200-300 Gallon range Skimmer

[Mounda]

Hey, I’ve been researching the current medium sized skimmers 200-300 gallon and I’m really not sure which one is the best. I’ve read mixed reviews about a lot of skimmers and the wide variety out there has me confused. I’ve listed the skimmers according to model, I added prices for reference. I would really appreciate it if I could get some feedback from skimmer gurus on the forum or from simply anyone that’s had any experience with any of them, thanks.


Aqua Medic turbo floater 1000 $280

ASM G3 $290

ASM G4 $350

SWC extreme 200 $290

Reef Octopus Extreme 200 $295

Octopus DNW-200 recirculating $335

Grey Sea Aquatics cone GS-2 w/sicce pump $375

Vertex IN-280 $350

Precision Marine RL225B $370

Grey Sea Aquatics Compact Six $250

Tunze DOC 9010 $365

Berlin Turbo XL $300

MSX 200 $280

My skimmer budget is $300-350 due to current restrictions(overseas shipping, customs and duties will double my skimmer cost), however I’ve read some good reviews regarding these more expensive skimmers but are they worth the extra cash ?

Super Reef Octopus 3000 $400

My reef creations MR2 Beckett w/pump $460

Bermuda BPS 3C w/pump $420

Super Reef Octopus XP 2000 cone $400

Euro-Reef RS180 $450

[tkeracer619]

none of the above.

The MSX or SWC 250a. The MSX is on sale right now with free domestic shipping. Maybe they can cut you a deal on international.

This comes with an askoll pump and seems to be the most skimmer for the money for your size tank. The askoll is one of the best skimmer pumps available.

http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ca...duct_info.html

[Mounda]

The skimmer I'm buying is for a 75 gallon tank with a 50 gallon sump, I will be upgrading this setup for a 200 gallon medium bioload reef tank. I think the askol may be a tad too big for my current setup and over my current budget due to customs and shipping.

[sjm817]

There is nothing for you to buy locally?

[tkeracer619]

I agree, it would be too much. The SRO 3000 or xp2000 would be my choice.

[scaryperson27]

my choice:
Super Reef Octopus 3000 - $400

[Mounda]

We don't have a developed salt water market yet, I doubt we'll ever have one anyway so most of the equipment over here is Chinese knock offs (skimmers rated at 300 gallons for $50!). I'm not sure if you are familiar with Boyu, Weipro (Won brothers) and Resun but those dominate our small salt water market, there's been the odd sea clone and red sea berlin.... nuff said.

http://www.aquacave.com/clean-up-300...thers-493.html

http://www.boyu.us/eng/protein_skimmer-4.htm

Friends that have bought the Weipro have advised me to stay away from them, they recommended the sea clone over it so how bad can it be ! Eventually they bought the red sea c skim 180 and have been raving about the gunk they are pulling.

[ReefTECK]

where on earth do you live? sounds horrible lol.

[Mounda]

We've got a huge fresh water market instead. No ones tried any of the above skimmers ?

[ReefTECK]

My buddy has a reef octopus extreme 200 that totally rocks. But he's also using it on a 65 gallon tank 80 gal system. It's a little over kill, that's an SPS tank. If your not doing sps or stocking super heavy it should be pretty good on a 300 gallon system.

[Mounda]

After some in depth online store searching the shipping rate for the larger skimmers such as the ASM and the SRO 3000 will cost about $200 !! That’s the price of a pretty good used skimmer, shipping fees are ridiculous. The Tunze 9015 is a midget compared to them and is half the shipping too! So after taking shipping into consideration there are a few contenders left.

Tunze DOC 9015: (lowest shipping cost - $100)

For aquariums up to 396 US gal.
Dimensions: L 4.9 x W 4.4 x H 18.8 in.
230V/50Hz and 115V/60Hz, 21 W


ASM G-4: $310

Diameter 8 ½ in
Height 24 in
Footprint (in) 11 1/2 x 16
Sedra 5000 pump
Recommended Tank Size 350 Gal

MSX 200 and Reef Octopus Extreme 200 $300

The smallest of the bunch, better than the ASM ?
Sicce PSK-2500
Recommended for tanks up to 225 gallon with average bio load
Height: 22.75 inches
Body Diameter: 8 inches
Footprint: 11.5 inches X 13.5 inches

Vertex IN-280: $350

Foot Print: 18" x 11.5"
Height: 24.5"
Diameter: 10"
Aquarium Size: Up to 280 Gallons

I really like the Super Reef Octopus 3000 but it's out of my price range.

[KafudaFish]

Could you just buy the pump and DIY a skimmer?

[Mounda]

I don't think that is a plausible idea, the only DIY skimmer I could ever make would be an air stone counter current skimmer. I wouldn't have the space for something that big.

After more internet search I finally found a good deal and shipping rate on the SOR 3000 it turned out to be out of stock, the comparable skimmers in stock are:

Tunze 9015
AquaEuro PS250 and PS400
Vertex IN 280
Reef octopus XP 2000 cone (Rec 180 Gal)

I might wait for another month till they restock it, unless one of these is as efficient. The cone seems overpriced to me compared to the SRO 3000.

[tkeracer619]

I think you are on the right path. I would just wait or get the xp cone.

[davidtsx]

I love my MRC MR2 Skimmer. I don't know where you have found it for 460 bucks but that is a hell of a deal. I paid 120 bucks more.

[Mounda]

MRC MR2 skimmer sold at tsunamiaquatic w/o pump, just add a Coralife Turbo-Sea 1090 external to it and there you go $460.

[::PixelFish::]

Reef Octopus are quality skimmers for the money. You would do well with the XP 2000 cone.