Black Friday. Need assistance on protein skimmer.

jason78 · 11/26/2015, 01:42 AM

So what is better deal and will preform the best? I am not stuck on these two. I am open to all options so if you have input let me know. I have a heavy stocked 125 Gallon reef tank.

Skimz SN203 for 349.00 at BRS
Vertex Omega 200int 552.00 BRS

dendrite · 11/26/2015, 10:01 AM

I have a skimz monster sm203 that I bought on sale from brs two years ago for a heavily stocked mostly sps reef. Best purchase I ever made for the tank. Clean the cup once a week but have never had to take apart for cleaning. Still skimming great and going strong, infinitely adjustable with air flow, water height, and pump flow. More than you will ever need for a 125.

moondoggy4 · 11/26/2015, 10:58 AM

Defineatly not the Vertex Omega 200 way to big for your tank and not a very good skimmer,

Big yes for the Vertex Omega 180 for 350ish at BRS or one of the Aqua Maxx line EM200 or the Cone 2.

moondoggy4 · 11/26/2015, 11:02 AM

Sorry not the Q model for Aqua Maxx they had some problems with that model not sure if they have been resolved as of yet.

jason78 · 11/27/2015, 12:20 AM

OK so between the vertex 180i and the Skimz SN203 which would you choose?

moondoggy4 · 11/27/2015, 10:26 AM

I did not see the SN203, can you post a link for that skimmer.

jason78 · 11/27/2015, 04:53 PM

Sorry it is the SM203. They are at aqua cave and Bulk Reef Supply

dlondono · 11/27/2015, 05:39 PM

from what I have read the SM203 may be good for your 125 but not a larger tank.

Before you buy read up on Skimz, the pumps and stuff.

If those are your two choices, go with the Skimz.

Dont forgo a skimmer with a Sicce 1000 or Sicce 1200 pump, regardless of skimmer body, the equipment with such a pump will perform.

moondoggy4 · 11/27/2015, 06:33 PM

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/skimz-...n-skimmer.html Have you read the reviews? Not saying there bad,but problems with pumps on the inside of the simmer If the pump goes bad how easy will it be to replace? More common the pump easier it will to be to get parts.
Lots of people rating this skimmer from the reviews have it on 300 gallon system not 125.
I believe that the Vertex has a Sicce pump.

jason78 · 11/27/2015, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlondono

from what I have read the SM203 may be good for your 125 but not a larger tank.

Before you buy read up on Skimz, the pumps and stuff.

If those are your two choices, go with the Skimz.

Dont forgo a skimmer with a Sicce 1000 or Sicce 1200 pump, regardless of skimmer body, the equipment with such a pump will perform.

Thanks for the response. Is there any other option you would have me Co side in the price range? As for the pumps I believe brs fixes warranty in house now.

africangrey · 11/27/2015, 08:34 PM

how about the skimz SM162 http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/skimz-...n-skimmer.html, its an external recirculating rated for 120 heavily stock tank.

indyjaco · 11/27/2015, 09:03 PM

I'd get the Vertex.

RobTheReefer · 11/27/2015, 10:03 PM

I just picked up the Skimz Monzter SM203 from brs. I used my American Express, so I get a one year extended warranty. So, no worries about pump quality.

It's going on my 90. Is it possible to over skim? :P

hart24601 · 11/28/2015, 02:15 AM

Love my vertex180i. Amazing skimmer, almost oversize for my 120 before I added more bioload. It's a seriously impressive piece and a great deal with Black Friday. It can flow some serious air, and you can dial it down if needed.

jason78 · 11/28/2015, 08:14 AM

So I ended up going with the skimz. The rating by the factory and brs was much higher than the vertex. This allows me to plan a larger tank

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

Slipstream06 · 11/29/2015, 10:41 PM

I just bought a vertex 180i after looking at the reviews. I had a question about one of the previous statements, why the vertex omega 200 receiving bad reviews isn't it just a large pump?

Relojdepeso · 11/29/2015, 10:56 PM

There is a thing as getting a skimmer that's too big for your tank. If there aren't a sufficient amount of organics in the water for the skimmer to perform it will never perform to its best

jason78 · 11/30/2015, 06:13 AM

I feed very heavy and run bare bottom. I hope to be able to put the skimmer to its use.

11/26/2015, 01:42 AM	#1
jason78 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: I just moved to Riverside CA. Posts: 375	Black Friday. Need assistance on protein skimmer. So what is better deal and will preform the best? I am not stuck on these two. I am open to all options so if you have input let me know. I have a heavy stocked 125 Gallon reef tank. Skimz SN203 for 349.00 at BRS Vertex Omega 200int 552.00 BRS

11/27/2015, 05:39 PM	#8
dlondono Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 104	from what I have read the SM203 may be good for your 125 but not a larger tank. Before you buy read up on Skimz, the pumps and stuff. If those are your two choices, go with the Skimz. Dont forgo a skimmer with a Sicce 1000 or Sicce 1200 pump, regardless of skimmer body, the equipment with such a pump will perform. __________________ Diego Current Tank Info: 200g

11/27/2015, 09:03 PM	#12
indyjaco Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 726	I'd get the Vertex. __________________ Jacob SCA 120G RB 48 V2

11/26/2015, 10:01 AM	#2
dendrite Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: denver Posts: 493	I have a skimz monster sm203 that I bought on sale from brs two years ago for a heavily stocked mostly sps reef. Best purchase I ever made for the tank. Clean the cup once a week but have never had to take apart for cleaning. Still skimming great and going strong, infinitely adjustable with air flow, water height, and pump flow. More than you will ever need for a 125.

11/26/2015, 10:58 AM	#3
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Defineatly not the Vertex Omega 200 way to big for your tank and not a very good skimmer, Big yes for the Vertex Omega 180 for 350ish at BRS or one of the Aqua Maxx line EM200 or the Cone 2.

11/26/2015, 11:02 AM	#4
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Sorry not the Q model for Aqua Maxx they had some problems with that model not sure if they have been resolved as of yet.

11/27/2015, 12:20 AM	#5
jason78 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: I just moved to Riverside CA. Posts: 375	OK so between the vertex 180i and the Skimz SN203 which would you choose?

11/27/2015, 10:26 AM	#6
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I did not see the SN203, can you post a link for that skimmer.

11/27/2015, 04:53 PM	#7
jason78 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: I just moved to Riverside CA. Posts: 375	Sorry it is the SM203. They are at aqua cave and Bulk Reef Supply

11/27/2015, 06:33 PM	#9
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/skimz-...n-skimmer.html Have you read the reviews? Not saying there bad,but problems with pumps on the inside of the simmer If the pump goes bad how easy will it be to replace? More common the pump easier it will to be to get parts. Lots of people rating this skimmer from the reviews have it on 300 gallon system not 125. I believe that the Vertex has a Sicce pump.

11/27/2015, 08:34 PM	#11
africangrey Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: N San Jose Posts: 1,483	how about the skimz SM162 http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/skimz-...n-skimmer.html, its an external recirculating rated for 120 heavily stock tank.

11/27/2015, 10:03 PM	#13
RobTheReefer Moved Elsewhere Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 381	I just picked up the Skimz Monzter SM203 from brs. I used my American Express, so I get a one year extended warranty. So, no worries about pump quality. It's going on my 90. Is it possible to over skim? :P

11/28/2015, 02:15 AM	#14
hart24601 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 633	Love my vertex180i. Amazing skimmer, almost oversize for my 120 before I added more bioload. It's a seriously impressive piece and a great deal with Black Friday. It can flow some serious air, and you can dial it down if needed.

11/28/2015, 08:14 AM	#15
jason78 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: I just moved to Riverside CA. Posts: 375	So I ended up going with the skimz. The rating by the factory and brs was much higher than the vertex. This allows me to plan a larger tank Thanks everyone for the feedback.

11/29/2015, 10:41 PM	#16
Slipstream06 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Fairfield Ca/ Bay Area Posts: 66	I just bought a vertex 180i after looking at the reviews. I had a question about one of the previous statements, why the vertex omega 200 receiving bad reviews isn't it just a large pump?

11/29/2015, 10:56 PM	#17
Relojdepeso Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 51	There is a thing as getting a skimmer that's too big for your tank. If there aren't a sufficient amount of organics in the water for the skimmer to perform it will never perform to its best

11/30/2015, 06:13 AM	#18
jason78 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: I just moved to Riverside CA. Posts: 375	I feed very heavy and run bare bottom. I hope to be able to put the skimmer to its use.