Good Skimmer under $150

MMM33732 · 07/11/2010, 05:54 PM

Know of any skimmers under $150? Medium stocked, 160g water volume (125g TD). In sump is preferred. Sump is a 55g, so theres a decent amount of room for the footprint. I know Jebo is generally crap, but I remember seeing a thread a while back about their largest one with a needle wheel impeller supposedly being alright. Any thoughts? I also found a cheap one that sounds alright with no real reviews, also a needle wheel (on the feed pump, its not a recirc) made by Aqua Quest. Either way, any thoughts on either of those or other suggestions?

Fishamatank · 07/11/2010, 06:02 PM

You're not going to find what most would consider a "good" skimmer for 160 gallons for $150. You get what you pay for. You probably need to just about double your budget to get something good.

TripleT · 07/11/2010, 06:03 PM

Looks like you'll need to go the used route, if that is your budget.

A skimmer is one area you don't want to skimp on.

You also want one rated for more than your tank size. You probably would do well with one rated for about 250 gallons.

MMM33732 · 07/11/2010, 06:09 PM

Thats exactly what I figured. I just dont get what makes one that 300 bucks any better than one thats 100 with they have the same design and size. Cheaper pump maybe, but still.

nikon187 · 07/11/2010, 06:27 PM

The pump is the deciding factor.

vikubz · 07/11/2010, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMM33732

Thats exactly what I figured. I just dont get what makes one that 300 bucks any better than one thats 100 with they have the same design and size. Cheaper pump maybe, but still.

Or you could build one. I built one along these lines:

http://www.randystacye.com/diy_needle_wheel_skimmer.htm

I think it does okay for about $40 total investment.

BuckeyeTodd · 07/11/2010, 06:40 PM

I got a Kent on my 150...works better than my reef octo needle wheel ever did..bought used for 80(figured worst case scenario I can use the mag 5 its hooked up to)...but It works better than I thought possible. Easily adjustable, can wet skim or dry skim

epicfish · 07/11/2010, 06:44 PM

I'd look into the Octopus line of skimmers.

A used Octopus 200 series is usually around the $200-250 range and they're pretty good skimmers for the money.

BlueFaceAngel · 07/11/2010, 07:29 PM

Corallife super skimmer...it'll do the job (make sure its the new and improved one) it comes with everything you need for about 150. i know people might give it bad reviews but it'll work

coral_killer37 · 07/11/2010, 07:38 PM

Vikubz, that's a pretty darn good result from your the skimmer you built. mmm3372 should definitely consider it.

MMM33732 · 07/12/2010, 08:17 AM

So what is it that makes one skimmer so superior to one that costs less if the designs and sizes are both the same?

anbosu · 07/12/2010, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMM33732

So what is it that makes one skimmer so superior to one that costs less if the designs and sizes are both the same?

The pump is usually what differentiates skimmers. Power usage and effectiveness of the pump are two things that will drive up the cost of a skimmer.

WhoDey64 · 07/12/2010, 08:38 AM

The devil is in the details. While some skimmers may seem similar in design and fabrication you will lose out in performance with a cheaper skimmer when corners are cut such as no bubble plate or poorly designed bubble plate, lower air pull, inefficient pump and/or poor needle wheel design. Its like saying a KIA is the same as a BMW because they both have 4 tires and a steering wheel so why the price difference.

My suggestion would be to read all the reviews you can for the ASM's, Octos and possibly Vertex and one rated for your size system might show up used in your price range.

Chris27 · 07/12/2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMM33732

So what is it that makes one skimmer so superior to one that costs less if the designs and sizes are both the same?

The pump really. A good pump will draw in a good amount of air with a well matched pin wheel/mesh wheel, draw little in the way of electricity, last a good amount of time, run quiet/cool, and be made from materials to which calcium doesn't stick.

It's the same reason why a Eheim return pump costs that much more then a Rio, they may flow the same up front, but the Eheim is going to last longer and perform better in the long run.

I'll agree that the Red Dragons are a bit ridiculous for the price, but the Askoll's, Aquabee's, Eheims, and Bubble Blasters are strong performers for the money, and as such come with a price tag that is much higher then a maxi jet or Rusun pin wheel pump.

MustangCaleb · 07/12/2010, 09:05 AM

ASM FTW! i absolutely love mine

cody6766 · 07/12/2010, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Corallife super skimmer...it'll do the job (make sure its the new and improved one) it comes with everything you need for about 150. i know people might give it bad reviews but it'll work

They'll do A job, but probably not THE job. I have a SS65 (old design) and it sucks pretty hard. It will be my next piece of newbie equipment on the chopping block. I may take the time to gut it and mod it for fun, but I"m sure i"ll be buying a better skimmer in a few months. I have about 60g of lightly stocked water in my system and it pulls some light colored skimmate, but it's not where I think a good skimmer should be. I've modded it a bit and if I paid more than $50 for it'd be a little upset with it's performance.

as for a personal recommendation...I'm not sure. I'm still researching myself.

snarkes · 07/12/2010, 12:12 PM

I'll sell ya my CSS 125 that I recently replaced with a Vertex.

It looks brand new and comes with everything except the box (instructions, brackets, bubble diffuser, etc.). I had to replace the original ceramic impeller shaft because it snapped. Other than that, its just a matter of tinkering with it everyday to make sure its producing (which is one of the reasons it gets the bad wrap).

07/11/2010, 05:54 PM	#1
MMM33732 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 690	Good Skimmer under $150 Know of any skimmers under $150? Medium stocked, 160g water volume (125g TD). In sump is preferred. Sump is a 55g, so theres a decent amount of room for the footprint. I know Jebo is generally crap, but I remember seeing a thread a while back about their largest one with a needle wheel impeller supposedly being alright. Any thoughts? I also found a cheap one that sounds alright with no real reviews, also a needle wheel (on the feed pump, its not a recirc) made by Aqua Quest. Either way, any thoughts on either of those or other suggestions?

07/11/2010, 06:27 PM	#5
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	The pump is the deciding factor. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

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07/11/2010, 06:02 PM	#2
Fishamatank Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,017	You're not going to find what most would consider a "good" skimmer for 160 gallons for $150. You get what you pay for. You probably need to just about double your budget to get something good.

07/11/2010, 06:03 PM	#3
TripleT Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,092	Looks like you'll need to go the used route, if that is your budget. A skimmer is one area you don't want to skimp on. You also want one rated for more than your tank size. You probably would do well with one rated for about 250 gallons.

07/11/2010, 06:09 PM	#4
MMM33732 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 690	Thats exactly what I figured. I just dont get what makes one that 300 bucks any better than one thats 100 with they have the same design and size. Cheaper pump maybe, but still.

07/11/2010, 06:40 PM	#7
BuckeyeTodd Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,054	I got a Kent on my 150...works better than my reef octo needle wheel ever did..bought used for 80(figured worst case scenario I can use the mag 5 its hooked up to)...but It works better than I thought possible. Easily adjustable, can wet skim or dry skim

07/11/2010, 06:44 PM	#8
epicfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,068	I'd look into the Octopus line of skimmers. A used Octopus 200 series is usually around the $200-250 range and they're pretty good skimmers for the money.

07/11/2010, 07:29 PM	#9
BlueFaceAngel Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 123	Corallife super skimmer...it'll do the job (make sure its the new and improved one) it comes with everything you need for about 150. i know people might give it bad reviews but it'll work

07/11/2010, 07:38 PM	#10
coral_killer37 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: hesperia, ca Posts: 198	Vikubz, that's a pretty darn good result from your the skimmer you built. mmm3372 should definitely consider it.

07/12/2010, 08:17 AM	#11
MMM33732 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 690	So what is it that makes one skimmer so superior to one that costs less if the designs and sizes are both the same?

07/12/2010, 08:38 AM	#13
WhoDey64 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ft Lauderdale Florida Posts: 1,311	The devil is in the details. While some skimmers may seem similar in design and fabrication you will lose out in performance with a cheaper skimmer when corners are cut such as no bubble plate or poorly designed bubble plate, lower air pull, inefficient pump and/or poor needle wheel design. Its like saying a KIA is the same as a BMW because they both have 4 tires and a steering wheel so why the price difference. My suggestion would be to read all the reviews you can for the ASM's, Octos and possibly Vertex and one rated for your size system might show up used in your price range.

07/12/2010, 09:05 AM	#15
MustangCaleb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 55	ASM FTW! i absolutely love mine

07/12/2010, 12:12 PM	#17
snarkes Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 479	I'll sell ya my CSS 125 that I recently replaced with a Vertex. It looks brand new and comes with everything except the box (instructions, brackets, bubble diffuser, etc.). I had to replace the original ceramic impeller shaft because it snapped. Other than that, its just a matter of tinkering with it everyday to make sure its producing (which is one of the reasons it gets the bad wrap).