Protein skimmer help

Ryan1221 · 10/08/2012, 03:33 AM

I have a fluval Osaka 260L. I have a fluval 406 canister filter that I run chemi pure carbon. 75lbs of live rock and 80lbs of live sand. I am in the process of adding a sump and the next step I need to figure out is what protein skimmer I need and want. I plan on having some coral and a medium bio load.

I am currently looking at the following name brands:
Skimz
Reef octopus
Tunze
AquaC

Are there any other name brands that are worth considering? What specifc model do you think would work best for my setup from the name brands above?

I want to make sure I don't get some cheap brand that won't last. I am not one that gets something cheap and ineffective just to have the piece of equipment.

Help would be greatly appreciated as I am new to the saltwater aquarium hobby.

shifty51008 · 10/08/2012, 03:45 AM

reef dynamics would also be a great choice

Ryan1221 · 10/08/2012, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty51008

reef dynamics would also be a great choice

Never heard of them. I'll have to look them up.

Ryan1221 · 10/08/2012, 03:57 AM

What would you go with out of the name brands I listed above?

bnumair · 10/08/2012, 06:35 AM

reef octopus all the way for me. i have pretty much all my major equipment made by them and over yrs i have had many of their products. currently i have reef octopus recirculating skimmer and dual chamber cal reactor and i am very pleased with it.

Palting · 10/08/2012, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan1221

What would you go with out of the name brands I listed above?

Reef Octropus is the most popular here at RC. However, I find them expensive. Much better choice would be Marineland, IMO. It's what I have and I believe it's second to none.

shifty51008 · 10/08/2012, 10:15 AM

i would go with reef octo also out of your list

Ryan1221 · 10/08/2012, 02:05 PM

I forgot to include that I also need something with a small footprint.

ajcanale · 10/08/2012, 02:39 PM

+1 on reef octopus from the list. Tunze makes great products but I don't know much about their skimmers.

If you are looking for something with a smaller footprint, go with one that has an internal pump. Super Reef Octopus (Space Saver) and SWC cone skimmers both incorperate this in most of the models.

morgan175 · 10/08/2012, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajcanale

+1 on reef octopus from the list. Tunze makes great products but I don't know much about their skimmers.

If you are looking for something with a smaller footprint, go with one that has an internal pump. Super Reef Octopus (Space Saver) and SWC cone skimmers both incorperate this in most of the models.

very happy with my 1000sss. pulls all kind of gunk.

Ryan1221 · 10/08/2012, 03:40 PM

I am currently looking at the Reef Octopus DIABLO SX 160 Protein Skimmer

Ryan1221 · 10/08/2012, 05:45 PM

What about this skimmer?

Bubble Magus BM-NAC7
Cone Protein Skimmer

erock68 · 10/08/2012, 05:49 PM

Reef Octopus

Orm Embar · 10/08/2012, 09:39 PM

Have heard good things about Reef Octopus and Vertex. Same for Reef Dynamics (they used to be called Euro-Reef if I recall correctly). For smaller footprint options, Bubble Magus and Seaside Aquatics are identical (I think); I vaguely remember Seaside Aquatics having better customer support but don't quote me.

jlymner · 10/09/2012, 02:18 PM

also check the min water depth when picking one :-)

Crusinjimbo · 10/10/2012, 06:42 AM

Check out the Bubble Magnus NAC series.

JHL9495 · 10/10/2012, 03:23 PM

I've heard good things about the Reef Octopus and Bubble Magnus. I use a Reef Octopus and don't have any complaints.

Ryan1221 · 10/10/2012, 05:03 PM

I am leaning towards the tunze 9006. The reef octopus diablo SX 160 would be a really tight fit for my sump. Don't know if I want it to be that way.

10/08/2012, 03:33 AM	#1
Ryan1221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 60	Protein skimmer help I have a fluval Osaka 260L. I have a fluval 406 canister filter that I run chemi pure carbon. 75lbs of live rock and 80lbs of live sand. I am in the process of adding a sump and the next step I need to figure out is what protein skimmer I need and want. I plan on having some coral and a medium bio load. I am currently looking at the following name brands: Skimz Reef octopus Tunze AquaC Are there any other name brands that are worth considering? What specifc model do you think would work best for my setup from the name brands above? I want to make sure I don't get some cheap brand that won't last. I am not one that gets something cheap and ineffective just to have the piece of equipment. Help would be greatly appreciated as I am new to the saltwater aquarium hobby.

10/08/2012, 03:45 AM	#2
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	reef dynamics would also be a great choice __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

10/08/2012, 06:35 AM	#5
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	reef octopus all the way for me. i have pretty much all my major equipment made by them and over yrs i have had many of their products. currently i have reef octopus recirculating skimmer and dual chamber cal reactor and i am very pleased with it. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

10/08/2012, 10:15 AM	#7
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	i would go with reef octo also out of your list __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

10/08/2012, 02:39 PM	#9
ajcanale Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Memphis 10 Posts: 1,098	+1 on reef octopus from the list. Tunze makes great products but I don't know much about their skimmers. If you are looking for something with a smaller footprint, go with one that has an internal pump. Super Reef Octopus (Space Saver) and SWC cone skimmers both incorperate this in most of the models. __________________ If the spirit moves ya, let me groove ya Current Tank Info: 150g Starphire Pensinula SPS

10/08/2012, 03:57 AM	#4
Ryan1221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 60	What would you go with out of the name brands I listed above?

10/08/2012, 02:05 PM	#8
Ryan1221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 60	I forgot to include that I also need something with a small footprint.

10/08/2012, 03:40 PM	#11
Ryan1221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 60	I am currently looking at the Reef Octopus DIABLO SX 160 Protein Skimmer

10/08/2012, 05:45 PM	#12
Ryan1221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 60	What about this skimmer? Bubble Magus BM-NAC7 Cone Protein Skimmer

10/08/2012, 05:49 PM	#13
erock68 It costs how much? Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Aurora, Oh Posts: 443	Reef Octopus __________________ I may make mistakes...just not twice. Eric (Zoa Addict) Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Reef DT: All Pukani LR, 30g sump.

10/08/2012, 09:39 PM	#14
Orm Embar Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 667	Have heard good things about Reef Octopus and Vertex. Same for Reef Dynamics (they used to be called Euro-Reef if I recall correctly). For smaller footprint options, Bubble Magus and Seaside Aquatics are identical (I think); I vaguely remember Seaside Aquatics having better customer support but don't quote me. __________________ Mark (on AOL: Orm Embar) Quotes from my friends upon seeing my tank: "Hey, fresh sushi!"

10/09/2012, 02:18 PM	#15
jlymner Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 80	also check the min water depth when picking one :-) __________________ fish head here :-) working saltwater have several fresh water. Current Tank Info: 46 gal bow front mix of soft corals a couple of clown fish with sump and filter sock

10/10/2012, 06:42 AM	#16
Crusinjimbo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel FL Posts: 751	Check out the Bubble Magnus NAC series. __________________ Jimbo 13.5G EVO

10/10/2012, 03:23 PM	#17
JHL9495 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 17	I've heard good things about the Reef Octopus and Bubble Magnus. I use a Reef Octopus and don't have any complaints.

10/10/2012, 05:03 PM	#18
Ryan1221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 60	I am leaning towards the tunze 9006. The reef octopus diablo SX 160 would be a really tight fit for my sump. Don't know if I want it to be that way.