I had asked a few weeks ago for recommendations on a skimmer for a 90g reef. Well, scratch that. I somehow talked the hubby into getting a 180g! I am going to be using the same sump and need something with a small footprint that will fit in 12 x 14. I will have sand, medium load. I have been doing some research and The AquaMaxx EcoMaxx EM200 has good reviews. Does anyone here have experience with it? Is there another one that would do a better job? I don't want to break the bank, but I don't want to get a cheapie and waste money either. Suggestions and recommendations?
Due to the fact that there's a limited amount of good any skimmer is going to be able to do (physics...
link) there's good reason to economize, but I would caution against cheaping out as well. You will get what you pay for, within the price-range of reason.
The smart way to economize is to key in on the fact that skimmers don't really wear out:
Buy Used! (Of course classifieds and other resources are also available.) There are many good possibilities that you might see come up for sale if you give it a bit of time. A short, but necessarily incomplete, hotlist that I would suggest...focusing on high performance, and likelihood of being offered for sale: AquaC EV150 through EV240, Euro Reef (many models possible), Tunze 9011 (or larger), Tunze 9410. (There are a range of Euro Reef knock-offs that would also be serviceable, including Reef Octopus. Cone skimmers are also Euro Reef clones with a smaller skimmer body - if you are deciding between skimmers don't pay more for this shape.) ETSS has a range of possible options if the price were attractive.
I am new to the hobby and have been doing a slow build on a 100 gallon with an eventual 30 gallon sump/refugium. Ran into you guys today at the MACNA show. We used to do Cichlids so the tank will be heavier on fish and lite on LPS/softies. Initially I strapped a Reef Octopus BH1000 on to get the tank started until I figured out what to do and had the intent of moving it to a 30 gallon QT later. Now I am trying to research out the replacement skimmer and think I have it down to one of 3:
1. Skimz SM-121
2. Hydor Performer 705
3. Eshopps PSK-200
I want to "over skim" due to the fish bio load will probably be medium to heavy with only 6 - 8 LPS/softies to start with until we get comfy with the coral aspect of the hobby. Any one of these a clear cut winner or am I missing one that would be better in the $220.00 - $300.00 price point.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Rover
Just a point of fact about the skimming vis a vie the LPS/softie plan. Presuming you have no intent on abusing the tank with fish load/feeding load, there's a very good argument to be made for under or even NOT skimming a tank like this. All that fish poop (and its resultant bacteria-laden morsels) is exactly what these corals want to eat! I would not change from the skimmer you have only on the basis you have stated. Now if you know going into it that your going to be jamming a lot of fish (and subsequently a lot of food!) into the tank, then sooner or later you will be pulling out all the stops to make it work: oversized skimmer, GFO and carbon reactor(s), maybe even an algae scrubber (aka ATS).
For higher value, I would be shopping on the used market for some of the same brands mentioned to Connie above. (Smaller models than those recommended, including the AquaC Remora and Urchin Pro models, would be most appropriate.) I run a system the size of yours (but heavy SPS, low fish) on an AquaC EV90 (similar size-wise to those Pro models) which easily handles the tank.
Hmm, its funny I was just talking about my skimmer being the next upgrade after my lights in a couple weeks. I have a 75g mixed reef tank currently running a seaclone(i know theyre not too great) Money is not an issue to a certain point, so what Im asking is give me a high end, a middle and a low end that way I can shop around, used/new etc and see whats avail to me. HOB models only please my sump isnt setup for a skimmer atm. The seaclone seems to work, but I realize it could be better. Thanks in advance!
For a hang-on solution on a tank your size, it's hard to beat the value of a used (and I'll start sounding like a broken record here...) AquaC Remora. Without a pump I've seen these go for $70 or sometimes less if you're patient and put some effort into looking. With a pump, right around $100 is common.
Something you did not mention, but which I would heartily consider, is one of the Tunze in-tank skimmers. Very compact 4"x4" 'footprint', and nothing ugly or noisy hanging off the outside of your tank! Again with patience and diligence you may find a Tunze 9006 (or similar but older 9005) or 9010 on the used market, but if the price for a
brand spanking new one is within range, it's still quite worth it and recommended IMO. In fact, if you'd like to look at a really complete solution for an "all in one" tank such as yours, check out their
Reefpack 505. Beefy skimmer, sweetest ATO on the market, and very nice power carbon/floss/whatever-you-want filter for additional filtration/circulation - all integrated to a really tidy, unobtrusive package.
-Matt
