Help me pick a skimmer please!

[ReeferBen]

So I need a skimmer and with all the choices am lost to what to get.

I won't put a restriction on price since I want the best skimmer I can get but there has to be a balance of price and effectiveness. I don't believe in spending an extra 500 for minimal gains. On the other hand if the extra 500 gives me a big boost in performance then it's money worth spending.

In any case I need an internal skimmer that will fit in a 12" x 13" space.

Tank is a 110 mixed reef that will be heavy in SPS eventually. I also have anthias and wrasse and am feeding pretty heavy 2-3 times a day. I perfer a skimmer thats not going to need a lot of attention beyond cup cleanings.

What do you recommend?

 

[Paul C.]

Im running a BM Curve 7 on my 75. Love it, quiet, and pulls out an amazing amount of junk. U may want to look at the Curve 9 for ur tank. On my FOWLR which is a Elos XL160 (200 gals) i'm running a Skimz Leopard SL183 which is a DC model. Love it. Quiet, adjustable, feed mode. I'd look at a DC skimmer.

 

[Tom22re]

I have a Bubble Magus Curve 9 In Sump Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer w/ Bubble Plate I boarded from exotic reefs out of New symna beach Florida great company i've had quite a few skimmers and I absolutely love this one Will never buy another one

 

[Reefing Madness]

POV 6" DC1 protein skimmer
SWC XTREME 230 Cone Protein Skimmer
BM-220CS CONE SKIMMER
My Reef Creations MR-2 Protein Skimmer

 

[ReeferBen]

Thanks for the suggestions. Keep them coming. I looked at those Skimz DC skimmers and they look to be built similair to WM skimmers. Anyhow are DC skimmers worth the extra money? The POV DC2 8" looks like it would fit my sump, but is it the best skimmer for the $700 range that will fit in my sump?

I see the curve 9 is only $410 how would these compair?

 

[Reefing Madness]

POV DC 2 Diablo DC 5500s Pinwheel Pump

• Air Draw: 2400 lph/84.5 SCFH* at full speed
• Water Draw: 475 GPH at full speed

Bubble Magus Curve 9 Skimmer
900L/H


Big difference in the pumps, winner goes to the DC2

 

[ReeferBen]

I am in between the SWC 230 extreme and the POV DC 2, the SWC is on sale for 470, so it's almost a $300 difference. Even the curve 9, I see it has less air but how does this correlate to higher performance levels?

Is one really going to out perform the other?

 

[Reefing Madness]

L/H intake versus what the gph is on the pump is what makes the incredible foam. If one has a huge gph but no air draw, theres not going to be alot of foam compared to one that has the same gph but a much larger volume in air intake.
I'd go with the SWC myself. The Askoll pump is proven very good, and can have up to 90 SCFH, versus the 84 on the POV. Slight edge. I also like the bubble plate layout better than having it drawn under the skimmer like the POV.
Also, in the long run, they are pretty equal in what they will do.

 

[ReeferBen]

Thanks RM, appreciate the help. I ordered the SWC, Luke had them on ebay for 470 with free shipping.

 

[Whys Alives]

Tunze is always a good pick. A little overpriced, but not if you like quality.

 

[ReeferEric]

Any of the BM Curve models will work, pick whatever you think you load will be. I have the Curve 5 on a 66g volume system and it works great, heavy load btw.