Planning a new reef tank and need help with equipment

[PegasisR]

So I want to start out a new reef tank (100-120G) and want to get things right the first time with the equipment. The only equipment im having a hard time choosing is a skimmer because i dont know what skimmer would be reliable and which brand would be reliable. If anyone experienced could help me choose a good effective skimmer and give any other information would be great!

 

[hijinks7]

what is your budget?

 

[PegasisR]

what is your budget?

$200-300, but willing to go up a little if anything is known to be better

 

[NinnJinn]

I use the bubble Magus skimmer. I like the idea that you can take it apart and clean it inside out.

Just make sure that it is rated for your tank size. bigger capacity than your tank would be better.

If you have never used a skimmer before, you will have to break it in.

 

[11f150]

$200-300, but willing to go up a little if anything is known to be better

I think these are nice for your budget. They use a sicce psk 600 which is a pretty good pump. I would take that pump pretty much over any chinese pump. They use to put that same pump in a ATB 840 which is around a $600-700 skimmer.

http://www.coralvue.com/icecap-k2-160-protein-skimmer

 

[PegasisR]

Oh alright and ive heard of the Magus curve being a nicely rated skimmer! I should have mentioned what kind of stock load i would do and seeing as im a first timer I would like a little room incase i overstock my system for whatever reason... @11f150 I haven't heard much of that skimmer but that pump brand is very good, could you tell me a little more about it? Have you used one and how does it fair?

 

[11f150]

Oh alright and ive heard of the Magus curve being a nicely rated skimmer! I should have mentioned what kind of stock load i would do and seeing as im a first timer I would like a little room incase i overstock my system for whatever reason... @11f150 I haven't heard much of that skimmer but that pump brand is very good, could you tell me a little more about it? Have you used one and how does it fair?

I never used that skimmer but I use to use that skimmer pump in my atb 840 and it was an awesome pump. Ive had a $600 reef octopus and to be honest I was not impressed. IMO the skimmer bodies on all skimmer are pretty close, some are made better than others though but the shape is pretty standard. The shape of that skimmer looks like a vertex body. So I think it comes down to the pump for skimmers imo. If you have a low end pump or a finicky one, you will not have a good time.

 

[11f150]

So I guess if I was you, I would look for a higher end used skimmer or find a skimmer with a decent pump.

 

[Tautog]

Ease of cleaning is a big plus. I use a Reef Octopus 2000 int, and it’s dependable, easy to clean. If your not on a big budget, think twice before buying used, unless it’s free, free is always my best option.

 

[PegasisR]

@11f150 what higher end skimmer you would recommend? @Tautog Ill take a look at that!

 

[Pivitol]

I will have to throw Lifereef skimmers out there, not the cheapest but a tried and true design. Best part is you can use any pump (that is rated for the min flow) so you could use a Jebao pump or a Mag Drive, Ecotech ect... they are pretty much future proof especially if you get the flanged model which allows you to add extensions to make it taller if you ever upsize your tank. I had the 24" model on my 200 but recently upgraded to the 30" because of a increase of water volume.

 

[11f150]

@11f150 what higher end skimmer you would recommend? @Tautog Ill take a look at that!

Vertex alpha 170, ATB's with the last gen pumps, Royal Exclusiv (prob gonna be expensive even used). If you found a nice Vertex Alpha 170 you would be golden.