Skimmer Suggestions

[AUSXMD]

Hello everyone,

I hope you all are doing well. I am in the market for a new skimmer. I have a Waterbox Infinia 230.6 and am looking for suggestions on what to get. A thousand dollars or less is my budget, but would be happy with something reliable and that most importantly works very well at any price. So if there is something less than 1k that's great. The tank is roughly 230 gallons, so I'd like something rated for around 300 gallons, heavily stocked(I think the consensus is to still get something rated for more than what you have?). Ive always had Octopus skimmers, and like them a lot. The one I just broke was a Octopus and did a great job. But I'm open to other brands. My sump has a decent area for a skimmer, but a smaller footprint is ideal. I have a fuge in there that takes up a chunk of the skimmer section. Any advice is appreciated - brands that are great or to stay away from, etc. Looks like Octopus is still a top pick and Bubble King. How is the Tunze brand? Anyway, Ive made this long enough. Appreciate any help you can offer!
Scott

 

[Prowler66gt]

I'm partial to the Octopus SRO line. The SRO 3000 handles 300g at heavy load or if you wanted more the 5000 handles 400g and both come in under $1000.

 

[AUSXMD]

Thanks! Everything I'm researching always brings me back to Octopus. Ive had them so long I didn't know if something better came along, but it doesn't look like it has yet. I'll have a look at those. Thanks again!

 

[landlubber]

I'm by no means a skimmer expert having only dealt with 2 so far an Aquamaxx and a Bubble Magus Curve which are similar despite the Curve being nearly half the cost. The adjustments are a bit different between them but overall they both do the job well enough that I couldn't justify spending on something in the realm of Royal Exclusive or Reef Octopus.

 

[AUSXMD]

I've heard good things about the Bubble Magus. I'll have to take a look at them. Im certainly not trying to spend a thousand bucks, it's what I'm willing to spend if it's worth it. :)

 

[BryanM]

Its not the same, but sort of the same - So I would offer up a different solution, a Surf4x algae turf scrubber from Santa Monica.

For me it was simple, the skimmer requires more maintenance than I want to give it, and if I fail it stinks... Sure, it gets at the bad stuff before it turns in to nitrate/phosphate, but the ATS effectively removes those as well.

It's a nifty little box that floats in your sump ,and after it is up and running you just harvest algae 1x a week or so.

You can talk to them about your bioload, but in any case its a possible alternative.

 

[Moe K Verified Sponsor]

I second bubble magus. They are always set and forget for me. They just work. One of them I just replaced a pump on was over 8 years old. I recommend the curve 9 for your size tank.

 

[AUSXMD]

Interesting! Something I'll look into. Ive heard of algae scrubbers, but never place of skimmers.

 

[AUSXMD]

I second bubble magus. They are always set and forget for me. They just work. One of them I just replaced a pump on was over 8 years old. I recommend the curve 9 for your size tank.

Thanks! And I think they are significantly less expensive if I recall as I was browsing skimmers.

 

[56longroof]

I like the Reef Octopus INT line.

 

[Freenow54]

Hello everyone,

I hope you all are doing well. I am in the market for a new skimmer. I have a Waterbox Infinia 230.6 and am looking for suggestions on what to get. A thousand dollars or less is my budget, but would be happy with something reliable and that most importantly works very well at any price. So if there is something less than 1k that's great. The tank is roughly 230 gallons, so I'd like something rated for around 300 gallons, heavily stocked(I think the consensus is to still get something rated for more than what you have?). Ive always had Octopus skimmers, and like them a lot. The one I just broke was a Octopus and did a great job. But I'm open to other brands. My sump has a decent area for a skimmer, but a smaller footprint is ideal. I have a fuge in there that takes up a chunk of the skimmer section. Any advice is appreciated - brands that are great or to stay away from, etc. Looks like Octopus is still a top pick and Bubble King. How is the Tunze brand? Anyway, Ive made this long enough. Appreciate any help you can offer!
Scott

You are asking for personal opinion as to longevity I like Octo

 

[reely989]

I’d go reef octopus or tunze personally.

 

[landlubber]

You are asking for personal opinion as to longevity I like Octo

how long are we talking?
I got 8 years out of an AC Sicce pump on my last skimmer which is usual to even a bit over expiration. A DC pump is generally less than that.

 

[Idoc]

I use a Tunze skimmer and it seems to work very well...and extremely easy to setup since it regulates itself.

 

[PapaBeepBeep]

I second the Octo. Mine’s been running for six years with absolutely no issues.

 

[twentyleagues]

I used to have a huge Bashsea custom on my system years ago. I got a bashsea 8-24 for my current tank (way over kill) and will be moving it to my 180g build that will eventually be around 400 total with in a year( this should be good maybe a little over kill). These are rated fairly accurately maybe a little on the conservative side actually. These can be used internally or externally. They do require a separate pump to operate Bashsea recommends Sicce but anything in the correct gph with good head pressure will work also. There is no fiddling around with different setting or depths they just work. Reef octopus is also a good quality skimmer have used many of them as well. Below is the first day of operation.

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

I would recommend Octopus or Tunze. I like the INT skimmers by Octopus. The Tunze skimmers are highly undervalued, and the service from Roger is legendary. I once had him get me a replacement pump for a 15 year old skimmer. I would consider the 9430. It is at the top of your budget, but having used it I can tell you it is one nice skimmer.

https://www.marineandreef.com/Tunze_DOC_Skimmer_9430_DC_p/rtz85000.htm

 

[KStatefan]

I have only been using it since March but I really like my Ultra Reef.

 

[AUSXMD]

how long are we talking?
I got 8 years out of an AC Sicce pump on my last skimmer which is usual to even a bit over expiration. A DC pump is generally less than that.

Yeah, longevity, quality, effectiveness is probably most important

 

[AUSXMD]

I would recommend Octopus or Tunze. I like the INT skimmers by Octopus. The Tunze skimmers are highly undervalued, and the service from Roger is legendary. I once had him get me a replacement pump for a 15 year old skimmer. I would consider the 9430. It is at the top of your budget, but having used it I can tell you it is one nice skimmer.

https://www.marineandreef.com/Tunze_DOC_Skimmer_9430_DC_p/rtz85000.htm

The one I had was Octopus elite 200-int and I liked it a lot. I just thought maybe there was something better as Ive had Octopus skimmers for years and years never considering anything else. Maybe I should stick with them.