Reef Octopus or ATB, Slifert or Elos?

[Tony Caliente]

I have a very smallsump under my 55g and want a new in-sump skimmer. The sump footprint is 8.5 by 11.5 and 24 inches high. Any opions/suggestions woud be greatly appreciated.

I am also thinking about switching test kits. I presently use Seachem. I am not dissatified, but many have recommended Salifert and Elos. I am low on my reagents, so this is a good time to contemplate this decision. Any thoughts?

Thank you for reading. Seems like an awesome, low-drama group of hobbyists.

Best,

Tony

 

[twinspots_goby]

I vote for octopus skimmer. A very nice skimmer at an affordable price.

 

[btkrausen]

Personally, I love the Reef Octopus skimmers. I run a SRO-1000 and an SRO-3000SSS INT and they both work great. The 3000 is by far the best skimmer I've ever used.

As for testing kits, I've always used Salifert. They are generally very accurate and easy to use.

 

[capt85]

Octopus.

I have had 3 and loved all of them.

 

[Tony Caliente]

Thank you for the feedback and have been in the hobby since 1981 and still learning. First day as a member and love the lack of drama.
Thanks for reading and responding!

 

[btkrausen]

Thank you for the feedback and have been in the hobby since 1981 and still learning. First day as a member and love the lack of drama.
Thanks for reading and responding!

Glad to have you on here. Please post often and don't be afraid to ask questions.

 

[xmetalfan99]

I don't think ATB makes a skimmer small enough to run well on your 55. The reef octos are very nice and inexpensive.

I use the Salifert kits and love them. Once you get used to the pipet style test, they are very simple and don't take much work. I was looking at Elos for at first, but based on price and number of actual tests in each kit, I felt they were a waste of money.

 

[Tony Caliente]

Thank you.

Where would you buy the Salifert kits from?

.

I don't think ATB makes a skimmer small enough to run well on your 55. The reef octos are very nice and inexpensive.

I use the Salifert kits and love them. Once you get used to the pipet style test, they are very simple and don't take much work. I was looking at Elos for at first, but based on price and number of actual tests in each kit, I felt they were a waste of money.

 

[Nuocmam]

I would use Salifert for everything except NO3 & Alk. I own a Hanna Alk Checker and my Elos reads closer to the Hanna Checker. The Elos NO3 test kit is way easier to read than the Salifert IMO. I've owned a SRO 2000XP Cone and an ATB 840. Hands down my ATB kicked the SRO's butt. But like somebody said above I'm not sure there's an ATB that would suit your 55. You can't really go wrong with the newer Octo skimmers though. The BubbleBlaster pumps are good.

 

[Tony Caliente]

Interesting and very timely! The ALK and NO3 are the tests that I need immediately (I am out of Seachem reagents). I will follow your advice. Thank you!

I would use Salifert for everything except NO3 & Alk. I own a Hanna Alk Checker and my Elos reads closer to the Hanna Checker. The Elos NO3 test kit is way easier to read than the Salifert IMO. I've owned a SRO 2000XP Cone and an ATB 840. Hands down my ATB kicked the SRO's butt. But like somebody said above I'm not sure there's an ATB that would suit your 55. You can't really go wrong with the newer Octo skimmers though. The BubbleBlaster pumps are good.