Who make the best skimmer for a large tank?

psilentchild · 05/10/2009, 09:19 PM

I have an 430 gallon tank.I was wonder who makes the best skimmer.I was thinking about getting the bubble king 250.Is the $2000 worth it?

EdMan1971 · 05/10/2009, 09:23 PM

My asm g5 works well and was much cheaper.

The Grim Reefer · 05/10/2009, 09:36 PM

Go ask in the big tank forum. I think you will get better responses there, those guys tend to be really helpful and and detail oriented.

luvreefs23 · 05/10/2009, 09:53 PM

I just put a bk supermarin 300 on a 375...costed 2050.00, yes it was worth it.

psilentchild · 05/10/2009, 09:54 PM

I thank I did something like that before and it got moved here.I heard warner marine makes a good one.

jh2pizza · 05/10/2009, 09:59 PM

I love my GEO becket.

commabc · 05/10/2009, 10:16 PM

i like deltec.

sjm817 · 05/10/2009, 10:23 PM

If you could provide more info, it would be easier to narrow it down some.

Type:
In sump? External? In stand? Outside of stand? Max height & footprint?

Are these things important?
Quiet? Power use? Plug and play? Dont mind some tweaking? Budget?

DaveMorris · 05/10/2009, 11:03 PM

I have a 300g display with about 650g total volume and I just replaced my ER CS6 and CS8 skimmers with a MRC MR-3R dual Beckett and it is rocking pretty good. I like Beckett skimmer quite a bit.

Demonic · 05/11/2009, 03:38 AM

I second the MRC MR-3R. Its a beast. And at a gallon per day it makes water changes... well I dont do them now. LOL

MikeFisher1972 · 05/11/2009, 08:45 AM

Donâ€™t want to jump on to someone thread but it is kind of the same question.
Doesnâ€™t matter in sump or out of the sump what is the best one to handle the best with low energy consumption and less maintenance?

thereefaquarist · 05/11/2009, 02:01 PM

Well... I like the cone skimmers and the reeflo ones. The Alpha 300 cone is going to be a beast I would preorder that badboy and save 250$. ATB has some really nice stuff too. MRC came out with a cool lookin reeflo, also reef specialty has a sweet modded orca 250. Also check out the Itech super beast. and if money is no concept go for a BK 500, make sure to get the RDII pump, or maybe the ATB XXXXL =))

JasonD · 05/11/2009, 03:06 PM

I'm a big fan of lifereef skimmers they are venturi skimmers that come in a variety of sizes.

Jason

tufacody · 05/11/2009, 03:24 PM

My old LifeReef couldn't hold a candle to my SWC cone. It's not even in the same league.

psilentchild · 05/11/2009, 09:09 PM

Hmmm what to get what to get.I have acess to a huge r2 k skimmer for less than half the price of the bk 250.I just have to figure out where I want to put it.Whould it be a good one to get?

psilentchild · 05/11/2009, 10:15 PM

Can someone give me some information on the r2k protein skimmer?I looked but couldn't ind any good information.

Rwinfrey · 05/11/2009, 11:55 PM

ATB large -did I mention I love ATB

Marinworld · 05/12/2009, 12:53 AM

Same old, same old.

Looks like everyone that posts just lists the skimmer they are using. Obviously, they are all working!!! So.....................what can we glean from all that.

Looks to me like there is more than one way to skin a cat. I am still amazed at how much hype there is regarding Protein Skimmers. I think one needs to look at the basic design, rather than the price, when considering a choice.

The only other logical way is to get detailed specs on these units in action. That is almost an impossible task, since most each and every system is unique as to bioload, maintenance procedures, etc. The same brand and model of Skimmer will even act differently in each system, because of these variables.

So making a suggestion based on performance is quite subjective.

I've personally used many brands, and they have all functioned, systems were sound, and specimens were healthy. It takes many things to make a good system. A Protein Skimmer is just one part of that whole system.

I think that needs to be kept in perspective.

Good Luck
Don

thereefaquarist · 05/12/2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by psilentchild
Can someone give me some information on the r2k protein skimmer?I looked but couldn't ind any good information.

rk2 are big inexpensive skimmers, they use fairly old technology and are not nearly as efficient as other skimmers like the ones I mentioned. I highly suggest looking into ATB and Bubble King, they will make a better skimmer, and are constantly researching and developing their products. Also you should get a skimmer that is fit for your system, putting a skimmer rated for 1000g system on a 500g system is going to skim worse than a skimmer that is rated correctly for a 500g system, this is proven in the Itech small vs. ATB medium experiment. most high end companies rate their skimmers accurately.

tas5tas · 05/12/2009, 03:41 PM

Hurricone Cat2 External....$799....will more than do the job.

psilentchild · 05/13/2009, 09:04 AM

So these are the one one's I'm thinking about.Hurricone Cat3,ATB,warner Marine and bubblemaster.Which one would you sugest out o those 4?

GSMguy · 05/13/2009, 09:27 AM

which ATB model are you looking at?

psilentchild · 05/13/2009, 09:53 AM

Don't know yet

GSMguy · 05/13/2009, 10:50 AM

I think the large is right for the 500g range.

uhuru · 05/13/2009, 01:57 PM

ATB if you want the best customer service in the business.

05/10/2009, 09:19 PM	#1
psilentchild Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Horn Lake Posts: 1,665	Who make the best skimmer for a large tank? I have an 430 gallon tank.I was wonder who makes the best skimmer.I was thinking about getting the bubble king 250.Is the $2000 worth it?

05/10/2009, 09:36 PM	#3
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Go ask in the big tank forum. I think you will get better responses there, those guys tend to be really helpful and and detail oriented. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

05/10/2009, 09:59 PM	#6
jh2pizza Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: zanesville, ohio Posts: 3,439	I love my GEO becket. __________________ Joe and Jeni Friends don't give Friends kenya trees! Current Tank Info: Oceanic 180 in wall, 100 sump, Geo Kalk Reactor, Tunze 9415 skimmer, Geo Media Reactors, Geo 624 CA Reactor

05/10/2009, 10:16 PM	#7
commabc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Glen Allen, Virginia Posts: 780	i like deltec. __________________ Erik

05/10/2009, 10:23 PM	#8
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	If you could provide more info, it would be easier to narrow it down some. Type: In sump? External? In stand? Outside of stand? Max height & footprint? Are these things important? Quiet? Power use? Plug and play? Dont mind some tweaking? Budget? __________________ - Scott

05/10/2009, 09:23 PM	#2
EdMan1971 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: United States Posts: 46	My asm g5 works well and was much cheaper.

05/10/2009, 09:53 PM	#4
luvreefs23 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 758	I just put a bk supermarin 300 on a 375...costed 2050.00, yes it was worth it.

05/10/2009, 09:54 PM	#5
psilentchild Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Horn Lake Posts: 1,665	I thank I did something like that before and it got moved here.I heard warner marine makes a good one.

05/10/2009, 11:03 PM	#9
DaveMorris VP, SDMAS Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny San Diego, CA Posts: 1,309	I have a 300g display with about 650g total volume and I just replaced my ER CS6 and CS8 skimmers with a MRC MR-3R dual Beckett and it is rocking pretty good. I like Beckett skimmer quite a bit. __________________ Dave My 130g tank: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2387989 Current Tank Info: 130g build in progress

05/11/2009, 03:38 AM	#10
Demonic Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Minot, ND Posts: 815	I second the MRC MR-3R. Its a beast. And at a gallon per day it makes water changes... well I dont do them now. LOL __________________ 23,996 thawed iced cubes in a big cube and filled with flowers that grow under water.

05/11/2009, 08:45 AM	#11
MikeFisher1972 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Jacksonville NC Posts: 151	What is the most energy efficient? Donâ€™t want to jump on to someone thread but it is kind of the same question. Doesnâ€™t matter in sump or out of the sump what is the best one to handle the best with low energy consumption and less maintenance? __________________ President of Jacksonville Reef Keepers. Current Tank Info: 300gStarfire and a 8 foot monster

05/11/2009, 02:01 PM	#12
thereefaquarist Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Carmel, CA Posts: 226	Well... I like the cone skimmers and the reeflo ones. The Alpha 300 cone is going to be a beast I would preorder that badboy and save 250$. ATB has some really nice stuff too. MRC came out with a cool lookin reeflo, also reef specialty has a sweet modded orca 250. Also check out the Itech super beast. and if money is no concept go for a BK 500, make sure to get the RDII pump, or maybe the ATB XXXXL =))

05/11/2009, 03:06 PM	#13
JasonD Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,079	I'm a big fan of lifereef skimmers they are venturi skimmers that come in a variety of sizes. Jason

05/11/2009, 03:24 PM	#14
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	My old LifeReef couldn't hold a candle to my SWC cone. It's not even in the same league.

05/11/2009, 09:09 PM	#15
psilentchild Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Horn Lake Posts: 1,665	Hmmm what to get what to get.I have acess to a huge r2 k skimmer for less than half the price of the bk 250.I just have to figure out where I want to put it.Whould it be a good one to get? Last edited by psilentchild; 05/11/2009 at 09:22 PM.

05/11/2009, 10:15 PM	#16
psilentchild Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Horn Lake Posts: 1,665	Can someone give me some information on the r2k protein skimmer?I looked but couldn't ind any good information.

05/11/2009, 11:55 PM	#17
Rwinfrey Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oakdale,Ct. Posts: 2,772	ATB large -did I mention I love ATB __________________ FUPA jealous;) Current Tank Info: Wish I had one building a house

05/12/2009, 12:53 AM	#18
Marinworld Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 89	Same old, same old. Looks like everyone that posts just lists the skimmer they are using. Obviously, they are all working!!! So.....................what can we glean from all that. Looks to me like there is more than one way to skin a cat. I am still amazed at how much hype there is regarding Protein Skimmers. I think one needs to look at the basic design, rather than the price, when considering a choice. The only other logical way is to get detailed specs on these units in action. That is almost an impossible task, since most each and every system is unique as to bioload, maintenance procedures, etc. The same brand and model of Skimmer will even act differently in each system, because of these variables. So making a suggestion based on performance is quite subjective. I've personally used many brands, and they have all functioned, systems were sound, and specimens were healthy. It takes many things to make a good system. A Protein Skimmer is just one part of that whole system. I think that needs to be kept in perspective. Good Luck Don

05/12/2009, 03:41 PM	#20
tas5tas Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lumberton,TX Posts: 536	Hurricone Cat2 External....$799....will more than do the job. __________________ In school for the next few years, but will be back bigger and better than ever!! Current Tank Info: Hiatis from hobby

05/13/2009, 09:04 AM	#21
psilentchild Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Horn Lake Posts: 1,665	So these are the one one's I'm thinking about.Hurricone Cat3,ATB,warner Marine and bubblemaster.Which one would you sugest out o those 4?

05/13/2009, 09:27 AM	#22
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	which ATB model are you looking at? __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

05/13/2009, 09:53 AM	#23
psilentchild Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Horn Lake Posts: 1,665	Don't know yet

05/13/2009, 10:50 AM	#24
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	I think the large is right for the 500g range. __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

05/13/2009, 01:57 PM	#25
uhuru Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus Posts: 2,949	ATB if you want the best customer service in the business. __________________ August 2011 TOTM