I think I decided on the Vertex skimmer

[Tom Giddens]

https://www.aquariumspecialty.com/vertex-omega-180-protein-skimmer.html

Any thoughts or opinions?

 

[Ron Reefman]

I've used a number of skimmers over the years but never used one of these, but then I consider any reasonable skimmer to be a good enough skimmer. Most of them work pretty well.

 

[rockskimmerflow]

https://www.aquariumspecialty.com/vertex-omega-180-protein-skimmer.html

Any thoughts or opinions?

Good skimmer. Tuning on the vertex models can be tricky, so brace for a long break in period. IMO there's equal performance out there for a lot less money, but equal build quality and attention to material finishing can't be matched for any less than their price. If you are in it for the long haul and plan to maintain the pump with adequate cleaning intervals you should be served by a very long lived product. If you've got the coin and understand the tuning process can be a little temperamental, I'd say go for it. Best of luck!

 

[Tom Giddens]

What about this one?
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-classic-152-s-6-internal-protein-skimmer.html

 

[rockskimmerflow]

What about this one?
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-classic-152-s-6-internal-protein-skimmer.html

Great skimmer, I use the classic Reef Octo skimmers with the aquatrance pumps on customer tanks all the time. Pumps are way more reliable than the sedras that used to be on every ASM skimmer I serviced back in the day. Definitely a step down in build quality from the vertex, but likely not too big a drop in overall skimmer performance. Those octo skimmers with the gate valve are quite easy to break in/tune IME

 

[lancesmith1]

what size is the tank?

 

[Tom Giddens]

what size is the tank?

The tank is 70 gal and the sump will have 20-25 gal.

 

[joseserrano]

vertex has a better pump and overall build quality.

 

[Tom Giddens]

vertex has a better pump and overall build quality.

The vertex is $200 more and I know you get what you pay for in most cases but I will be steeping up from an HOB so I could spend the 200 on something else

 

[joseserrano]

The vertex is $200 more and I know you get what you pay for in most cases but I will be steeping up from an HOB so I could spend the 200 on something else

Sounds like you made your mind up, don't really need the feedback.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Had most of the major brands including the Vertex 180. Found it to be over-powered and therefore hard to keep dialed in. Also owned Reef Octopus, Bubble King and several others. Now have Life Reef. By far the best of any I have had in the past. Simple design makes it almost foolproof and pretty much plug and play. May have to get in line as demand normally exceeds supply.

 

[jent]

I had a vertex omega skimmer I ran for several years, and would highly recommend one. I have used a number of skimmers, some clearly better than others. The omega is one of the best ones I have used. I will be switching to a skimz skimmer due to an upgrade in size and the feeling like I need a skimmer with a bit more volume.

The vertex does take a while to break in, and may be producing more micro-bubbles than skimmate for a while. But once broken in it is very effective at pulling crap out of the water.

I also usually look for a skimmer that has an external pump. The only reason I would have the pump internal in the skimmer would be if I had no other choice space wise. My sumps have always had a rectangular space for the skimmer, and thus the pump has fit fine out of the skimmer. This leaves more space in the reaction chamber (hopefully improving performance).

 

[Tom Giddens]

I was looking at the Skims also, It is so hard to narrow it down to one brand. What are your thoughts on recirculating skimmers and how do you tell which ones are? The descriptions don't always say.

 

[Justin Cook]

You could pull all of your hair out trying to decide on the best since there are so, so many options. Between those two, I'd get the Reef Octopus and put the savings into something else. (I recommend that because it's exactly what I did.) Reef Octopus is like Ford. Not the best but it gets the job done at a good price. There are better one's out there, the info everyone else has provided is spot on. But if you've got 85-90 gallons of total water volume, the skimmer is rate for that an more. If it's not quite as efficient, you still have wiggle room. At the time I made my decision, I spent the $$ saved on a better ATO system and haven't regretted it for a minute.

 

[lancesmith1]

I would go with the Vertex 150 on that size tank. I had one on the same size and it was plenty.

 

[jent]

A recirculating skimmer needs a pump dedicated to producing bubbles / recirculating, then additionally needs an input water source (usually a second pump, but can be feed from the overflow sometimes too). If it does not say what it is, it's likely not recirculating, a careful look at the design should be able to confirm that.

They are nice, I have only heard good things about the performance, but I have never had one. They usually are more expensive, usually a bit larger, and require more power (two pumps). Since the pump is eventually the most likely component to fail, it could be argued they are less reliable or at least more expensive there too. So for those reasons I have never gotten one, even though I recognize they likely perform better.

 

[mmw64]

What about this one?
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-classic-152-s-6-internal-protein-skimmer.html

That is what I have. I replaced my Vertex 130. I could never get the Vertex skimmer tuned, and I tried for over two years. Yes, it could be operator error but have had the Reef Octopus for three months and love it.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Vertex 180 is their best balanced skimmer, but oversized for a 75 gallon tank. If you want to spend 399 get a Nyos 120. Silent and people love them.

 

[A sea K]

Vertex 180 is their best balanced skimmer, but oversized for a 75 gallon tank. If you want to spend 399 get a Nyos 120. Silent and people love them.

Running a RO prime 150 int on my 80gal DT and have been thinking about going a little bigger in the skimmer dept. Trying to decide between the Vertex 180i and the Nyos 160, maybe both are a little too much.

 

[Greybeard]

I have a Vertex 180i on my system, probably 160g total capacity. Quality of construction and materials would be hard to beat. Seriously heavy duty.

I did have some problems... I bought this from a friend that had bought it new, couldn't get it to work, and threw it on the shelf. I brought it home, disassembled it, and found that the impeller shaft was broken. Since I was not the original owner, and it was a year old, I had to pay for a new impeller assembly. $50. Used it for 5 months, with very good results, and it quit working on me. Pump bearings are obviously chewed up. Contacted Vertex support. It took some talking, but I got them to break down a new unit and send me the entire pump assembly. $200. Since then, it's been running flawlessly. Honestly, I figure we got a unit with a bad pump from the factory. Broke the 1st impeller, and eventually burned up the bearings... I would say it was never quite right. The new motor is way quieter than the old one ever was. Since my friend chose to ignore the problem and put the unit on the shelf, well, we didn't get it serviced under warranty. More my fault, and my friend's fault, than Vertex's fault. They did go to some length to assist me, even though it was not warranty work.

IMHO, my 180i is properly sized for my 160g system. I don't know that I'd put this on a 75g tank. Probably recommend a slightly smaller version.

I've had Reef Octopus skimmers. They work, but take much more 'playing around' with than my Vertex. Once broken in, it's truly been a set it and forget it skimmer. Clean the cup every week, and let it run. My old SRO1000SSS worked, but I had to mess with the water adjustment every week or so. Not so on the Vertex. Ran for a year without touching any adjustment. I raised water level in the sump by a couple inches a month or so back... had to adjust it then, but you'd expect that.

The friend I bought my Vertex from is now running Skimz skimmers on 2 tanks. Quality is good, though I'd still give the higher quality win to Vertex. He's had 1 broken water gate adjustment rod... no other quality problems in, what, 18 months? Similar to my old Reef Octopus, he has to 'play' with the adjustment on his Skimz every once in a while to keep it skimming.