Need Skimmer recommendations !!!

Seawizard · 09/10/2008, 05:36 PM

OK people, I need skimmer recommendations. No way I am gonna use the piece of crap I have now. No, I am not gonna tell you what it is because I don't want the forum to know what an idiot I was for buying it. Let's just say it is not gonna fit my needs. Read about so many different skimmers, just don't know which way to go. Venturi, triple pass, recirculating, now I am confused. Toooo many to choose from. REALLY need RECOMMENDATIONS like yesterday. My tank will be up and runing in about a week, going through the cycling with live sand and rock. I am gonna cure my rock during the cycle. So people help an idiot out PLEASE!!

Raibaru · 09/10/2008, 05:41 PM

If someone could go into the pros and cons with some of the skimmer options out there in this thread I'd appreciate it too. And the OP may find it helpful as well.

In some of the threads I see some people talk about how mesh wheels are bad? Where others praise them like the second coming?

I see some complaining about venturi and sicce and I'm not sure I understand what either means!

But so this isn't a total loss, are you looking for a hang-on-back skimmer? An in-sump skimmer? An external skimmer? Is this for your 125g tank? etc.

Seawizard · 09/10/2008, 05:50 PM

Yep, 125g reef in progress. Nay I really don't like the HOT models, I have a 55g diy refuge/sump have room for the skimmer or I can run it from the outside, tank will be place in a wall with an 5 x 8 room to house the equipment. After tank is set in room I will have space enough to place a top off system, quarenteen tank, and most any thing else I want.

Reef Stallion · 09/10/2008, 06:03 PM

H&S A150-F2001

Seawizard · 09/10/2008, 06:33 PM

Thanks for the recommendation Reef Stallion!

JRaquatics · 09/10/2008, 06:43 PM

OK the rundown
Needle Wheel / Pin Wheel skimmers: energy efficient and easy to manage

Mesh wheel skimmers: usually tanks pumps/skimmers to a new air pull level but tend to be finicky and routine maintenance and a watchful eye is required.

DownDraft, Beckett and spray injection skimmers: Work well but also require above average maintenance, loud, requires large high watt pumps and can be quite finicky.

Venturi skimmers: IMO really have fallen off the map. They require more than average maintenance and usually a week air pull.

Air driven skimmers: to this day it is what every skimmer above is trying to duplicate but without the use of an air pump and constant air stone replacement. Unless your into a DIY project I have not seen a decent air driven skimmer on the market.

Now I always suggest a Needle wheel or pin wheel skimmer for the simple fact that they are energy efficient and relatively easy to use and maintain. There are many of these skimmers on the market today and it really depends on the budget, size of the system, bioload, in sump or external and the footprint + hight restrictions.

Best NW/PW skimmers: ATB, Bubble King, H&S, Reeflo, Warren Marine
Budget friendly skimmers: Octopus Extreme, MSX, Octopus Pro, PM, DAS

Research is going to be your best option. Look around the thread here on RC and see what those with similar successful systems are using and PM them on their opinion. See if any locals have some of the skimmers your interested in and see if you can see it run. A little more info on your system and your plans for it can also help others direct you and deter you from skimmers that will and will not work for your system.

Reef Stallion · 09/10/2008, 06:44 PM

Your welcome. Hefty price, but after the break-in period H&S are one of the best skimmers on the market.

09/10/2008, 05:36 PM	#1
Seawizard Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cusseta, AL Posts: 60	Need Skimmer recommendations !!! OK people, I need skimmer recommendations. No way I am gonna use the piece of crap I have now. No, I am not gonna tell you what it is because I don't want the forum to know what an idiot I was for buying it. Let's just say it is not gonna fit my needs. Read about so many different skimmers, just don't know which way to go. Venturi, triple pass, recirculating, now I am confused. Toooo many to choose from. REALLY need RECOMMENDATIONS like yesterday. My tank will be up and runing in about a week, going through the cycling with live sand and rock. I am gonna cure my rock during the cycle. So people help an idiot out PLEASE!!

09/10/2008, 05:41 PM	#2
Raibaru Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 979	If someone could go into the pros and cons with some of the skimmer options out there in this thread I'd appreciate it too. And the OP may find it helpful as well. In some of the threads I see some people talk about how mesh wheels are bad? Where others praise them like the second coming? I see some complaining about venturi and sicce and I'm not sure I understand what either means! But so this isn't a total loss, are you looking for a hang-on-back skimmer? An in-sump skimmer? An external skimmer? Is this for your 125g tank? etc.

09/10/2008, 05:50 PM	#3
Seawizard Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cusseta, AL Posts: 60	Yep, 125g reef in progress. Nay I really don't like the HOT models, I have a 55g diy refuge/sump have room for the skimmer or I can run it from the outside, tank will be place in a wall with an 5 x 8 room to house the equipment. After tank is set in room I will have space enough to place a top off system, quarenteen tank, and most any thing else I want.

09/10/2008, 06:03 PM	#4
Reef Stallion Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Coopersburg, PA Posts: 123	H&S A150-F2001

09/10/2008, 06:33 PM	#5
Seawizard Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cusseta, AL Posts: 60	Thanks for the recommendation Reef Stallion!

09/10/2008, 06:43 PM	#6
JRaquatics Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On RC Posts: 3,609	OK the rundown Needle Wheel / Pin Wheel skimmers: energy efficient and easy to manage Mesh wheel skimmers: usually tanks pumps/skimmers to a new air pull level but tend to be finicky and routine maintenance and a watchful eye is required. DownDraft, Beckett and spray injection skimmers: Work well but also require above average maintenance, loud, requires large high watt pumps and can be quite finicky. Venturi skimmers: IMO really have fallen off the map. They require more than average maintenance and usually a week air pull. Air driven skimmers: to this day it is what every skimmer above is trying to duplicate but without the use of an air pump and constant air stone replacement. Unless your into a DIY project I have not seen a decent air driven skimmer on the market. Now I always suggest a Needle wheel or pin wheel skimmer for the simple fact that they are energy efficient and relatively easy to use and maintain. There are many of these skimmers on the market today and it really depends on the budget, size of the system, bioload, in sump or external and the footprint + hight restrictions. Best NW/PW skimmers: ATB, Bubble King, H&S, Reeflo, Warren Marine Budget friendly skimmers: Octopus Extreme, MSX, Octopus Pro, PM, DAS Research is going to be your best option. Look around the thread here on RC and see what those with similar successful systems are using and PM them on their opinion. See if any locals have some of the skimmers your interested in and see if you can see it run. A little more info on your system and your plans for it can also help others direct you and deter you from skimmers that will and will not work for your system.

09/10/2008, 06:44 PM	#7
Reef Stallion Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Coopersburg, PA Posts: 123	Your welcome. Hefty price, but after the break-in period H&S are one of the best skimmers on the market.