Let's talk skimmers

chessmanmark · 08/06/2011, 09:24 PM

Tell me what you're using and what you like and/or don't like about this very important piece of your system. It would help if you shared the total volume of your system. I'd also be interested if you are SPS obsessed, like I am.

I moved in the last year and had to relocate my 90 gallon SPS dominant tank. The move didn't go so well and I am starting over. I'm trying to decide if I should replace the Aquabee pump for my Deltec APF 600 or purchase a new skimmer. The Reef Octopus Super (SRO) was recommended by a friend in my Reef Club. It used to be simple deciding on a skimmer. Either you bought a Euro-Reef or a Deltec. I'm "old school" and I need an education on the latest technology regarding skimmers.

With much appreciation,
Chessmanmark

chessmanmark · 08/07/2011, 07:46 AM

Morning bump

JMurphy97 · 08/07/2011, 08:06 AM

Yeah man I'm in the same boat as you with the skimmer talk.

wildman926 · 08/07/2011, 08:14 AM

I have a 110g that is currently running an Eshopps PSK-150. I have a 80g running an Eshopps PSK-100. They work flawlessly. The PSK-150 runs the same pump that everyone raves about in other skimmers. I would recommend the 150 as a budget recommendation. They can be had on Ebay for $129 + shipping from one of our sponsers, Premium Aquatics. You can see that HERE

If you want to spend more money, and get a 3 year warranty on the pump, then definitely the SRO 1000. The pump is the heart of a skimmer. That is what I am doing presently, as the 80g will be converted to a 150+, and I thought that I might as well change course in skimmers, and see what all the hoopla was about. I purchased 2 SRO's, a 1000 & 2000. I will keep my PSK-150 as a backup. I purchased them from our sponsor, Premium Aquatics, and will be on my door step on Tuesday. Premium Aquatics has the best prices, but also is always helping out here, even if RC members did not buy the product from them.

Here is a pic of the Eshopps PSK-150 in action -

wildman926 · 08/07/2011, 08:16 AM

HERE is a SRO Skimmer thread just started not too long ago.

Stanley-Reefer · 08/07/2011, 08:48 AM

I have a ER RS135 running my overly stocked with fish sps dom 90....I had to upgrade my ER RS250 to a Deltec SC2560 in my 175 sps dome with waaay too many fish too.

fwiw--the deltec pulled out a week's worth skimate for the ER in 36 hours

wildman926 · 08/07/2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley-Reefer

I have a ER RS135 running my overly stocked with fish sps dom 90....I had to upgrade my ER RS250 to a Deltec SC2560 in my 175 sps dome with waaay too many fish too.

fwiw--the deltec pulled out a week's worth skimate for the ER in 36 hours

I would hope you get better performance going from a $600 to a $2000 skimmer....

moondoggy4 · 08/07/2011, 11:25 AM

Sorry I did not figure out what pump is on the Eshoop 150 skimmer, so I will ask which one? Thanks in advance

moondoggy4 · 08/07/2011, 11:28 AM

BRS is now selling Aqua Bee pumps not sure if it is the skimmer type. I would keep the Deltec if you have been successful in the past you will be successful in the future. I can understand wanting to change a pump I went from a Sedra 5000 to a Eheim 1260 to a tunze 9420 love the Tunze.

CW from the OC · 08/07/2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chessmanmark

Tell me what you're using and what you like and/or don't like about this very important piece of your system. It would help if you shared the total volume of your system. I'd also be interested if you are SPS obsessed, like I am.

I moved in the last year and had to relocate my 90 gallon SPS dominant tank. The move didn't go so well and I am starting over. I'm trying to decide if I should replace the Aquabee pump for my Deltec APF 600 or purchase a new skimmer. The Reef Octopus Super (SRO) was recommended by a friend in my Reef Club. It used to be simple deciding on a skimmer. Either you bought a Euro-Reef or a Deltec. I'm "old school" and I need an education on the latest technology regarding skimmers.

With much appreciation,
Chessmanmark

I am also "old-school" so I know where you are coming from, and I ran an H&S skimmmer, from the same era as when ER's and Deltec's were the top choices.

Now I'm running an ATB Large cone. It is an early one, from....2008? It kicks ***. If I were buying today, I would look at the newer ATB cones (any of their 3 lines look great), the Vertex Cones (made in same factory as bubble king), or the SWC cones. The ATB and Vertex cones seem to be the top end, and the SWC seems to be just as good, at a lower price.

Bottom line, I'd probably take a swing at a SWC, which looks stunningly good for the price.

wildman926 · 08/07/2011, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

Sorry I did not figure out what pump is on the Eshoop 150 skimmer, so I will ask which one? Thanks in advance

Quote:

Originally Posted by CW from the OC

Bottom line, I'd probably take a swing at a SWC, which looks stunningly good for the price.

The Eshopps PSK-150 uses the Atman 2500 pump.

The SWC 160, rated to a 150g, uses the same pump, but at $275.

The SWC 120, rated to a 90g, uses the Atman 1100 pump, same pump as the PSK-100, but at $225, where the Eshopps PSK-100, is around $100.

Stanley-Reefer · 08/07/2011, 01:34 PM

Lot's of times more $$$ doesn't mean more performance! In this case it did.

I do love my Deltec if you can love a poop collector

wildman926 · 08/07/2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley-Reefer

I do love my Deltec if you can love a poop collector

jeffesaurusrex · 08/07/2011, 04:49 PM

What is your guys' opinion on the Eshopps PSK150 vs the Reef Octopus NWB150? I had a Marineland 100 but took it back - it was junk. I also thought about an algae scrubber but I dont think I can afford to make one that will fit in my cabinet. If the Eshopps is almost as good as the Octopus I can take the money and spend on a much needed flow upgrade, I just have one Koralia Evo 1050 in my 75g.

Tank is a 75 w/ 20g sump. Stocking plans are 4 clowns, couple tangs, blenny, 5 or 6 chromis, maybe a wrasse and I want to leave some elbow room in there.

08/06/2011, 09:24 PM	#1
chessmanmark Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York Posts: 927	Let's talk skimmers Tell me what you're using and what you like and/or don't like about this very important piece of your system. It would help if you shared the total volume of your system. I'd also be interested if you are SPS obsessed, like I am. I moved in the last year and had to relocate my 90 gallon SPS dominant tank. The move didn't go so well and I am starting over. I'm trying to decide if I should replace the Aquabee pump for my Deltec APF 600 or purchase a new skimmer. The Reef Octopus Super (SRO) was recommended by a friend in my Reef Club. It used to be simple deciding on a skimmer. Either you bought a Euro-Reef or a Deltec. I'm "old school" and I need an education on the latest technology regarding skimmers. With much appreciation, Chessmanmark

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08/07/2011, 07:46 AM	#2
chessmanmark Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York Posts: 927	Morning bump

08/07/2011, 08:06 AM	#3
JMurphy97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 397	Yeah man I'm in the same boat as you with the skimmer talk.

08/07/2011, 08:14 AM	#4
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	I have a 110g that is currently running an Eshopps PSK-150. I have a 80g running an Eshopps PSK-100. They work flawlessly. The PSK-150 runs the same pump that everyone raves about in other skimmers. I would recommend the 150 as a budget recommendation. They can be had on Ebay for $129 + shipping from one of our sponsers, Premium Aquatics. You can see that HERE If you want to spend more money, and get a 3 year warranty on the pump, then definitely the SRO 1000. The pump is the heart of a skimmer. That is what I am doing presently, as the 80g will be converted to a 150+, and I thought that I might as well change course in skimmers, and see what all the hoopla was about. I purchased 2 SRO's, a 1000 & 2000. I will keep my PSK-150 as a backup. I purchased them from our sponsor, Premium Aquatics, and will be on my door step on Tuesday. Premium Aquatics has the best prices, but also is always helping out here, even if RC members did not buy the product from them. Here is a pic of the Eshopps PSK-150 in action -

08/07/2011, 08:16 AM	#5
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	HERE is a SRO Skimmer thread just started not too long ago.

08/07/2011, 08:48 AM	#6
Stanley-Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stanley, NC Posts: 1,933	I have a ER RS135 running my overly stocked with fish sps dom 90....I had to upgrade my ER RS250 to a Deltec SC2560 in my 175 sps dome with waaay too many fish too. fwiw--the deltec pulled out a week's worth skimate for the ER in 36 hours

08/07/2011, 11:25 AM	#8
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Sorry I did not figure out what pump is on the Eshoop 150 skimmer, so I will ask which one? Thanks in advance

08/07/2011, 11:28 AM	#9
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	BRS is now selling Aqua Bee pumps not sure if it is the skimmer type. I would keep the Deltec if you have been successful in the past you will be successful in the future. I can understand wanting to change a pump I went from a Sedra 5000 to a Eheim 1260 to a tunze 9420 love the Tunze.

08/07/2011, 01:34 PM	#12
Stanley-Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stanley, NC Posts: 1,933	Lot's of times more $$$ doesn't mean more performance! In this case it did. I do love my Deltec if you can love a poop collector

08/07/2011, 04:49 PM	#14
jeffesaurusrex Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 322	What is your guys' opinion on the Eshopps PSK150 vs the Reef Octopus NWB150? I had a Marineland 100 but took it back - it was junk. I also thought about an algae scrubber but I dont think I can afford to make one that will fit in my cabinet. If the Eshopps is almost as good as the Octopus I can take the money and spend on a much needed flow upgrade, I just have one Koralia Evo 1050 in my 75g. Tank is a 75 w/ 20g sump. Stocking plans are 4 clowns, couple tangs, blenny, 5 or 6 chromis, maybe a wrasse and I want to leave some elbow room in there.