Help Choosing a Skimmer

button13 · 07/15/2011, 10:20 PM

I am planning my 180 gallon mixed reef tank with a 120 gallon sump, and am having trouble choosing a skimmer. I had originally planned to be in the $600-$800 range, but then found two quite a bit above that, the Deltec Internal Protein Skimmer SC2060 and the Vertex Alpha 300 Protein Skimmer. My questions are: a) Are these really worth the price? and b) Is there one in my price range comparable to these? My main worry with a skimmer is noise, since the tank will be located in my room. Thank you for any help and suggestions.

MarcoPolo · 07/15/2011, 11:26 PM

I don't know either the deltec or vertex. I have a bubble king. I have always been surprised how quite it can be. I am very happy with it, though it is quite expensive. My experience however is that -especially with skimming- it is worth investing upfront on a good quality skimmer even if it means a lot of $...

tkeracer619 · 07/15/2011, 11:40 PM

the vertex alpha300 is silent but IMO its too big for a 180.

button13 · 07/16/2011, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarcoPolo

I don't know either the deltec or vertex. I have a bubble king. I have always been surprised how quite it can be. I am very happy with it, though it is quite expensive. My experience however is that -especially with skimming- it is worth investing upfront on a good quality skimmer even if it means a lot of $...

It said that the Vertexes were made by the same company as Bubble King. They have the same pumps, just cheaper.

button13 · 07/16/2011, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

the vertex alpha300 is silent but IMO its too big for a 180.

Should I go down a size in the Vertex then? I would like to upgrade someday, but I don't know how long I will keep the 180 for, or how big of an upgrade I will do. So you would recommend the Vertex over the Deltec?

button13 · 07/16/2011, 11:50 PM

Anyone else?

Doahh · 07/17/2011, 12:18 AM

I'm just gonna confuse you more and add ATB to the lineup. It's the skimmer I chose over the comparable Vertex Alpha

button13 · 07/17/2011, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doahh

I'm just gonna confuse you more and add ATB to the lineup. It's the skimmer I chose over the comparable Vertex Alpha

Thank you for the suggestion! The ATB's are significantly cheaper, some even in my price range! Is the noise level comparable? I have dealt with HOB filters in freshwater tanks, but that's the highest noise level I'm willing to go.

button13 · 07/17/2011, 12:38 AM

So far my list is as follows, considering recommendations from everyone:
Deltec Internal Protein Skimmer SC2060 - $1,349
Vertex Alpha 300 Protein Skimmer - $1,399
Bubble King Supermarin 250 Internal Protein Skimmer - $1,449.95
Bubble King Deluxe 200 Internal Protein Skimmer - $1,689.95
ATB 1050a v1.5 Protein Skimmer - $899
ATB Deluxe 10.5 Protein Skimmer - $1,438.85
Thanks for the input!

gark666 · 07/17/2011, 01:45 AM

how about super reef octopus 5000 that line of slimmers are pretty good or a SWC 300 another good choice!

rkaires · 07/17/2011, 10:05 AM

The ATB 1050A would work great and has excellent customer service to go with it. There is a 10.5 Deluxe for sale in the used equipment forum $900.00.

Beenalongtime79 · 07/17/2011, 10:53 AM

http://www.reefspecialty.com/virtuem...n-skimmer.html

Check out the SRO XP cone series. For your size tank, this would probably be perfect! It is also in your price range, is recirculating and has a very excellent askoll motor block pump. Throw in a self-cleaning head for another $150 and you've got yourself a powerhouse of a skimmer.

I have an vertex alpha 200 cone skimmer which is an amazing skimmer, but I wish it were recirculating so I could run it externally.

Also, the vertex alpha 200 cone skimmer would be a perfect size for that tank of yours!

Cheers on your search!
John

USC-fan · 07/17/2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by button13

So far my list is as follows, considering recommendations from everyone:
Deltec Internal Protein Skimmer SC2060 - $1,349
Vertex Alpha 300 Protein Skimmer - $1,399
Bubble King Supermarin 250 Internal Protein Skimmer - $1,449.95
Bubble King Deluxe 200 Internal Protein Skimmer - $1,689.95
ATB 1050a v1.5 Protein Skimmer - $899
ATB Deluxe 10.5 Protein Skimmer - $1,438.85
Thanks for the input!

Let me help you. All these skimmers are WAY OVER priced.

The mystical pumps that most of these use is just a Hagen's Askoll 1500 / Laguna MaxFlow 1500 pond pump.

Skimmer that use these pumps.
SWC 300 cone $649.99
SWC 230 cone $564.99

If i was buying a new skimmer i would get:
Super Reef Octopus 5000 Internal Protein Skimmer $499

JKDMan · 07/17/2011, 12:14 PM

Check out aqua c it uses spray injection ..i have the ev 180 it is a little difficult to adjust but once dialed in it works great

button13 · 07/17/2011, 01:05 PM

Thank you all for the great suggestions! This will be my first reef tank after 7 years of freshwater so I want to do it right! I have been researching all of these options and it just keeps getting more and more confusing LOL.

Beenalongtime79 · 07/17/2011, 01:18 PM

I think you should really consider a recirculating external model to allow more placement options. If you don't want to run externally, you don't have to, but at least you have the option to if you decided to go that route. Also, if out of the sump, it might be easier to access to clean the cup.

Aqua C's injection model is old school and not superior to beckett injectors and the new Askoll based needlewheel skimmers are far quieter and efficient than any type of pure injection based skimmer such as a beckett or Aqua C injector skimmer.

Cheers,
John

gark666 · 07/17/2011, 03:22 PM

A super reef octopus 5000 external recirculating is the way to go I own one and this thing is a monster plus is not too expensive!

USC-fan · 07/17/2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by button13

Thank you all for the great suggestions! This will be my first reef tank after 7 years of freshwater so I want to do it right! I have been researching all of these options and it just keeps getting more and more confusing LOL.

Well if you research you will learn a lot on here.

You dont need to spend a ton of money to do it right. Super reef octopus 5000 would out perform most of those over price skimmers you listed in your other post.

There is no secret to skimmers it just bubbles... Most skimmer list the LPM/scfh which is like a car engine HP. Really easy to compare...

NyReefNoob · 07/17/2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

So far my list is as follows, considering recommendations from everyone:
Deltec Internal Protein Skimmer SC2060 - $1,349
Vertex Alpha 300 Protein Skimmer - $1,399
Bubble King Supermarin 250 Internal Protein Skimmer - $1,449.95
Bubble King Deluxe 200 Internal Protein Skimmer - $1,689.95
ATB 1050a v1.5 Protein Skimmer - $899
ATB Deluxe 10.5 Protein Skimmer - $1,438.85
Thanks for the input!

personally imo all these are over priced and you can get the same results from other skimmers,
these would be nice fits
Super Reef Octopus XP-3000 Internal Cone
Super Reef Octopus XP-3000 External Cone
ATB 1050 Cone Protein Skimmer
Skimz sm202 recirc < def beast as i owned this one also
Skimz E-Series SM201
Skimz E-Series SK201

button13 · 07/17/2011, 08:22 PM

I don't quite understand recirculating skimmers...Can anyone explain these to me? I also would prefer an in sump one as I don't think I will have room for an out of sump one. I have been looking into the Reef Octopus's as well as the Skimz. Thanks everyone for the suggestions and keep 'em coming!

Doahh · 07/17/2011, 08:34 PM

I'm still sticking with my vote of an ATB, 1050(a/1.5/1.0 Whatever is cheap)

USC-fan · 07/17/2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by button13

I don't quite understand recirculating skimmers...Can anyone explain these to me? I also would prefer an in sump one as I don't think I will have room for an out of sump one. I have been looking into the Reef Octopus's as well as the Skimz. Thanks everyone for the suggestions and keep 'em coming!

Well i run a recirc skimmer and I run mine in sump, most can be run this way. They take more to set them up but once you do they are pretty much set for life.

In-sump skimmer are pretty much plug and play. For recirc you will need a feed pump or run it off the tanks overflow. Mine is plumb off my tank overflow so the "dirtiest water" is running through the skimmer.

button13 · 07/17/2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USC-fan

Well i run a recirc skimmer and I run mine in sump, most can be run this way. They take more to set them up but once you do they are pretty much set for life.

In-sump skimmer are pretty much plug and play. For recirc you will need a feed pump or run it off the tanks overflow. Mine is plumb off my tank overflow so the "dirtiest water" is running through the skimmer.

Thank you for that explanation!

Beenalongtime79 · 07/18/2011, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by button13

Thank you for that explanation!

A recirculating skimmer is also believed to be one of the more efficient ways of skimming as you control nutrient throughput independent of air injection so if given the choice and space, I would got with a recirculating model over an in sump model. It just gives you more choices down the line.

On the other hand, it is a bit more difficult to setup as you will need to either Tee off the overflow or use a feed pump which is extra tubing/wires/pumps to deal with, but I think it is worth it for the added benefit and flexibility.

Good luck on your search!
John

daveydoodle · 07/18/2011, 09:35 AM

It seems in reading the posts that these two brands get the most recommendations. Anyone have any negative experiences with either, or any other pros vs. cons? It's a 75 gallon tank, med-light load.

6" Reef Octopus Pinwheel Skimmer
or a
SWC Xtreme 150 BMK Skimmer

Both rate up to 150 gallon tanks, both in sump designs, both around $200, etc. They appear fairly similiar.

07/15/2011, 10:20 PM	#1
button13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 94	Help Choosing a Skimmer I am planning my 180 gallon mixed reef tank with a 120 gallon sump, and am having trouble choosing a skimmer. I had originally planned to be in the $600-$800 range, but then found two quite a bit above that, the Deltec Internal Protein Skimmer SC2060 and the Vertex Alpha 300 Protein Skimmer. My questions are: a) Are these really worth the price? and b) Is there one in my price range comparable to these? My main worry with a skimmer is noise, since the tank will be located in my room. Thank you for any help and suggestions.

07/15/2011, 11:40 PM	#3
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	the vertex alpha300 is silent but IMO its too big for a 180. __________________ 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.

07/17/2011, 12:18 AM	#7
Doahh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Loomis CA Posts: 2,398	I'm just gonna confuse you more and add ATB to the lineup. It's the skimmer I chose over the comparable Vertex Alpha __________________ -Josh Current Tank Info: 90 Gal Custom SW Reef

07/17/2011, 10:05 AM	#11
rkaires Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dingmans Ferry, PA Posts: 1,083	The ATB 1050A would work great and has excellent customer service to go with it. There is a 10.5 Deluxe for sale in the used equipment forum $900.00. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 200gal system, 150gal & 58gal reef, ATI Powermodule & Sunpower , ATB Deluxe skimmer, KZ zeo reactor, Geo 618, FX1500 return, Tunze 7095, Tunze Streams.

07/17/2011, 08:34 PM	#21
Doahh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Loomis CA Posts: 2,398	I'm still sticking with my vote of an ATB, 1050(a/1.5/1.0 Whatever is cheap) __________________ -Josh Current Tank Info: 90 Gal Custom SW Reef

07/15/2011, 11:26 PM	#2
MarcoPolo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Brussels, EU Posts: 475	I don't know either the deltec or vertex. I have a bubble king. I have always been surprised how quite it can be. I am very happy with it, though it is quite expensive. My experience however is that -especially with skimming- it is worth investing upfront on a good quality skimmer even if it means a lot of $...

07/16/2011, 11:50 PM	#6
button13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 94	Anyone else?

07/17/2011, 12:38 AM	#9
button13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 94	So far my list is as follows, considering recommendations from everyone: Deltec Internal Protein Skimmer SC2060 - $1,349 Vertex Alpha 300 Protein Skimmer - $1,399 Bubble King Supermarin 250 Internal Protein Skimmer - $1,449.95 Bubble King Deluxe 200 Internal Protein Skimmer - $1,689.95 ATB 1050a v1.5 Protein Skimmer - $899 ATB Deluxe 10.5 Protein Skimmer - $1,438.85 Thanks for the input!

07/17/2011, 01:45 AM	#10
gark666 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Colorado springs CO Posts: 180	how about super reef octopus 5000 that line of slimmers are pretty good or a SWC 300 another good choice!

07/17/2011, 10:53 AM	#12
Beenalongtime79 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 4,437	http://www.reefspecialty.com/virtuem...n-skimmer.html Check out the SRO XP cone series. For your size tank, this would probably be perfect! It is also in your price range, is recirculating and has a very excellent askoll motor block pump. Throw in a self-cleaning head for another $150 and you've got yourself a powerhouse of a skimmer. I have an vertex alpha 200 cone skimmer which is an amazing skimmer, but I wish it were recirculating so I could run it externally. Also, the vertex alpha 200 cone skimmer would be a perfect size for that tank of yours! Cheers on your search! John

07/17/2011, 12:14 PM	#14
JKDMan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 187	Check out aqua c it uses spray injection ..i have the ev 180 it is a little difficult to adjust but once dialed in it works great

07/17/2011, 01:05 PM	#15
button13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 94	Thank you all for the great suggestions! This will be my first reef tank after 7 years of freshwater so I want to do it right! I have been researching all of these options and it just keeps getting more and more confusing LOL.

07/17/2011, 01:18 PM	#16
Beenalongtime79 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 4,437	I think you should really consider a recirculating external model to allow more placement options. If you don't want to run externally, you don't have to, but at least you have the option to if you decided to go that route. Also, if out of the sump, it might be easier to access to clean the cup. Aqua C's injection model is old school and not superior to beckett injectors and the new Askoll based needlewheel skimmers are far quieter and efficient than any type of pure injection based skimmer such as a beckett or Aqua C injector skimmer. Cheers, John

07/17/2011, 03:22 PM	#17
gark666 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Colorado springs CO Posts: 180	A super reef octopus 5000 external recirculating is the way to go I own one and this thing is a monster plus is not too expensive!

07/17/2011, 08:22 PM	#20
button13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 94	I don't quite understand recirculating skimmers...Can anyone explain these to me? I also would prefer an in sump one as I don't think I will have room for an out of sump one. I have been looking into the Reef Octopus's as well as the Skimz. Thanks everyone for the suggestions and keep 'em coming!

07/18/2011, 09:35 AM	#25
daveydoodle Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 120	It seems in reading the posts that these two brands get the most recommendations. Anyone have any negative experiences with either, or any other pros vs. cons? It's a 75 gallon tank, med-light load. 6" Reef Octopus Pinwheel Skimmer or a SWC Xtreme 150 BMK Skimmer Both rate up to 150 gallon tanks, both in sump designs, both around $200, etc. They appear fairly similiar.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Wet-Skimmate Water Changes, Skimmer Mod	GreenTankCorals	Do It Yourself	6	07/15/2011 07:12 AM
Choosing a Skimmer	Quintino	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	1	12/31/2009 11:42 AM
HELP ME CHOOSE skimmer pump/pumps E.R. skimmer	skwirl	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	4	12/26/2008 07:41 PM
Help me choose skimmer for tight space	marino420td	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	6	02/01/2006 06:08 PM
Help choosing skimmer size and brand	benraines	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	4	01/16/2006 02:53 PM