Skimmer for 135 gallon?

[atcaw94]

Ahh, another "which skimmer should I get thread":squigglemouth:

I'm setting up a 135 with a 40 sump, won't have much bioload to start, but will down the road. I don't have a lot of room in the skimmer section (11X13) unless I move baffles. I was going to get the Aquamax 200 but they are backordered until June. I'm also looking at the Vertex Gen 3 IN180. I was trying to keep it around $300. The Vertex seems like a good skimmer except for the pump. I was originally going for the Octopus Xtreme 200, but it's just way to big.
Thanks for the help.

 

[xmetalfan99]

Ahh, another "which skimmer should I get thread":squigglemouth:

I'm setting up a 135 with a 40 sump, won't have much bioload to start, but will down the road. I don't have a lot of room in the skimmer section (11X13) unless I move baffles. I was going to get the Aquamax 200 but they are backordered until June. I'm also looking at the Vertex Gen 3 IN180. I was trying to keep it around $300. The Vertex seems like a good skimmer except for the pump. I was originally going for the Octopus Xtreme 200, but it's just way to big.
Thanks for the help.

the SWC 180 might be perfect for you. Small footprint and about in your price range. However, it comes with the older sicce pumps that have issues with their starting. IDK if SWC will start using the new sicce pumps or not.

 

[atcaw94]

Narrowed it down to the Aquamaxx 250, Vertex 180, although the 250 is $100 more than the 180. Or just wait for the Aquamaxx 200 to get back in stock :(

 

[xmetalfan99]

Narrowed it down to the Aquamaxx 250, Vertex 180, although the 250 is $100 more than the 180. Or just wait for the Aquamaxx 200 to get back in stock :(

Do you plan on upgrading tanks in the future? The in180 is a solid skimmer that will work well. The aquamaxx skimmers are also great. If you dont mind spending the extra money, go with tue aquamaxx 250.

 

[atcaw94]

Don't plan on upgrading tanks anytime in the future, I'm upgrading to this one really. The Vertex may be a really tight fit. Also, the Aquamaxx 150 pulls 840lph of air to 720lph for the Vertex 180. Is that relevant?

Powerman over on 3Reef said the Aquamaxx 150 would be fine, but I plan on having quite a few fish and SPS in the future, so I'm somewhat hesitant to go that small. I'm also thinking of just running my Reef Octopus 110 until June when the Aquamaxx 200's are supposed to be back in stock. I shouldn't have much of a bioload off the bat. But ****, it's a PITA to get skimmers in and out of my sump.

 

[xmetalfan99]

Don't plan on upgrading tanks anytime in the future, I'm upgrading to this one really. The Vertex may be a really tight fit. Also, the Aquamaxx 150 pulls 840lph of air to 720lph for the Vertex 180. Is that relevant?

Powerman over on 3Reef said the Aquamaxx 150 would be fine, but I plan on having quite a few fish and SPS in the future, so I'm somewhat hesitant to go that small. I'm also thinking of just running my Reef Octopus 110 until June when the Aquamaxx 200's are supposed to be back in stock. I shouldn't have much of a bioload off the bat. But ****, it's a PITA to get skimmers in and out of my sump.

Powerman on 3reef is like mojo on R2R. He knows a lot about skimmers and I would go with what he says over what I say to be honest. Its never a bad thing to have a skimmer rated for larger than your tank. If you are worried about not enough skimming, go with waiting for the aquamaxx 200. As for air intake, it really depends on how much water the pumps pull in as well. Can't really compare the two besides saying one pulls more air and water while the other doesn't. The more water and air that is pulled in the more water that is cleaned and the better it is cleaned. If the pumps pull the same water but different amounts of air, go with the skimmer that pulls more air.