your choice in protein skimmer

greg0385 · Feb 20, 2011

if you could only choose one type of skimmer what brand would you choose and why. also best skimmer for the lowest price.
thanks
greg

dougers31 · Feb 20, 2011

I guess from what I've heard the octopus cone skimmers are a decent price and a very good skimmer. I am prolly going with one on my next tank.

jwalker · Feb 20, 2011

It would depend on your system, but ........... SWC.........or, Reef Dynamics.............. REEF DYNAMICS INS 135....$300 GREAT SKIMMER..........SWC BMK 150,200.....$200-$300......better skimmer

zigzag · Feb 20, 2011

I second reef octopus w/ the new BB pumps.

jwalker · Feb 20, 2011

I was going that route until i started hearing all the problems people were having with the new cone skimmers, very finicky with just the slightest change in water level, as little as 1/4" and them blowing the collection cups off for no apparent reason......just my thoughts....i went with the new SWC extreme bmk 150.

72 gallon bow front SPS dominated
20 gallon sump with refugium

MimicOcto8 · Feb 20, 2011

best skimmer I've used for the lowest price was the CPR bakpak skimmer. My number one pick though is the Hydor400-500 series.

greg0385 · Feb 20, 2011

i found a swc xtreme 200 for $289 rated 175-350 gallon pending bio load OR the reef octopus 8 rated up to 250 gallon for $279. HMMMMM hard choice. need some help!!! its for a 150 gallon tank with a 75 gallon sump. and i want a skimmer to be able to handle anything i do now or in the future. right now as you can see im stuck between the swc and the octo

jwalker · Feb 20, 2011

go with the SWC better qaulity in my opionion...

Dyraxe · Feb 20, 2011

SWC cone

tcfab · Feb 20, 2011

SWC's are pretty nice for there price tag.:xd:

caudill187 · Feb 20, 2011

Both are good skimmers. I like my reef octopus

powderhound · Feb 20, 2011

Check out the bubble-magus line. Affordable price and dead silent operation.

nixer · Feb 20, 2011

swc skimmers are made by octopus!
so are the coralife.
and you cant pick a skimmer by brand.

Fragtastic Reef · Feb 20, 2011

BB pumps are really nice though. Making SRO skimmers very efficent.

nixer · Feb 20, 2011

Fragtastic Reef said:
BB pumps are really nice though. Making SRO skimmers very efficent.

yes they do. not exactly the quietest pump, but its awesome!

Kris · Feb 21, 2011

I have heard that the reef octopus cone skimmers are nice. I ended up going with the ATB 840 and love that thing but it's a little pricey but worth the extra i think.

jwalker · Feb 21, 2011

actually SWC skimmers are not made by reef octopus, swc is its own commpany in canada where as reef octopus skimmers are made in australia. now swc contracted a company outta china to mass produce them and the same company mass produced reef octopus skimmers also...it was actually reef octopus who ripped off some of the design features of the swc line of skimmers......

barbianj · Feb 21, 2011

greg0385 said:
i found a swc xtreme 200 for $289 rated 175-350 gallon pending bio load OR the reef octopus 8 rated up to 250 gallon for $279. HMMMMM hard choice. need some help!!! its for a 150 gallon tank with a 75 gallon sump. and i want a skimmer to be able to handle anything i do now or in the future. right now as you can see im stuck between the swc and the octo

If you're handy, the Avast CS-1 has the same pump as the SWC 200 with a custom volute. The pump sits under the skimmer. $235. Extremely fine threaded adjustment. I'm very happy with mine. Troylee has a build thread somewhere. AVAST Marine Works - CS1 Cone Skimmer Kit - Product Details

Fragtastic Reef · Feb 21, 2011

SWC skimmers are awesome skimmers and will be selling them soon. I have been very happy with my SRO XP3000 though. Build quality is great a couple downsides though. Dont have a removable bubble plate and is a pain to clean the detritus out of the bottom of the cone. Other than that though its an awesome performer!!

nixer · Feb 21, 2011

jwalker said:
actually SWC skimmers are not made by reef octopus, swc is its own commpany in canada where as reef octopus skimmers are made in australia. now swc contracted a company outta china to mass produce them and the same company mass produced reef octopus skimmers also...it was actually reef octopus who ripped off some of the design features of the swc line of skimmers......

thats a new one. to me. as long as i have ever known both companies distribute and rebrand the octopus skimmers. which is not made in australia.