Skimz 253 vs Aquamaxx EM600

Saltgator · Oct 3, 2015

Considering a upgrade, so thought I'd ask y'all. Any users of the above two skimmers please chime in or if you'd like to give your opinion, please do so. Just in case, my skimmer is currently a swc 230 with a modded needle wheel (came with the original pump) on a laguna 1500 pump. Gonna be a medium to heavy bio on a roughly 300g total water.

Saltgator · Oct 5, 2015

Bump for Monday

Saltgator · Oct 8, 2015

How's about a Thursday bump

Rezac · Oct 8, 2015

My skimz seems to be built really well. I have the sk202. It doesn't seem like it gets that much stuff out, it is probably more of a setup issue then the skimmers fault though. I am really considering selling my skimmers and going with a life reef though.

Saltgator · Nov 3, 2015

Thanks. Sorry for the late reply. I'm still trying to decide on which one of these

gcarroll · Nov 3, 2015

The aquamaxx is a physically larger skimmer. They are both well built.

Saltgator · Nov 3, 2015

That's was a big considering factor for me. I like the 2 pump setup also. The downside is the price of the replacement pumps on the em600, the warranty on it (1 year vs skimz 1 year pump/2 year body) and it barely getting more lph than the skimz 253 (em600 @ 2520 using both pumps, skimz 253 @ 2400 using the single). This is just from the info I've narrowed down, no hands on.

gcarroll · Nov 3, 2015

I would bet the 2 pumps process more water. That is a big plus.

Rezac · Nov 3, 2015

I got my skimz external about dialed in, it works awesome now! I highly recommend them.

Saltgator · Nov 3, 2015

gcarroll said:
I would bet the 2 pumps process more water. That is a big plus.

I thought that as well. My figures abived were just documentation from online. I couldn't imagine why those 2 pumps wouldn't be work horses.

Rezac said:
I got my skimz external about dialed in, it works awesome now! I highly recommend them.

Thanks. Many ppl speak highly of the skimz skimmers (another strong reason for my thoughts).

gcarroll · Nov 4, 2015

The The Aquamaxx is using an Italian made Sicce pump. Well known for it's reliability. The Skimz uses a what brand pump? Also I wanted to add that since the pump is not in the body of the skimmer, dwell time is much longer and maintenance is so much easier. I have owned both brands.
Build quality is a toss-up.
Design I give a slight edge to Skimz as it has a smaller footprint.
Pump quality I give to Aquamaxx.
Skimming ability I give to Aquamaxx as it is larger, processes more water and has longer dwell time due to utilizing the entire (pump not in the body) reaction chamber.

If restricted by sump size, I always would choose the Skimz as no skimmer ban give you more in the footprint that it is in. Their skimmers are no more than 1" larger than the cone with nothing hanging off the side.

Rezac · Nov 4, 2015

Skimz pumps are made by Eden which is also Italian made.

Edit: not the 253, sorry. It uses a DC pump that I can't find much info on.

gcarroll · Nov 4, 2015

not the 253. It's a Chinese built DC pump.

Saltgator · Nov 4, 2015

gcarroll said:
The The Aquamaxx is using an Italian made Sicce pump. Well known for it's reliability. The Skimz uses a what brand pump? Also I wanted to add that since the pump is not in the body of the skimmer, dwell time is much longer and maintenance is so much easier. I have owned both brands.
Build quality is a toss-up.
Design I give a slight edge to Skimz as it has a smaller footprint.
Pump quality I give to Aquamaxx.
Skimming ability I give to Aquamaxx as it is larger, processes more water and has longer dwell time due to utilizing the entire (pump not in the body) reaction chamber.

If restricted by sump size, I always would choose the Skimz as no skimmer ban give you more in the footprint that it is in. Their skimmers are no more than 1" larger than the cone with nothing hanging off the side.

I might be confused a bit (could be the heat I'm working in). The aquamaxx em600 has the pumps in the body as well. http://m.marinedepot.com/products/uj00162/aquamaxx-ecomaxx-em-series-in-sump-protein-skimmers

gcarroll · Nov 4, 2015

It is possible that the design was changed. Based on the footprint, it appears that the pumps are on the outside. Might need to verify with Marine Depot.

Saltgator · Nov 4, 2015

Lol, I'm actually getting my account set back up correctly (I must have forgotten something). These might be where we're off track. These are the cone 6 and eco aquamaxx skimmers. The ecomax is the the one I prefer because of the body, but the cone version has me considering it because of the exterior pumps.

gcarroll · Nov 4, 2015

Yes, unfortunately finding a picture of the EM600 is the issue. I was reading the footprint of the EM series and the larger ones seem to have a much larger footprint than the body suggest. This led me to assume the pump was on the outside. You would need to contact them to verify. The picture supplied is not the actual skimmer as it only has 1 pump.

I am however a big fan of the cone series as it has the conical transition.

Saltgator · Nov 4, 2015

What's your opinion on cone vs traditional (if that's what we can call it)?

gcarroll · Nov 4, 2015

I prefer conical transition as it seems to give the bubbles a smoother path to the collection cup. Is it necessary? No but I see less cleaning on skimmers with this design. I'm all for reducing maintenance. I noticed they have the coneS models that have an askoll pump. I would choose that option despite the increased costs.