Looking for a new Skimmer...need advice

craftedpacket · 03/27/2007, 05:42 PM

I have a 140 gallon tank and around 50 gallon sump. With rock and sand and all I have somewhere around 150-170 gallon system. I have it lightly stocked right now with a Few SPS frags, one LPS, and a few softies/polyps.

I am having some trouble with Cyano, but needed a new skimmer anyway. The skimmer I have is an old broken/repaired venturi model.

I am looking for the best so I only have to buy it once. The 2 I have looked into the most are the AquaC EV-180 or EV-240and Precision Marine Bullet-2.

Any advice would be great. Thanks!

lakwriter · 03/27/2007, 05:46 PM

I love my Tunze skimmer

McCrary · 03/27/2007, 05:50 PM

I love my H&S skimmer, the quality is outstanding and the performance is great.

Overland04 · 03/27/2007, 05:59 PM

Are there any restrictions in considerations? Like money, space, noise, power consumption? Of the two I would choose the PM. If I was going to choose a beckett style skimmer...I would choose a MRC-MR2 and if I would choose any skimmer I would go with a modified needle wheel.
Good Luck!!

ChrisPrusha · 03/27/2007, 06:05 PM

Everyone has their favorite...often the one they currently have.

I have had an EV-240 for about 3 years, and I love it. It took a while to get it set, but I've been very happy with the results.

craftedpacket · 03/27/2007, 06:05 PM

Hoping to keep in under $500 for the pump/skimmer. I need the pump to go in the sump so 2.5 feet is the maximum height.

McCrary · 03/27/2007, 06:28 PM

Look in the ER RS series skimmers, they use a cast cell acrylic and are a good performance value. The AquaC EV series use a spray injection which tends to be less efficent than the NW/pinwheel skimmers.

ChrisPrusha · 03/27/2007, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TurboSnail8898
Look in the ER RS series skimmers, they use a cast cell acrylic and are a good performance value. The AquaC EV series use a spray injection which tends to be less efficent than the NW/pinwheel skimmers.

Link?

McCrary · 03/27/2007, 06:36 PM

marinedepot.com carries the ER RS skimmers as well as the RC series of skimmers.

HolyScoly · 03/27/2007, 08:32 PM

euroreef skimmers are great skimmers but u can always go with an asm g3 or g4 depending on the space u have in your sump.
i personally have a euroreef and its doing a great job als h&s skimmers are VERY GOOD SKIMMERS if u have the cash flow for one and lets not forget the deltec or bubble king it all depends on how much u have 2 spend if money is an issue th asm g sereis will do the job just fine.

Paddy Whack · 03/27/2007, 08:41 PM

There are many skimmers out there and many opinions on said skimmers. I too was in your place a few months back and after all was said and done, I came to the realization that for cost performance, maintenance and use, that you can't beat the All Seas Marine (ASM) skimmers. They are easy to adjust, simple in design and affordable. THe Euro reef skimmers are right there because if you look at the two they are basically the same. Euro reef uses a more expensive cast acrylic (which is only necessary if you plan on using ozone). The new octopus skimmers look very much the same and may be worth a try. I went around our reef club and saw all the big name skimmers, even a deltec. There were some nice ones, but the ASM was the overall winner. The deltec is just ridiculous in price for not working any better than the ERs or ASMs. THat's my 2 cents. Best of luck. Oh, I have a ASM 2 on a 92 gallon corner. Couldn't be better.

craftedpacket · 03/27/2007, 09:13 PM

Thanks for the info...looks like ASM is no longer making "asm" brand skimmers and instead they have started the octopus line. They have some recirculating ones for under 500...anyone have any thoughts on these skimmers?

McCrary · 03/28/2007, 01:39 AM

Octopus skimmers are a great value, maybe the best value out there. But ER has awesome quality skimmers, I would look into those, if you really don't want to put out the cash then an Octopus skimmer would make an awesome second option.

drummereef · 03/28/2007, 01:53 AM

You can get a Euro-Reef RS180 for less than $450 at www.premiumaquatics.com Nice Skimmer

Overland04 · 03/28/2007, 06:12 AM

Another new commer to the skimmers out there.
I have yet used one but for the value they are easily modified and have the potential to be awesome skimmers. Plus they are cheap!

http://www.aquaeurousa.com/proteinskimmers.html

richard snyder · 03/28/2007, 07:22 AM

Give My Reef Creation a try . I have two of his beckett styled on my 250gal and 750gal. They really kick butt. I believe I have a
MR-2 and a MR-3 both under $500.00

craftedpacket · 03/28/2007, 07:42 AM

There is just so many to choose from its hard to figure it out.

Are recirculating designs agreed to be better performers then standard needle wheel designs or the like?

McCrary · 03/28/2007, 07:59 AM

I second the ER RS180.

Overland04 · 03/28/2007, 08:01 AM

I like the Idea behind the recirculating skimmer because of the way it can polish the water multiple time in one pass. I'm sure this will bring up the topic of over-skimming. I am one for it..the more the better!

03/27/2007, 05:42 PM	#1
craftedpacket Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Odessa, TX Posts: 239	Looking for a new Skimmer...need advice I have a 140 gallon tank and around 50 gallon sump. With rock and sand and all I have somewhere around 150-170 gallon system. I have it lightly stocked right now with a Few SPS frags, one LPS, and a few softies/polyps. I am having some trouble with Cyano, but needed a new skimmer anyway. The skimmer I have is an old broken/repaired venturi model. I am looking for the best so I only have to buy it once. The 2 I have looked into the most are the AquaC EV-180 or EV-240and Precision Marine Bullet-2. Any advice would be great. Thanks!

03/27/2007, 05:46 PM	#2
lakwriter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 562	I love my Tunze skimmer __________________ And this, too, shall pass... 29 g FOWLR 37# LR, 35# LS 2 green chromis 2 ocellaris clowns a very social peppermint shrimp and various snails and hermits

03/27/2007, 05:50 PM	#3
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	I love my H&S skimmer, the quality is outstanding and the performance is great. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

03/27/2007, 05:59 PM	#4
Overland04 Wisher of the redo button Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Red Hook, NY Posts: 614	Are there any restrictions in considerations? Like money, space, noise, power consumption? Of the two I would choose the PM. If I was going to choose a beckett style skimmer...I would choose a MRC-MR2 and if I would choose any skimmer I would go with a modified needle wheel. Good Luck!! __________________ What do you call a fish with no eye?....... ......... ......... ......... Fsh Current Tank Info: 75g Rimless

03/27/2007, 06:05 PM	#5
ChrisPrusha Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: WI Posts: 709	Everyone has their favorite...often the one they currently have. I have had an EV-240 for about 3 years, and I love it. It took a while to get it set, but I've been very happy with the results. __________________ "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 180g reef, 20g nano

03/27/2007, 06:28 PM	#7
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	Look in the ER RS series skimmers, they use a cast cell acrylic and are a good performance value. The AquaC EV series use a spray injection which tends to be less efficent than the NW/pinwheel skimmers. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

03/27/2007, 06:36 PM	#9
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	marinedepot.com carries the ER RS skimmers as well as the RC series of skimmers. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

03/27/2007, 08:32 PM	#10
HolyScoly Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: miami Posts: 155	euroreef skimmers are great skimmers but u can always go with an asm g3 or g4 depending on the space u have in your sump. i personally have a euroreef and its doing a great job als h&s skimmers are VERY GOOD SKIMMERS if u have the cash flow for one and lets not forget the deltec or bubble king it all depends on how much u have 2 spend if money is an issue th asm g sereis will do the job just fine.

03/27/2007, 08:41 PM	#11
Paddy Whack Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: VA Beach, VA Posts: 3	There are many skimmers out there and many opinions on said skimmers. I too was in your place a few months back and after all was said and done, I came to the realization that for cost performance, maintenance and use, that you can't beat the All Seas Marine (ASM) skimmers. They are easy to adjust, simple in design and affordable. THe Euro reef skimmers are right there because if you look at the two they are basically the same. Euro reef uses a more expensive cast acrylic (which is only necessary if you plan on using ozone). The new octopus skimmers look very much the same and may be worth a try. I went around our reef club and saw all the big name skimmers, even a deltec. There were some nice ones, but the ASM was the overall winner. The deltec is just ridiculous in price for not working any better than the ERs or ASMs. THat's my 2 cents. Best of luck. Oh, I have a ASM 2 on a 92 gallon corner. Couldn't be better.

03/27/2007, 09:13 PM	#12
craftedpacket Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Odessa, TX Posts: 239	Thanks for the info...looks like ASM is no longer making "asm" brand skimmers and instead they have started the octopus line. They have some recirculating ones for under 500...anyone have any thoughts on these skimmers?

03/28/2007, 01:39 AM	#13
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	Octopus skimmers are a great value, maybe the best value out there. But ER has awesome quality skimmers, I would look into those, if you really don't want to put out the cash then an Octopus skimmer would make an awesome second option. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

03/28/2007, 01:53 AM	#14
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	You can get a Euro-Reef RS180 for less than $450 at www.premiumaquatics.com Nice Skimmer __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

03/28/2007, 06:12 AM	#15
Overland04 Wisher of the redo button Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Red Hook, NY Posts: 614	Another new commer to the skimmers out there. I have yet used one but for the value they are easily modified and have the potential to be awesome skimmers. Plus they are cheap! http://www.aquaeurousa.com/proteinskimmers.html __________________ What do you call a fish with no eye?....... ......... ......... ......... Fsh Current Tank Info: 75g Rimless

03/28/2007, 07:22 AM	#16
richard snyder Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: allentown,pa. Posts: 67	Give My Reef Creation a try . I have two of his beckett styled on my 250gal and 750gal. They really kick butt. I believe I have a MR-2 and a MR-3 both under $500.00 __________________ reefpsycho Current Tank Info: 350 gal. reef

03/28/2007, 07:42 AM	#17
craftedpacket Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Odessa, TX Posts: 239	There is just so many to choose from its hard to figure it out. Are recirculating designs agreed to be better performers then standard needle wheel designs or the like?

03/28/2007, 07:59 AM	#18
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	I second the ER RS180. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

03/28/2007, 08:01 AM	#19
Overland04 Wisher of the redo button Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Red Hook, NY Posts: 614	I like the Idea behind the recirculating skimmer because of the way it can polish the water multiple time in one pass. I'm sure this will bring up the topic of over-skimming. I am one for it..the more the better! __________________ What do you call a fish with no eye?....... ......... ......... ......... Fsh Current Tank Info: 75g Rimless