Need Recommendations on some equipment

Mike_K · Jul 17, 2018

Hi everyone, i am new to these forums but have been browsing as a guest for some time now. I am looking for some input on some items and opinions.

I currently have a 55G that was my FW setup but moved them to a smaller tank. My 55G will now be SW and have found a used Eshopps ADV-200 Sump/Refugium for $180. This is way bigger then i was originally going to buy but it allows me to expand into a bigger tank in the future.

I am looking for help choosing a proper skimmer. I have seen many but i want some personal reviews. These are some of the brands i have looked into, Eshopps, Reef Octo, Bubble Magus, Vertex, Coralife, Skimz, Somatic. I am open to other brands as well.

Also looking for a good DC return pump around the 1000G flow rate.

mich2599 · Jul 17, 2018

Mike_K said:
Hi everyone, i am new to these forums but have been browsing as a guest for some time now. I am looking for some input on some items and opinions.

I currently have a 55G that was my FW setup but moved them to a smaller tank. My 55G will now be SW and have found a used Eshopps ADV-200 Sump/Refugium for $180. This is way bigger then i was originally going to buy but it allows me to expand into a bigger tank in the future.

I am looking for help choosing a proper skimmer. I have seen many but i want some personal reviews. These are some of the brands i have looked into, Eshopps, Reef Octo, Bubble Magus, Vertex, Coralife, Skimz, Somatic. I am open to other brands as well.

Also looking for a good DC return pump around the 1000G flow rate.

I currently have a reef octopus for my 50 gallon and it does an amazing job. I clean it out once a week as it does skim out a bunch of gunk.

Mike_K · Jul 18, 2018

mich2599 said:
I currently have a reef octopus for my 50 gallon and it does an amazing job. I clean it out once a week as it does skim out a bunch of gunk.

What model do you have? is it quiet? have you had to replace any parts for it?

NewbieReefer11 · Jul 18, 2018

I currently own the CoralBox d500 plus. It has been working great for about half a year so far on my 100 gallon reef, It comes with an automatic shut off when the cup gets too full. I am currently emptying it every week or two.
I believe there is also a slightly smaller version the d300 and possibly a d300 plus that would be more suited to your needs. They are pretty inexpensive when compared to other and seem very well built and reliable.

mich2599 · Jul 18, 2018

Mike_K said:
What model do you have? is it quiet? have you had to replace any parts for it?

Classic 110-INT and it is quiet to me. My sump is not under the stand as it does not fit so i have it set beside the stand. If you put it inside the stand then you def won’t hear it. I’ve had it for 3 months now and haven’t had any issues. It is very well built. only issue i have is that it tends to lean towards the side where the pump is as the weight distribution is off. But once you have it set in place and you turn it on then it won’t lean as the water helps keep it in place.

Forsaken77 · Jul 18, 2018

Just a quick note... Be sure to verify that the dimensions of the sump will fit under your tank. Some can be to wide.

As for everything else... Reef Octopus is a safe bet brand for most things. They have many different units for different budgets. Obviously the more you spend, the higher quality the unit you'll get from them.

Greybeard · Jul 18, 2018

Had a Reef Octopus SRO1000SSS on a 60g cube, in an EShopps R200 sump, for a year. No issues, except the RO was a bit difficult to keep in adjustment. Had to 'play' with the exit valve every week or so. Sold it off a year ago.

I'm running a Vertex 180i on my new setup. Very well built skimmer, easy to adjust, stays in adjustment... virtually never have to mess with it. Pump went out after a year in service... I believe it to have been faulty from the factory. Had to pay for a new pump... not cheap, but honestly, Vertex US support did right by me. I've got no complaints. Probably the best quality skimmer I've ever owned.. excepting the motor problem. As long as the 2nd motor doesn't fail, I'm happy with it.

Mike_K · Jul 21, 2018

Forsaken77 said:
Just a quick note... Be sure to verify that the dimensions of the sump will fit under your tank. Some can be to wide.

As for everything else... Reef Octopus is a safe bet brand for most things. They have many different units for different budgets. Obviously the more you spend, the higher quality the unit you'll get from them.

The sump is wider then my current tank but its fine as I built a custom stand for it to fit and allow me to swap my 55 for a 75 or 90g tank in the future

Mike_K · Jul 21, 2018

Has anyone had experience with AquaMaxx

mitch91175 · Jul 21, 2018

Not necessarily a particular skimmer recommendation, but I'd say when buying go as large as your budget and space will allow (cause you could likely still use it once you get a bigger tank). Keep in mind that you do not necessarily have to keep the skimmer running 24/7 too. So over-sizing now for the next build will save you some $$$ in the long haul. If you can do an external skimmer now I'd say go that route. I know that the Reef Octopus external skimmer are great (have a few friends that have them).

Forsaken77 · Jul 21, 2018

Mike_K said:
Has anyone had experience with AquaMaxx

I have an AquaMaxx skimmer, the Q2. Mine was problematic from the start and AquaMaxx had to basically replace the entire skimmer piece by piece as they failed.

This isn't the usual norm for their skimmers though. They back up their warranty support well, ime. All you have to do is send them a picture of the broken thing and they will have Marine Depot mail a replacement. If you get any AquaMaxx stuff, and need warranty support, contact AquaMaxx directly, not Marine Depot. They'll give you a harder time replacing the item.

Mike_K · Jul 22, 2018

Forsaken77 said:
I have an AquaMaxx skimmer, the Q2. Mine was problematic from the start and AquaMaxx had to basically replace the entire skimmer piece by piece as they failed.

This isn't the usual norm for their skimmers though. They back up their warranty support well, ime. All you have to do is send them a picture of the broken thing and they will have Marine Depot mail a replacement. If you get any AquaMaxx stuff, and need warranty support, contact AquaMaxx directly, not Marine Depot. They'll give you a harder time replacing the item.

How was dealing with Marine Depot?

Forsaken77 · Jul 22, 2018

Mike_K said:
How was dealing with Marine Depot?

I would say MD is a great vendor overall and has a wide selection of items other places don't carry.

Whenever I had a piece of this skimmer that broke, that was obviously fully broken, they would try to offer a solution (like get acrylic weld and fix it yourself) or blame something else. Whereas when I would contact AquaMaxx directly, they had records of the skimmer being defective, and they would just say "we'll have MD send you a replacement."

MD is good for returning regular items, but when you start to deal with more expensive items it becomes more of a hassle, ime.

You also have to take into consideration the return shipping when dealing with online vendors. Shipping back something like a skimmer, for whatever reason, will cost a fortune. Most places don't offer free returns on warranty claims or because you bought the wrong item, ect... Just keep that in mind. Only if it's broken out of the box.

The one great thing with MD's return policy is that you can use their commercial shipping rates for returns. But you usually have to ask them for it in most cases, and they'll take it out of any refund due. It's great for large items that cost a fortune to ship. Other places don't offer that service. That's one of the biggest reasons that I get big items from MD, in case I have to return it.