Protein Skimmers, (yes another skimmer thread)

tkh

tkh

New member
So, after having browsed the many other threads already here regarding protein skimmers, I am left with a few questions, since I now have a (mildly urgent) need for one. My current skimmer has, um, stopped bubbling, and so now is a lovely heat and noise generator in my sump. It has also led to an accumulation of cyano (well lack of a functional skimmer and me over-feeding...). So, needless to say I need one sooner rather than later.

I am currently considering the following 3 options, although if anyone has any additional suggestions, I would definitely appreciate it! This would be for a 90g tank with a ~20g sump.

Option 1: SCA 303, rated up to 150g, $130 at www.scaquariums.com

Option 2: Skimz SM121, rated up to 200g, $290 at Aquacave

Option 3: Reef Octopus NWB 150 or 200 Needlewheel, rated up to 150 / 200g, $225 / $290 at Aquacave

What do you guys think I should go for? As with so many things in this hobby, there are plenty of options! Just a bit confused on what to do though. Thanks!
 
the old vertex in-180s are on sale since they are being fazed out in favor of the omega 150, either vertex model is a great choice. If you feel like DIY a avast marine is a good option. Top dog without spending alot of money is vertex alpha in my opinion, get a red dragon powered skimmer for less than 1k.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/catalog/product/view/id/1227/

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/catalog/product/view/id/2294/

http://www.aquabuys.com/p/vertex-in-180-protein-skimmer.html

http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/youbuilt/CS1-Cone-Skimmer-Kit
 
Awesome, thanks for the tips! Those are some nice looking skimmers, although I suppose I should also mention my budget! I'm hoping to spend a maximum of $300... Unless this is really unrealistic for finding a good quality skimmer...
 
The old Vertex IN-180 is a great skimmer, works like beast. I had one for two years but is a little to noisy for my liking. I have Skimz skimmer right now and love it. Very quiet and works like champ.
 
Hmm, more options! Lol, hmmm... well I need to figure this out within the next day or two, and yet still 100% undecided. Dre's given me some good advice before, so the bubble magus is tempting, and it sounds like the Vertexes are also solid. Hmm, well, let's see what I end up with I guess...

Anyone else care to pitch in with an idea? :)
 
Im selling Gus' custom Orca skimmer for what I paid for it $475. It will probably cost over $1500 new. It can handle 600 gal heavy stocked. Too big for my sump :(
 
Ooh, I wish I could do overkill like that, but sadly that's well out of my budget! Good luck with your sale though!
 
SKIMZ you will not be disappointed best skimmer on the market imo. not many people have them because there fairly new but the few people that do have them swear by them. I work with Mdefo25's Skimz 222 on a regular basis and love it as well does he, so quiet and compact, and the amount of crud it pulls out is redic. I'm ordering the skimz monster 251 for my 230.
 
I am highly tempted to try out the Skimz, I've gotta admit... Still undecided, I'll figure something out tonight though! Thanks for the input guys! Is there anywhere local to pickup any of these units mentioned, or will I net the best prices online? I wish advanced aquatics carried some of the skimmers listed, I had a great experience shopping there and picking up some shrimp and my new mp40 :)
 
Oh! That'd be a new store for me to visit and there're close(ish) as well, perfect, thanks!
 
Aquacave is online retailer not a store per say but you can walk in and buy whatever they have.
 
Oh! Well, not quite as exciting, but still good to know I can cut shipping out of the picture. And here I was hoping to happily burn time staring into tanks and observing more beautiful fish that I cannot fit yet.. Lol. Given that they have the Skimz at a good price... Might just have to go that route, since I'd like to get a functional skimmer up and running asap.
 
Well, I've been really bothered by my lack of a functioning skimmer - so I took out the non-functioning one and tinkered with every part I could pull off of it. Its working again... if its still working by the weekend, I'll call it a success, and be able to delay upgrading the skimmer! :) If not.. well, then I would need a skimmer rather urgently, so a Skimz from Aquacave sounds like it would be in my future!

Assuming I can delay the upgrade, I'm considering actually ordering an SCA302 from scaquariums.com since they're just so cheap and a lot of people seem to like it so far.

Thanks again for all of the help with this!
 
MMreef said:
Aquacave is online retailer not a store per say but you can walk in and buy whatever they have.
Click to expand...


I just bought a Skimz online. I found 2 stores that carried it. Aquacave and Reefers Direct. Both were the same price with free shipping but there would have been a lot of sales tax added (~$35) if I ordered from Aquacave since they are in Illinois. There was no tax with Reefers Direct since they were out of state. Next thing you know, my skimmer arrives from AQUACAVE even though I ordered it from Reefers Direct.

Anyone have any insight about this?
 
Ive heard nothing but good things about the Skimz series skimmers, also have had great success with all three SWC skimmers Ive used (MSX250, MSX200, and SWC160 Cone). Like was mentioned earlier, none of them were close to my Vertex Alpha 170 in construction or absolute quietness when running. But they are definitely out of your price range.
 
EricTheRed said:
I just bought a Skimz online. I found 2 stores that carried it. Aquacave and Reefers Direct. Both were the same price with free shipping but there would have been a lot of sales tax added (~$35) if I ordered from Aquacave since they are in Illinois. There was no tax with Reefers Direct since they were out of state. Next thing you know, my skimmer arrives from AQUACAVE even though I ordered it from Reefers Direct.

Anyone have any insight about this?
Click to expand...

Lol, as long as you don't have to pay tax, I wouldn't ask too many questions!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top