Skimmer Q&A Thread

[Birddog]

Sorry I can't offer direct comparative experience either....never seen the Vertex in person.

Personally I would discount the Vertex on account of its shape, size:footprint ratio and cost. Aside from this skimmer, the company is known more for sponsoring Chinese knock-offs of Euro-Reef's skimmers so that gives me further reason to discount them.

IMO, pick up the Reef Dynamics that makes the most sense based on either size, fit or cost...whichever is most important to you. Bigger would be better in several ways, but smaller would definitely still get the job done and also have its benefits. They are made here in the USA by a company that has always (even back when they were Euro-Reef) made great skimmers, and which still supports local fish stores. YOUR local fish store, in fact. :)

-Matt

Thank you Matt!

 

[s2nhle]

I am looking for a skimmer for my 93g cube. I currently have deltec mce600 on my 46g with 20g sump. I would like to transfer all of my sps over to my new build. Any suggestion is great appreciated.

 

[thebest14life]

Hi s2nhle I have a corallife super skimmer 220 for sale that the skimmer was modded with a 90 degree piece to produce better skim mate

 

[thebest14life]

I am looking for a skimmer for my 93g cube. I currently have deltec mce600 on my 46g with 20g sump. I would like to transfer all of my sps over to my new build. Any suggestion is great appreciated.

Hi I have a corallife super skimmer 220 for sale that the skimmer was modded with a 90 degree piece to produce better skim mate

 

[TooGirly1115]

A good skimmer rated for 200g? Prices and brands thanks in advance

 

[thebest14life]

A good skimmer rated for 200g? Prices and brands thanks in advance

Hi I have a corallife super skimmer 220 for sale that the skimmer was modded with a 90 degree piece to produce better skim mate 120.00 ship

 

[TooGirly1115]

Sorry needs to be new I need brands its a gift for someone

 

[kracer1025]

I have a 125 gallon Sps dominant reef tank. I have my skimmer choices narrowed to 2 skimmers, an ATB 8.5 deluxe or a reef dynamics ins180e. Which of these 2 skimmers do you think would be a better choice? I have owned an ATB skimmer in the past and was very happy with its performance, I have also owned a euro reef skimmer and was also very happy with it. I'm not sure if the reef dynamic skimmers perform at the same level with the latest skimmers.

 

[den2636]

The reef dynamics ins180e in my opinion would be perfect and it would allow you to have a heavy biload of fish and corals. i had the regular ins180 in my 120g and my bioload was heavy and it ran great. (skimmate was thick!) reef dynamics skimmers are top of the line if you can afford them.

 

[kracer1025]

The reef dynamics ins180e in my opinion would be perfect and it would allow you to have a heavy biload of fish and corals. i had the regular ins180 in my 120g and my bioload was heavy and it ran great. (skimmate was thick!) reef dynamics skimmers are top of the line if you can afford them.

Thanks for the reply I was thinking the same thing, I was just not sure how the reef dynamic skimmers would stack up as far as performance with the atb cone design.

 

[mcarroll]

A good skimmer rated for 200g? Prices and brands thanks in advance

Not sure if you really mean "rated for a 200 gallon tank" or simply that it's to be used on a 200 gallon tank. If it's a 200 gallon tank, generally you pick a skimmer rated for a system twice the size.
It seems weird, but that's the way they are spec'd and picked....so a 10 gallon tank gets a 20 gallon skimmer....50 gallon tank gets a 100 gallon skimmer, etc.

Either way, in addition to the Reef Dynamics that's already been mentioned, I'd suggest considering Tunze.

Their model 9410 @ $345 is rated for a 265 gallon tank.

Their model 9415 @ $573 is rated for 400 gallons.

 

[mcarroll]

Thanks for the reply I was thinking the same thing, I was just not sure how the reef dynamic skimmers would stack up as far as performance with the atb cone design.

I haven't used them both, so I can't offer direct experience.

I can make some comparisons anyway:

For about the same footprint as the ATB (15x10.5"), you can have the INS-250 (12x14" @ $600), which may be overkill and might be too tall as well.

For around the same price as the ATB ($1000), you can have the INS-180E (13.5x11" @ $800), which uses an Eheim pump, is shorter so the skimmer cup will be easier to get off, and has a relatively larger body for greater theoretical processing power.

I'd also consider their XRC135 (7x16" @ $800) recirculating skimmer - a powerhouse at only 24" high, and properly spec'd for your tank.

The XRC180 (10x20" @ $1000) is also worthy, if price wasn't the issue. :) Note: You'll need a small pump to feed water to these skimmers.

The XRC135 and XRC180:

 

[mrred]

Asm g2 with a sedra pump has been a work horse on my 90 dt. Going strong for 4 years. Marine depot.

 

[kracer1025]

Thanks for the reply, I am leaning towards the reef dynamics skimmers. You mentioned the recirculating skimmers. Do you feel they offer a noticeable increase in performance vs the standard counterpart. Also do you feel it is worth the difference in price to upgrade to a recirculating model. Thanks again for your input.

I haven't used them both, so I can't offer direct experience.

I can make some comparisons anyway:

For about the same footprint as the ATB (15x10.5"), you can have the INS-250 (12x14" @ $600), which may be overkill and might be too tall as well.

For around the same price as the ATB ($1000), you can have the INS-180E (13.5x11" @ $800), which uses an Eheim pump, is shorter so the skimmer cup will be easier to get off, and has a relatively larger body for greater theoretical processing power.

I'd also consider their XRC135 (7x16" @ $800) recirculating skimmer - a powerhouse at only 24" high, and properly spec'd for your tank.

The XRC180 (10x20" @ $1000) is also worthy, if price wasn't the issue. :) Note: You'll need a small pump to feed water to these skimmers.

The XRC135 and XRC180:

 

[mcarroll]

Well, "worth it" is a tough one to define.

First, if you are price sensitive then shopping used might be something to more strongly consider.
Second, most skimmers these days combine air- and water-pumping into the same pump. That does come with some design/performance sacrifices....and a smaller price tag.
Third, a recirculating skimmer can be plumbed externally, gives you greater control over the skimmer's performance since air and water flow are controlled separately and one does not affect the other.

So, whether they are worth it is an open question. In the scheme of comparing skimmers, I'd say "absolutely worth it". In terms of looking into your wallet to find that answer, I don't know....that's up to you. :) I would say all those options are "better" IMO than the original skimmer being considered.

I hope that helps!

-Matt

 

[ws6kid]

Building a new 400g total volume system. Looking for in sump recommendations. I have always liked Deltec products, but don't see many recommendations for it. Thinking about the internal SC 2560 model. Would you go this direction or get something else? Designing the sump now and want to know what dimensions to use for it. Thanks!

 

[mcarroll]

Building a new 400g total volume system. Looking for in sump recommendations. I have always liked Deltec products, but don't see many recommendations for it. Thinking about the internal SC 2560 model. Would you go this direction or get something else? Designing the sump now and want to know what dimensions to use for it. Thanks!

If you're OK with the $2000 sticker price (best I saw on a quick scan), there's nothing wrong with that skimmer from what I can tell. :) Actually, it may be a bit more oversized than necessary, and unless you are cramped for sump space (too soon for that if you're in design!) I would get a skimmer with a traditional pump layout.

Consider that you might be equally happy with...

...the beastly Tunze 9430 @ $650 (rated for up to 800 gallons, 500 gal SPS) or even the lesser 9415.
...the Reef Dynamics INS250 @ $600 (also rated for up to 800 gallons) or if you are feeling more spendy, consider the XRC250, which is a recirculator. Nice!

These are all really beastly skimmers - how big will your main display be vs the sump vs other connected tanks?

-Matt

 

[geef64]

Mojo. What would you say would be the best skimmer for a 180 gal with light to medium bio load. And best for price

 

[jiwitaganigichigami]

My Innovative - Marine Nuvo Fusion Mini 40 will be arriving on Tuesday. I am trying to find a good protien skimmer that will fit the 4.01" width column for the skimmer. I am really a total newbie...so I am reading as much as I can but am about on information overload. I wanted a Tunze, but it won't fit. The only two I have found that should fit are the Hydor Slim Skim Nano and the Innovative - Marine SkimMate Ghost. Any ideas...thoughts...suggestions?

 

[morgan175]

Hello. Trying to decide between the bm curve 5 or bm 3.5. The tank will be a 40 breeder with a 20 sump. I'm figuring around 47 gallons total water volume.