Protein Skimmer Choice

[Reefer1225]

Me and my son are attempting our first salt water setup. I got it for him for his 11th birthday yesterday. An Aqueon 90 gallon RR with stand. I also purchases an Aqueon Proflex Model 4 Sump. Now, I am trying to find the best Protein Skimmer for the buck.

We narrowed it down to the following (according to my son's reasearch on RC)

1. Bubble Magus nac6/7
2. Super Reef Octopus 1000 /2000
3. Reef Octopus Extreme XS 160/200
4. SWC 160

We are new at this and honestly, I don't know much besides what my son tells me is good. Thanks.

[pmrossetti]

One vote for SWC. enjoy!!!!!!!!!

[HaroldT]

I would vote for an Aqua Euro PS 135 Skimmer. My Aqua Euro 250 works great and is a well built skimmer.

Aqua Euro's skimmers are made by the company that makes Octopus skimmers.

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supply/aquaeuro.html

[Reefer1225]

Thanks, definitely like the price for the SWC.

[chads120]

The swc gets high regards for it's price. Never had any of these. Search swc here on rc and see alot of good and some negative remarks.

[pmrossetti]

Originally Posted by Reefer1225

Thanks, definitely like the price for the SWC.

And less than 27 watts. Gotta like that.

[mojo~]

THe SRO has a much better pump and would be a better long term choice for your setup.

If you wanted to save some $$ the NAC 6 would work well. But again the SRO would be my top pic.

[alanbates12]

I like my Octopus 200 in my proflex 4 sump, but you need the protien skimmer vent to make it quite:




If I had not bought this I would have looked into reef dynamics they have great customer service and a great product. Watch this video its some great info to learn about a skimmer and how it works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXuEebGU9zA

You can get some great info from this youtube http://www.reefdynamics.com/Standard...immers-s/1.htm

[Reefer1225]

Thank you all for your excellent responses.

Close race between SRO and SWC.

@psrosetti - I was about to pull the trigger ont he SWC today. My son said "wait wait... read this... wait, watch this video". Didn't know this hobby was so research intensive. I grew up with freshwater tanks, which was a lot simply IMO.

@alanbates12 - I actually saw your video in youtube previously when we were research on Reef Octopus skimmers. It was very helpful thanks. Excellent review.

@mojo - I spent almost a half the day reading your posts on the big skimmer thread. It was your recommendation that made us choose SRO.

Thank you for everyone else for your responses. We appreciate it. We might start a thread on our build.

After days of research and todays's responses..... We ordered the SRO 2000Int.

[pmrossetti]

Originally Posted by Reefer1225

Thank you all for your excellent responses.

Close race between SRO and SWC.

@psrosetti - I was about to pull the trigger ont he SWC today. My son said "wait wait... read this... wait, watch this video". Didn't know this hobby was so research intensive. I grew up with freshwater tanks, which was a lot simply IMO.

@alanbates12 - I actually saw your video in youtube previously when we were research on Reef Octopus skimmers. It was very helpful thanks. Excellent review.

@mojo - I spent almost a half the day reading your posts on the big skimmer thread. It was your recommendation that made us choose SRO.



Thank you for everyone else for your responses. We appreciate it. We might start a thread on our build.

After days of research and todays's responses..... We ordered the SRO 2000Int.

Good Choice.......enjoy!!!!!!

[alanbates12]

Your going to have to modify this with a protien skimmer vent. You can buy one here at http://coralvue.com/protein-skimmer-output-vent (Or call Coralvue @ (985)781-9078 ) or DIY. The DIY cost around $10.00 and if you buy from coralvue it's $47.00. Without something you'll get lots of micro bubbles and noise. Good Luck

PS don't think that was my video on youtube but it was on another thread in RC. LOL

[EllisJuan]

Another vote for the SWC.

[dan-in-gr]

Hi, I also have a 90 gal tank, that is SPS only, I just sold the Reef Octopus XS-200, it would have great on my last 180 heavy mixed setup, also i found the PSK-1000 powerful enough that you will always hear some noise and the overflow needs to be shorten and also you need to put a couple of cotton balls in the air silencer because of all the air the pump will draw in. I bought the SWC BMK150 and it has the same pump and bio load as the SWC 160 cone and am very happy with it. If you have the extra 75 bucks for the cone, it is a great buy.

[sneaton]

swc 160 cone baby

[karsseboom]

all these people dont know what there talking about man look at the reviews of the sro line of skimmers there one of the best skimmers on the market. I have talked to people who sell both skimmers and anyone who really has had all these skimmer will tell you the sro is the best bang for the buck.

[Reefer1225]

Great... Aquacave just called me and said the SRO 2000int that I purchased this weekend is back ordered and may take weeks to get. I don't think I can wait.

Maybe this is a sign to go to my other choices: So far most votes go to SWC 160 and RO (XS or SRO).

1. Bubble Magus nac6/7
2. Super Reef Octopus 1000 /2000
3. Reef Octopus Extreme XS 160/200
4. SWC 160

Geezus... Thought I was done debating this, and pulled the triggered and ordered. Now this...

[maynardjames]

love my octopus extreme 200. did have to install large red demon pinwheel to get the most out of it. but other then that it rocks. mine has sicce pump if they come with bubble blasters now i bet they are really good. will be swapping out for one when my sicce bites the dust

[Nugburner]

Aqua Euro PS 135 Skimmer would be the worst choice trust me! Don't even consider it. Customer service is limited to playing middle man with their distributors along with a lighting company they had to merge with to help with their so called "customer support". SWC or Octopus would be your best bet imo

[Midnightsun]

Personally I run a SWC 160 cone and must say it is performing extremely well. If I had to do it all over again I would choose the same one.

[KEITHHAYS_2000]

There was an article recently, I believe in Advanced Aquarist, that did a scientific study of most of the major types that you will come across. Basically, what it said was that almost any skimmer of correct size will achieve what you need to do. Things that come to mind were: Bubble plates didn't make any difference, more expensive big name didn't make any difference, in fact I believe one of the least expensive models did a somewhat better job.
From personal experience, look for one that has the least amount of maintenance and if possible the taller the better. By maintenance I don't mean cleaning the skimmer cup, (but do look for one that can drain to a different container); I mean smaller venturi pumps or air lines that clog with salt or calcium frequently.
Look for easy-to-take-apart i.e. if you see a million nylon screws, stay away.
If I find that study today, I will post back the link.

[Lukel]

In my experience, one of the major things to consider, is how easy it is to clean and maintain, and how well does it fit into and out of your sump, how mutch room do you got to play around, i personally clean my skimmer every saturday morning (unless i am hung over, i can't take the stink), and it only takes 10 minutes. but in my old setup and my old skimmer, it was a battle just to get the collection cup out...

[kayaking2]

All of this has been interesting to read. I"m looking for a new skimmer for my new tank and KEITHHAYS_2000 post has me rethinking my selection.

[robsk]

I think the last couple of posts have quite a bit of merit. In addition to those comments, one might consider energy consumption. It is amazing how many things we power on a reef setup. Two skimmers may do similar jobs, but one uses twice as much power.

[Lukel]

Originally Posted by KEITHHAYS_2000

if you see a million nylon screws, stay away.
.

i beg to differ, my MRC-2 has a few dozen nylon screws, and i think that is the best thing since sliced bread!!!

[KEITHHAYS_2000]

Originally Posted by Likely

i beg to differ, my MRC-2 has a few dozen nylon screws, and i think that is the best thing since sliced bread!!!

That was on the personal experience side of my comments, so no need to differ. We all like what we like, sometimes we buy or keep things for our own reasons and for some the extra work may well be worth it. But, as a purely generic piece of advice and of course in my experience, easier generally means things happen more frequently.