Skimmer Experience?

[BfishLpond78]

Has anyone used the skimmers i've listed below? Im curious to see peoples experience, i've only ever had Reef Octopus skimmers...a HOB and a big SRO3000....loved them both. But I know there are alot of great skimmers out there.

Total volume of water of possible future set up will be 95-100 gallons...SPS and Zoa dominate with some LPS.

SWC 160 – $275

Bubble Magus Curve 5 - $200

Bubble Magus NAC5.5 - $200

Super Reef Octopus 1000 – $319

Super Reef Octopus XP1000 Cone – $419

AquaMaxx EcoMaxx EM100 – $250

Thanks in advance from the man who can never make up his mind in this hobby...

 

[ahvrivera]

Great choices. I too could not make a decision. And i had a list pretty close to yours.
I acctually went with a SCA-302 from Ebay. Its a Bubble magnus knock off. Pump in it looks and is built just like an ataman. And its rated for 180+gallons. Sucker pulls junk like no tommorrow. $134.99 Shipped.

IF i had to choose from your list. My choice is split between the NAC 5 and SWC 160.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[reefjunky24]

I use a skimz 181 kone skimmer for about the same about of water volume and i feed heavy and i have had a good experience with it and it runs pretty quite, i got one used from someone but still a great skimmer, i know Warner marine makes a good one as well and it is the same a skimz basically with some added mods you might want to check him out as well. Sorry i know i added new ones to your list just thought i would give you my experience currently but i know someone who is running the SWC 160 and is happy with it as well

 

[danka-cedium]

i know you didnt mention it but you should check out skimz. I have one, and its by far the lowest energy usage, and imo produces the stinkiest skimate.

 

[tst400]

Great choices. I too could not make a decision. And i had a list pretty close to yours.
I acctually went with a SCA-302 from Ebay. Its a Bubble magnus knock off. Pump in it looks and is built just like an ataman. And its rated for 180+gallons. Sucker pulls junk like no tommorrow. $134.99 Shipped.

IF i had to choose from your list. My choice is split between the NAC 5 and SWC 160.

Good luck with your decision!

Yea I ran the sca-302 and Yea it worked great.. Set it and forgot it

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Kevin1966]

I have a curve 5 and thing kicks a**

 

[BfishLpond78]

Awesome, I didn't know of the other skimmers, I have no problem adding it to the list

sent from never never land...

 

[AdeptMrSniffles]

I have the Bubble Magus NAC6 and I'm extremely happy. Thing produces enormous amounts of skimmate. Its built very well and I'm SO happy it has a collection cup drain line. I think its hard to go wrong with your list. The thing that won me over with the Bubble Magus was the footprint. Good luck.

 

[pnavarro170]

i went with the ebay SCA150 with atman 2500 modded with a mesh wheel and now bigger cup. Its worked extremely well especially for a third of the price, that being said i really want to try SKIMZ skimmer for my next one. im also familiar with reef octopus skimmers. And if you wait the new ones using dc pumps should be out soon. if not i would go with skimz or try the ebay sca best bang for price.

 

[LILBUDDHA]

I omitted a few as I don't think they would be up to the task . I upped the anty on the Curve . I also added running water depth . Nothing worse than getting the largest skimmer for your sump and u have to raise the skimmer but now can't get the cup off. Been there done that . I have had two SKIMZ units . Great skimmer's but the prices are way higher than this list .Smallest one is the SM 121 @289 with 540lph air . CSC skimmers are SKIMZ Cone bodies with Sicce pumps . More bang for the buck but still priced higher than this list .

SWC 160 – $275 650lph

Bubble Magus Curve 7- $265 480 lph Pretty sure it pulls more ..

Super Reef Octopus 1000 – $319 540lph

Super Reef Octopus XP1000 Cone SSS – $329 540 lph

Newest one out of this bunch is the Curve 7 . Very quiet skimmer .Wine glass body .Pulls a lil more power than advertised . I personally checked out a buddies back around Turkey day .
Running in 9 inches of water
The SWC 160 Rocks and you have to keep it clean or the mesh/ impeller will fail on you . 7.5 to 8 inches of water depth .
RO XP 1000 SSS must be run in shallow water . 6.0 inches
SRO 1000 runs best in shallow water 5.5 to 6.0 inches .

 

[pnavarro170]

the bubble magus is exactly the same thing on ebay for half the price.

 

[BfishLpond78]

I don't mind higher prices...just nothing outrageous. I will def look into skimz, I've heard many people mention it.

sent from never never land...

 

[mjaustin22]

What about a reef octopus XS 160? that's what i'm thinking about getting for my new build. It seems to get really good reviews. I've got a SWC 160 right now, it skims really well when it's running but i've always had pump issues, have to blow in it every time I turn it off to get it going again. This has happened with two different pumps, not knocking it as it does a great job just getting old after two years.

 

[BfishLpond78]

I really do like Reef Octopus...love the BB pumps...i may just save up the cash or hopefully find a nice used one.

sent from never never land...

 

[BfishLpond78]

Someone educate me more on skimz...just checked a few out...they have really broad ratings on the...what's the big difference between kone and monsterz?

sent from never never land...

 

[BfishLpond78]

That and the vertex omega...lol

sent from never never land...

 

[danka-cedium]

Skimz, whay i was told was, the kone and monzster do the same thing. The kone does it about 10% faster. Im running the sm252, (up to 800 gallons ) on my 450 gallon system. I always like going with a much higher rated skimmer.

Sent from my DROIDX using Reef2Reef Aquarium Forum mobile app

 

[BfishLpond78]

How can they have such a wide range though?

sent from never never land...

 

[danka-cedium]

I'd think the low range would be for a heavily stocked system, higher being a lower stocked system. Check out my thread in large aquariums. Mine uses 17 watts per recirculating pump x2, and i have a quiet one feed pump using about 45 watts. Ive always been a fan of using a higher rated one, in case your plans change- adding a bigger sump, adding a frag tank, or the most common problem, buying too much coral. Put a valve on the feed pump and you can dail it down if needed.

 

[Lt Nos]

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