skimmer pump. I've had a Euro Reef, ASM, Aqua Medic and an ATB medium and its the best skimmer I've ever owned for quality and price. Chris

04/20/2009, 02:07 PM	#19
joseph rinker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: new tripoli Posts: 35	are the msx pretty easy to use looks a little different from other skimmers

04/20/2009, 03:47 PM	#20
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	they are very easy to use. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/20/2009, 05:22 PM	#21
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	really depends on your budget. and what is important to you. For a 150 gallon. I would suggest the following. Alpha 250 (I will have one really soon, like tomorrow) ATB 1050 Warner Marine K2 Warner MArine as200 ATB 840 msx 250 vertex in 280 vertex in 180 ok, now for the why I think those. I gave you a pretty big price range there. You will want to make sure you are cycling enough water through your skimmer to make it count. The WM AS200 moves alot of water and air. Works well great service and well its about midpriced for those I listed. The Alpha 250 cone skimmer would be a beast of a skimmer but it is atthe $1000 mark. The vertex in 180 on the low side if budget is pretty small. but Iwould go with the msx 250 over the vertex in 180. just because of water volume and air draw. run the msx 250 on pinwheels and you should be pretty happy. The guys over there are pretty good to deal with as well. Now the ATB 1050 and 840. Both are really nice but IMO the 840 would just on the small side if you are going to run a heavy load. The 1050 would be a great pic but again it goes for more $$$. but those are really nice units. The WM k2 is really nice and would be a pretty good fit too. just depends on budget space and need. I can be a little more specific too. I have actually owned most of what I always recommend. or have a pretty good idea on what I am suggesting. I would try to get something with a more current design/ bubble plate. it does reduce turbulence and I feel you get a better reaction with the air and water mixture with a bubble plate. This from testing the same skimmers with and without one. I hope this helps Mojo~ __________________ Mojo~

04/20/2009, 05:51 PM	#22
joseph rinker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: new tripoli Posts: 35	about 3 to 4 hundred is what i was trying to keep it at if i could i just want to make sure i do it right

04/20/2009, 06:18 PM	#23
clines4 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Deer Park, Texas Posts: 56	What about PM bullets? Probably 2 0r 3 series, I thought they were pretty good equipment.