Advice about protein skimmers

[oupulino]

I like to get same advice about protein skimmers in sump.I'm looking for 100 gallons rated good in sump skimmer which gonna last.Like mid range skimmers.
Any recommendation and advice is appreciated.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

What's your price range?

 

[oupulino]

250-300 $

 

[swannyson7]

In that price range, I'd look into the SWC skimmers. The 160 cone seems to get great reviews and would be a great option depending on your bioload. The Octopus SRO skimmers are also great skimmers in that price range.

 

[KSzegi]

In that price range, I'd look into the SWC skimmers. The 160 cone seems to get great reviews and would be a great option depending on your bioload.

+1. Using a SWC 160 on my 90 and love it!

 

[oupulino]

+1. Using a SWC 160 on my 90 and love it!

So they don't have issues with pumps like Vertex 100

 

[DJ_in_WV]

here is a new skimmer on the market in your price range. sicce pumps are some that have issues
CAD Lights' affordable Conic Skimmers — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine

Made in the usa is always a plus with me

 

[KSzegi]

I don't know, I hadn't read about any common issues when I bought it ...... all I can say is that I haven't had any problems or issues with it at all, it's been a great skimmer for me so far - only going on about 10 months with it. It has performed flawlessly for me and I like it almost as much as the BK I run on my other tank!

 

[oupulino]

If you guys have to decide between this 3 skimmers which one is the best ?????????????????
Vertex in 100
Reef Octopus NWB-150 In Sump PinWheel Protein Skimmer
or
Xtreme Cone 160 In Sump Protein Skimmer

 

[Troylee]

gonna say the reef octo just because it's made better "well, better materials anyways" but performance wise the 160 is gonna work just as well if not better...

 

[luke33]

Troy, I don't get your "made with better materials comment" ? They are both solid build wise both made of cast acrylic of the same thickness? The one he is referring to uses an OTP 2000 pump, which i would never recommend.

Opulino, if you choose from those three use the vertex in 100, SRO 2000, and swc160 cone. Not the Octo 150, you don't want that. Power wise the vertex 100 will be able to handle the smaller tank of the three, the swc 160 coming in next and the 2000 just a hair above that.

 

[Troylee]

not a big fan of injection molding... it's cheap and brittle... i can't blame them for using it, it's a great skimmer that's really affordable... i know the sro has some but it just feels stronger more durable in your hand.... im not knocking the swc one bit it's great and proven....

 

[luke33]

Troy, the 160 cone body is not injected molded. There are a few pieces that are for the pump, but that would make it no diff than most skimmers out there.

The last swc injected molded body i can think of was the mini s and SWCSR2 cone's.

 

[bct15]

... I don't get your "made with better materials comment" ? They are both solid build wise both made of cast acrylic of the same thickness...

This is like saying all things made of steel are equivalent because steel is steel, all things of made of aluminum are equivalent because aluminum is aluminum, all things made of...well you get the point.

The manufacturing process and history of a material greatly impact the materials mechanical properties an response. Different manufacturing processes introduce different defects on the microscale and cause different sorts of texture, grain alignment and anisotropy. Also, every material have various grades and chemical compositions - meaning different mechanical properties and behaviors 2025 Al is not the same as 7075-T6 aluminum and will behave drastically different but can both be purchased as cast ingots called aluminum. Cast acrylic is general term and does not necessarily mean they are the same material as therefor millions of combinations of polymer chains under similar names.

Just had to throw in my 2 cents with the materials statement.

 

[luke33]

This is like saying all things made of steel are equivalent because steel is steel, all things of made of aluminum are equivalent because aluminum is aluminum, all things made of...well you get the point.

The manufacturing process and history of a material greatly impact the materials mechanical properties an response. Different manufacturing processes introduce different defects on the microscale and cause different sorts of texture, grain alignment and anisotropy. Also, every material have various grades and chemical compositions - meaning different mechanical properties and behaviors 2025 Al is not the same as 7075-T6 aluminum and will behave drastically different but can both be purchased as cast ingots called aluminum. Cast acrylic is general term and does not necessarily mean they are the same material as therefor millions of combinations of polymer chains under similar names.

Just had to throw in my 2 cents with the materials statement.

I understand what you are saying but the two skimmers he mentioned are made right next to each other : ) along with quite a few other models that are popular today. There are quite a few higher end models out that are made of thinner material than the swc and sro's.

Anyhow, wish the thread owner the best of luck as there are many nice skimmers out there.

 

[Troylee]

Agreed Luke... The swc or sro would be my choice over the vertex thou....

 

[DJ_in_WV]

I have a reef octopus and it is very well build. Vertex is made by bubbleking so I wouldnt think it would be a low quality item. the swc has good reviews and is commonly put toe to toe with the reef octopus. Really dont think you could go wrong with any of those they all run decent pumps which is the biggest concern

 

[oupulino]

So swc 160 will be not to big for 65 gal mostly softys and couple LPS

 

[Troylee]

Nah should be fine... How's the fish count look??? Heavy feedings are always good..

 

[redddogg69]

I have a reef octopus and it is very well build. Vertex is made by bubbleking so I wouldnt think it would be a low quality item. the swc has good reviews and is commonly put toe to toe with the reef octopus. Really dont think you could go wrong with any of those they all run decent pumps which is the biggest concern

Vertex is not made by bubble king. Vertex is a stand alone manufacturer, the IN line of skimmers is manufactured by vertex, the Alpha cone series is assembled by royal exclusive for vertex. Proline aquatics is the distributor of both vertex and royal exclusive products.