Protein skimmer under $300?

timebandit · 11/16/2010, 05:52 PM

Any recommendations for an in sump protein skimmer for under $300? I am going to set up a 75 gallon in the very near future, and am in the planning phase. I don't want to skimp on it just to be cheap, however, so if there is nothing in this price range worth recommending, please let me know that as well. The budget isn't as much a concern of mine as it is the wife's, and her eyes already popped out of her head when she saw the price of the AI Sol LED system that I'm considering!

Mike P · 11/16/2010, 06:13 PM

Reef Octopus DNWB-150 6" Recirculating Protein Skimmer ($275ish)

I just got one for my 180 (a bigger one obviously). I love it so far. The only problem... I didn't like how big it was. I had to sacrifice a few inches of room from my fuge to make it fit in my sump. Plus I only had about 3 inches of room under my tank to take the top off to clean it. I have also heard of a lot of good modifications you can do to it to make it even better. I haven't tried any myself yet though.

I had an ASM G-3 which did the job great, but it seemed to be made a little "cheaper" for my taste. A G-2 would be great for your size, and I think those run $250ish.

Sk8r · 11/16/2010, 06:16 PM

I use the Aqua C EV120 on a 54 g with 30 g sump---does a decent job, is compact: I run it externally. And if you don't watch it, it spits on re-start. It's about that price range.

fish77 · 11/16/2010, 06:24 PM

Great skimmers for around 300 are:
-Super Reef Octopus
-Bubble Magus NAC7 Cone or NAC6
-SWC 160

Out of the 3 wrote I would buy the Super Reef Octopus. It is the most expensive out of the 3 but it will pay in the long run. The SWC 160 and Bubble magus NAC7 or NAC6 have the atman pumps the can be unreliable at times...but still good skimmers IMO

fish77

Mike Ordner · 11/16/2010, 06:32 PM

Vertex IN 100 In-Sump Protein Skimmer, Generation 2 ($200)

I have this on a 75 gallon and it does a good job. Don't have experience with any other skimmer so I can't compare.

Misled · 11/16/2010, 06:39 PM

I have a ASMg-3 I picked up used for 75 bucks. Bought it from someone in my local forum during an Equipment/Frag sale.

Dustin1300 · 11/16/2010, 07:10 PM

I vote the Octopus SRO. The 1000 should be sufficient and PA has for $275:

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-s...O-1000INT.html

As far as the other recommendations above I'd agree on from my recent research on Bubble Magnus and SWC. My choice ended with the Octopus SRO because replacement parts are readily available in the US and the CoralVue Support is amazing IME. I'll never use another brand skimmer after getting my SRO.

In regards to to the Aqua C, I had one and did not have much luck with it being consistent on skimmate. I'm not knocking but from my experience was not very dependable.

hayes_101 · 11/16/2010, 07:59 PM

I picked up a bubble magus on e-bay for 200. rated for 160 gal new in box heck I can probably give you the suppler I know he has more!

timebandit · 11/16/2010, 09:35 PM

Thanks for all of the recommendations! This has given me a bunch of options to research: fantastic stuff.

11/16/2010, 05:52 PM	#1
timebandit Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 10	Protein skimmer under $300? Any recommendations for an in sump protein skimmer for under $300? I am going to set up a 75 gallon in the very near future, and am in the planning phase. I don't want to skimp on it just to be cheap, however, so if there is nothing in this price range worth recommending, please let me know that as well. The budget isn't as much a concern of mine as it is the wife's, and her eyes already popped out of her head when she saw the price of the AI Sol LED system that I'm considering!

11/16/2010, 06:16 PM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I use the Aqua C EV120 on a 54 g with 30 g sump---does a decent job, is compact: I run it externally. And if you don't watch it, it spits on re-start. It's about that price range. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/16/2010, 06:24 PM	#4
fish77 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 335	Great skimmers for around 300 are: -Super Reef Octopus -Bubble Magus NAC7 Cone or NAC6 -SWC 160 Out of the 3 wrote I would buy the Super Reef Octopus. It is the most expensive out of the 3 but it will pay in the long run. The SWC 160 and Bubble magus NAC7 or NAC6 have the atman pumps the can be unreliable at times...but still good skimmers IMO fish77 __________________ Addicted.... Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef in the works

11/16/2010, 06:39 PM	#6
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	I have a ASMg-3 I picked up used for 75 bucks. Bought it from someone in my local forum during an Equipment/Frag sale. __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

11/16/2010, 07:10 PM	#7
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	I vote the Octopus SRO. The 1000 should be sufficient and PA has for $275: http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-s...O-1000INT.html As far as the other recommendations above I'd agree on from my recent research on Bubble Magnus and SWC. My choice ended with the Octopus SRO because replacement parts are readily available in the US and the CoralVue Support is amazing IME. I'll never use another brand skimmer after getting my SRO. In regards to to the Aqua C, I had one and did not have much luck with it being consistent on skimmate. I'm not knocking but from my experience was not very dependable. __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

11/16/2010, 06:13 PM	#2
Mike P Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Berea, OH Posts: 96	Reef Octopus DNWB-150 6" Recirculating Protein Skimmer ($275ish) I just got one for my 180 (a bigger one obviously). I love it so far. The only problem... I didn't like how big it was. I had to sacrifice a few inches of room from my fuge to make it fit in my sump. Plus I only had about 3 inches of room under my tank to take the top off to clean it. I have also heard of a lot of good modifications you can do to it to make it even better. I haven't tried any myself yet though. I had an ASM G-3 which did the job great, but it seemed to be made a little "cheaper" for my taste. A G-2 would be great for your size, and I think those run $250ish.

11/16/2010, 06:32 PM	#5
Mike Ordner Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 415	Vertex IN 100 In-Sump Protein Skimmer, Generation 2 ($200) I have this on a 75 gallon and it does a good job. Don't have experience with any other skimmer so I can't compare.

11/16/2010, 07:59 PM	#8
hayes_101 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: yarmouth N.S Posts: 214	I picked up a bubble magus on e-bay for 200. rated for 160 gal new in box heck I can probably give you the suppler I know he has more!

11/16/2010, 09:35 PM	#9
timebandit Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 10	Thanks for all of the recommendations! This has given me a bunch of options to research: fantastic stuff.

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