Info on skimmers

[reef051290]

I'm doing a 80 gallon rimless reef tank build. What's the best skimmer on the market for that size aquarium? Maybe share some details on why you think it's the best. Thanks in advance!

 

[Sabellafella]

Theres really no best. But i have a vertex omega 150 on a 120 gallon works great! You could also go with a nyos 160, or somthing like a reef octopus

 

[reef_junkie]

I look at the pump that comes stock with a new skimmer. That gives me a little more insight on the possible performance of a new skimmer.

 

[BoneXriffic]

I have an octopus 110 on my 90, thats maxxing its capacity but it works fantastically and imo is the best bang for the buck if youre on a budget

 

[Bpb]

Best depends on what your criteria are. Pump efficiency? Ease of replacements? Controllability? Footprint? If I were to say what would be the BEST skimmer money aside, it would probably be the largest Lifereef skimmer you could find, with an ecotech marine Vectra pump. That would cost you though. A lot. But it would be energy efficient, controllable, and wicked powerful. Next would probably be the MTC, but honestly they're both hand built, top shelf, Venturi style akimmers so they're fairly interchangeable, though the builders would never say that.

After those your nicer pinwheel impeller akimmers would be the bubble king line. Also very costly but high quality pumps and really well made bodies. Those could be considered the BEST options. Not necessarily the most affordable and you'll spend between $500-1000 on one of those for a tank your size.

In the more budget friendly but high quality area you can look into the RLSS, vertex omega, super Reef octopus, seaside aquatics, icecap skimmer lines. Most use sicce pumps which some people like. Some use their own proprietary pumps. You'll get generally positive but mixed reviews on any of those and expect to stay between $250-500 for any of those depending on what sales you may catch

 

[Bpb]

Best depends on what your criteria are. Pump efficiency? Ease of replacements? Controllability? Footprint? If I were to say what would be the BEST skimmer money aside, it would probably be the largest Lifereef skimmer you could find, with an ecotech marine Vectra pump. That would cost you though. A lot. But it would be energy efficient, controllable, and wicked powerful. Next would probably be the MTC, but honestly they're both hand built, top shelf, Venturi style akimmers so they're fairly interchangeable, though the builders would never say that.

After those your nicer pinwheel impeller akimmers would be the bubble king line. Also very costly but high quality pumps and really well made bodies. Those could be considered the BEST options. Not necessarily the most affordable and you'll spend between $500-1000 on one of those for a tank your size.

In the more budget friendly but high quality area you can look into the RLSS, vertex omega, super Reef octopus, seaside aquatics, icecap skimmer lines. Most use sicce pumps which some people like. Some use their own proprietary pumps. You'll get generally positive but mixed reviews on any of those and expect to stay between $250-500 for any of those depending on what sales you may catch

 

[tech4x4]

I've just gone through the same thing looking for a skimmer for my system ~80 gallons I ended up with a vertex omega 150 (really well built and should handle the system easily)