skimmers not to buy

bighead · 01/06/2013, 05:32 PM

I am almost ready to set up my 90 gal tank.It will start out FOWLR and I know i will stock it with SPS eventually. my question is not what skimmer to buy. everybody will tell me what they are using now . my question is what skimmer not to buy. Ifigure if you all ready used it and it didn't work for you well it won't for me either. the foot print should not matter I heve good amolunt of room and it will be in a sump with about 10 in. of water no more could raise if I have to

r-balljunkie · 01/06/2013, 06:01 PM

you should come up with a short list of skimmers you have your eye on.

needle wheel skimmers are most dominant in the market due to efficiency.

the heart of a skimmer is the pump. id suggest looking at a skimmer that has a good track record with its pump.

bubble magus offers a good performance for the dollar value.

Ghstwolf · 01/06/2013, 10:19 PM

Unfortunatly you are going to get a mixed review even asking which ones not to buy.. I've seen people have great results off of skimmers others have tossed out the window.. BUT the most common "problem children" skimmers seem to be the following..

Any of the CoralLife skimmers
Sea Clown (ooops Sea Clone, sorry type-o)
Prizm skimmers (not usually a sump model)
Red Sea skimmers (again hit or miss)

The most reliable ones seem to be as follows...
SWC
Reef Octopus
Bubble Magus
Tunze (very pricey)
Deltec (pricey)
AquaC

Vin7250 · 01/07/2013, 10:31 AM

I have heard people knock the CSS super skimer often... And to tell you the truth I have used the 125 and the 220 model in the past and was unimpressed. I just started a 40 breeder reef and didnt want to buy another skimmer so I pulled the 125 out of the closet and hooked it up. This time I followed the instructions to the letter and called the manufacturer for recommended setups and seems to be skimming pretty well FWIW... Although I do have an AETech ETSS skimmer on my larger reef which is an amazing skimmer!!!!

medic155 · 01/07/2013, 10:56 AM

I have an AquaC Remora in sump model, believe it came with a Rio 800 pump(although not sure), and I empty the cup of thick, dark green skimmate daily.

Marinne13 · 01/07/2013, 12:59 PM

what's wrong with the coralife skimmers...mine is breaking in and looks to be working good

Vin7250 · 01/07/2013, 01:07 PM

They seem to be finicky skimmers. A bit of water level change and they stop skimming, put your hand in and they stop skimming.... Getting them broken in properly is tough. I have seen this first hand on two different models. I am a bit older now and more patient (we'll call it cheap) and I didnt want to buy a new skimmer for my new setup. I took the 125 model out of the closet... cleaned it up a bit and got it running per the instructions and a bit of help from their manufacturer. It seems to be running quite well at this point. Better than I ever remembered it running but it did take me quite some time and some adjustments on the tubing length for in sump use.

567234ta · 01/07/2013, 01:20 PM

I have the Reef octupus 160 http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-o...skimmer-1.html It is awesome hands down just plain kicks butt.
I just bought another for a second setup.

Dexters Reef · 01/07/2013, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 567234ta

I have the Reef octupus 160 http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-o...skimmer-1.html It is awesome hands down just plain kicks butt.
I just bought another for a second setup.

+1 Same one here, love it. Rated to 160 gallons.

Avoid Red Sea skimmers and Prizm based on my experience

bighead · 01/07/2013, 03:52 PM

well i did a little research and talked to a couple people and read what others say I am going with the Reef Octopus 110 skimmer FINAL ANSWER

Marinne13 · 01/07/2013, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vin7250

They seem to be finicky skimmers. A bit of water level change and they stop skimming, put your hand in and they stop skimming.... Getting them broken in properly is tough. I have seen this first hand on two different models. I am a bit older now and more patient (we'll call it cheap) and I didnt want to buy a new skimmer for my new setup. I took the 125 model out of the closet... cleaned it up a bit and got it running per the instructions and a bit of help from their manufacturer. It seems to be running quite well at this point. Better than I ever remembered it running but it did take me quite some time and some adjustments on the tubing length for in sump use.

how do you break them in properly...I have had mine going for 72 hours and there are still a lot of bubbles

trinidiver · 01/07/2013, 07:01 PM

I have the ASM-G3 skimmer rated at 250gal and its working great for the last 16mths. I also know some other people with the same and even the G4 also with great results.

maR1o · 01/08/2013, 02:20 AM

I have a red sea skimmer and I am not happy with it. I will be upgrading to a Deltec MC500.

Pdetevis · 01/08/2013, 05:19 AM

I have a hydor performance 505 and it is working awesome, skimmate is always looking good and pulling a lot out every day. Still a newbie myself but so far no complaints

kissman · 01/08/2013, 05:43 AM

I love my Warner Marine MF181 and hated my AquaMedic Turboflotor T-1000

ddmiller38 · 01/08/2013, 02:32 PM

I have a Marineland In-Sump Skimmer that's been doing a great job for over a year.

ABlueReef · 01/08/2013, 03:40 PM

Definitely avoid Deltec due to their customer service. People have been complaining that they can't get parts (replacement impellers) for ther skimmer's.

01/06/2013, 05:32 PM	#1
bighead Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 444	skimmers not to buy I am almost ready to set up my 90 gal tank.It will start out FOWLR and I know i will stock it with SPS eventually. my question is not what skimmer to buy. everybody will tell me what they are using now . my question is what skimmer not to buy. Ifigure if you all ready used it and it didn't work for you well it won't for me either. the foot print should not matter I heve good amolunt of room and it will be in a sump with about 10 in. of water no more could raise if I have to

01/06/2013, 06:01 PM	#2
r-balljunkie Registered Reefer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Doha, Qatar Posts: 2,059	you should come up with a short list of skimmers you have your eye on. needle wheel skimmers are most dominant in the market due to efficiency. the heart of a skimmer is the pump. id suggest looking at a skimmer that has a good track record with its pump. bubble magus offers a good performance for the dollar value. __________________ ▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀ 58G Oceanic Illuminata rimless with GH overflow , Mazarra LED x 3, Tunze 6095 x 2, Eheim 1260, BM-180 skimmer, TLF reactors, Apex LT .

01/06/2013, 10:19 PM	#3
Ghstwolf Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 177	Unfortunatly you are going to get a mixed review even asking which ones not to buy.. I've seen people have great results off of skimmers others have tossed out the window.. BUT the most common "problem children" skimmers seem to be the following.. Any of the CoralLife skimmers Sea Clown (ooops Sea Clone, sorry type-o) Prizm skimmers (not usually a sump model) Red Sea skimmers (again hit or miss) The most reliable ones seem to be as follows... SWC Reef Octopus Bubble Magus Tunze (very pricey) Deltec (pricey) AquaC __________________ USAF Retired! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon LPS/Softie mixed reef, Reef Octopus NWB150, 2xEcoTech Radions, Aqueon Proflex Model 4 sump, 75lbs of Dry Reef Saver/60lbs of Dry Sand...

01/07/2013, 07:01 PM	#12
trinidiver Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sweet Trinidad & Tobago. (West Indies) Posts: 1,141	I have the ASM-G3 skimmer rated at 250gal and its working great for the last 16mths. I also know some other people with the same and even the G4 also with great results. __________________ Always expect anything from your friends......they will shoot you down as they get a chance. Current Tank Info: Its a 220gal reef.......LPS/leathers/zoas. Check my album.

01/08/2013, 02:32 PM	#16
ddmiller38 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Randolph, Ohio Posts: 472	I have a Marineland In-Sump Skimmer that's been doing a great job for over a year. __________________ Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't Erica Jong Current Tank Info: Fluval Osaka 320, 2 x AI Sol Super Blue, MAG 9.5 Return, Bubble Magus Nac 6 Skimmer, 20 Gallon Sump, BRS GFO/Carbon Reactor, RO/DI, ReefKeeper Elite w/NET, HUB, SL1, SL2, ATO, ALC and APC controlling 2-Tunze 6095, BRS 3x Dosing pumps

01/07/2013, 10:31 AM	#4
Vin7250 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Connecticut "The Big East" Posts: 1,144	I have heard people knock the CSS super skimer often... And to tell you the truth I have used the 125 and the 220 model in the past and was unimpressed. I just started a 40 breeder reef and didnt want to buy another skimmer so I pulled the 125 out of the closet and hooked it up. This time I followed the instructions to the letter and called the manufacturer for recommended setups and seems to be skimming pretty well FWIW... Although I do have an AETech ETSS skimmer on my larger reef which is an amazing skimmer!!!!

01/07/2013, 10:56 AM	#5
medic155 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 165	I have an AquaC Remora in sump model, believe it came with a Rio 800 pump(although not sure), and I empty the cup of thick, dark green skimmate daily.

01/07/2013, 12:59 PM	#6
Marinne13 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Great Falls, MT Posts: 22	what's wrong with the coralife skimmers...mine is breaking in and looks to be working good

01/07/2013, 01:07 PM	#7
Vin7250 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Connecticut "The Big East" Posts: 1,144	They seem to be finicky skimmers. A bit of water level change and they stop skimming, put your hand in and they stop skimming.... Getting them broken in properly is tough. I have seen this first hand on two different models. I am a bit older now and more patient (we'll call it cheap) and I didnt want to buy a new skimmer for my new setup. I took the 125 model out of the closet... cleaned it up a bit and got it running per the instructions and a bit of help from their manufacturer. It seems to be running quite well at this point. Better than I ever remembered it running but it did take me quite some time and some adjustments on the tubing length for in sump use.

01/07/2013, 01:20 PM	#8
567234ta Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fort Smith AR Posts: 579	I have the Reef octupus 160 http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-o...skimmer-1.html It is awesome hands down just plain kicks butt. I just bought another for a second setup.

01/07/2013, 03:52 PM	#10
bighead Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 444	well i did a little research and talked to a couple people and read what others say I am going with the Reef Octopus 110 skimmer FINAL ANSWER

01/08/2013, 02:20 AM	#13
maR1o Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 52	I have a red sea skimmer and I am not happy with it. I will be upgrading to a Deltec MC500.

01/08/2013, 05:19 AM	#14
Pdetevis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 93	I have a hydor performance 505 and it is working awesome, skimmate is always looking good and pulling a lot out every day. Still a newbie myself but so far no complaints

01/08/2013, 05:43 AM	#15
kissman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lynchburg, Va Posts: 2,963	I love my Warner Marine MF181 and hated my AquaMedic Turboflotor T-1000

01/08/2013, 03:40 PM	#17
ABlueReef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: San Jose Posts: 146	Definitely avoid Deltec due to their customer service. People have been complaining that they can't get parts (replacement impellers) for ther skimmer's.