Skimmer for my 180

PilotMaximus

PilotMaximus

Member
I'm shopping for a Skimmer for my 180G. I'm open to suggestions. It do need it to be internal. I have a 75 gallon sump so my size limits are about 24 inches tall we'll say a 17x20 inch or so foot print. Been lookin at the 8 inch Reef Octopus. I'm just looking for totally biased or not (don't care),opinions based on personal experiences not speculation unless there is some hot new game changer just about to be released that is some kind of must have at a fraction of the cost the current best stuff(Unicorn Skimmer 50000). LOL. . Looking to see what some of you guys and gals have run and liked/like. Shoot me some brands and models youve used on a well stocked 180 gallon reef. Would like to know what liked and disliked about each one. Would love to stay sub $500.

Thanks
 
Right now I am using a Vertex Alpha 170, which I picked up used for slightly more than you are looking to spend. I don't think its worth the money at retail pricing, but it is worth half price that I paid. My favorite so far has been the Reeflo Orca 200 and 250 but those are external. Sorry I don't have more to compare them to, my first big skimmer was a 6ft dual Beckett, that was a beast but took 360w to run it.
 
troublemaker said:
Right now I am using a Vertex Alpha 170, which I picked up used for slightly more than you are looking to spend. I don't think its worth the money at retail pricing, but it is worth half price that I paid. My favorite so far has been the Reeflo Orca 200 and 250 but those are external. Sorry I don't have more to compare them to, my first big skimmer was a 6ft dual Beckett, that was a beast but took 360w to run it.
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Yeah that is a beast for sure. Thanks I'll Look at the Vertex and the SkimZ. I'm not opposed to something used either. Thats kind of why I'm asking for experiences with different ones. More than likely I'll be buying a brand new one from my LFS neighbor 2 doors down but if the right deal on the right used skimmer comes up it will be hard to pass up. Money doesnt grow on my corals.
 
Not a 180, but my old 125 with 75 sump ran a Reef Octopus SRO-XP2000. That was about 4 years back, not sure what the current model is.

 
Disregarding the brand, a good pump matched with the right size body is more important. Mine uses a Red Dragon pump, which is an overpriced work of art but a good match for the Body I'm using. My Orcas used Dart Golds, a big, bad ass work horse, great match for the 250, overkill for the 200 body. I have used Sicce pumps, finicky but amazing pumps when you found their sweet spot, but not perfectly matched for all. You honestly need to find the best match for your system size and Bioload. I honestly get less ski mate than I would like to, but my fuges are my nutrient exporters, the skimmer gets rid of the proteins.
 
troublemaker said:
Disregarding the brand, a good pump matched with the right size body is more important. Mine uses a Red Dragon pump, which is an overpriced work of art but a good match for the Body I'm using. My Orcas used Dart Golds, a big, bad ass work horse, great match for the 250, overkill for the 200 body. I have used Sicce pumps, finicky but amazing pumps when you found their sweet spot, but not perfectly matched for all. You honestly need to find the best match for your system size and Bioload. I honestly get less ski mate than I would like to, but my fuges are my nutrient exporters, the skimmer gets rid of the proteins.
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I noticed some of the Skimz model Skimmers use Sicce(Italian) or Messner(German) pumps and some use what they are just calling Skimz pumps. And on those they say they worked with an Italian manufacturer.(not named)But guessing thats Sicce. I am caught between 1 or 2 from the Skimz line and the 8" SRO 3000 INT form Reef Octopus. I like the shorter height of the Skimz. Or I'm still waiting for someone to say "Hey man I have this amazing skimmer that will be perfect for a well stocked 180 gallon reef I just have to sell you for a song. LOL
 
If the Skimz uses a Sicce, go with that, the reef octopus pumps work but aren't as great. Not sure if Sicce have gotten better over the years but when I used to mesh mod them for older RO skimmers, they were finiky but great skimmer pumps once they started spinning and for the price.

I have been able to test an older Bubble King and its shows its value but I can't justify spending more on a skimmer then my actual tank LOL.
 
I'm going to be selling my sro xp3000 true cast acrylic cone skimmer thats a year and a half old.. it has a sicce pump and was on my 180 i'm downgrading the skimmer is mint id make a great deal on it... if you don't go that route buy a simplicity they are awesome quiet cheap and super adjustable!
 
1000rrstunna said:
I'm going to be selling my sro xp3000 true cast acrylic cone skimmer thats a year and a half old.. it has a sicce pump and was on my 180 i'm downgrading the skimmer is mint id make a great deal on it... if you don't go that route buy a simplicity they are awesome quiet cheap and super adjustable!
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I would be interested in your skimmer. I guess shoot me a Pm with a price.
 
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