I need a solid skimmer for 160g.

[ChrisOFL]

I've always been impressed with my Aquamaxx ConeS. Last time I adjusted my skimmer was at the beginning of the year when I made some changes to my sump water level. I can leave it off for days and power it up without any worry of the cup overflowing or underskimming. Just overall a great design and comes apart super easy for cleaning.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

madweazl I would only count the DT not the sump, lets say you have a 20 gallon DT and a 130 sump, all of the bioload is in the DT not the sump, so you need a skimmer for a 20 gallon tank.

For a 90 gallon tank I would a Reef Dynamics INS135 skimmer 6" body and 24" tall but for a 165 gallon DT I would use a 8" body skimmer or a INS 180 skimmer.

If you use a small skimmer like the Eshoop 120 the cup will be to small causing you to constantly dump it, or better a skimmate locker, that may work but the bio load might just get to big.

I rarely go by manufactures rating ie use one that doubles your size of a tank,

I am not fan of oversizing a skimmer, I believe that there multiple skimmers for every application choosing one can be a little confusing but there is a lot of people who choose the correct one. This gives the buyer multiple chooses and usually within there budget.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

OP which model Skimz skimmer did you have? Sounds like it was oversized.

 

[coral-boss]

ran eshopps for years now without issues. got a x220 and s200 now. really don't have anything bad to say about them.

 

[BC1906]

I'm running a reef octopus regal 200sss on my 180g. Things a beast

 

[willthethrill]

OP which model Skimz skimmer did you have? Sounds like it was oversized.

It's the SM201. For the other people asking, the DT is 120g and I have a sump and separate refugium plumbed in as well for a total of about 160 gallons. My understanding has always been - you need a skimmer that's rated for the total volume of water in the system, not just the volume of the DT, as some of you are saying.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

Look into something like a Nyos 160 or something similar, Ice Cap 160. older Aqua Maxx S Co-2 first or second gen. I just bought one for my 12o gallon tank and it works great.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

Or get a Vertex Omega 150 on the Black Friday sale. Also get the air control valve that goes on the air line, there are lots of mods for this.

 

[willthethrill]

Or get a Vertex Omega 150 on the Black Friday sale. Also get the air control valve that goes on the air line, there are lots of mods for this.

The Omega 150 might be the one I get. Keep hearing good things.

 

[Slim_Okrug]

Used ro 200 nwb and switched to Tunze 9410 on 180 gallon. Very satisfied and it have overflow protection invented by tunze. Also cheaper then ro. Very good skimmer.

 

[roberthu526]

SRO 3000 is a good option. One thing I like the most about RO is the consistency. Hardly any adjustment after break in

 

[willthethrill]

Ok so it seems I've figured out why I'm having issues. I always read it's better to go a size up when selecting a skimmer. Recently though a lot of people are saying the best thing to do is pick the size rated for your tank. The model Skimz I have (SM201) is way oversized it seems for my 160 gallons. I guess that's why I can't find any consistency with this thing. I guess bigger isn't always better?

 

[Mjl714]

big fan of LifeReef, take a look at em. mine is literally set and forget

Same here. Venturi, any pump, in sump or out, great skimmers. Give Jeff a call, see what you can learn.

 

[Bengt]

Tunze DOC 9410 DC skimmer, it beats everything on the market today, it’s a killer.

 

[Apotack]

Lifereef

 

[Pivitol]

Another vote for Lifereef . I love the fact that when the pump fails I can replace it with any pump rated 600gph or higher, don't need to worry about needle wheels or brand specific pumps or a pump being discontinued. The skimmate in my cup looks like used motor oil.

 

[Fishmantim]

Lifereef mtc stay away from vertex 150 parts a pain to get

 

[MRRBW]

I can vouch for the icecap - I have the k-120 in my 60gallon and the thing works non-stop and extremely quiet. Zero complaints from me. I did have one piece become loose that allowed the adjustement plate drop, but that was my fault really as I have it jammed into my All-in-one overflow box section. It's in less than ideal placement and space and still works like a charm.

 

[roberthu526]

I see a lot of lifereeffan on the forum and most people say any pump can fit. However I have used Reef Octopus skimmers for years and have not had a failure yet. Some skimmers I bought used already had three years on the pump and it still runs like new. So I feel bashing on brand skimmer pumps is a little skewing when recommending skimmers to someone. I think focusing on skimmate production, consistency, how easy to tune in and maintain, and how much space it takes etc. would be more helpful.

 

[Slim_Okrug]

Easyiest to tune is Tunze 9410 cos he tune himself :D. I respect RO much and as i said i use it on my other tank but Tunze is from my POV better skimmer noise/price/skimate wise.

Here is link to video where is compared Tunze and RO 200 int. Check it is nice video where everything is explained.



Also skimmate produce by this little thing ( to be honest it looks like toy compared to reef octopus i have and i was a little sceptic about it and it performance ) is jaw droping for this small footprint.