BEST SKIMMER BRAND: Who get's your vote?

[AirborneReefer173]

Let's talk protein skimmers today and put it to a vote!

1. What brand skimmer are you running on your saltwater reef aquarium?

2. Are you happy with your current skimmer?

3. If you could choose any skimmer what brand would you choose?


VOTE on your favorite brand and if I forgot a good one let me know!

I've had a Reef Octopus and a Bubble Magus. I like the Bubble Magus way better once you get it broke in and tuned right.

 

[Ciscodog]

I have been running the Reef Octopus 150 SSS Elite on my Red Sea 525 XL for 5 years and I would not change a thing. I have used the RO HOB skimmers as well. All quality built to last.

 

[Jax15]

Nyos is beast. Skims nasty. Only one I've tried so can't really comment on if it's the 'best'... however I do wish it had DC pump/variable. Would be a nice way to control height.

 

[Blackened]

Reef Octopus is an awesome skimmer. Tried many on the list.
Deltec is a winner for highend.

 

[bubblemytip]

Ultra Reef Akula 160 skimmer on my tank. Beautiful, functional, heavy duty (weighs about 6kg) from thick acrylic and machined pvc. Super easy to take apart and clean too. Oh, and a tiny footprint.

 

[raffy026]

I run a Bubble King super Marin 250 on My 180 display.
Iam happy with it.
But would have buy one today, Nyos 220

 

[ReefGeezer]

1. What brand skimmer are you running on your saltwater reef aquarium?

10 year old Reef Octopus NWS-150 (Recirculating)

2. Are you happy with your current skimmer?

Somewhat. It works well, is stable, easy to adjust, and the skimmer body is built well. The re-circulation pump is inefficient power wise. Additional inefficiency is created by the need for a separate supply pump.

3. If you could choose any skimmer what brand would you choose?

It would still be a needle wheel... maybe a Deltec.

I voted for Deltec because the question ask for the best. I guess Royal Exclusive might be in there too. I'd probably buy one of them if funds were unlimited. However, if you change the question to "best for the money" then Reef Octopus might have gotten my vote. Additionally, if you changed the question to which one actually removes the most gunk, I'd vote for "other". Seems like they all work about the same.

 

[Barnabie Mejia]

I voted Reef Octopus, its the only one that I have used. I don't know any better or different. its been working, I don't know if its working good or not, so I don't really have a reason to try anything else.... haha

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

Bubbles are just bubbles. Other than size, the container that houses them isn't significant. The pumps and impellers are easily replaceable consumable parts. The only significant difference I see is the customer service and price.

 

[ca1ore]

Hey, we are all biased towards what we own. And since we don't know any better, we all think ours is the best and we would never use a different brand. Unfortunately, my "brand" isn't made anymore. MTC HSA-1000. Love it and have been using it almost 20 years now.

Wow, that's an oldie ….. even for the HSA-1000.

 

[|Tom the Bomb|]

Reef Octopus is the best for the money. Yes, Nyos and others are better, but they are wayyy more expensive.

True Reef Octopus is really good and not tooo expensive.
But Nyos personally I think is better but way more expensive...

 

[ca1ore]

Marine Technical Concepts user here too …. they've been my got to skimmer manufacturer since the mid-1990s. HSA-1000, then Power Pro and now stretch version of the HSA-3000.

 

[Vette67]

Wow, that's an oldie ….. even for the HSA-1000.

Yup. Original style, with the Beckett down the center. It is an oldie but a goodie. Performs as well now as it did 20 years ago.

 

[Maltese]

I have two running Nyos 160 and Bubble Magus Curve 7. The Nyos worked better in my tank. I love it

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

Have to go with reef octopus. They work.. they just work. and their customer service has been excellent in my experience.

 

[uncle luke]

Over the course of 20 years, I’ve used many skimmers, BK, Lifereef, Euro Reef, Reef Octo. Although a little loud, nothing even comes close to the consistency and slim mate of a Deltec. I’ve had several different Deltecs and they all out grossly performed any other skimmer I’ve owned.

 

[Doctorgori]

I’ve only ever owned Berlin or Reef Octopus ....

 

[ForTheLoveOfCoral21]

being in the Hobby for 30+ years i have seen many brands come and go. I have stuck with octos for the past 10+ years.

There are SO many good options in the market, but i truly believe for what you get, and the price the octopus skimmers are in the running for best over all. They have so many options from big to small, and customer service has been amazing. I have yet to have one disappoint me. Big or Small, they always seem to get the job done for me!

 

[mickeysreef <*))))<]

my asm g3 is pretty nifty. wish it had a smaller footprint though... guess its easier to clean the pump this way though. idk, doesnt seem too loud to me.

 

[Racecars&reeftanks]

I'm using a Skimz SM202 recirculationg skimmer on my waterbox 220.6. It's my first skimz skimmer and my first recirculating skimmer. Very happy with how stable and consistent it is. I highly reccomend it. As far as a dream skimmer.... I dont know. What brand but can say it must be recirculating. Dont thinking will ever go back to an internal skimmer.