RO vs BM vs IC vs Vertex vs AM?

V4Vendetta · 11/05/2016, 01:41 AM

My Elos 70 was just delivered today but I decided not to buy the Elo skimmer and now I'm in the process of trying to decide which protein skimmer to go with.
This is my first aquarium so I have no idea which protein skimmer would be best. But from my research I've narrowed it down to

1.Reef Octopus Classic CLSC-150INT
2.Bubble Magus Curve A5
3.Ice Cap K120
4.Vertex Omega 130
5.AquaMaxx CO1

I'm leaning towards AquaMaxx and Ice Cap but Ice Cap looks to be better quality material and build from what I can see.
Has anyone had any problems with the forementioned skimmers above? Please post also if you recommend certain model over any of the ones listed above.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated. I would much rather take time and buy once then have to rush in and do it all over again. Thanks.

ksicard · 11/05/2016, 03:20 AM

I personally would remove the reef octopus from the list.

Here's my view on the remaining skimmers:

Bubble Magus Curve 5:
cheap, fairly reliable, and tends to perform great for the value. The pump is decent but not exactly "high quality". Would be a great 1st skimmer that doesn't break the bank.

Ice Cap K120:
I dont have any experience with them but they seem to be really well received and high quality in craftsmanship. If you wanted to try something new or different I would feel comfortable purchasing this skimmer. Many people have written good reviews on these new skimmers.

Omega 130:
I've used a larger model in the past and it was a good skimmer with really nice build quality. However, I've read many threads that claim the 130 model in specific has a bad water to air ratio causing overflows and inconsistency. I can't speak from experience on this specific model but thats what I've seen pop up a few times.

AquaMaxx CO1:
Well reviewed, affordable, and seems to skim great from what i've seen. Personally I don't like the body style, but that's just taste and not really anything to do with the actual skimmer performance.

If I had to pick 1 I would remove the curve 5 and add the Sea Side Aquatics ES5. The ES5 is made by the same company as bubble magus (they rebrand their higher quality stuff as sea side aquatics). The body is the same but instead of the cheaper bubble magus pump it uses a sicce pump which is tested and tried and true.

I would personally pick from the ice cap or the ES5. I would probably end up picking the ice cap just to try something different and I'm quite curious to how they perform. Everything i've seen is positive regarding the skimmer.

V4Vendetta · 11/05/2016, 07:20 AM

thanks for detailed answer. I think i'm going to go with Ice Cap. Heard the same thing about the vertex as you explained.

gcarroll · 11/05/2016, 01:12 PM

The vertex and BK skimmers have an adjustable venturi. You can adjust the air to water mixture. This is a problem for many as the wrong adjustment can wreak havoc. For the majority of reefers, the less adjustments the better. For those that can handle the added fine tuning, having that ability is priceless.

Remember back in the day when the only thing you could adjust was the output water? My old ATI Twister didn't even have that. it's amazing how far we have come. OK, you could adjust it if you just used your brain, however it was criticized for not having ball/gate valve.

moondoggy4 · 11/06/2016, 11:20 PM

How deep is your sump? the Aqua Maxx likes deeper water and the Ice Cap shallow water around 7''.

11/05/2016, 01:41 AM	#1
V4Vendetta Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 18	RO vs BM vs IC vs Vertex vs AM? My Elos 70 was just delivered today but I decided not to buy the Elo skimmer and now I'm in the process of trying to decide which protein skimmer to go with. This is my first aquarium so I have no idea which protein skimmer would be best. But from my research I've narrowed it down to 1.Reef Octopus Classic CLSC-150INT 2.Bubble Magus Curve A5 3.Ice Cap K120 4.Vertex Omega 130 5.AquaMaxx CO1 I'm leaning towards AquaMaxx and Ice Cap but Ice Cap looks to be better quality material and build from what I can see. Has anyone had any problems with the forementioned skimmers above? Please post also if you recommend certain model over any of the ones listed above. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. I would much rather take time and buy once then have to rush in and do it all over again. Thanks.

11/05/2016, 01:12 PM	#4
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	The vertex and BK skimmers have an adjustable venturi. You can adjust the air to water mixture. This is a problem for many as the wrong adjustment can wreak havoc. For the majority of reefers, the less adjustments the better. For those that can handle the added fine tuning, having that ability is priceless. Remember back in the day when the only thing you could adjust was the output water? My old ATI Twister didn't even have that. it's amazing how far we have come. OK, you could adjust it if you just used your brain, however it was criticized for not having ball/gate valve. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ... Last edited by gcarroll; 11/05/2016 at 01:21 PM.

11/05/2016, 03:20 AM	#2
ksicard Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 538	I personally would remove the reef octopus from the list. Here's my view on the remaining skimmers: Bubble Magus Curve 5: cheap, fairly reliable, and tends to perform great for the value. The pump is decent but not exactly "high quality". Would be a great 1st skimmer that doesn't break the bank. Ice Cap K120: I dont have any experience with them but they seem to be really well received and high quality in craftsmanship. If you wanted to try something new or different I would feel comfortable purchasing this skimmer. Many people have written good reviews on these new skimmers. Omega 130: I've used a larger model in the past and it was a good skimmer with really nice build quality. However, I've read many threads that claim the 130 model in specific has a bad water to air ratio causing overflows and inconsistency. I can't speak from experience on this specific model but thats what I've seen pop up a few times. AquaMaxx CO1: Well reviewed, affordable, and seems to skim great from what i've seen. Personally I don't like the body style, but that's just taste and not really anything to do with the actual skimmer performance. If I had to pick 1 I would remove the curve 5 and add the Sea Side Aquatics ES5. The ES5 is made by the same company as bubble magus (they rebrand their higher quality stuff as sea side aquatics). The body is the same but instead of the cheaper bubble magus pump it uses a sicce pump which is tested and tried and true. I would personally pick from the ice cap or the ES5. I would probably end up picking the ice cap just to try something different and I'm quite curious to how they perform. Everything i've seen is positive regarding the skimmer.

11/05/2016, 07:20 AM	#3
V4Vendetta Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 18	thanks for detailed answer. I think i'm going to go with Ice Cap. Heard the same thing about the vertex as you explained.

11/06/2016, 11:20 PM	#5
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	How deep is your sump? the Aqua Maxx likes deeper water and the Ice Cap shallow water around 7''.