Skimmer Upgrade - Need help making decision

Studjunior · Sep 1, 2015

Hello everyone,

I have 150G mixed reef with a 30G sump. I currently have the following bio-load:

1 purple tang
1 sailfin tank
1 yellow tang
1 marine Beta
2 Picasso clown fish
2 wrasses
1 dragonet
5 blue eye cardinals

The tank has been up and running for 4 years now. Until now I've been using a Vertex 180IN. Given my current bio-load I know this is not sufficient. The pump just died on it so I'm using that as an excuse to finally upgrade my skimmer.

I have 2 options that I'm currently looking at and would appreciate if some with more experience and familiar with the two options could chime in and help me choose.

The options are:

Reef Octopus Regal 220INT
Vertex Omega 200i

The Regal is slightly cheaper but not the main deciding factor. The main factors are min water lvl as the water lvl in my sump in 12in and height under my tank which is 30in. As I would have to raise the skimmer onto egg crates or something I'm a bit restricted in options.

The last option is the Bubble Magus '9. It's the cheapest of the bunch and has the highest water lvl but not sure if best bang for the buck is the route to go.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

I've included a pic of my tank. It's an older pic as I have a lot less SPS now but hope to get to this in the near future.

Studjunior · Sep 1, 2015

Bump.....

Vpham · Sep 1, 2015

Were u still use the in180 on egg crate before it went out?
I still use in180 and recently replace sicce psk1000. Works great for my pocket att, just need abit diy.

prdubois · Sep 1, 2015

ATB 840v2 would be a good fit for your tank:
http://www.atb-usa.com/product-p/atb840.htm

Studjunior · Sep 1, 2015

I never had my IN180 on egg crate before. May not have been the recommended but worked non-the less. I still think it's time for an upgrade and want something I cane use if I upgrade to a 180G or even a 210G down the road.

prdubois, I'm in Canada and with our dollar dropping so much the ATB would be significant;y more than the other options I listed.

twilliard · Sep 1, 2015

The helix 5000
As they always say with skimmers.. don't skimp out!!

prdubois · Sep 1, 2015

The tax is what would cost the most.

tigerdragon · Sep 1, 2015

How about hydor performer 1005 recirculating no water level consideration there

Percula_Love · Sep 1, 2015

You should consider Aqumaxx Skimmers as well. They are not overly expensive but do a very good job.

twilliard · Sep 1, 2015

Define a "good job" vrs a user Friendly skimmer

Percula_Love · Sep 2, 2015

twilliard said:
Define a "good job" vrs a user Friendly skimmer

My definition is keeping nitrates at 0, being quiet and having an easily removable collection cup. What's your definition of "good job"?

Wrenchedup · Sep 2, 2015

If you can do some diy work I had Alot of skimmers before I built an octopus 150 that is crazy powerful
I took an octopus nwb-150 and acrylic cemented a diablo 3500 12v pump to it which gives you control of the speed it helps when adjusting I have an oceanic 155tall sps tank and pull 1/4 skim everyday

Just thought I'd share

twilliard · Sep 2, 2015

Percula_Love said:
My definition is keeping nitrates at 0, being quiet and having an easily removable collection cup. What's your definition of "good job"?

Well nitrates at 0 will produce sub par tank results keep it around 2 ppm
What I mean by user friendly is being able to have precise control of the air, water volume, and pump speed.
Also look into the ease and ability to clean the inside of the body, bubble plate, venturi, needle wheel.
I hope this gave some good ideas!

Studjunior · Sep 2, 2015

Thanks for the responses. I'm an accountant by trade and the longer I practice accounting the less handy I become

.... I've been seeing a lot of mixed reviews on the Vertex Omega 200i where ppl either love it or hate it. The one thing I can;t seam to find is a proper rating for a high bio-load. Does anyone know what it is??

Thanks,

Studjunior · Sep 2, 2015

As an FYI, I decided to go ahead with the Reef Octopus Regal 220INT. There were 2 main reasons. 1) I found very mixed reviews on the Vertex and complaints with their customer service 2) in the event that I upgrade my talk down the road to 180G or 210G I wanted a skimmer that I could take with me. I'll try to post something once the new skimmer is in and running.

Thanks,