Skimmer Recommendation For 130 gal

saber2th · Nov 11, 2015

Hi everyone, new to the site and glad to be here. My son and I are going to be setting up a 130 gal FOWLR tank with a light to medium fish load after the holidays. I will be installing a 40 or 55 gal sump/refugium , live rock and live sand in the display tank. I'm still trying to figure out which protein skimmer would be right for my set up, and trying to stay under $400. I will be building a stand for this tank so I'm not limited to a size. So far I'm looking at the following skimmers.
Reef Octopus Classic 150 INT or 160 INT
AquaMaxx ConeS Q-2
Bubble Magus Curve 7
Any input would be appreciated!

twilliard · Nov 11, 2015

If you can save a little more the Orphek helix skimmer is what I would do.
Maybe the Helix 3000?

twilliard · Nov 11, 2015

Oh and welcome to R2R!

ATB USA · Nov 11, 2015

Welcome.

ncfishguy · Nov 11, 2015

Feltman · Nov 11, 2015

I've ran a reef octupus 150 int classic for 3 years now and love it. The quality you can actually feel and the performance is amazing. One thing I wish someone would of told me when I was looking at it the bottom half of the skimmer on the inside does not come apart making the bottom half a downright pain to properly clean. They came out with the new 152 and 202 models that for me solve this problem and are comparable priced.

saber2th · Nov 11, 2015

twilliard said:
If you can save a little more the Orphek helix skimmer is what I would do.
Maybe the Helix 3000?

I see this one is on sale for $299. Not familiar with this brand, thanks for the input!! I will look into this one.

ncfishguy · Nov 11, 2015

saber2th said:
I see this one is on sale for $299. Not familiar with this brand, thanks for the input!! I will look into this one.

Where at?

saber2th · Nov 11, 2015

Feltman said:
I've ran a reef octupus 150 int classic for 3 years now and love it. The quality you can actually feel and the performance is amazing. One thing I wish someone would of told me when I was looking at it the bottom half of the skimmer on the inside does not come apart making the bottom half a downright pain to properly clean. They came out with the new 152 and 202 models that for me solve this problem and are comparable priced.

Thanks for the heads up on it not coming apart, did not know that. I did look at the 152 and 202 and thought it was a possibility.

mcarroll · Nov 11, 2015

Tunze 9410?

saber2th · Nov 11, 2015

ncfishguy said:
Where at?

Oh, it was some facebook thing and only had one I guess and it is sold. Sorry

saber2th · Nov 11, 2015

ncfishguy said:
Rlss

Looks interesting! I just looked at the RLSS R6-I!

Fin · Nov 11, 2015

Another vote for RLSS (Canadian made - Reef Life Support Systems). I have the R8-i and really love the skimmer. They sell for $499.99. I am planning on upgrading to the RLSS DB10i on my new tank.

jetmaker · Nov 12, 2015

Aqua Max co 1 awesome

Paranoiattack91 · Nov 12, 2015

I run an aquamaxx and love it. They also run sicce pumps

jetmaker · Nov 12, 2015

Yup and easy adjustment SWEET

saber2th · Nov 12, 2015

Paranoiattack91 said:
I run an aquamaxx and love it. They also run sicce pumps

Which one would be a good fit for my 130 with a 40 or 50 gal sump. Light to medium bio load?

ncfishguy · Nov 12, 2015

jetmaker said:
Yup and easy adjustment SWEET

got
A video !! Let's see

Jlobes · Nov 12, 2015

I run a vertex omega150 on my 120DT with 30 sump. its a great skimmer and get good reviews. So far, so good.

Also, if youre interested, I have an extra Omega150, brand new/sealed in box for sale. asking $385 shipped&PP