Which AquaC Skimmer?

moevilla · 08/12/2010, 10:10 AM

I am starting a new build. 90 gallon shallow sumpless. There are 2 skimmers available to me at about the same price. One is the AquaC Pro HOT (rated up to 120 gallons) and the other is the AquaC EV-180 Skimmer (rated up to 180 gallons). The EV-180 can be configured to reside next to the tank instead of inside it. Both will work but not sure which one I should get. Any advice?

evsalty · 08/12/2010, 10:26 AM

The 180 is a more powerful skimmer but really needs to be overdriven to work great. This highly depends on your bioload though. If you are going to have a light bioload then the smaller one would probably be better but keep in mind that most everyone eventually goes bigger at some point so the 180 would probably be the better option. I run the 180 myself overdriven with a Rio HyperFlow 20 running it. I have it slightly throttled back and this thing pulls and pulls and pulls. I have a heavy bioload and a mostly SPS tank.

moevilla · 08/12/2010, 10:54 AM

Not really into fish. I was thinking about a yellow tang and maybe another type of tang, a couple of clownfish, and a shrimp goby. I would like to keep sps, lps, perhaps some clams, and a bubble anemone and some ornamental shrimp. I will probably have more corals than anything else.

moevilla · 08/12/2010, 10:56 AM

I've read that setting up the EV-180 can be a bit of a challenge and from what I have researched, there is always a possibility of water leaks, no bueno considering the unit will not be in a sump or tank.

90greefman · 08/12/2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moevilla

I've read that setting up the EV-180 can be a bit of a challenge and from what I have researched, there is always a possibility of water leaks, no bueno considering the unit will not be in a sump or tank.

I have a aqua c ev120 on my 90, I use a mag 7 on it, works great. Upgrading to a 120rr and I have the aqua c ev180 for that. I will use a mag 9.5 to drive it. I think any new item has a learning curve. With my experiences once you understand how these work and get them dialed in they are a great buy for the money. I do think a larger pump to drive these skimmers is key. The 120 says to only use a mag 5, I like the mag 7 better. I am assuming the same for the aqua c 180 and that is why I will be using a mag 9.5. Mine lives in the sump so leaks are not an issue. I think with any skimmer outside the sump it has the potential to leak.

sasharotty · 08/12/2010, 11:05 AM

I have ran the 240 and now the 400.Alot of folks poo poo this skimmer but they have always worked great for me.As far as a challenge to tune it, i found both of them very easy to set and forget.I also run and ran the 240 and 400 external with no leaks cause your output is higher than your water level.Go with the 180!

steelhead77 · 08/12/2010, 11:57 AM

I have the EV240 on my 180. Just last week I upgraded from a mag 12 to a mag 18 with 1" hose. I've pulled more skimmate out in the past week that I did in the past 6 months. +1 on overdriving these things, they need a lot of umph to make them perform well.

moevilla · 08/12/2010, 12:29 PM

Im just wondering if the larger skimmer with extra umph is necessary. This 90 gallon is my 3rd upgrade in 2 years, so this will be the tank I keep for atleast a few years. Even if I have a large bioload, won't the aquac pro be adequate?

steelhead77 · 08/12/2010, 02:10 PM

IMO, an EV180 is not overkill for a 90 gallon tank. The more stuff you can pull out, the happier your tank will be. Plus, I would guess that sooner, rather than later you will want to add a sump. then you'll be glad you got the EV180 - especially since they're about the same price.

westreef · 08/12/2010, 07:10 PM

I have EV120 for 10 years in my 75g mixed reef and have been very happy with it. I use Rio Plus 2500 to drive it. In fact, last year, I called AquaC to see if I should upgrade it. It turned out they advised me not to upgrade it but instead sent me a free injector to replace the old one. And I am still happily using this skimmer.

muttley000 · 08/12/2010, 07:18 PM

I am very happy with my EV120. I would go with the 180 myself in your situation.

90greefman · 08/12/2010, 07:22 PM

I would recommend a 120 tank if this is your 3rd upgrade in 2 years.

WhoDey64 · 08/12/2010, 07:56 PM

Go for the 180. I run an EV-120 on my 40g and have been fairly happy with it. The main thing in keeping an aqua-c happy (imo) is a constant water level if ran in a sump.

08/12/2010, 10:10 AM	#1
moevilla IRS Benefactor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Aurora CO Posts: 387	Which AquaC Skimmer? I am starting a new build. 90 gallon shallow sumpless. There are 2 skimmers available to me at about the same price. One is the AquaC Pro HOT (rated up to 120 gallons) and the other is the AquaC EV-180 Skimmer (rated up to 180 gallons). The EV-180 can be configured to reside next to the tank instead of inside it. Both will work but not sure which one I should get. Any advice? __________________ It's never too late to become what you could have been...

08/12/2010, 10:54 AM	#3
moevilla IRS Benefactor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Aurora CO Posts: 387	Not really into fish. I was thinking about a yellow tang and maybe another type of tang, a couple of clownfish, and a shrimp goby. I would like to keep sps, lps, perhaps some clams, and a bubble anemone and some ornamental shrimp. I will probably have more corals than anything else. __________________ It's never too late to become what you could have been...

08/12/2010, 10:56 AM	#4
moevilla IRS Benefactor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Aurora CO Posts: 387	I've read that setting up the EV-180 can be a bit of a challenge and from what I have researched, there is always a possibility of water leaks, no bueno considering the unit will not be in a sump or tank. __________________ It's never too late to become what you could have been...

08/12/2010, 11:57 AM	#7
steelhead77 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Albany, Oregon Posts: 1,117	I have the EV240 on my 180. Just last week I upgraded from a mag 12 to a mag 18 with 1" hose. I've pulled more skimmate out in the past week that I did in the past 6 months. +1 on overdriving these things, they need a lot of umph to make them perform well. __________________ This really isn't rocket science - it's more like marine biology. Current tank info: 180 gallon AGA, 40 gallon custom sump, AquaC EV240 skimmer, PM calc reactor, 3x 250w DIY MH, PCI CL-650 Chiller, 2x Koralia 4's, 2x Koralia 2's

08/12/2010, 12:29 PM	#8
moevilla IRS Benefactor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Aurora CO Posts: 387	Im just wondering if the larger skimmer with extra umph is necessary. This 90 gallon is my 3rd upgrade in 2 years, so this will be the tank I keep for atleast a few years. Even if I have a large bioload, won't the aquac pro be adequate? __________________ It's never too late to become what you could have been...

08/12/2010, 10:26 AM	#2
evsalty hmmmmmm Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NW Mesa, AZ Posts: 3,531	The 180 is a more powerful skimmer but really needs to be overdriven to work great. This highly depends on your bioload though. If you are going to have a light bioload then the smaller one would probably be better but keep in mind that most everyone eventually goes bigger at some point so the 180 would probably be the better option. I run the 180 myself overdriven with a Rio HyperFlow 20 running it. I have it slightly throttled back and this thing pulls and pulls and pulls. I have a heavy bioload and a mostly SPS tank.

08/12/2010, 11:05 AM	#6
sasharotty Moved on to my couch Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: se michigan Posts: 1,065	I have ran the 240 and now the 400.Alot of folks poo poo this skimmer but they have always worked great for me.As far as a challenge to tune it, i found both of them very easy to set and forget.I also run and ran the 240 and 400 external with no leaks cause your output is higher than your water level.Go with the 180!

08/12/2010, 02:10 PM	#9
steelhead77 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Albany, Oregon Posts: 1,117	IMO, an EV180 is not overkill for a 90 gallon tank. The more stuff you can pull out, the happier your tank will be. Plus, I would guess that sooner, rather than later you will want to add a sump. then you'll be glad you got the EV180 - especially since they're about the same price. __________________ This really isn't rocket science - it's more like marine biology. Current tank info: 180 gallon AGA, 40 gallon custom sump, AquaC EV240 skimmer, PM calc reactor, 3x 250w DIY MH, PCI CL-650 Chiller, 2x Koralia 4's, 2x Koralia 2's

08/12/2010, 07:10 PM	#10
westreef Lost as usual Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Really California? Posts: 846	I have EV120 for 10 years in my 75g mixed reef and have been very happy with it. I use Rio Plus 2500 to drive it. In fact, last year, I called AquaC to see if I should upgrade it. It turned out they advised me not to upgrade it but instead sent me a free injector to replace the old one. And I am still happily using this skimmer.

08/12/2010, 07:18 PM	#11
muttley000 MTS Sufferer! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,926	I am very happy with my EV120. I would go with the 180 myself in your situation. __________________ Next step on the system is adding A 90 gallon! Current Tank Info: 475 multitank system is now running! Several hundred gallons of additions planned!

08/12/2010, 07:22 PM	#12
90greefman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Firestone, CO Posts: 318	I would recommend a 120 tank if this is your 3rd upgrade in 2 years.

08/12/2010, 07:56 PM	#13
WhoDey64 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ft Lauderdale Florida Posts: 1,311	Go for the 180. I run an EV-120 on my 40g and have been fairly happy with it. The main thing in keeping an aqua-c happy (imo) is a constant water level if ran in a sump.

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