Best skimmer for 65 gallon SPS tank

meshwheel · 07/05/2014, 09:05 PM

Hey guys,
Looking for a in-sump skimmer for my 65 gallon SPS tank. Currently running a bubble Magus NAC6-A and it's too big. Runs idle alot, messing the bottom of the neck quickly and reducing efficiency greatly. I figure I can keep this skimmer for a back up for emergency's. However, I am afraid the pump is going to eventually die. It's the old Atman pump. Nice skimmer for the price, just too big. Pump uses 50 watts too.
Looking at:
1. Eshopps cone 120 w/ Sicce pump
2. Reef Octopus 110 NSW. Aquatrance pump uses only 9 watts!
3. Aqua Maxx. The smaller one I think it's the 130. Not sure on that sliced off collection cup and small area for skimmate.
4. Vertex 130 skimmer. Looks great. But have heard of pump issues.
Anyone with real world experiences with any of these?? Any others out there to recommend. It's only a 65 gallon tank w/ sump. Neck need to be way smaller then 3.25 inches!!! Thats just way to big!

Thanks!

Windirmere · 07/05/2014, 11:45 PM

Following along, I've been eyeing up the Octo110 because it will fit in my sump nicely, but so far that's the only reason :3

Reeftub · 07/06/2014, 12:34 AM

Cs1 is perfect

meshwheel · 07/06/2014, 11:09 AM

Would love a side by side comparison. Not sure the cone thing makes any difference at all.
Also, bubble plate puts alot of back pressure on pump!

mikeatjac · 07/06/2014, 01:29 PM

Atb 840 with a mid or higher bio load would be by choice.

meshwheel · 07/06/2014, 07:37 PM

Wow! Thats a beast of a price for that skimmer. And it's a sicce pump too??

meshwheel · 07/06/2014, 07:50 PM

I have read up on the Vertex 130 and seen some disappointing reviews. Wow! Seems the pump may be a little too much for the skimmer body. Seems the AquaMaxx has better reviews thus far. I know with the mini coke bottle bubble plate it very smooth in the body of the aquamaxx. I did see it running in person at reef a palooza. It looked good!

mikeatjac · 07/07/2014, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meshwheel

Wow! Thats a beast of a price for that skimmer. And it's a sicce pump too??

We'll you did not put a budget price down. It is the only cone skimmer I would buy.

Of the ones listed I would get the aqua maxx.

swk · 07/07/2014, 11:07 AM

I've used the RO skimmer. It was a champ for the price and specs. Quiet too

rounder45 · 07/10/2014, 11:29 AM

Eshopps s120 or even better reef dynamics ins80. Two stellar skimmers.

Wazzel · 07/10/2014, 11:44 AM

I have a reef octopus NWB-150 on my 60. So far so good.

PanicBuyer · 07/10/2014, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wazzel

I have a reef octopus NWB-150 on my 60. So far so good.

I'll second that. My 65 is doing well on the above skimmer.

Andyf30 · 07/10/2014, 12:28 PM

I run the reef dynamics INS80 on my tank. Think cranks and pulls quite a bit of gunk out. Very happy with it.

moondoggy4 · 07/11/2014, 09:54 PM

I had a Euro ref RS 80 on a 55 gallon tank pulled thick and dark skimmate best skimmer that I have owned.

ghellin · 07/12/2014, 12:33 AM

I run a Reef Octopus Diablo 160xs on my sps and clams dominated 58 over kill yes but it skims like a champ and I dump sludge about every 5 days. I run the NWB 110 on my 40 mixed reef, and it fills quickly. I would recommend the nwb 150. Reef Octopus makes awesome skimmers.

meshwheel · 07/12/2014, 07:27 AM

Wow! I got some replies finally! I love the Reef Octopus NWB 110 for a few reasons:
1. The pump is outside the body, yet still close!! IT can easily be cleaned without a problem I am sure. Looks like a nice little pump and wattage is extremely low.
2. The price is right for sure.
I love the Aquamaxx for all it's little features no other skimmer on the market has. Great pump and love the large area to hold skimmate. Seems to be a good skimmer with very little negative reviews.
The Eshopps cone looks like a very well built skimmer. Great pump, and solid construction. Although the 120 looks even too small for my 65.
I know Euroreefs are great as well. But I would have to have it with the Eheim pump. A ASM would work well too.
Still trying to decide, but the Aquamaxx's seem nowhere to be found. By thte time they come in, the fad/demand for them will be died down, and something else may come out!
Anyone here running the AquaMaxx ??

meshwheel · 07/12/2014, 07:46 AM

The Eshopps PSK skimmers look pretty nice and come with a Sicce pump too. Very affordable!

meshwheel · 07/12/2014, 08:14 AM

Mike,
I did not put down a price. You are correct! I am sure it's a great skimmer, but really pricey. I think the Euro things are always way overpriced.
I want to stay below 350.00 if at all possible.

Thanks!

mikeatjac · 07/12/2014, 09:05 AM

There is a nice atb840 in the used eq area.

meshwheel · 07/12/2014, 09:18 AM

does that skimmer run a Eheim pump?

moondoggy4 · 07/12/2014, 10:31 AM

The eheim pump will raise the temp on your water.

YoungREEFA · 07/12/2014, 04:21 PM

vertex 130, the pump is easily replaced should it break free of charge. Any skimmer will do well in my opinion.

meshwheel · 07/12/2014, 05:49 PM

I bet that Eheim does not run any hotter then the Atman I have now on my NAC6A........................

meshwheel · 07/12/2014, 05:51 PM

I have heard the pump on the Vertex is a poor match for the body size. I heard the pump has too much power for that little body. People have to valve back the air intake or they have overflowing problems I heard.
I really like the Aquamaxx. Just the price is pretty high.

07/05/2014, 09:05 PM	#1
meshwheel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,430	Best skimmer for 65 gallon SPS tank Hey guys, Looking for a in-sump skimmer for my 65 gallon SPS tank. Currently running a bubble Magus NAC6-A and it's too big. Runs idle alot, messing the bottom of the neck quickly and reducing efficiency greatly. I figure I can keep this skimmer for a back up for emergency's. However, I am afraid the pump is going to eventually die. It's the old Atman pump. Nice skimmer for the price, just too big. Pump uses 50 watts too. Looking at: 1. Eshopps cone 120 w/ Sicce pump 2. Reef Octopus 110 NSW. Aquatrance pump uses only 9 watts! 3. Aqua Maxx. The smaller one I think it's the 130. Not sure on that sliced off collection cup and small area for skimmate. 4. Vertex 130 skimmer. Looks great. But have heard of pump issues. Anyone with real world experiences with any of these?? Any others out there to recommend. It's only a 65 gallon tank w/ sump. Neck need to be way smaller then 3.25 inches!!! Thats just way to big! Thanks! __________________ ............And then the cops showed up

07/06/2014, 11:09 AM	#4
meshwheel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,430	Would love a side by side comparison. Not sure the cone thing makes any difference at all. Also, bubble plate puts alot of back pressure on pump! __________________ ............And then the cops showed up

07/06/2014, 07:37 PM	#6
meshwheel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,430	Wow! Thats a beast of a price for that skimmer. And it's a sicce pump too?? __________________ ............And then the cops showed up

07/06/2014, 07:50 PM	#7
meshwheel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,430	I have read up on the Vertex 130 and seen some disappointing reviews. Wow! Seems the pump may be a little too much for the skimmer body. Seems the AquaMaxx has better reviews thus far. I know with the mini coke bottle bubble plate it very smooth in the body of the aquamaxx. I did see it running in person at reef a palooza. It looked good! __________________ ............And then the cops showed up

07/07/2014, 11:07 AM	#9
swk Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Wine Country CA Posts: 2,593	I've used the RO skimmer. It was a champ for the price and specs. Quiet too __________________ Member of Wine Country Reefers Current Tank Info: 75 gal SPS dominant reef. Geo calcium reactor with masterflex pump, Deltec 1455 skimmer, 2 mp40QD, mp10wes, lit by a 6x54 dimable ATI sunpower and controlled by Reef Angel

07/05/2014, 11:45 PM	#2
Windirmere Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Courteny BC Canada Posts: 452	Following along, I've been eyeing up the Octo110 because it will fit in my sump nicely, but so far that's the only reason :3

07/06/2014, 12:34 AM	#3
Reeftub Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 389	Cs1 is perfect

07/06/2014, 01:29 PM	#5
mikeatjac Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 2,433	Atb 840 with a mid or higher bio load would be by choice.

07/10/2014, 11:29 AM	#10
rounder45 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 301	Eshopps s120 or even better reef dynamics ins80. Two stellar skimmers.

07/10/2014, 11:44 AM	#11
Wazzel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 4,743	I have a reef octopus NWB-150 on my 60. So far so good. __________________ Mark Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's a train. Current Tank Info: 120, LED, Bare Bottom, SPS/LPS

07/10/2014, 12:28 PM	#13
Andyf30 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Maine and Florida Posts: 675	I run the reef dynamics INS80 on my tank. Think cranks and pulls quite a bit of gunk out. Very happy with it. __________________ Nothing but a FW tank owner now :/

07/11/2014, 09:54 PM	#14
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I had a Euro ref RS 80 on a 55 gallon tank pulled thick and dark skimmate best skimmer that I have owned.

07/12/2014, 12:33 AM	#15
ghellin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Edmond Posts: 1,844	I run a Reef Octopus Diablo 160xs on my sps and clams dominated 58 over kill yes but it skims like a champ and I dump sludge about every 5 days. I run the NWB 110 on my 40 mixed reef, and it fills quickly. I would recommend the nwb 150. Reef Octopus makes awesome skimmers. __________________ 180. SRO 3000INT w/ANC. Fluval SP4. Gyre. DIY LED's/T5s. Apex. Bluefish. Clams. Tangs. SPS.

07/12/2014, 07:27 AM	#16
meshwheel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,430	Wow! I got some replies finally! I love the Reef Octopus NWB 110 for a few reasons: 1. The pump is outside the body, yet still close!! IT can easily be cleaned without a problem I am sure. Looks like a nice little pump and wattage is extremely low. 2. The price is right for sure. I love the Aquamaxx for all it's little features no other skimmer on the market has. Great pump and love the large area to hold skimmate. Seems to be a good skimmer with very little negative reviews. The Eshopps cone looks like a very well built skimmer. Great pump, and solid construction. Although the 120 looks even too small for my 65. I know Euroreefs are great as well. But I would have to have it with the Eheim pump. A ASM would work well too. Still trying to decide, but the Aquamaxx's seem nowhere to be found. By thte time they come in, the fad/demand for them will be died down, and something else may come out! Anyone here running the AquaMaxx ?? __________________ ............And then the cops showed up

07/12/2014, 07:46 AM	#17
meshwheel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,430	The Eshopps PSK skimmers look pretty nice and come with a Sicce pump too. Very affordable! __________________ ............And then the cops showed up

07/12/2014, 08:14 AM	#18
meshwheel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,430	Mike, I did not put down a price. You are correct! I am sure it's a great skimmer, but really pricey. I think the Euro things are always way overpriced. I want to stay below 350.00 if at all possible. Thanks! __________________ ............And then the cops showed up

07/12/2014, 09:05 AM	#19
mikeatjac Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 2,433	There is a nice atb840 in the used eq area.

07/12/2014, 09:18 AM	#20
meshwheel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,430	does that skimmer run a Eheim pump? __________________ ............And then the cops showed up

07/12/2014, 10:31 AM	#21
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	The eheim pump will raise the temp on your water.

07/12/2014, 04:21 PM	#22
YoungREEFA Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 895	vertex 130, the pump is easily replaced should it break free of charge. Any skimmer will do well in my opinion.

07/12/2014, 05:49 PM	#23
meshwheel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,430	I bet that Eheim does not run any hotter then the Atman I have now on my NAC6A........................ __________________ ............And then the cops showed up

07/12/2014, 05:51 PM	#24
meshwheel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,430	I have heard the pump on the Vertex is a poor match for the body size. I heard the pump has too much power for that little body. People have to valve back the air intake or they have overflowing problems I heard. I really like the Aquamaxx. Just the price is pretty high. __________________ ............And then the cops showed up