Time to shop for a new skimmer?

icedgxe · Apr 25, 2010

Well I know I have asked this question before and people said to keep what I currently have but I am still getting some algae growth and feeling like my skimmer may not be big enough with my growing fish etc. Some info first. Tank is a 125g display, 75g sump a little less than half full, and 20g fuge. Current skimmer is a euro-reef rs135 with sedra 5000 pump. Fish list looks like this...

4- Bartletts Anthias
1- Yellow Belly Hippo Tang ( about 5in)
1- Blonde Naso Tang (roughly 8-9in including streamers)
2- Perc. Clowns
1- Mystery Wrasse
1- Copperband Butterfly
1- Mandarin Dragonet
1- Scooter Blenny
1-Royal Gramma
1-Melanurus wrasse

So far the skimmers I am looking at are the sro xp2000, and the 3000int. I also like the xp3000, and 5000int but they are quite a bit more expensive. Anyways I want to get some peoples opinions on what they feel about the skimmers I am looking at and if they think they can handle the load. Will they be an upgrade from current skimmer? Downgrade or the same? Should I keep the skimmer I have and maybe add a dsb to fuge?
Please post your reason for chosing the one you do. Thanks.

luke33 · Apr 25, 2010

The first two you suggest will fit the bill better than the next two. They are better sized. Just depends on what you'd rather have between the two, a cone or cylinder.

icedgxe · Apr 25, 2010

Those are the ones I was leaning towards but can't decide between the two. The 3000 has a larger pump, pulls more air, bigger body and neck. The 2000 is a cone so in theory it should be more efficient and have all the benefits of a cone. Decision decisions.

luke33 · Apr 25, 2010

Either or will work and be better than the ER you have on there.

icedgxe · Apr 25, 2010

Thanks for the reply...time to think.

litenyaup · Apr 26, 2010

i would go with the hurricone cat1....i love it!!

HURRICONE CAT 1 Internal Premium Protein Skimmer | Reef Specialty

Troylee · Apr 26, 2010

If your willing to pay for the price of askoll pump skimmers I would go with a atb or the swc cones over a hurricone....

Tenacious716 · Apr 26, 2010

Have you tested your phosphates with a Hanna Photometer? Do you run GFO and/or dose a carbon source?

You've got a good amount of fish, but I'm willing to bet that a new skimmer isn't going to solve all of your algae issues. JMO!

ksed · Apr 26, 2010

troylee said:
If your willing to pay for the price of askoll pump skimmers I would go with a atb or the swc cones over a hurricone....

+1 Askoll pump are very reliable and solid performers.

icedgxe · Apr 26, 2010

I'm not thinking about a skimmer to solve my algea issues...just to help with the large bioload. I run phosban right now. I don't really want to get into carbon dosing just yet. I like the askoll pump skimmers but they are a bit out of what I want to spend. I have heard to bb on the sro's is performing very close.

litenyaup · Apr 26, 2010

i have had my hurricone for about 8 months now and it was the best investment i have ever made. can say anything good or bad about the atb or awc. the askoll pump is a BEAST!! i have to clean the skimmer every 3 days!

luke33 · Apr 26, 2010

An askoll on that system would be to large anyhow. I have a similar system and run a swc160 cone and its plenty big. So either of those top two should be fine.