Skimmer advice

[Dilan Patel]

So in preperation for my new 150 build I want to know if I should invest my money in a
SM207 Monzter DC Internal Protein Skimmer - Skimz 500$

or pick one from eshopps. Whats yalls experience with both?

 

[theMeat]

Reef octopus = best bang for buck

Vertex omega = quiet and rock steady once dialed in

 

[Antics]

What specifically made you decide between these two skimmers? If you're looking for "best of the cheapest" I think Reef Octopus is going to be king in that price range. If you're looking for a brand that is more middle of the pack in terms of price I think the Vertex omega line or Deltec would be a better choice than Skimz.

 

[Dilan Patel]

Well to me Reef octupus was more expensive than the skimz...I also own a skimz on my other tank that I have and enjoy it. Vertex seemed the most expensive but I havent looked at deltec. The eshopps looked cheap and was rated for a big tank for the same price as some of the other brands.

 

[theMeat]

you can take tank size ratings from given manufacturer with a grain of salt

brs rates a lot of skimmers and gives , independently, what they think they can handle for tank size. Althou think they has some sorta exclusive skimz deal going on.
For the amount of water processed, and skimmate removed, reef octopus the best bang for buck.
Votex omega, with it's silicone fitting in between sections, and air adjustability, rock steady and quiet

have nothing against skimz, good skimmer, just don't see them as better than many others in any way. Price, build quality, skimmate production, noise, etc.

 

[Orm Embar]

Advanced Aquarist ran some tests on different types of skimmers, and found that regardless of skimmer type they all remove roughly 20-35% of total dissolved organics regardless of the type of skimmer (needlewheel, airstone, venturi, downdraft). Knowing that, you can pick a skimmer based on price/electrical efficiency/ease of cleaning/build quality/etc. Hope this helps!

 

[Dilan Patel]

Oh yes it does! Im just trying to figure out how big of a skimmer is needed.

 

[theMeat]

Advanced Aquarist ran some tests on different types of skimmers, and found that regardless of skimmer type they all remove roughly 20-35% of total dissolved organics regardless of the type of skimmer (needlewheel, airstone, venturi, downdraft). Knowing that, you can pick a skimmer based on price/electrical efficiency/ease of cleaning/build quality/etc. Hope this helps!

Not really buying that. Good to oversize a bit but too much and it won't collect squat. Pretty much all quality skimmers these days are Venturi design. And some skimmer's, like bubble magus, are so finicky that sometimes it collects nothing because it just overflows out of cup, and other times it doesn't get hi enough to collect. All with the same settings.
Reef octopus are work horses, that suck in massive amounts of air, which is why they're not the quietest. So if you can't route the air hose from outside, which will quiet the beast big time, and you like quiet, than probably not the skimmer for you.
Vertex omega can be tricky to dial in, but once dialed in so steady it's like magic.

 

[ca1ore]

you can take tank size ratings from given manufacturer with a grain of salt.

I think you're being kind. I've spoken to many skimmer manufacturers over time and have yet to get what I would view as a cogent explanation for how they 'size' them. Frankly it's a WAG. Further, sizing a skimmer based on system/tank gallon is a proxy at best. Not particularly helpful for the novice trying to pick out a skimmer, I'll grant you.