Skimmer Decision...advise/experiance wanted please:)

reefscape15 · 06/11/2009, 02:58 PM

Well i'm possibly getting myself a free overflow box and sump for my 54gal corner bowfront reef tank. My tank is a fully mixed reef with SPS, LPS, Softies, and Zoas. I'm planning on maybe 4-5 clams on the large open area of sand in the center of my tank, and i'd like to get as many fish in as possible, so bio-load will be pretty high. There is about 90-110lbs. LR and sand depth varies from about 2-3.5" with more in the back and sloping downward towards the front. 2.5gal HOB fuge with lots of chaeto and caulerpa, and about 3-4" Kent Refugium Sand. Loads of pods throughout fuge and display tank.

So now to my question. I have these 4 skimmers in mind:

ASM G-1x - 5.5" Diameter, 22.5" tall. I'm not sure what pump or what size is used on this skimmer.

ASM G-2 - 6.5" Diameter, 21.5" tall. Sedra 3500 pump

Reef Octo NWB 200 Needle Wheel - 8" Diameter, 22.5" tall. Octo OPT 3000 Pump

Aqua Euro PS-250 Needle Wheel - 8.25" Diameter, 22.5" tall. 2 NW E590 pumps

So any suggestions/advise? Price is relatively close on all 4 skimmers, so that is not a deciding factor for me. Any other skimmers under $275 that are around the same capacity that are not listed, please feel free to let me know. Thank you so much!

ct_vol · 06/11/2009, 04:41 PM

I have had ASM skimmers and they performed nicely for the price... Some of my club members have had Octopus skimmers and thought highly of them in respect for their prices as well... I don't think you would go wrong with either option...

Another reasonably priced skimmer I would consider is the Vertex 100 or the 180...

I was thoroughly impressed with the performance it exhibited in this thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1644119

jhoff · 06/11/2009, 05:18 PM

All i can say is i have the vertex IN80 on my 46g and it kick's a** form day one.Best skimmer i ever had.

reefscape15 · 06/11/2009, 05:32 PM

WOW! I never would've expected something like that to keep up with an ATB cone! I figured for $600 with the ATB, there would have to be something amazing to keep up, but from that thread it looks like it's not too hard. Vertex may be the way i'm going now. Thanks for the info! Anyone else have any personal experiance with any of the other skimmers listed above?

mg426 · 06/11/2009, 06:33 PM

I had an ASM G3(i still have it) It was modded to the Max!! Inow run a Stock MSX 200. The 200 smokes the G3 easily.

nikon187 · 06/11/2009, 11:36 PM

+1 for msx.

murfman · 06/12/2009, 03:41 AM

I have a SWC NW 200 https://saltwaterconnection.com/inde...products_id=11 which is basically the same as the Octopus NW 200. I modified it with a meshmod, gate valve and turned it in to a recirculating model. Worked great, for the money.

06/11/2009, 02:58 PM	#1
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	Skimmer Decision...advise/experiance wanted please:) Well i'm possibly getting myself a free overflow box and sump for my 54gal corner bowfront reef tank. My tank is a fully mixed reef with SPS, LPS, Softies, and Zoas. I'm planning on maybe 4-5 clams on the large open area of sand in the center of my tank, and i'd like to get as many fish in as possible, so bio-load will be pretty high. There is about 90-110lbs. LR and sand depth varies from about 2-3.5" with more in the back and sloping downward towards the front. 2.5gal HOB fuge with lots of chaeto and caulerpa, and about 3-4" Kent Refugium Sand. Loads of pods throughout fuge and display tank. So now to my question. I have these 4 skimmers in mind: ASM G-1x - 5.5" Diameter, 22.5" tall. I'm not sure what pump or what size is used on this skimmer. ASM G-2 - 6.5" Diameter, 21.5" tall. Sedra 3500 pump Reef Octo NWB 200 Needle Wheel - 8" Diameter, 22.5" tall. Octo OPT 3000 Pump Aqua Euro PS-250 Needle Wheel - 8.25" Diameter, 22.5" tall. 2 NW E590 pumps So any suggestions/advise? Price is relatively close on all 4 skimmers, so that is not a deciding factor for me. Any other skimmers under $275 that are around the same capacity that are not listed, please feel free to let me know. Thank you so much! __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

06/11/2009, 04:41 PM	#2
ct_vol Reefing On My Mind Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kempton, IL Posts: 8,083	I have had ASM skimmers and they performed nicely for the price... Some of my club members have had Octopus skimmers and thought highly of them in respect for their prices as well... I don't think you would go wrong with either option... Another reasonably priced skimmer I would consider is the Vertex 100 or the 180... I was thoroughly impressed with the performance it exhibited in this thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1644119 __________________ Randy Volunteers, Blackhawks, Titans, Cubs!!!! Current Tank Info: 185g waiting to be built, 120g SPS/Anemone Reef, 120g SCA in the works, 58g mixed reef w/ 6x39w T5, 125g grow out w/ Reef Breeders

06/11/2009, 05:32 PM	#4
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	WOW! I never would've expected something like that to keep up with an ATB cone! I figured for $600 with the ATB, there would have to be something amazing to keep up, but from that thread it looks like it's not too hard. Vertex may be the way i'm going now. Thanks for the info! Anyone else have any personal experiance with any of the other skimmers listed above? __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

06/11/2009, 06:33 PM	#5
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I had an ASM G3(i still have it) It was modded to the Max!! Inow run a Stock MSX 200. The 200 smokes the G3 easily. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

06/11/2009, 11:36 PM	#6
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	+1 for msx. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

06/11/2009, 05:18 PM	#3
jhoff Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edison New Jersey Posts: 1,082	All i can say is i have the vertex IN80 on my 46g and it kick's a** form day one.Best skimmer i ever had.

06/12/2009, 03:41 AM	#7
murfman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 4,670	I have a SWC NW 200 https://saltwaterconnection.com/inde...products_id=11 which is basically the same as the Octopus NW 200. I modified it with a meshmod, gate valve and turned it in to a recirculating model. Worked great, for the money.