Help me pick skimmer!

hostage46 · 02/11/2012, 09:41 PM

Back in the hobby after 10+ years. Custom 60 gallon cube on order. I'll be running an external pump into a custom sump.

Looking at all the skimmer options is making my head hurt. That said, Ill run carbon, cheato, and I don't want noise.

How about some suggestions

Dan in Dallas...

tallreefguy · 02/11/2012, 11:53 PM

Well, whats your budget?
Top of the line Bubble King / Deltec. I run a Deltec TC-2060, and it's VERY quiet. I hear the BK are very quiet as well.
Reef Octopus is a popular one right now. I also have a SWC skimmer that I run on my other tank - good skimmer as well. (I heard SWC skimmers are made from a guy who used to work at CoralVue, who make Reef Octopus....)

I dislike AquaC skimmers.

hostage46 · 02/12/2012, 12:04 AM

Yikes, one can spend some coin on a skimmer! I'll be investing in AI LED, Apex controller. Just a mix of softies, clams and maybe some SPS. I'd imagine I'd pay up to $300 to $500 for a skimmer. Pretty small tank after all

krzyphsygy · 02/12/2012, 12:08 AM

I am an H&S fan. Great skimmers, german made, solid construction and they really work. Not the trendy stuff out there right now. Just good quality skimmers.

matt frizz · 02/12/2012, 12:27 AM

SWC Xtreme 160 Cone skimmer!! Very awesome skimmer.

hostage46 · 02/12/2012, 01:06 AM

Yes the SWC Xtreme 160 looks just right

Thanks guys....love RC!

Saltwatercoral2 · 02/12/2012, 02:18 AM

The swc is decent but the pump is terrible. Go with a Reef Octopus.

Bushpig_2 · 02/12/2012, 02:30 AM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1977420

ATS?

wildman926 · 02/12/2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltwatercoral2

The swc is decent but the pump is terrible. Go with a Reef Octopus.

SRO 1000 10.5"x7.5"x20" $285 from Premium Aquatics, a sponsor here.

rhkingsfan · 02/12/2012, 12:54 PM

For the price I would go with an aquamaxx Am150. This is made from the same Taiwanese manufacturer that made Warner marine skimmers. Less than 300 on marine depot.

SteveMH · 02/12/2012, 01:09 PM

Working on a 60g cube and in the same boat as you. Haven't been out of the hobby for 10 years but rarely use these types of skimmers. Once my head stopped spinning I settled on the Sea Side Aquatics CS1. Build quality on it is ok but it does come with the Sicce PSK 600 pump and they're retailing for $329.99. Can find the same vendors selling them on eBay as well for $299.99. I would have gone with the JNS SK2 but my sump is too small. Before The SSA CS1 I bought one of the Vertex IN Series skimmers. Liked the build quality on that one but it went back in the box and was resold without even trying it as soon as I saw the pump first hand. Looked like junk destined to be replaced within the year.

scarface70706 · 02/12/2012, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltwatercoral2

The swc is decent but the pump is terrible. Go with a Reef Octopus.

+1 go with reef octopus. im very pleased with my reef octopus xs160 skimmer. this thing runs very quite and skims a ton of crap. i was going to go with swc until i heard that their pump dies out on them and some times you have to blow on the pump to get it to turn back on.

tkeracer619 · 02/13/2012, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildman926

sro 1000 10.5"x7.5"x20" $285 from premium aquatics, a sponsor here.

^^ +1

hostage46 · 02/13/2012, 06:16 AM

Tanks all, really got me thinking.

02/11/2012, 09:41 PM	#1
hostage46 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Dallas Posts: 107	Help me pick skimmer! Back in the hobby after 10+ years. Custom 60 gallon cube on order. I'll be running an external pump into a custom sump. Looking at all the skimmer options is making my head hurt. That said, Ill run carbon, cheato, and I don't want noise. How about some suggestions Dan in Dallas...

02/12/2012, 12:04 AM	#3
hostage46 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Dallas Posts: 107	Yikes, one can spend some coin on a skimmer! I'll be investing in AI LED, Apex controller. Just a mix of softies, clams and maybe some SPS. I'd imagine I'd pay up to $300 to $500 for a skimmer. Pretty small tank after all Last edited by hostage46; 02/12/2012 at 12:20 AM.

02/12/2012, 01:09 PM	#11
SteveMH Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 739	Working on a 60g cube and in the same boat as you. Haven't been out of the hobby for 10 years but rarely use these types of skimmers. Once my head stopped spinning I settled on the Sea Side Aquatics CS1. Build quality on it is ok but it does come with the Sicce PSK 600 pump and they're retailing for $329.99. Can find the same vendors selling them on eBay as well for $299.99. I would have gone with the JNS SK2 but my sump is too small. Before The SSA CS1 I bought one of the Vertex IN Series skimmers. Liked the build quality on that one but it went back in the box and was resold without even trying it as soon as I saw the pump first hand. Looked like junk destined to be replaced within the year. __________________ If it doesn't fit, beat it into submission until it does. - Steve

02/11/2012, 11:53 PM	#2
tallreefguy Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 269	Well, whats your budget? Top of the line Bubble King / Deltec. I run a Deltec TC-2060, and it's VERY quiet. I hear the BK are very quiet as well. Reef Octopus is a popular one right now. I also have a SWC skimmer that I run on my other tank - good skimmer as well. (I heard SWC skimmers are made from a guy who used to work at CoralVue, who make Reef Octopus....) I dislike AquaC skimmers.

02/12/2012, 12:08 AM	#4
krzyphsygy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,148	I am an H&S fan. Great skimmers, german made, solid construction and they really work. Not the trendy stuff out there right now. Just good quality skimmers.

02/12/2012, 12:27 AM	#5
matt frizz Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 66	SWC Xtreme 160 Cone skimmer!! Very awesome skimmer.

02/12/2012, 01:06 AM	#6
hostage46 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Dallas Posts: 107	Yes the SWC Xtreme 160 looks just right Thanks guys....love RC!

02/12/2012, 02:18 AM	#7
Saltwatercoral2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,617	The swc is decent but the pump is terrible. Go with a Reef Octopus.

02/12/2012, 02:30 AM	#8
Bushpig_2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 36	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1977420 ATS?

02/12/2012, 12:54 PM	#10
rhkingsfan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Glendale Posts: 696	For the price I would go with an aquamaxx Am150. This is made from the same Taiwanese manufacturer that made Warner marine skimmers. Less than 300 on marine depot.

02/13/2012, 06:16 AM	#14
hostage46 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Dallas Posts: 107	Tanks all, really got me thinking.