Skimmer suggestions please

[Bpb]

I’m putting a jebao dcp10000 on my lifereef svs3 24. It’s dc and it’s plenty strong , might even have to dial it back a little lol

That’s what I use. I have it at 75% power

 

[DSC reef]

I can only offer my recent foray into skimmers, After owning a skimz dc I would never consider anything other than dc. Its just too easy to increase or decrease the flow. I now have a RO Regal, not as sexy as the elite but it has the Octo DC drive and pump, with the float switch input, the body is heavy and the out flow valve is big and chunky and easy to deal with in the sump. I think its worth a look. GL

Nice! Thank you for the input.

 

[Michael Naegeli]

Hmm. I thought I had the Elite 200. I actually have the Elite 150-s. It’s just awesome. Big cup, nice drain, variable speed DC. I never turn past lowest speed though. No need

 

[Michael Naegeli]

It’s the INT. Would suggest this one for has the smaller footprint I believe. I like the internal pump.

 

[AcanthurusRex]

I'm on my 3rd motor in the Skimz skimmer. I was going to ditch it for another but the latest motor works much better than the previous two.
I just set up a RSR170 and put an Octo essence 130 in the sump. Does not have the Sicce motor so according to lore, it's no good. More mico-bubbles than I remember from the Skimz when new.
I run my DC motor skimmer at 100% all the time.
I do think that the Varios DC pumps might be more reliable than most, based on conjecture. I asked BRS if they would fit my Skimz but they did not know.
Venturi skimmers have some advantages but don't look practical without an external pressure rated pump.

 

[DSC reef]

It’s the INT. Would suggest this one for has the smaller footprint I believe. I like the internal pump.

Thank you! I believe our sumps will be very similar

 

[Oldreefer44]

Over the years have had Reef Octopus, Bubble King, Vertex and finally Life reef. Life reef, by far, is the most solidly built. easiest to dial in, most silent, and needs the least amount of maintenance of any of them. At this point really wouldn't consider anything else.

 

[DSC reef]

Another for lifereef, thank you.

 

[KMench]

I've had a few now in my quest for the quietest skimmer possible, since our tank is next to the living room. I've had a vertex, bubble magus, HOB, and now the Reef Octopus Regal. I think the Regal is my favorite with the exception of accessing the pump since it is the internal model. I only run my regal on setting 1 out of 5 for my DC pump on my 75G tank and between it and my fuge, I have 0 nutrients. I've been dosing nutrients to get them up lol. I would vote for the RO Regal skimmer as my choice. If you watch BRS, you might even be able to get an open box deal that's where I got mine from.

 

[Devaji]

my 2 cent for what ever they are worth...
I have all ways had good results with reefocto i have 2 running now.

that said I would look in to lifereef if I was in the market and had the budget.

 

[ksfulk]

I'll weigh in here as well. I've used Vertex Omega Series, RO 150 INT, Avast Marine CS-3, and currently a Deltec 1456. Ive never really encountered a "bad" skimmer, but some have been more convenient than others. I agree with above comments that the bubble plates seem to be a non-impacting feature. Air draw and a reliable pump are the more important things it seems. I really like my current Deltec - I bought it from Adam @Battlecorals 2+ years ago and aside from an issue with the DC pump controller, its done nothing but run and skim without fail. No tuning or anything - I just turn it on and thats it. Similarily I really liked my CS-3 from Avast - it was a much bigger skimmer (500+ gallon rating) on a 300+ gallon system, but same theme. Plug and play and it just pulled out the sludge, plus I got to build it myself and saved about $300! Not sure if lifereef is similar or not, but I'd hedge my bets on the Deltec since Avast isnt producing skimmers anymore.

 

[DSC reef]

I really appreciate all the suggestions. Just got to see what size can fit in the sump. Looks like its between reefoctopus and lifereef.

 

[Dilan Patel]

I have had my fare share of skimmers. I rocked a reef octpus and now am rocking a skimz monster on a 180 and on my newest build a bubble magus. Out of all the three I love the bubble magus. I will not lie it does feel a little cheap compared to my skimz and reef octupus but IMO it works just as good as the skimz . Real easy to dial in and its super simple like you wanted. Highly recommend either skimz or bubble magus hope this helps.

 

[DSC reef]

Thank you @Dilan Patel

 

[siggy]

@DSC reef ...I have been thinking about all the different skimmers, how they perform and the reasons why skimmers like Life Reef & Deltec have such a fan base. I have noticed that both have a very short forcing cone or none at all. I will say my RO gets a great amount of build up on the cone leading up to the neck and when I do maintenance that build can drop away in sheets or large pieces back into the water column. Maybe I need to adjust my skimmer. I wonder if we could get one of these folks to chime in with the finer points?

 

[DSC reef]

@DSC reef ...I have been thinking about all the different skimmers, how they perform and the reasons why skimmers like Life Reef & Deltec have such a fan base. I have noticed that both have a very short forcing cone or none at all. I will say my RO gets a great amount of build up on the cone leading up to the neck and when I do maintenance that build can drop away in sheets or large pieces back into the water column. Maybe I need to adjust my skimmer. I wonder if we could get one of these folks to chime in with the finer points?

That's a good point @siggy. I'd like to hear from some skimz users as well.

 

[SPEEDBUMP1204]

I run a Deltec and really like it.

 

[Forsaken77]

My brother has the RO Elite 220-int (with the pump outside the body). It's much cheaper than the SSS version, but the thing is massive as will need a LOT of sump space. Definitely won't fit in a Trigger unless you go SSS, and then you're in the $900+ range. The 200 seems to be missing in action everywhere for some reason.

As someone else pointed out about the Davey Jones skimmate locker, I have the RO waste storage version, with dual floats for redundancy built-in, and it's worth its weight in gold. Also has a fuse protected outlet for your skimmer.

I have a Deltec, and the 1660 would be your size if you wanted to oversize. According to those in the know, avoid the DC versions with the Jebao pump. Junk. Marine Depot just launched a newer version of Deltec that I can't speak to and has some differences.

 

[siggy]

My brother has the RO Elite 220-int (with the pump outside the body). It's much cheaper than the SSS version, but the thing is massive as will need a LOT of sump space. Definitely won't fit in a Trigger unless you go SSS, and then you're in the $900+ range. The 200 seems to be missing in action everywhere for some reason.

Thats the reason I chose the Regal, I couldn't justify the increased cost for the internal pump version, it's sleek and Perdy but way too much $$ also another note in my internal pump* If you run Chaeto, strands it will get sucked up and you have to pull the entire skimmer and service. PITA.....and on a lighter note, Who would have thought that you could describe a fish poop aspirator as Sexy and Perdy

 

[DSC reef]

I'm looking at 2 skimmers right now. The reef octopus regal 200SSS 8" with varios pump and the skimz monzter SM201, these both should fit well in the sump. I'm curious which has a better pump and reliability.