Need a new skimmer for 450g

Spar · 01/06/2018, 04:54 PM

I've been out of the skimmer game for a while now, but need to buy a new one. My tank is a 450g SPS/LPS with moderate fish load.

If price weren't an issue what would you get... if price was moderately a concern what would you get...? I am more interested in just getting this purchase right rather than penny pinching.

lapin · 01/06/2018, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spar

I've been out of the skimmer game for a while now, but need to buy a new one. My tank is a 450g SPS/LPS with moderate fish load.

If price weren't an issue what would you get... if price was moderately a concern what would you get...? I am more interested in just getting this purchase right rather than penny pinching.

I like the Coralvue skimmers. Have had good luck with them.
I went big this time and got this one. Just finished my 600 gallon tank.
It might be a bit of overkill for you.
http://www.coralvue.com/reef-octopus...rotein-skimmer

ArmanS · 01/06/2018, 05:44 PM

If price isn't an issue get a Bubble King, I have a SM 250 RD3 for my 540g DT.

PM Slief, he can tell you proper sizing.

biecacka · 01/06/2018, 07:08 PM

+1

I love my Bubble King Double Cone 200. I run it on a 240 gallon tank with 30 fish and it keeps up with no issues. It is a beast!
great build quality, and super easy to tune with the pump.

corey

slief · 01/06/2018, 08:09 PM

If you decide to go the Bubble King route or have any questions, feel free to PM me anytime. My recommendation would be heavily load dependant so knowing more about your fish stocking plans would be my biggest concern for your 450 gallon display.

I run a Supermarin 250 with RD3 on my heavily stocked (70 or so fish) 480 gallon display (700 gallon total volume). And for the record, I paid retail for it 2.5 years ago from Premium Aquatics and I would do it all over again even if I wasn’t affiliated with Royal Exclusiv.

Dmorty217 · 01/07/2018, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

if you decide to go the bubble king route or have any questions, feel free to pm me anytime. My recommendation would be heavily load dependant so knowing more about your fish stocking plans would be my biggest concern for your 450 gallon display.

I run a supermarin 250 with rd3 on my heavily stocked (70 or so fish) 480 gallon display (700 gallon total volume). And for the record, i paid retail for it 2.5 years ago from premium aquatics and i would do it all over again even if i wasn’t affiliated with royal exclusiv.

+1

tom obrecht · 01/08/2018, 06:27 AM

Not to muddy the waters even more with another option but I’ve been running an ATB for years with zero issue! Excellent build quality and backing in the states thru ATB USA

d-man · 01/08/2018, 11:27 AM

Bubble king +4

I was a firm believer in Reef octopus as a good cheap alternative. But then came across a used BK 300ext at a steal. I will never go back. In fact I just bought another used BK 300int this time and will save it for my next big system and use both.

hkgar · 01/08/2018, 01:55 PM

You won't find them at any of the selling sites as these are only available from the manufacturer, but IMHO (and everyone has one) MTC and Lifereef are the absolute best.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...&highlight=mtc
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...&highlight=mtc

ca1ore · 01/08/2018, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

You won't find them at any of the selling sites as these are only available from the manufacturer, but IMHO (and everyone has one) MTC and Lifereef are the absolute best.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...&highlight=mtc
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...&highlight=mtc

My HO as well ......

jda · 01/08/2018, 04:16 PM

I am in the same boat. IMO, there is no comparison to running a pair of good skimmers against one single awesome one. I would take a pair of simple EuroReefs or ASM over a Deltec or Bubble King. While a Deltec or BK will outwork almost any single other skimmer, they will not get even close to a pair of skimmers. I am having a 890 gallon built and I am going to skim it with a older SRO with the sicce pump (way better than the new ones), ER 12-2 which is currently running and a ASM G4x, but I am planning a 36x40" skimmer chamber in my new sump. If you can only fit one, then you will have to choose a good one, but if you can fit more than one (or can plan on a build), then you can save money and get better performance with several other models.

I have a LifeReef that I will never sell. If you have the stand room (they can be tall) and don't mind a bit more power for a pump (which can also help heat water which I really need), then they are hard to beat. I would be using this if I had room above the sump.

biecacka · 01/08/2018, 06:06 PM

I considered a LifeReef and MTC prior to my BK.

Corey

hkgar · 01/10/2018, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biecacka

I considered a LifeReef and MTC prior to my BK.

Corey

Why did you choose BK?

biecacka · 01/10/2018, 05:44 PM

couldnt go wrong

Corey

Spar · 01/18/2018, 02:10 PM

FYI, I ended up going with the BK Supermarin 200. Same reason as Corey, I felt I'd rather just spend the money on the absolute for sure thing rather than testing out a less expensive recommended brand/model.

Thanks for everyone's advice and recommendations! Now time to get my reef back to normal...!

biecacka · 01/18/2018, 09:19 PM

I am sure you will love that thing! they rock man

corey

01/06/2018, 04:54 PM	#1
Spar Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,517	Need a new skimmer for 450g I've been out of the skimmer game for a while now, but need to buy a new one. My tank is a 450g SPS/LPS with moderate fish load. If price weren't an issue what would you get... if price was moderately a concern what would you get...? I am more interested in just getting this purchase right rather than penny pinching. __________________ 450g Mixed SPS/LPS Reef (MH/T5/VHO)

01/06/2018, 05:44 PM	#3
ArmanS Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: 90713 Posts: 1,391	If price isn't an issue get a Bubble King, I have a SM 250 RD3 for my 540g DT. PM Slief, he can tell you proper sizing. __________________ 120" x 34" x 30" 540g Build Starting Soon! Royal Exclusiv Dream Box Sump, 2 x 60" ATI LED/T5, DaStaCo CARx, Apex, Genesis, BK SM 250, 3 x RD 3 230w, UV, ATS, & Arid Reactor! Will have build thread so

01/06/2018, 08:09 PM	#5
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	If you decide to go the Bubble King route or have any questions, feel free to PM me anytime. My recommendation would be heavily load dependant so knowing more about your fish stocking plans would be my biggest concern for your 450 gallon display. I run a Supermarin 250 with RD3 on my heavily stocked (70 or so fish) 480 gallon display (700 gallon total volume). And for the record, I paid retail for it 2.5 years ago from Premium Aquatics and I would do it all over again even if I wasn’t affiliated with Royal Exclusiv. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

01/08/2018, 06:27 AM	#7
tom obrecht Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: WI Posts: 3,014	Not to muddy the waters even more with another option but I’ve been running an ATB for years with zero issue! Excellent build quality and backing in the states thru ATB USA __________________ Reef keeping is where Murphy's Law and your bank account collide!! TOTM May 2006

01/08/2018, 01:55 PM	#9
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	You won't find them at any of the selling sites as these are only available from the manufacturer, but IMHO (and everyone has one) MTC and Lifereef are the absolute best. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...&highlight=mtc http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...&highlight=mtc __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

01/06/2018, 07:08 PM	#4
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	+1 I love my Bubble King Double Cone 200. I run it on a 240 gallon tank with 30 fish and it keeps up with no issues. It is a beast! great build quality, and super easy to tune with the pump. corey

01/08/2018, 11:27 AM	#8
d-man Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: San Diego, ca Posts: 2,732	Bubble king +4 I was a firm believer in Reef octopus as a good cheap alternative. But then came across a used BK 300ext at a steal. I will never go back. In fact I just bought another used BK 300int this time and will save it for my next big system and use both.

01/08/2018, 04:16 PM	#11
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	I am in the same boat. IMO, there is no comparison to running a pair of good skimmers against one single awesome one. I would take a pair of simple EuroReefs or ASM over a Deltec or Bubble King. While a Deltec or BK will outwork almost any single other skimmer, they will not get even close to a pair of skimmers. I am having a 890 gallon built and I am going to skim it with a older SRO with the sicce pump (way better than the new ones), ER 12-2 which is currently running and a ASM G4x, but I am planning a 36x40" skimmer chamber in my new sump. If you can only fit one, then you will have to choose a good one, but if you can fit more than one (or can plan on a build), then you can save money and get better performance with several other models. I have a LifeReef that I will never sell. If you have the stand room (they can be tall) and don't mind a bit more power for a pump (which can also help heat water which I really need), then they are hard to beat. I would be using this if I had room above the sump.

01/08/2018, 06:06 PM	#12
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	I considered a LifeReef and MTC prior to my BK. Corey

01/10/2018, 05:44 PM	#14
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	couldnt go wrong Corey

01/18/2018, 02:10 PM	#15
Spar Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,517	FYI, I ended up going with the BK Supermarin 200. Same reason as Corey, I felt I'd rather just spend the money on the absolute for sure thing rather than testing out a less expensive recommended brand/model. Thanks for everyone's advice and recommendations! Now time to get my reef back to normal...! __________________ 450g Mixed SPS/LPS Reef (MH/T5/VHO)

01/18/2018, 09:19 PM	#16
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	I am sure you will love that thing! they rock man corey