Does there exist a good, inexpensive skimmer?

GoBigOrGoHome · 10/05/2008, 09:57 AM

Is it at all possible for me to get effective skimming for 100+ gallons for less that $250 or so? I know I could DIY for a bit less than this, but I would just like anyone's suggestions/ success stories on semi-inexpensive skimmers that have done the job for them on a moderate bio-load, moderate-volume system. Any comments are appreciated. Thanks

mash35231 · 10/05/2008, 10:02 AM

Marine Solutions (and others) sell a brand of skimmer called "MSX". They are impressive for the money. Look them up on youtube.com.

GoBigOrGoHome · 10/05/2008, 10:13 AM

Thanks a lot. I'm not trying to skimp here, just tryin to get the most for my money!.

. If I can't get a good skimmer for less than $500, so be it.

Chibils · 10/05/2008, 10:16 AM

The Octopus line is also a very good bargain. Not the world's best skimmer, but the NW200 could handle your 110G just fine at <=$250.

jazzmanb · 10/05/2008, 01:41 PM

msx 160 or 200, or octo extreme[same skimmer different name] well be the best skimmer for the money...they pull crazy air,are built well,and refoam fast after feeding...they cost around 270 dollars shipped,but skim as well as 1000 dollar skimmers....

james3586 · 10/05/2008, 03:34 PM

I am happy with my turboflotor multi sl by Aqua Medic comes with an Oceanrunner PH 2500 pump that is very quiet. The skimmer is easy to set up in or outside the sump and produces a large amount of skimmate. Good Luck!!

GoBigOrGoHome · 10/05/2008, 05:52 PM

Thanks for the responses guys. I was looking at all three of the skimmers you mentioned already, too, so apparently I'm on the right track. Still open for more suggestions though! I have a feeling I'll be happy going with the MSX 200 though... mostly because I can't seem to find the MSX160 for sale anywhere, and there's always the chance for expansion!! If all goes well, my system will be 200+ gallons in a year anyway....

mfinn · 10/05/2008, 05:56 PM

The MSX 200 is a very good skimmer for the money.

jman77 · 10/05/2008, 06:21 PM

"The MSX 200 "

Ditto, I have one and it's a good skimmer.

Husky_1 · 10/05/2008, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jazzmanb
.they cost around 270 dollars shipped,but skim as well as 1000 dollar skimmers....

Pretty bold statement, have you actually put a high end skimmer in your tank side by side with one of these?

Aynesa · 10/05/2008, 06:34 PM

I got a Euro Reef RS135 On Craigslist for 200. Don't forget to check Craigslist. It's excellent. I also love my new Euroreef. An extra few bucks for a truly, TRULY good skimmer is well worth the money, and after having Seaclones and Prizms, I sing the praises of the Euroreef.

3.99AfterTaxes · 10/05/2008, 06:38 PM

You should check out this thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1477098

I picked up an IN100 for my tank and it's doing it's job damn well, far better than my old ER and leagues better than a lot of other junk I can think of.

andyco · 10/06/2008, 06:17 PM

DAS skimmers give very good bang for buck...

burton14e7 · 10/06/2008, 06:38 PM

I like my DAS EX-2. Did a good job on the 120g.

10/05/2008, 09:57 AM	#1
GoBigOrGoHome Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: WI Posts: 641	Does there exist a good, inexpensive skimmer? Is it at all possible for me to get effective skimming for 100+ gallons for less that $250 or so? I know I could DIY for a bit less than this, but I would just like anyone's suggestions/ success stories on semi-inexpensive skimmers that have done the job for them on a moderate bio-load, moderate-volume system. Any comments are appreciated. Thanks

10/05/2008, 10:16 AM	#4
Chibils halide loyalist Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sugar Hill, GA Posts: 2,213	The Octopus line is also a very good bargain. Not the world's best skimmer, but the NW200 could handle your 110G just fine at <=$250. __________________ always learning Current Tank Info: 75G new world cichlid, 25G reef in planning

10/05/2008, 05:52 PM	#7
GoBigOrGoHome Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: WI Posts: 641	Thanks for the responses guys. I was looking at all three of the skimmers you mentioned already, too, so apparently I'm on the right track. Still open for more suggestions though! I have a feeling I'll be happy going with the MSX 200 though... mostly because I can't seem to find the MSX160 for sale anywhere, and there's always the chance for expansion!! If all goes well, my system will be 200+ gallons in a year anyway.... __________________ Check out my little red house. 8000-gallon tank build in progress Current Tank Info: 15 tanks of varying sizes, 8-110 gal, 11 fresh, 4 salt

10/05/2008, 05:56 PM	#8
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	The MSX 200 is a very good skimmer for the money. __________________ 240 gallon soft coral tank 50 gallon lps tank

10/05/2008, 06:38 PM	#12
3.99AfterTaxes Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 391	You should check out this thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1477098 I picked up an IN100 for my tank and it's doing it's job damn well, far better than my old ER and leagues better than a lot of other junk I can think of. __________________ There are three people to a threesome. I am two people short every night.

10/05/2008, 10:02 AM	#2
mash35231 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 52	Marine Solutions (and others) sell a brand of skimmer called "MSX". They are impressive for the money. Look them up on youtube.com.

10/05/2008, 10:13 AM	#3
GoBigOrGoHome Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: WI Posts: 641	Thanks a lot. I'm not trying to skimp here, just tryin to get the most for my money!. . If I can't get a good skimmer for less than $500, so be it.

10/05/2008, 01:41 PM	#5
jazzmanb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: san francisco,ca Posts: 508	msx 160 or 200, or octo extreme[same skimmer different name] well be the best skimmer for the money...they pull crazy air,are built well,and refoam fast after feeding...they cost around 270 dollars shipped,but skim as well as 1000 dollar skimmers....

10/05/2008, 03:34 PM	#6
james3586 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 55	I am happy with my turboflotor multi sl by Aqua Medic comes with an Oceanrunner PH 2500 pump that is very quiet. The skimmer is easy to set up in or outside the sump and produces a large amount of skimmate. Good Luck!!

10/05/2008, 06:21 PM	#9
jman77 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 2,391	"The MSX 200 " Ditto, I have one and it's a good skimmer.

10/05/2008, 06:34 PM	#11
Aynesa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 304	I got a Euro Reef RS135 On Craigslist for 200. Don't forget to check Craigslist. It's excellent. I also love my new Euroreef. An extra few bucks for a truly, TRULY good skimmer is well worth the money, and after having Seaclones and Prizms, I sing the praises of the Euroreef.

10/06/2008, 06:17 PM	#13
andyco Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: milwaukee Posts: 115	DAS skimmers give very good bang for buck...

10/06/2008, 06:38 PM	#14
burton14e7 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Keller, Tx Posts: 2,009	I like my DAS EX-2. Did a good job on the 120g. __________________ Go Lakers! Current Tank Info: Currently awaiting relapse.