Skimmer recommendation for 120 gal...

sn4265 · 10/04/2010, 08:03 PM

I'm taking the plunge into saltwater for the first time. I just got a used 120 gal tank setup including a 30ish gal sump, and I'm wondering about a skimmer. This project is stretching the budget pretty tight, so I really need to be penny wise and avoid the pound foolish part of the saying. Any recommendations?

I've seen a Reef Octopus 150 online for about $200, and I've seen a couple of possibilities on Craig's list for under $100. Unfortunately I don't know enough to judge the items on Craig's list so I'm pretty leery there. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

bbprinting · 10/04/2010, 10:38 PM

Reef Octopus 150 would be great. Is it and in sump or out of sump skimmer, if its an in the sump be sure it will fit by looking up the footprint of the skimmer.

kalapnath · 10/05/2010, 07:50 AM

Yeah footprint ,height and width is a must to know before buying

Porcupinepuffer · 10/05/2010, 04:49 PM

I have a 120g with a 30g sump. This should be an alright skimmer for you to start off with. It certainly blows the doors off my red sea berlin turbo skimmer I started with. On another note, if you're penny pinching, be aware it may be more expensive then you think. Food, Salt, RO/DI filters, light bulbs, pump parts, electricity... These are all things that have to be frequently bought over and over and over.

Eel-byte · 10/05/2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porcupinepuffer

I have a 120g with a 30g sump. This should be an alright skimmer for you to start off with. It certainly blows the doors off my red sea berlin turbo skimmer I started with. On another note, if you're penny pinching, be aware it may be more expensive then you think. Food, Salt, RO/DI filters, light bulbs, pump parts, electricity... These are all things that have to be frequently bought over and over and over.

Ditto.

JAustin · 10/05/2010, 05:55 PM

The octo 150 won't be enough for the 120G IMO. The new Super Reef Octo skimmers are AMAZING. I'm running an XP 2000 External skimmer for my 120g and my tank is stocked heavy.

Along with lighting, don't skimp on the skimmer. I would recommend the SRO 3000 for your build.

mojo~ · 10/05/2010, 06:51 PM

The octo 150 will not be sufficient for long at all and is a waste of your hard earned money for your setup as for a little more money you can get something much better. Get the SRO 2000 int, the octo xtreme XS series 200, or heck even the WM s150 from salty critter for $200 would be a better choice than the octo 150.

JoeRonda · 10/05/2010, 07:07 PM

I'm just going to throw in my opinion about a pennywise skimmer. I found my ASM G2 for my 120reef on AquaCave.com for $240 . I thought that was a great deal because my LFS wants $360 for theirs.

jimnrose · 10/05/2010, 08:01 PM

I started 10 months ago & happy with my set-up. 120g with a 29g sump & a 29g fuge. The sump has a divided @ 16" for Oct-X 200 skimmer. It works great. Jim

HaroldT · 10/05/2010, 09:22 PM

I would go with an Aqua Euro 250 in sump skimmer. I have had one for years and it works great.

Well built and sells for $270 at Premium Aquatics.

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-s...H-AEPS250.html

moondoggy4 · 10/07/2010, 12:42 AM

These threads can get a little changeling, there are so many choices and some very good ones, you have to set a top price for the skimmer what measurement you have to work with does it have a good recommendation for the size of your tank.

mojo~ · 10/07/2010, 07:51 AM

well you will find that everyone who has a skimmer thinks there's is best. Been through so many discussions like this it isnt funny. that is why I started the skimmer Q&A forum on here. I have owned about all of them. Set a budget and figure out what you are looking for. You will get what you pay for.

10/04/2010, 08:03 PM	#1
sn4265 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 570	Skimmer recommendation for 120 gal... I'm taking the plunge into saltwater for the first time. I just got a used 120 gal tank setup including a 30ish gal sump, and I'm wondering about a skimmer. This project is stretching the budget pretty tight, so I really need to be penny wise and avoid the pound foolish part of the saying. Any recommendations? I've seen a Reef Octopus 150 online for about $200, and I've seen a couple of possibilities on Craig's list for under $100. Unfortunately I don't know enough to judge the items on Craig's list so I'm pretty leery there. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

10/05/2010, 04:49 PM	#4
Porcupinepuffer Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 299	I have a 120g with a 30g sump. This should be an alright skimmer for you to start off with. It certainly blows the doors off my red sea berlin turbo skimmer I started with. On another note, if you're penny pinching, be aware it may be more expensive then you think. Food, Salt, RO/DI filters, light bulbs, pump parts, electricity... These are all things that have to be frequently bought over and over and over. __________________ 120g AGA~145lbs Haitian LR~DA RK2 Controler~2x 14k 250 DE MH's~2x Ovrflows~96W Actnics~Mag 12 Rturn~Modified BKing 180 Skimer~Phsban Ractr~GEO Kalk Ractr~Powerheads:MP40w/Seio 820/modified Psweep 270 Current Tank Info: 120 AGA

10/05/2010, 06:51 PM	#7
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	The octo 150 will not be sufficient for long at all and is a waste of your hard earned money for your setup as for a little more money you can get something much better. Get the SRO 2000 int, the octo xtreme XS series 200, or heck even the WM s150 from salty critter for $200 would be a better choice than the octo 150. __________________ Mojo~

10/07/2010, 07:51 AM	#12
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	well you will find that everyone who has a skimmer thinks there's is best. Been through so many discussions like this it isnt funny. that is why I started the skimmer Q&A forum on here. I have owned about all of them. Set a budget and figure out what you are looking for. You will get what you pay for. __________________ Mojo~

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10/04/2010, 10:38 PM	#2
bbprinting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 29	Reef Octopus 150 would be great. Is it and in sump or out of sump skimmer, if its an in the sump be sure it will fit by looking up the footprint of the skimmer.

10/05/2010, 07:50 AM	#3
kalapnath Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 69	Yeah footprint ,height and width is a must to know before buying

10/05/2010, 05:55 PM	#6
JAustin Acropora Nut Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 1,628	The octo 150 won't be enough for the 120G IMO. The new Super Reef Octo skimmers are AMAZING. I'm running an XP 2000 External skimmer for my 120g and my tank is stocked heavy. Along with lighting, don't skimp on the skimmer. I would recommend the SRO 3000 for your build.

10/05/2010, 07:07 PM	#8
JoeRonda Made in the U.S.A. Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Washington,PA Posts: 694	I'm just going to throw in my opinion about a pennywise skimmer. I found my ASM G2 for my 120reef on AquaCave.com for $240 . I thought that was a great deal because my LFS wants $360 for theirs.

10/05/2010, 08:01 PM	#9
jimnrose Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Villages, Florida Posts: 1,093	I started 10 months ago & happy with my set-up. 120g with a 29g sump & a 29g fuge. The sump has a divided @ 16" for Oct-X 200 skimmer. It works great. Jim

10/05/2010, 09:22 PM	#10
HaroldT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fresno, California Posts: 582	I would go with an Aqua Euro 250 in sump skimmer. I have had one for years and it works great. Well built and sells for $270 at Premium Aquatics. http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-s...H-AEPS250.html

10/07/2010, 12:42 AM	#11
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	These threads can get a little changeling, there are so many choices and some very good ones, you have to set a top price for the skimmer what measurement you have to work with does it have a good recommendation for the size of your tank.