Skimmer recommendations???

ChaseBurke · Sep 13, 2018

Good evening everyone. Wondering if anyone can recommend a quality protein skimmer. Will be going in the Trigger systems Triton 34 sump with skimmer section dimensions of 14.5" X 8.5". Total tank volume will be 105 Gal. 75 Gal tank. plan on mixed reef with a higher bioload. The two i was looking at were the RO regal 150 or the Eshopps S-200. Im leaning for the Regal due to integration with Apex. Any thought?

jda · Sep 13, 2018

IMO, neither of those are killer skimmers. Is three room in the for a LifeReef? If so, then it will destroy either of the ones that you mentioned... especially with a higher bioload.

SeaJay · Sep 14, 2018

Interested to see what everyone has to say on this. I’m new to the hobby and this is my first experience with a skimmer. I got a simplicity 240 and it seems like a very effective and well built skimmer. It was recommended by my lfs and the reviews it gets online seem to back up his recommendation. I’ve also heard people mention the sound of their skimmer, which I haven’t experienced. The simplicity is so quiet you can only tell it’s on by looking at it. When I turn it on, I literally have to stare at it for a few seconds to see it start bubbling up to know that it actually came on.

mitch91175 · Sep 14, 2018

I personally haven't used every skimmer on the market so cannot say this or that is the best. I think that most skimmers that are properly tuned and setup in the proper water depth will work fine. The key I feel personal is that with the skimmer that you choose, to know exactly the preferred water depth and proceed to tune it based on how you want it to skim. I know that doesn't necessarily help you make a decision on a particular skimmer, but that is the general rule of thumb that I use. Welcome to the hobby!!!

I use Vertex skimmers and my friends all have Regal Octopus with Varios pumps. They love them and I have very little complaints with my Vertex. I thought about getting a different skimmer then thought to myself why? The ones I have gets the job done. That's all you need from the skimmer you choose anyways.

reeftivo · Sep 14, 2018

ultra reef akula 160 would be perfect for that.
on par with BK and vertex for build quality and skims like a beast (have one).

all components except for the cone and cup body are CNC'd from full blocks of PVC too and uses custom volute sicces

jduong916 · Sep 14, 2018

I'd get an aquamaxx q2 or co2

mitch91175 · Sep 14, 2018

ChaseBurke said:
Good evening everyone. Wondering if anyone can recommend a quality protein skimmer. Will be going in the Trigger systems Triton 34 sump with skimmer section dimensions of 14.5" X 8.5". Total tank volume will be 105 Gal. 75 Gal tank. plan on mixed reef with a higher bioload. The two i was looking at were the RO regal 150 or the Eshopps S-200. Im leaning for the Regal due to integration with Apex. Any thought?

@ChaseBurke, you're gonna be more confused than when you started,

.

ChaseBurke · Sep 14, 2018

Haha seriously though...

ChaseBurke · Sep 14, 2018

mitch91175 said:
I personally haven't used every skimmer on the market so cannot say this or that is the best. I think that most skimmers that are properly tuned and setup in the proper water depth will work fine. The key I feel personal is that with the skimmer that you choose, to know exactly the preferred water depth and proceed to tune it based on how you want it to skim. I know that doesn't necessarily help you make a decision on a particular skimmer, but that is the general rule of thumb that I use. Welcome to the hobby!!!

I use Vertex skimmers and my friends all have Regal Octopus with Varios pumps. They love them and I have very little complaints with my Vertex. I thought about getting a different skimmer then thought to myself why? The ones I have gets the job done. That's all you need from the skimmer you choose anyways.

Well said, I feel like 90 percent of the skimmers out there are all a copy of each others design and like you said as long as you know the correct water depth that skimmer runs best at and have a suitable pump in it for your water volume its going to get the job done. with that being said i ordered the Nyos Quantum 160 today. sounds like everyone that has it has had good luck with it.

ReeferMaddness843 · Sep 14, 2018

I had an Eshopps 120 cone skimmer on my 80 shallow with 40 breeder sump. Replaced it with the NYOS 160. Night and day difference in the skimmate. The Eshopps was good, don’t get me wrong, but I can see a big difference in my skimmer production and consistency with the new addition.
Pics were of a few hours after install. It’s been a few weeks now and I’m LOVING it!