Best 180g Skimmer

redsea01 · Jan 2, 2017

Hi everyone! In a recent turn of events, I have a 180g drilled tank headed my way. I'm curious as to what skimmer you would recommend for the setup? It would be in-sump, and I would like to have a powerful one as I like a stocked tank.

I have heard many great things about reef octopus...if that is what you would reccomend, what model would be best for a 180g reef? Thanks so much!

cohlton · Jan 2, 2017

Skimz sm203 love mine

skim · Jan 2, 2017

I don't know about the best but the Reef Octopus Regal 200 INT would do a hell of job for you.

redsea01 · Jan 2, 2017

Oh I should have clarified, haha. I don't necessarily need the absolute best...that would be way too expensive, just one you're happy with.

thanks both of you!

skim · Jan 2, 2017

Well in that case I would have to say Best Bang for the Buck Bubble Magus Curve 9. The thing is a beast and do your 180 NO PROBLEM!!!

GoVols · Jan 2, 2017

redsea01 said:
Hi everyone! In a recent turn of events, I have a 180g drilled tank headed my way. I'm curious as to what skimmer you would recommend for the setup? It would be in-sump, and I would like to have a powerful one as I like a stocked tank. I have heard many great things about reef octopus...if that is what you would reccomend, what model would be best for a 180g reef? Thanks so much!

Well, This topic comes up about every week...
I run a Bubble King and love it.
Deltec skimmers are great too.
Your going the get about 200 opinions but here's the truth once you get a good one dialed in. "There is NO best" but there some are junk skimmers. (Read link Below)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/1/aafeature

711reefer · Jan 2, 2017

a lot of people love lifereef. I just put one on my system so cant attest to how great they are yet

redsea01 · Jan 4, 2017

Thank you so much guys! I have been looking through all your suggestions, and have been thinking about all of them. I have found these as well through my research. What is your opinions on these?
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-classic-202ss-internal-protein-skimmer.html
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/super...in-sump-protein-skimmer.html#tab-full-details

They are both Reef Octopus, but one is a "super" reef octopus. I certainly don't go crazy, but I do like to go full on with the bioload in my tanks, meaning it's usually heavy. That's why i'm having some trouble deciding on a skimmer. I kind of want one that is overpowered, but don't want to go too overboard.

GoVols · Jan 4, 2017

redsea01 said:
Thank you so much guys! I have been looking through all your suggestions, and have been thinking about all of them. I have found these as well through my research. What is your opinions on these?
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-classic-202ss-internal-protein-skimmer.html
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/super...in-sump-protein-skimmer.html#tab-full-details

They are both Reef Octopus, but one is a "super" reef octopus. I certainly don't go crazy, but I do like to go full on with the bioload in my tanks, meaning it's usually heavy. That's why i'm having some trouble deciding on a skimmer. I kind of want one that is overpowered, but don't want to go too overboard.

You have a 180 gallon.
Out of your final two. I'd go for the "Super".
I run a Red Sea S -400 / = 11o gallons.
All those reviews on there are the Red Sea S-650 / = 175 gallons.
If those 650 users love it, so will you.

711reefer · Jan 4, 2017

well I can now attest to the lifereef. its only been running for a few days and its pulling all kinds of gunk out of my system that my fancy cone/nw skimmer didn't. sometimes old technology just works

711reefer · Jan 5, 2017

this is 2 days of skimmate. its on a low bioload system with about 80 gallons of water volume. its still breaking in so I expect even better performance once I get it all tuned. I am beyond impressed with what its achieving already

nervousmonkey · Jan 5, 2017

I prefer Deltec, but like others are stating, it's more about finding a skimmer that you can dial in that will work with your tank size. Some skimmers are rated for more gallons than they can actually skim well, and others are pretty spot on. I like Reef Octo as well, but found that I get better results with Deltec at the size tank I have. RO I always chose an oversized skimmer, so if you like to stock heavy then look for a RO that's rated for more than your tank size...

Regg · Jan 5, 2017

I debated on lifereef and bought a aquamaxx co-3, three weeks later still not skimming with a medium bioload i should have followed my instinct

GoVols · Jan 5, 2017

Regg said:
I debated on lifereef and bought a aquamaxx co-3, three weeks later still not skimming with a medium bioload i should have followed my instinct

I always had great results with aquamaxx skimmers.
I've been hearing good things about the Ultra-Reef skimmers.
http://uniquecorals.com/dry-goods/ultra-reef.html

Regg · Jan 5, 2017

I have buddies that have tbem that run great maybe i started my tank too clean dry rock/sand, but i figured by now it should be broken in

GoVols · Jan 5, 2017

Regg said:
I have buddies that have tbem that run great maybe i started my tank too clean dry rock/sand, but i figured by now it should be broken in

How new is your tank?

Regg · Jan 5, 2017

Its new been up since thanksgiving, i cured my dry rock for 3 months prior and use a marine pure block i have for live stock purple,yellow,blue tang, two clowns that

GoVols · Jan 5, 2017

Regg said:
Its new been up since thanksgiving, i cured my dry rock for 3 months prior and use a marine pure block i have for live stock purple,yellow,blue tang, two clowns that

Are you running any chemical filtration?