Skimmer suggestions please

[siggy]

I ran a skimz 123 mini monster Dc for 6 months Worked GREAT just too small for my system.....Mine had a threaded acrylic rod for the gate valve and it broke day one during assembly, service said too bad so I left it wide open and used the dc pump. I did grab one from BRS and they carry all the parts....Must be a high demand for BRS to CHOSE to carry them.

 

[TexasTodd]

RO is my go to. I've had lots of skimmers over the years. To me RO is the best balance and great customer service. Plus, in almost every LFS. LifeReef are good but tall and need a lot more power. I think the Int RO work a bit better than the SSS. Currently running a 5000SSS and have had a 5000Int in the past. Couldn't fit the Int in my current sump.

 

[Sonor]

One more vote for Lifereef,
All of the previous responses are right on, and Jeff is always very quick to respond to any requests or questions. I love mine.

 

[hart24601]

I have liked vertex and tunze when I have run them. But this isn't an issue I personally worry much about. We are at a point in the hobby when many tank problems are caused from lack of nutrients and plenty 0f people run skimmers only part time, or not at all. It's not worth it, for me, to be terribly concerned about a particular model getting slightly more DOC out of the water than the other. A brand with a solid AC motor like SICCE (to last years) that is easy to work on and clean is what I look for. Bonus is a lower power draw, but not all that important to me. It seems like a debate from 10 years ago.

 

[DSC reef]

I have liked vertex and tunze when I have run them. But this isn't an issue I personally worry much about. We are at a point in the hobby when many tank problems are caused from lack of nutrients and plenty 0f people run skimmers only part time, or not at all. It's not worth it, for me, to be terribly concerned about a particular model getting slightly more DOC out of the water than the other. A brand with a solid AC motor like SICCE (to last years) that is easy to work on and clean is what I look for. Bonus is a lower power draw, but not all that important to me. It seems like a debate from 10 years ago.

Not trying to debate which is best, I'm just trying to gather information and make a decision from there. The 2 so far that I like are the ones mentioned before, the reef octopus and skimz. Seeing i can call brs or coralvue for parts is a big plus for me.

 

[hart24601]

Not trying to debate which is best, I'm just trying to gather information and make a decision from there. The 2 so far that I like are the ones mentioned before, the reef octopus and skimz. Seeing i can call brs or coralvue for parts is a big plus for me.

Doubt you will go wrong with either! I did fancy my vertex but not sure how hard parts are to get. I didn't know there were so many options for those two brands. I just pulled up BRS and wow, they have some impressive looking skimmers.

 

[DSC reef]

Doubt you will go wrong with either! I did fancy my vertex but not sure how hard parts are to get. I didn't know there were so many options for those two brands. I just pulled up BRS and wow, they have some impressive looking skimmers.

Lol, that was my exact reation!

 

[AcanthurusRex]

As I posted above I'm on my 3rd motor in my Skimz. The latest motor is better, better skimming and much quieter. Each motor has been different.

 

[DSC reef]

As I posted above I'm on my 3rd motor in my Skimz. The latest motor is better, better skimming and much quieter. Each motor has been different.

How was it getting the pump? Customer service really matters for us.

 

[Forsaken77]

Oh, if you're looking for a space saver, the skimmers that easily detach the body from the bottom plate are a huge plus. That's why I went with Deltec. The ease of removing the body is 10 seconds, literally. You don't have to unscrew multiple screws. The AC version also has a rock solid pump.

I have a 180 and went with the 1440 (I think the number is). It's sized appropriately.

 

[Forsaken77]

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

Exactly!!! You know how the external pumps are more efficient? I actually emailed RO to ask them why a less efficient version of that skimmer, the SSS, costs a few hundred more? They said the added acrylic for the internal pump was the reason.

I call bulloks. $20 of acrylic doesn't equal a few hundred. Also, a less efficient model shouldn't cost more. They're just charging more because the INT needs a massive footprint and the SSS will fit more sumps.

But seriously, it's like the RO Elite 200 fell off the planet. It uses the same pump as the 220 and bigger Regals. Maybe they stopped making the Elites? I would really love a 200-SSS Elite, but like you, can't justify the massive increased cost just to move the pump inside.

 

[Forsaken77]

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.

If you have an Apex, the RO VarioS pumps have a 0-10v port for Apex connectivity. They also have a float that installs into the skimmer lid to shut the skimmer off if the cup is full. The finer points

 

[Heart of Dixie]

My 6 year old Lifereef is still truck'n along silently with a Sicce motor. Simple design, great quality, no frills, no specialized pump, nothing to wear out (except the motor) and still doing a fantastic job. The best part is that dialing the thing in took all of five minutes. It is skimming a 150 g mixed reef.

 

[DSC reef]

Oh, if you're looking for a space saver, the skimmers that easily detach the body from the bottom plate are a huge plus. That's why I went with Deltec. The ease of removing the body is 10 seconds, literally. You don't have to unscrew multiple screws. The AC version also has a rock solid pump.

I have a 180 and went with the 1440 (I think the number is). It's sized appropriately.

I'll have to check that out. The 1440, thank you.

 

[Adamc13o3]

I have ran in order from the last 15 years

Kent Nautilus
ASM G2
ATI BM series
H & S A150 (This one was awesome although no longer made)
Bubble Magus
Old Style Deltec
Skimz (Extremely small one on a lightly red sea reefer 350)
Reef Octopus (External really large one)
BK SM 250 (Currently)
BK (smallest one they make with the pump not in the body) (hated this one)
Deltec SC2060

I'm sure I left few out.



I love the BK because of it's performance, ease of use and craftsmanship. That said the Deltec is a very tight second to it and it's half the cost. I also like that Deltec pack a lot of punch for their size. I currently run both the BK SM250 and the Deltec SC2060 in a heavily stocked and fed 300 gallon system. I have had the BK for like 3 or 4 years now and just decided to try the Deltec. It ended up fitting in my sump with the BK so I left it there to see which would out skim the other. The results have been a tie ever since I added it, about year or so ago. The BK performance was cut in half and the Deltec picked up the slack. I run them both now because I think it's cool and I guess redundancy is a good thing lol. If I was on a lighter budget I would go with the Deltec. I am not saying that most of the skimmers above aren't good, however most do not have the experience that BK and Deltec have in protein skimming.

 

[Adamc13o3]

I have ran in order from the last 15 years

Kent Nautilus
ASM G2
ATI BM series
H & S A150 (This one was awesome although no longer made)
Bubble Magus
Old Style Deltec
Skimz (Extremely small one on a lightly red sea reefer 350)
Reef Octopus (External really large one)
BK SM 250 (Currently)
BK (smallest one they make with the pump not in the body) (hated this one)
Deltec SC2060

I'm sure I left few out.



I love the BK because of it's performance, ease of use and craftsmanship. That said the Deltec is a very tight second to it and it's half the cost. I also like that Deltec pack a lot of punch for their size. I currently run both the BK SM250 and the Deltec SC2060 in a heavily stocked and fed 300 gallon system. I have had the BK for like 3 or 4 years now and just decided to try the Deltec. It ended up fitting in my sump with the BK so I left it there to see which would out skim the other. The results have been a tie ever since I added it, about year or so ago. The BK performance was cut in half and the Deltec picked up the slack. I run them both now because I think it's cool and I guess redundancy is a good thing lol. If I was on a lighter budget I would go with the Deltec. I am not saying that most of the skimmers above aren't good, however most do not have the experience that BK and Deltec have in protein skimming.

 

[madweazl]

I love my Deltec and ended up buying a larger one for the new build as well. Complete disassembly for maintenance or cleaning is done with a single thumb screw. No crazy bubble plates, odd shapes, or other gimmicks; the skimmer just works. With that said, support in the US is abysmal at best; Battlecorals and Marine Depot carry items but my experience with them hasn't been the best. The skimmer for the 150g was ordered on or about 20 Nov 2017 and received 24 Nov 2017. The body was cracked so I contacted the retailer to get it replaced (just the body, everything else was fine). Then I waited, and waited, and waited some more. The replacement arrived 16 Feb 2018; yes, it took almost three months! I would have pushed the issue harder if the tank build was being delayed but that wasn't the case.

The latest design (of the Deltec) will make maintenance a little easier as the down pipe flows better (an obstruction was removed that grew algae/bacteria etc. on the previous models). People can claim brand X is better or worse but if things were tested on an apples to apples basis, I doubt you'd find much difference between many them.

My opinion and I've stated it before, DC skimmers have ZERO realistic value. If the flow rate needs to be adjusted, it was improperly sized for the skimmer or there is another issue in the tank that needs to be addressed. All the DC fans can jump on the comment all you want (don't expect a reply), wont change my mind and I'm sure I wont change your mind but it's a waste of money now and when things need replaced. With the controller, you have an additional point of failure that isn't present with an AC skimmer as well.

With the minor rant out of the way, I've decided to plumb both systems into a common sump and because of that, have also decided to go with LifeReef for the system. I have the space to run an external now as well so that decision was easy (I'll take an external over an internal every time unless I'm constrained for space).

 

[c.poindexter]

I have ran both a reef octopus and a Skimz Sm202. Personally I wished that i would have stayed with the RO as it was always reliable and worked great. My SM202 will not keep its current water level inside the skimmer to save its life. It is on a dedicated pump with a gate valve.

 

[mikes686]

I use 2 reef octo's in my tanks. A classic RRO 200 and in my new tank a RO 200int. The elite with the dc pump might be my next move. I love how quiet they operate as well as their efficiency.

 

[nightowl]

For a good price point with quality check out Simplicity. Great customer service as well!