Which skimmer would you recommend? (72x24x24)

Atticus22 · 02/18/2009, 10:30 AM

Hi guys, I was just wondering if you could give me a bit of advice. I am hopefully soon to be setting up my first reef tank, with quite a few fish, with a mixture of soft and SPS corals. It will be 72x24x24, will have a sump, and I am wishing to use 8-10 T5 lights (of varying colours). I was wondering if you could advise me as to what skimmer would be the best to use in this setup (it will also be placed in the sump). I am wishing to spend around Â£350 or less if possible (this can be stretched a bit if you REALLY recommend one over another, I was looking at the Grotech HEA150? Any opinions?)

I would also be grateful if you could recommend which return pump to go for, preferably as quiet as possible, without going up to Red-Dragon type prices, as well as which powerheads and how many (sorry about all the questions, haha!)

I am wanting to have a similar setup to this, if it helps

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php

As it is a stunning tank but minimalist in terms of equipment. However I cant really afford to spend Â£1000+ on a Bubbleking 300 etc like he has!

Thank you very much for any help, much appreciated

Chris

waynem · 02/18/2009, 11:42 AM

I dont know the skimmer personally. But with a lot of fish that your after you maybe should take the next one up @ Â£450

Go with Eheim , they are underrated these days with all cool new equipment around but they cheap/quite/reliable and have a proven history.

cpllongjk · 02/18/2009, 12:05 PM

ok, what i would do now if i were you is buy a euro-reef used.

You can get one for around $200usd. Save for a bubbleking or cone skimmer.

I personally believe the skimmer is the most important piece of equipment next to flow and lighting. It might be number 1. Get something thats cheap but half decent now, and upgrade later. Euro-reef is great for the price until you can afford a BK.

I have a euro-reef and did a mesh mod. My skimmer performs about 20-50% under a BK. But the skimmer only cost me 200, where the BK would have costed me 1000.

amay121 · 02/18/2009, 12:39 PM

For that price point, just get a MSX/Octo Extreme 250 or 300. You should be ok with either of those.

moondoggy4 · 02/18/2009, 08:42 PM

second amay121

02/18/2009, 10:30 AM	#1
Atticus22 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4	Which skimmer would you recommend? (72x24x24) Hi guys, I was just wondering if you could give me a bit of advice. I am hopefully soon to be setting up my first reef tank, with quite a few fish, with a mixture of soft and SPS corals. It will be 72x24x24, will have a sump, and I am wishing to use 8-10 T5 lights (of varying colours). I was wondering if you could advise me as to what skimmer would be the best to use in this setup (it will also be placed in the sump). I am wishing to spend around Â£350 or less if possible (this can be stretched a bit if you REALLY recommend one over another, I was looking at the Grotech HEA150? Any opinions?) I would also be grateful if you could recommend which return pump to go for, preferably as quiet as possible, without going up to Red-Dragon type prices, as well as which powerheads and how many (sorry about all the questions, haha!) I am wanting to have a similar setup to this, if it helps http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php As it is a stunning tank but minimalist in terms of equipment. However I cant really afford to spend Â£1000+ on a Bubbleking 300 etc like he has! Thank you very much for any help, much appreciated Chris

02/18/2009, 11:42 AM	#2
waynem Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: What day? , what time? hmm I might have been. Posts: 435	I dont know the skimmer personally. But with a lot of fish that your after you maybe should take the next one up @ Â£450 Go with Eheim , they are underrated these days with all cool new equipment around but they cheap/quite/reliable and have a proven history.

02/18/2009, 12:05 PM	#3
cpllongjk Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca Posts: 1,066	ok, what i would do now if i were you is buy a euro-reef used. You can get one for around $200usd. Save for a bubbleking or cone skimmer. I personally believe the skimmer is the most important piece of equipment next to flow and lighting. It might be number 1. Get something thats cheap but half decent now, and upgrade later. Euro-reef is great for the price until you can afford a BK. I have a euro-reef and did a mesh mod. My skimmer performs about 20-50% under a BK. But the skimmer only cost me 200, where the BK would have costed me 1000.

02/18/2009, 12:39 PM	#4
amay121 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: WV Posts: 182	For that price point, just get a MSX/Octo Extreme 250 or 300. You should be ok with either of those.

02/18/2009, 08:42 PM	#5
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	second amay121