Skimmer choosing! Please help!

Joeganja · Sep 28, 2016

Okay so I have a 90 gallon coral filled high waste tank. I have a reef octopus external recirculating skimmer. It's worked great but noticing now since I have more bio load that I have to clean it more often like twice a week. I want to upgrade to an in sump skimmer. Since marinedepot is having its sale. I've been debating on either the aquamaxx cones co2, the aquamaxx cone-s q-1, or the aquamaxx cone-s q2. Price isn't an issue.

bif24701 · Sep 28, 2016

Joeganja said:
Okay so I have a 90 gallon coral filled high waste tank. I have a reef octopus external recirculating skimmer. It's worked great but noticing now since I have more bio load that I have to clean it more often like twice a week. I want to upgrade to an in sump skimmer. Since marinedepot is having its sale. I've been debating on either the aquamaxx cones co2, the aquamaxx cone-s q-1, or the aquamaxx cone-s q2. Price isn't an issue.

All you need is the Avast Swabbie! Will tune your super skimmer into an immortal.

The DIY kit is 114$ and easy to install. It will be your favorite upgrade ever.

Joeganja · Sep 28, 2016

bif24701 said:
All you need is the Avast Swabbie! Will tune your super skimmer into an immortal.

The DIY kit is 114$ and easy to install. It will be your favorite upgrade ever.

I was looking into those but my skimmer itself is rated for 75 gallons at heavy waste.

bif24701 · Sep 28, 2016

Joeganja said:
I was looking into those but my skimmer itself is rated for 75 gallons at heavy waste.

The swabbie increase the effectiveness of any skimmer it's installed on. By keeping the neck clean at all times I have seen double the performance.

ebushrow · Sep 28, 2016

I would suggest a Nyos... They are awesome and quite. They have a pump that is driven differently than most and need little cleaning.

USMC 4 LIFE · Sep 28, 2016

Bubble Magus Curve 7 rated for up to 240 gallons. Love it on my 90 gallon DT

Joeganja · Sep 28, 2016

ebushrow said:
I would suggest a Nyos... They are awesome and quite. They have a pump that is driven differently than most and need little cleaning.

I'm not spending $400+ on a skimmer for a 90 gallon tank when I can buy a more than capable skimmer for $269.

G8trBait16 · Sep 28, 2016

I bought a bubble Magus Curve 7 on my 75g dt +25g sump. It has been working wonderfully!

Joeganja · Sep 28, 2016

Anyone have the aquamaxx that wants to guide me on which one to get?

mcarroll · Sep 28, 2016

Joeganja said:
I'm not spending $400+ on a skimmer for a 90 gallon tank when I can buy a more than capable skimmer for $269.

In fairness, you said budget was no object.

Joeganja said:
Anyone have the aquamaxx that wants to guide me on which one to get?

Sounds like you're only considering Aquamaxx. (Sorry I can't help much there.)

They have lots on sale at MD...

In case I'm wrong, I'd suggest a Tunze skimmer (whether in-tank or in-sump) instead.

A basic 9410 model would do it.

DOC Skimmer 9410 ($329)
DOC Skimmer 9410 DC ($399)

Personally, I'd go with the basic model.

A 9012 would do it if you'd prefer and in-tank skimmer.

Comline® Skimmer 9012 ($300)
Comline® Skimmer 9012 DC ($373)

gus6464 · Sep 28, 2016

Icecap K120 is nice. Sicce pump, titanium screws and built with PVC and acrylic so made to last. Was super impressed with these at macna. Under $280 it's the nicest built skimmer you are going to get within the price range.

mcarroll · Sep 28, 2016

I'd also recommend an Aqua C EV-120 or EV-180 (if you have upgrade plans).

Out of vogue, but they are awesome skimmers. Around $300 for the EV120, brand new.

Keep your eyes open for a used model on craigslist or the Selling Forum (dry goods) if you need a deal.

(If you aren't using up your tank's "heat budget" with halides or T5s, then don't worry about the watts it takes to run them...your heaters just won't run as often.)

pirate2876 · Sep 28, 2016

Get the biggest aquamax that can fit in your sump.

madweazl · Sep 28, 2016

Joeganja said:
Okay so I have a 90 gallon coral filled high waste tank. I have a reef octopus external recirculating skimmer. It's worked great but noticing now since I have more bio load that I have to clean it more often like twice a week. I want to upgrade to an in sump skimmer. Since marinedepot is having its sale. I've been debating on either the aquamaxx cones co2, the aquamaxx cone-s q-1, or the aquamaxx cone-s q2. Price isn't an issue.

By cleaning to you mean empty the cup? If so, why not a skimmate locker? If it is pulling out a lot of waste weekly, I'm not understanding why you'd want another skimmer? Potentially pulling more out doesnt make sense.

tvu · Sep 28, 2016

I have an Aquamaxx co-1, hob and Q3. I obviously recommend them. Marine depot has a 25% off sale which makes it a no brainier for me. I've used acqua-c, Reef octopus and others in the past and those don't even compare.