Best skimmer for $500-$600?

virginiadiver69 · 10/05/2007, 04:59 PM

I have $500-$600 budgeted for a new skimmer. It will be used on a 240 gal heavy stocked tank. I would like the option of keeping it in sump. I am open to all relevant recommendations.

Justin James · 10/05/2007, 05:04 PM

Well the Euro Reef RS 250 is an insump skimmer and it's right in your budget. I have one on a 150 gallon tank with medium stock and it obviously could easily handle a 250 gallon tank like it was rated for. One thing about Euroreef is that they don't overrate their skimmer like most do. If it says it then it will do it.

Take a look for yourself. I love mine.
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s..._ID=ps-errs250

virginiadiver69 · 10/05/2007, 05:26 PM

Thanks, Euro Reef is definitely on my short list along with ASM and Octopus.
On a side note: are recirc skimmers all they are cracked up to be?

virginiadiver69 · 10/05/2007, 07:16 PM

Any others? How about ETSS?

jman77 · 10/05/2007, 07:22 PM

DAS EX-3

it's 699.... but what's 99 bucks

http://stores.petorama.net/catalog/EX-3_Large.jpg

virginiadiver69 · 10/05/2007, 07:33 PM

Never heard of DAS. Do they have a good rep?

Scrandrew · 10/05/2007, 08:03 PM

I have an ETSS and it is great!

A~

george1098 · 10/05/2007, 08:21 PM

I have an asm g-4x (prettymuch the same thing as teh euroreef RS 250) that I modified to be an recirc skimmer,and it is awsome. I'd recomend doing that. re-circ skimmers are a tad better than non recirc skimmers, but im not totally convinced they blow non-recircs out of the water like many people say.

poppin_fresh · 10/05/2007, 08:28 PM

I have an ASM that works well... and I have an H & S that ROCKS! The H & S is built better and skims a whole bunch more than my slightly modded ASM. I would check them out as well.

KDodds · 10/05/2007, 08:41 PM

MRC, www.myreefcreations.com gets my vote.

JPMagyar · 10/06/2007, 07:28 AM

I recommend a Precision Marine Bullet 3 for a heavily stocked 240 gallon tank. Here's a post I wrote back in '04 detailing my experiences. The MTC HSA 1000 is not exactly the same as the Bullet, but I think the idea is the same and certainly the Bullet is in your price range.

MTC vs. EuroReef post

In the end I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices listed, since there is certainly more than one way to "skin a cat"

Joe

virginiadiver69 · 10/06/2007, 08:05 AM

Thank you all for the responses. I will definitely give all of these suggestions a good look before buying anything.

CeeGee · 10/06/2007, 11:13 AM

I am running a ASM G3 on my tank.

I am not a big fan of the ASM skimmers. The build quality is terrible and I have to constantly adjust it. I would go with something else if I were you.

USC-fan · 10/06/2007, 11:38 AM

i second the DAS ex-3, it blows most of this skimmers listed here away.

I use a das ex-2 on my tank and love it! Its really plug and play.

Plus its a recir skimmer!

virginiadiver69 · 10/06/2007, 12:52 PM

I also use a ASM at the moment. For the money I have been fairly happy with it. It is taking care of a loaded 125 and I feel it is maxed out. For my upgrade though, I am looking for something that is quieter and better constructed(cast vs. extruded to start).

virginiadiver69 · 10/06/2007, 03:12 PM

Came across this.
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopi...78592&start=0&

10/05/2007, 04:59 PM	#1
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Best skimmer for $500-$600? I have $500-$600 budgeted for a new skimmer. It will be used on a 240 gal heavy stocked tank. I would like the option of keeping it in sump. I am open to all relevant recommendations. __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

10/05/2007, 05:26 PM	#3
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Thanks, Euro Reef is definitely on my short list along with ASM and Octopus. On a side note: are recirc skimmers all they are cracked up to be? __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

10/05/2007, 07:16 PM	#4
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Any others? How about ETSS? __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

10/05/2007, 07:33 PM	#6
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Never heard of DAS. Do they have a good rep? __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

10/05/2007, 08:21 PM	#8
george1098 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Halifax NS Canada Posts: 1,336	I have an asm g-4x (prettymuch the same thing as teh euroreef RS 250) that I modified to be an recirc skimmer,and it is awsome. I'd recomend doing that. re-circ skimmers are a tad better than non recirc skimmers, but im not totally convinced they blow non-recircs out of the water like many people say. __________________ I'm not as think as you stupid i am Current Tank Info: None at the moment

10/05/2007, 05:04 PM	#2
Justin James Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NS, Canada Posts: 510	Well the Euro Reef RS 250 is an insump skimmer and it's right in your budget. I have one on a 150 gallon tank with medium stock and it obviously could easily handle a 250 gallon tank like it was rated for. One thing about Euroreef is that they don't overrate their skimmer like most do. If it says it then it will do it. Take a look for yourself. I love mine. http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s..._ID=ps-errs250

10/05/2007, 07:22 PM	#5
jman77 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 2,391	DAS EX-3 it's 699.... but what's 99 bucks http://stores.petorama.net/catalog/EX-3_Large.jpg

10/05/2007, 08:03 PM	#7
Scrandrew Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania Posts: 244	I have an ETSS and it is great! A~

10/05/2007, 08:28 PM	#9
poppin_fresh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,982	I have an ASM that works well... and I have an H & S that ROCKS! The H & S is built better and skims a whole bunch more than my slightly modded ASM. I would check them out as well. __________________ PBITAWA! Current Tank Info: None now. Past- 180g w/ 100g basement sump and 20g 'fuge. H & S skimmer, T'5s & Tunze

10/05/2007, 08:41 PM	#10
KDodds Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Suffern, NY Posts: 2,731	MRC, www.myreefcreations.com gets my vote. __________________ The sum of my knowledge is great, the sum of my ignorance greater still Kieron Dodds Administrator Inside Aquatics Current Tank Info: 450 Reef/180 FOWLR/125 ARLC/40 Seahorse/12 Planted/12 Planted

10/06/2007, 07:28 AM	#11
JPMagyar Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NY,NY Posts: 2,072	Skimmers I recommend a Precision Marine Bullet 3 for a heavily stocked 240 gallon tank. Here's a post I wrote back in '04 detailing my experiences. The MTC HSA 1000 is not exactly the same as the Bullet, but I think the idea is the same and certainly the Bullet is in your price range. MTC vs. EuroReef post In the end I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices listed, since there is certainly more than one way to "skin a cat" Joe __________________ Joe Peck TOTM Apr. 2013 Advanced Aquarist Featured Tank March 2011 Reef Hobbyist Magazine journalist, and all around SPS nut! Current Tank Info: 240 with 750 gal total system, ATI LED Powermodule, MTC-HSA 1000. MTC Pro-Cal..

10/06/2007, 08:05 AM	#12
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Thank you all for the responses. I will definitely give all of these suggestions a good look before buying anything. __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

10/06/2007, 11:13 AM	#13
CeeGee Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TN Posts: 3,272	I am running a ASM G3 on my tank. I am not a big fan of the ASM skimmers. The build quality is terrible and I have to constantly adjust it. I would go with something else if I were you. __________________ My algae WAS special. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 40 gallon breeder sump, RLSS R6i, ATI Powermodule, Apex, Ecotech MP40's

10/06/2007, 11:38 AM	#14
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	i second the DAS ex-3, it blows most of this skimmers listed here away. I use a das ex-2 on my tank and love it! Its really plug and play. Plus its a recir skimmer!

10/06/2007, 12:52 PM	#15
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	I also use a ASM at the moment. For the money I have been fairly happy with it. It is taking care of a loaded 125 and I feel it is maxed out. For my upgrade though, I am looking for something that is quieter and better constructed(cast vs. extruded to start). __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator Last edited by virginiadiver69; 10/06/2007 at 01:10 PM.

10/06/2007, 03:12 PM	#16
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Came across this. http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopi...78592&start=0& __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator