skimmer upgrade for a 65 reef

zachstone13 · 09/12/2006, 01:26 AM

I have a new 65 set up, and would like to go with a very heavy bioload. I am upgrading my skimmer, and was thinking about the smallest euroreef, the cs100, or an aqua c maybe. Are there any that you would recommend to me? I have a 20 long custom sump, so i can make room down there for it if i have to. I would like whichever one would allow the heaviest bioload, i guess the best....

mg426 · 09/12/2006, 01:29 AM

I would have to say the euroreef. Needlewheels are very easy to set and keep happy. Euroreef skimmers really work well.

hahnmeister · 09/12/2006, 01:59 AM

Octopusskimmer.com

recirc 110

zachstone13 · 09/12/2006, 02:03 AM

or a deltec possibly, im looking for ease of use, it has to fit into the baffled portion of a 20 long sump, although i could make the section larger to accomodate a great skimmer.

UCanDoIt · 09/12/2006, 02:07 AM

H&S A110-F2000, best value for a high performance NW skimmer, but then it depends on your budget.

zachstone13 · 09/12/2006, 04:30 AM

UCanDOit, this is the one correct?
http://www.finsreef.com/product.php?...cat=253&page=1

Hahn, what do you like about the octypus? I am looking for a great skimmer, as i believe it is vital for a great tank, so im willing to shell out a bit of $. But i do appreciate a good deal, and dont want to just pay 450 because i can. Is the octypus in the same league with deltec, euroreef, aquac. Im looking for a great skimmer, that is relitively easy to use, that will fit into my sump. If its 200 great, if its 450, and its MUCH better than a cheaper version, Ill just go ahead and do that. Here in Gainesville FL, the LFS's all recommend a sealife systems skimmer, made in JAX. Its what is in the tank now. It does a decent job, but as we would like to increase the bioload to a pretty heavy one, a skimmer upgrade is needed. Any input or comments is appreciated, UCANDOIT, thanks for all the info, any other thoughts?

hahnmeister · 09/12/2006, 02:10 PM

You should ask the guys in the octopus skimmer thread. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...87#post8127687

Those guys would know more about them than I would.
I only ordered the 'big-dog' recirc 200 recently. From what I have heard, there are a couple tweaks you can do to greatly boost the pumps air intake, but beyond that, its got a great body construction (all thick cell cast acrylic, which is better than most like ASM and Deltec can say), and performs very well. The only complaint I have heard is that the pumps run a little hot, but in my case, I plan on swapping the pump for a Oceanrunner 3700 anyways, so I could care less... Still comes in at 1/3 the price of a similar sized/capacity H&S or Deltec.

I dont want to seem skewed though... its just that given the same design, since its made in China, it comes much cheaper. OTOH, I can see the value in getting something very nice that is backed up by a reputable company.

I would look at H&S over a deltec though (this coming from someone who has bought a deltec calcium reactor). The H&S body is simply built better and runs the same pumps otherwise. I would no longer bother with ASMs though. At one time I suggested these because they could be modded into recirc models that kicked butt for cheap, but now Octopus skimmers have stolen that crown. Euroreef might be something to look into though... they have a new line of pumps, and back their products very well. But thats pretty much everyone on the block... ASM, ER, Deltec, H&S, Octopus, ATI, BK... oh, wait.. I did forget a favorite of mine... the Aqua Medic Turboflotors... but they have a gap in their line at this size (1000 series blows in comparison to the 5000 series, but the 5000 series is a bit large for a 65g).

If you really wanna go high-end, Royal Exclusive has a line of smaller bubble kings (although I havent seen them in the Us yet)and ATI has started bringing their awesome Bubblemaster skimmers to the US. The ATIs are having some pump problems in the US that they have been getting through on some models (the 110v-220v thing), but once they figure it out, these smaller versions of BK's look very promising.

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/inde...howtopic=51002

http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6552

09/12/2006, 01:26 AM	#1
zachstone13 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 299	skimmer upgrade for a 65 reef I have a new 65 set up, and would like to go with a very heavy bioload. I am upgrading my skimmer, and was thinking about the smallest euroreef, the cs100, or an aqua c maybe. Are there any that you would recommend to me? I have a 20 long custom sump, so i can make room down there for it if i have to. I would like whichever one would allow the heaviest bioload, i guess the best....

09/12/2006, 01:29 AM	#2
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I would have to say the euroreef. Needlewheels are very easy to set and keep happy. Euroreef skimmers really work well. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

09/12/2006, 01:59 AM	#3
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Octopusskimmer.com recirc 110

09/12/2006, 02:03 AM	#4
zachstone13 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 299	or a deltec possibly, im looking for ease of use, it has to fit into the baffled portion of a 20 long sump, although i could make the section larger to accomodate a great skimmer.

09/12/2006, 02:07 AM	#5
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 1,684	H&S A110-F2000, best value for a high performance NW skimmer, but then it depends on your budget.

09/12/2006, 04:30 AM	#6
zachstone13 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 299	UCanDOit, this is the one correct? http://www.finsreef.com/product.php?...cat=253&page=1 Hahn, what do you like about the octypus? I am looking for a great skimmer, as i believe it is vital for a great tank, so im willing to shell out a bit of $. But i do appreciate a good deal, and dont want to just pay 450 because i can. Is the octypus in the same league with deltec, euroreef, aquac. Im looking for a great skimmer, that is relitively easy to use, that will fit into my sump. If its 200 great, if its 450, and its MUCH better than a cheaper version, Ill just go ahead and do that. Here in Gainesville FL, the LFS's all recommend a sealife systems skimmer, made in JAX. Its what is in the tank now. It does a decent job, but as we would like to increase the bioload to a pretty heavy one, a skimmer upgrade is needed. Any input or comments is appreciated, UCANDOIT, thanks for all the info, any other thoughts?

09/12/2006, 02:10 PM	#7
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	You should ask the guys in the octopus skimmer thread. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...87#post8127687 Those guys would know more about them than I would. I only ordered the 'big-dog' recirc 200 recently. From what I have heard, there are a couple tweaks you can do to greatly boost the pumps air intake, but beyond that, its got a great body construction (all thick cell cast acrylic, which is better than most like ASM and Deltec can say), and performs very well. The only complaint I have heard is that the pumps run a little hot, but in my case, I plan on swapping the pump for a Oceanrunner 3700 anyways, so I could care less... Still comes in at 1/3 the price of a similar sized/capacity H&S or Deltec. I dont want to seem skewed though... its just that given the same design, since its made in China, it comes much cheaper. OTOH, I can see the value in getting something very nice that is backed up by a reputable company. I would look at H&S over a deltec though (this coming from someone who has bought a deltec calcium reactor). The H&S body is simply built better and runs the same pumps otherwise. I would no longer bother with ASMs though. At one time I suggested these because they could be modded into recirc models that kicked butt for cheap, but now Octopus skimmers have stolen that crown. Euroreef might be something to look into though... they have a new line of pumps, and back their products very well. But thats pretty much everyone on the block... ASM, ER, Deltec, H&S, Octopus, ATI, BK... oh, wait.. I did forget a favorite of mine... the Aqua Medic Turboflotors... but they have a gap in their line at this size (1000 series blows in comparison to the 5000 series, but the 5000 series is a bit large for a 65g). If you really wanna go high-end, Royal Exclusive has a line of smaller bubble kings (although I havent seen them in the Us yet)and ATI has started bringing their awesome Bubblemaster skimmers to the US. The ATIs are having some pump problems in the US that they have been getting through on some models (the 110v-220v thing), but once they figure it out, these smaller versions of BK's look very promising. http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/inde...howtopic=51002 http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6552