Skimmer Question

FishTechDad · 01/15/2016, 08:08 PM

Hello all. New to the reef hobby. Been keeping freshwater for about 8 years.

Have a question about about what skimmer I should get. Tank is a 40B with a 20 long sump/fuge.
Should I pick up a SCA-301 skimmer, or an aquamaxx HOB-1 that someone is offering me for about $115?

Also, what are the top brands for skimmers? Skimmers to stay away from?

FishTechDad · 01/15/2016, 09:10 PM

Any input?

rsain · 01/15/2016, 09:17 PM

I think you'll have more luck with the search feature. Give it a shot and you might find your answer quicker.

If not. Then folks will need details about your tank to help. How old? FOWLR or reef? Livestock?

-ryan

Jade5051 · 01/15/2016, 09:28 PM

I'd get a co1 or ws1.

Jade5051 · 01/15/2016, 09:33 PM

Think I saw a WS1 in the sellers section a few days ago.

Jade5051 · 01/15/2016, 09:38 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2548792

$100 shipped to the US.

Jade5051 · 01/15/2016, 09:48 PM

About 1 year ago I was looking at skimmers and read almost every page of the CO1 thread here. I never understood what all the rav was about until a few days ago when I got an EM200. Words that come to mind are beast boss epic legendary. Their slogan should be Aquamaxx the best damn skimmer you'll ever find.

Xxero · 01/15/2016, 10:50 PM

I have that exact set-up: 40b w/20g L sump using an SCA-301 protein skimmer.

The skimmer is very well made and has a tiny footprint of: 4.25"L x 7"w x 17"h. I keep mine submerged in about 6.5 inches of water, so you need close to 24 inches of clearance from the base of the sump to the top of your DT stand.

The skimmer is stupid easy to tune in allowing complete control over the desired skimmate you're wishing to produce.

I ordered mine from the SCA website, received it 2 days later and I couldn't be happier. Just my 2 cents.

FishTechDad · 01/15/2016, 11:14 PM

Thanks guys. Think I know what I'm going to pick up. I am fond of the idea of putting the skimmer in the sump vs an HOB.

Time to budget out the tax refund! I feel like this hobby inspires you to spend
very irresponsibly. Must be an addiction.

jdewolftx · 01/16/2016, 12:07 AM

I can second the endorsement of the EM200. I have had one for a year and it is awesome! Just be sure and set the right water level in your sump (or put the skimmer on a pedestal).

-Jeff

jdewolftx · 01/16/2016, 12:08 AM

I can second the endorsement of the EM200. I have had one for a year and it is awesome! Just be sure and set the right water level in your sump (or put the skimmer on a pedestal).

-Jeff

01/15/2016, 08:08 PM	#1
FishTechDad Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 3	Skimmer Question Hello all. New to the reef hobby. Been keeping freshwater for about 8 years. Have a question about about what skimmer I should get. Tank is a 40B with a 20 long sump/fuge. Should I pick up a SCA-301 skimmer, or an aquamaxx HOB-1 that someone is offering me for about $115? Also, what are the top brands for skimmers? Skimmers to stay away from?

01/15/2016, 09:17 PM	#3
rsain Empiricism's Evangelist Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 119	I think you'll have more luck with the search feature. Give it a shot and you might find your answer quicker. If not. Then folks will need details about your tank to help. How old? FOWLR or reef? Livestock? -ryan __________________ "The methods of science have been enormously successful wherever they have been tried. Let us then apply them to human affairs." - BFS "You can't fix with statistics what you buggered by design." - d Current Tank Info: They have water.

01/15/2016, 09:28 PM	#4
Jade5051 That guy... Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,218	Skimmer Question I'd get a co1 or ws1. __________________ The dream that is now a memory - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550891

01/15/2016, 09:33 PM	#5
Jade5051 That guy... Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,218	Think I saw a WS1 in the sellers section a few days ago. __________________ The dream that is now a memory - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550891

01/15/2016, 09:38 PM	#6
Jade5051 That guy... Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,218	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2548792 $100 shipped to the US. __________________ The dream that is now a memory - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550891

01/15/2016, 09:10 PM	#2
FishTechDad Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 3	Any input?

01/15/2016, 09:48 PM	#7
Jade5051 That guy... Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,218	About 1 year ago I was looking at skimmers and read almost every page of the CO1 thread here. I never understood what all the rav was about until a few days ago when I got an EM200. Words that come to mind are beast boss epic legendary. Their slogan should be Aquamaxx the best damn skimmer you'll ever find. __________________ The dream that is now a memory - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550891

01/15/2016, 10:50 PM	#8
Xxero Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 1,054	I have that exact set-up: 40b w/20g L sump using an SCA-301 protein skimmer. The skimmer is very well made and has a tiny footprint of: 4.25"L x 7"w x 17"h. I keep mine submerged in about 6.5 inches of water, so you need close to 24 inches of clearance from the base of the sump to the top of your DT stand. The skimmer is stupid easy to tune in allowing complete control over the desired skimmate you're wishing to produce. I ordered mine from the SCA website, received it 2 days later and I couldn't be happier. Just my 2 cents. __________________ "You Can Lead A Gift Horse To Water... But You Can't Make Him Look In Your Mouth." Current Tank Info: 65g Mixed Reef Display - 15g Macro Algae/Refugium - 40b Sump

01/15/2016, 11:14 PM	#9
FishTechDad Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 3	Thanks guys. Think I know what I'm going to pick up. I am fond of the idea of putting the skimmer in the sump vs an HOB. Time to budget out the tax refund! I feel like this hobby inspires you to spend very irresponsibly. Must be an addiction.

01/16/2016, 12:07 AM	#10
jdewolftx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Flower Mound, TX Posts: 77	I can second the endorsement of the EM200. I have had one for a year and it is awesome! Just be sure and set the right water level in your sump (or put the skimmer on a pedestal). -Jeff

01/16/2016, 12:08 AM	#11
jdewolftx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Flower Mound, TX Posts: 77	I can second the endorsement of the EM200. I have had one for a year and it is awesome! Just be sure and set the right water level in your sump (or put the skimmer on a pedestal). -Jeff