Recommend me a skimmer!

[Emster]

Trust me get the I-tech 100.

 

[poolkeeper1]

I-Tech

Trust me get the I-tech 100.

Get an I-Tech and you'll never look at skimmers again, Unless you get another tank. Best bang for the Buck Out there, And get the Tunze on It for sure. JMHO
Bill:tire:

 

[cveverly]

If you don't want to spend a lot of money look at the Bubble Magus NAC6. Amazing skimmer for under $140. 60 gallons might be the limit of the NAC6 if the bioload is heavy but I doubt a frag tang has a heavy bioload. If I wanted to step up the price I would consider the MSX/Octo 160. If you want to step up another notch watch ebay for the Grey Seas GS1 skimmer. You can get it for $179 if no one bids. Add a PSK-2500 for 109 and you have a cone skimmer for less than 300. I am using the GS2 and that is way too much for a 60 frag tank. Obviously there are a lot of choices I am just mentioning big bang for the buck skimmers because you are concerned about price.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I have a lot of stuff to look at! :D I am really intrigued by these Bubble Magus skimmers! Anybody else use one? Looks like a lot of bang for your buck.

 

[cveverly]

I have a NAC6 and I am truly amazed how well it works for $140. There are better skimmers but I have seen nothing else perform this good in the same price range. The only pit fall is the depth required in the sump. The slimmer runs best in 11" to 13" of water. It will run in less but not like it should.

I run two skimmers in different areas of my sump. As you have read I also have a Euro Reef and it is for sale. The NAC6 is not for sale. Draw from this any conclusion you wish.:baffle:

 

[mojo]

two guys in my local club have the bm skimmers and they both wish they had picked up some of the skimmers I have had instead.
like the vertex for example. I am not impressed wit h the BM skimmers. The itech are not bad. But for the price you might as well buy an ATB 840 imo. The itech 10 is a really small skimmer . Not much body volume. the 200 isnt bad either but with the tunze pump it drives the price up. I would get the ATB 840 v 1.5. Now I know some will argue this. But I have had the econo 840 and the 840 1.5 and many other of the skimmers mentioned. Great service all around. I would lean towards the bk, atb or vertex from my past experience.

I should ask what the water level in sump will be. This will help determine a skimmer as well. like the mini works well from about 7 to 9. The atb 6 to 8, the vertex 7 to 8, the msx 8 to 10 ect.. but hey what do I know?
As far as bang for buck, I hear and see a lot of people posts. But you have to look at what they are comparing the performance too? the most expensive skimmers I have tested were the BK mini 180 and the Vertex alpha 250. Also tested the mini 160 and the alpha 170. The atb 840's and the k2. The vertex in series and a couple hand fulls of the others. So when I compare performance per dollar value I do it knowing what the better higher priced skimmers have to offer as well. Good luck with your choice. Cant wait to see what you get.

Mojo~

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Great info Mojo as usual. My problem is that I have very little money for this skimmer like in the $200 and under price range. I have a Tunze 9020 running on it, but i am not happy with it. I got all my money tied up in my display! LOL!

 

[gilmour01]

recommend me a skimmer is like asking everyone to recommend you a good beer. way too many opinions out there.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Well I got a good list didnt I? :D

 

[Emster]

My friend had a BM and now he has a vertex alpha. He now says he wishes he got the I-tech. Just letting you know trying to help, I usually don't comment on these type of threads because these threads get like this. You have to keep the 9020 clean inside the black body and it will skim a lot better.

Just yesterday I saw the I-Tech super-beast in action. I have to tell you i thought I was not going to be impressed being not many of these were made and not a lot of R&D I thought. Boy was I wrong the bubble action was amazing, I can tell you John at I-Tech really has a good eye for skimmers. Just my 2 cents:)

 

[TwistedTiger]

My friend had a BM and now he has a vertex alpha. He now says he wishes he got the I-tech.

Did he say why he wishes he got the I-tech instead? Is the Vertex doing better than the BM? Does he have issues with the vertex?

I'm asking because I have a BM200 which I like but was really looking hard at getting a vertex alpha 200. Any more specific comments your friend has would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mojo]

$200 or less the vertex in 100. Hands down. just over $200 would be the msx or octX 160.

 

[cveverly]

The Vertex may be a good choice. I almost pulled the trigger on the IN-250 but opted for the made in the USA GS2.

I have not owned a Vertex so I can't personally recommend it. There are a lot of positive reviews and mojo seems obsessed with them. ;)

Just messing with you mojo. I have read many of your reviews and respect your opinion. :cool:

 

[TwistedTiger]

Mojo, Vertex Alpha 200 cone or the I tech 200 cone. Based on performance first and then build quality which is better? Ignoring price difference altogether.

 

[mojo]

I have not had the i tech to be honest but based on the tunze pump air draw and numbers I would say the i tech would be more consistant. The ALpha is built like a tank and uses a nice pump. its a tough call on that one. The alpha is a nice looking skimmer. I would get the atb 840 1.5 to be honest. over those two.

 

[Raptor]

Well if you want cheap then the cheapy vertex would work. They impressed me with some stuff.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Ok I think I am going to go with the Vertex IN-100. Any last words? LOL!

 

[Emster]

Did he say why he wishes he got the I-tech instead? Is the Vertex doing better than the BM? Does he have issues with the vertex?

I'm asking because I have a BM200 which I like but was really looking hard at getting a vertex alpha 200. Any more specific comments your friend has would be greatly appreciated.

He just posted he borrowed an I-Tech 400 and it pulled out crap the Vertex alpha 200 would not.

 

[mojo]

well here are a couple shots to help you see what I was talking about.
ATB

alpha 170

BK mini

MSX mini S

vertex in 180

 

[cveverly]

If this was all over the same time frame and bio-load that ATB has it hands down!