My next skimmer ?

[VitaminD]

So many reviews so confusing ... I need a new skimmer , my nac 5.5 bit the dust. It was in sump and worked however had good and bad days as my sump varies in depth a few inches . I was thinking of going to external , also to aleviate heating water . 90 gal tank 20 gal sump.
Reef octopus 150ext ? I relly dont want to spend much more than that maybe less if someone has some input .. Please help me decide thanks!

 

[Cory]

The best skimmer is the one with a good pump. The taller the better. Increases contact time making the skimmate darker. The ro 150 isnt too bad but its not the best.

If it were me id buy a used etts downdraft skimmer. But it may be overkill for your tank

 

[skim]

Since your sump varies in water depth, you will have to find a skimmer that is not affected by it, or you will have the same results with any replacement skimmer you get with the good and bad days. Your would be surprised how much a 1/4 " or 1/2" of water fluctuation will affect a Skimmer. Either you get a ATO or find a Skimmer that is not affected by water height. Any type of Skimmer that is a Recirculating type will work or out of sump type and I believe some Tunze Skimmers are not affected.

 

[VitaminD]

Still confused with so many models !

 

[Cory]

Still confused with so many models !

Generally the top of the line skimmers are

: deltec, bubble king, vertex, beckett skimmers, etts skimmers, life reef skimmers.

Next in line would be reef octopus, swc, sca, and a bunch others.

The top are very expensive abd the bottom are less so.

 

[VitaminD]

my sump varies in depth about 3 inches , are all in sump skimmers sensitive to water depth in sump ? im trying to find a decent external skimmer

 

[skim]

Since your sump varies in water depth, you will have to find a skimmer that is not affected by it, or you will have the same results with any replacement skimmer you get with the good and bad days. Your would be surprised how much a 1/4 " or 1/2" of water fluctuation will affect a Skimmer. Either you get a ATO or find a Skimmer that is not affected by water height. Any type of Skimmer that is a Recirculating type will work or out of sump type and I believe some Tunze Skimmers are not affected.