Skimmer Options for new 180 Gallon

jmblec2 · 03/28/2016, 02:14 PM

Hello,

I am in the process of a new 180 gallon build. The tank will be a mixed reef tank, med to heavy bio load. Looking for suggestions for a skimmer. I am not limited to footprint size, as I have a large sump. Budget is around $500. What does everyone suggest?

Thanks in advance.

Drae · 03/28/2016, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmblec2

Hello,

I am in the process of a new 180 gallon build. The tank will be a mixed reef tank, med to heavy bio load. Looking for suggestions for a skimmer. I am not limited to footprint size, as I have a large sump. Budget is around $500. What does everyone suggest?

Thanks in advance.

Aquamaxx cone co3 or jns sk3 and call it a day. $489. No special soft start features, no bells or whistles either. Plain old Italian made sicce shark 3 pump and it performs well and is built just as good as any other skimmer in this price point behind the vertex omega line (under performs imo). Draws 1050 lph of air and it's balanced perfectly. Jmo.

Captain smoke · 03/28/2016, 05:16 PM

I just picked up a Skimz SM201 for my 150g ( a tad over kill), its been running for three weeks and its pulling out nasty black skimmate. I took a good week for it to break in but now its a beast.

BRS has them for 449$ Rated from skimz for 500g but BRS says 180g Heavly stocked or 320 light.

jmblec2 · 03/28/2016, 06:31 PM

Thanks to the both of you. i will look into the aquamaxx and jns sk3. i have been considering the Skimz SM201 but saw some mixed reviews on here.

rjjr1963 · 03/28/2016, 06:35 PM

I bought a lifereef for my 180. I liked that you don't have to use a specific pump and you can upgrade to a larger size tank with the same skimmer.

Drae · 03/28/2016, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmblec2

Thanks to the both of you. i will look into the aquamaxx and jns sk3. i have been considering the Skimz SM201 but saw some mixed reviews on here.

If you're not limited on sump space go with a non space saver imo. Space savers work great don't get me wrong hut the traditional style skimmers are easier to maintenance the pump and even though it's slight, you do get more contact time.

hart24601 · 03/28/2016, 08:27 PM

I like vertex 180i or 200. The 180i was my favorite skimmer I have used.

frankv702 · 03/29/2016, 12:12 AM

I have a Aquamaxx cone s q3 skimmer on my 180. I absolutely love it.

Skim · 03/29/2016, 11:04 AM

Well if you wanted to save a few bucks and use it somewhere else, take a look at Bubble Magus Curve 7 or 9. Curve 7 should do a nice job for you and I can't say I have heard anything bad about them. I have used a Curve 9 and it is a beast of a skimmer, too large for my system would over skim. I believe they are the best bang for the buck. It is hard not to able to purchase a good skimmer these days, you may want to look at it this way, if I need a part replaced how easy will it be and at what cost.

ksicard · 03/29/2016, 01:41 PM

Check out a ES2 protein skimmer from sea side aquatics. They use a good quality sicce pump and it will skim a 180 perfectly. It's basically a bubble magus curve 9 with a sexy twist on aesthetics (black acrylic body and yellow airline hose) and a better quality sicce pump. $450 retail.

I had one a few years back and its a very reliable and consistent skimmer. I never had any issues with the skimmer and it performed very well and was always consistent and I never had to fiddle with the skimmer.

insomniac2k2 · 03/29/2016, 01:47 PM

I'm running the Skimz 202 external on a 200g. I have to say that I've never been happier with a skimmer. Been through about 5 of them. This one is the best so far.

jmblec2 · 03/29/2016, 06:03 PM

Thank you all for the suggestions. Lots to consider

03/28/2016, 02:14 PM	#1
jmblec2 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 23	Skimmer Options for new 180 Gallon Hello, I am in the process of a new 180 gallon build. The tank will be a mixed reef tank, med to heavy bio load. Looking for suggestions for a skimmer. I am not limited to footprint size, as I have a large sump. Budget is around $500. What does everyone suggest? Thanks in advance.

03/28/2016, 06:35 PM	#5
rjjr1963 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nebraska/Missouri Posts: 770	I bought a lifereef for my 180. I liked that you don't have to use a specific pump and you can upgrade to a larger size tank with the same skimmer. __________________ 72x24x16 115 gallon under construction Current Tank Info: 40 gallon reef

03/28/2016, 05:16 PM	#3
Captain smoke Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: somewhere in the midwest Posts: 227	I just picked up a Skimz SM201 for my 150g ( a tad over kill), its been running for three weeks and its pulling out nasty black skimmate. I took a good week for it to break in but now its a beast. BRS has them for 449$ Rated from skimz for 500g but BRS says 180g Heavly stocked or 320 light.

03/28/2016, 06:31 PM	#4
jmblec2 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 23	Thanks to the both of you. i will look into the aquamaxx and jns sk3. i have been considering the Skimz SM201 but saw some mixed reviews on here.

03/28/2016, 08:27 PM	#7
hart24601 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 633	I like vertex 180i or 200. The 180i was my favorite skimmer I have used.

03/29/2016, 12:12 AM	#8
frankv702 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 132	I have a Aquamaxx cone s q3 skimmer on my 180. I absolutely love it.

03/29/2016, 11:04 AM	#9
Skim Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Brantford ON. Canada Posts: 277	Well if you wanted to save a few bucks and use it somewhere else, take a look at Bubble Magus Curve 7 or 9. Curve 7 should do a nice job for you and I can't say I have heard anything bad about them. I have used a Curve 9 and it is a beast of a skimmer, too large for my system would over skim. I believe they are the best bang for the buck. It is hard not to able to purchase a good skimmer these days, you may want to look at it this way, if I need a part replaced how easy will it be and at what cost.

03/29/2016, 01:41 PM	#10
ksicard Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 538	Check out a ES2 protein skimmer from sea side aquatics. They use a good quality sicce pump and it will skim a 180 perfectly. It's basically a bubble magus curve 9 with a sexy twist on aesthetics (black acrylic body and yellow airline hose) and a better quality sicce pump. $450 retail. I had one a few years back and its a very reliable and consistent skimmer. I never had any issues with the skimmer and it performed very well and was always consistent and I never had to fiddle with the skimmer.

03/29/2016, 01:47 PM	#11
insomniac2k2 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: concord Posts: 1,280	I'm running the Skimz 202 external on a 200g. I have to say that I've never been happier with a skimmer. Been through about 5 of them. This one is the best so far.

03/29/2016, 06:03 PM	#12
jmblec2 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 23	Thank you all for the suggestions. Lots to consider