Which Skimmer Would You Choose?

[Tiki Reef Joshua]

Ive been thinking about upgrading my old CADLIGHTS skimmer. AC pump is mandatory. My tank is 100 gallons display (4'x2'x18"), and 34 gallon-ish sump (Ruby 36 Trigger). I would call my bio-load heavy although that is debatable I guess. I have a Yellow Tang, Small Copperband (going in soon), Leopard Wrasse, Coris Wrasse, Mel. Wrasse, Diamond Goby, Tailspot Blenny, Clown and another little Tangaroa Goby. I feed twice a day... do regular WC of course... I would consider that a heavy load for a 100 + sump volume. I aim my Nitrates for around 5 give or take and keep the Po4 detectable. Based on the footprint available in the sump and cabinet space, I have narrowed it down to 3 choices. Which one would you pick?


The Red Sea RSK 600 is the highest gallon rating for heavy load at 150 gallons. It also has a lot of features. This may be overkill for my bio-load and tank volume, but it will fit in the space provided.

RSK 600 Reefer Internal Protein Skimmer

Protein Skimming Reinvented Efficient | Quiet | Ergonomic Red Sea Recommends for tanks up to: Light Bioload - 450 gallons Medium Bioload - 300 gallons Heavy Bioload (most common) - 150 gallons Red Sea Reefer Internal Protein Skimmers are designed with the hobbyist needs in mind. From...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

The Eshopps S-200 is rated for heavy at 120 gallons. It is the most expensive.

S-200 Space Saving G4 Protein Skimmer

Eshopps Premier Line of Protein Skimmers! The S-200 is the perfect space-saving protein skimmer for any reef tank that needs an efficient and high-performance skimmer. Eshopps Intelligent Design (EID) features 5 specific advancements in protein skimmer technology that help make keeping your reef...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

The Reef Octopus Classic will fit and is rated for a heavy load at 90 gallons. It is also the least expensive by 100 bucks. Total water volume... I'm not sure after scape and equipment so this is pushing it for heavy load it seems, but I know they are reliable.

Classic 152-S 6" Internal Protein Skimmer

This Reef Octopus Classic Skimmer is constructed of high-quality cast acrylic that disassembles completely for cleaning. Its unique Super Cone "wine glass shape" body naturally stabilizes and concentrates the organic rich foam as it rises producing an enhanced foamation. Fully equipped with a...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Tiki Reef Joshua]

Anybody?

 

[theMeat]

Reef octopus
Great skimmer, best bang for buck

 

[atoll]

Reef octopus. IMO the RO skimmers give you the best bang for your buck. I have the RO 150sss cheap quietish reliable, you can't go wrong.

 

[atoll]

Reef octopus
Great skimmer, best bang for buck

dang! We were posting at the same time lol. Your not wrong though.

 

[00W]

75 gallon.
Trigger sapphire cube-20 gallons in it.
20 gallon.
All this hooked together and running as one.
Reef octopus 110 int. Not one problem from day one. Easiest thing I've ever used and 3 cups of black coffee a week.

 

[Tiki Reef Joshua]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Devaji]

all are nice choices. from the list I would go RO too.

however look into lifereef skimmers build in the US last for decades and can use any pump you wish. oh and can get them made to match your plumbing/sump or pimp out your gear of that matters.

edit:
oh there upgradable too, so when you upgrade your DT you can just get a extension tube for the skimmer ( if you have the height) and not have to buy another skimmer.
I dont own one but when/if I get to do a large FOWLR that is what i am going with.

 

[czoolander]

I am running a red sea skimmer and love it ! It is a beast for skimming and is super easy to clean and maintain. RUNS super quiet as well . Disclaimer *** No I do not work for red sea hahaha

 

[Tiki Reef Joshua]

I am running a red sea skimmer and love it ! It is a beast for skimming and is super easy to clean and maintain. RUNS super quiet as well . Disclaimer *** No I do not work for red sea hahaha

RSK 600 the right size you think? Load wise?

 

[czoolander]

RSK 600 the right size you think? Load wise?

I would probably get the 300 that is what I have in my 109 gallon and it is even overrated for that tank size. the 600 in my opinion would be super excessive for your tank. I know you mentioned it would fit in your sump which surprises me because it would not fit in my sump when I was doing my sump research a couple years ago.

Mixed reef for the 300 is rated at 160 gallons . The 600 rated at 320 gallons .

Hope this helps !

 

[vetteguy53081]

The Octopus

 

[Tiki Reef Joshua]

The Octopus

Is the one listed enough for the load mentioned in your opinion?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Is the one listed enough for the load mentioned in your opinion?

light load I believe is 150g tank, heavy load about 80 gal tank

 

[Rmckoy]

I don’t believe what you listed to be heavy load for the size .
But best advice I was always given .

go bigger ....

reef octopus make great skimmers and affordable

 

[Jekyl]

I also have a reef octo and love it

 

[theMeat]

If you go too big the skimmer doesn’t float proteins efficiently no mater how good or quiet or whatever.

 

[Tiki Reef Joshua]

I think the reef octopus might win this fight. This old cad lights gets skim but I have to get my hands in there for any adjustment which I need to do right now and it’s so touchy. Very difficult to tune. When it’s running right it’s fine but now I gotta go wash my hands 10 times.

 

[CrazyCarlitos]

I have the reef octopus E-ssence 130

works great, once broken in.

for me, easy maintenance was top priority, cause I am a lazy reefer. Lol

 

[JumboShrimp]

Recirculating skimmer! I had a Hydor recirculating skimmer, now I have a Red Octopus recirculating skimmer. Never worry about sump water level again.