Best skimmer for $500-$600?

[virginiadiver69]

I have $500-$600 budgeted for a new skimmer. It will be used on a 240 gal heavy stocked tank. I would like the option of keeping it in sump. I am open to all relevant recommendations.

[Justin James]

Well the Euro Reef RS 250 is an insump skimmer and it's right in your budget. I have one on a 150 gallon tank with medium stock and it obviously could easily handle a 250 gallon tank like it was rated for. One thing about Euroreef is that they don't overrate their skimmer like most do. If it says it then it will do it.

Take a look for yourself. I love mine.
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/skimmers.php?product_ID=ps-errs250

[virginiadiver69]

Thanks, Euro Reef is definitely on my short list along with ASM and Octopus.
On a side note: are recirc skimmers all they are cracked up to be?

[virginiadiver69]

Any others? How about ETSS?

[jman77]

DAS EX-3

it's 699.... but what's 99 bucks ;)

http://stores.petorama.net/catalog/EX-3_Large.jpg

[virginiadiver69]

Never heard of DAS. Do they have a good rep?

[Scrandrew]

I have an ETSS and it is great!

A~

[george1098]

I have an asm g-4x (prettymuch the same thing as teh euroreef RS 250) that I modified to be an recirc skimmer,and it is awsome. I'd recomend doing that. re-circ skimmers are a tad better than non recirc skimmers, but im not totally convinced they blow non-recircs out of the water like many people say.

[poppin_fresh]

I have an ASM that works well... and I have an H & S that ROCKS! The H & S is built better and skims a whole bunch more than my slightly modded ASM. I would check them out as well.

[KDodds]

MRC, www.myreefcreations.com gets my vote.

[JPMagyar]

I recommend a Precision Marine Bullet 3 (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~PM1131.html) for a heavily stocked 240 gallon tank. Here's a post I wrote back in '04 detailing my experiences. The MTC HSA 1000 (http://www.marinetechnical.com/page8.html) is not exactly the same as the Bullet, but I think the idea is the same and certainly the Bullet is in your price range.

MTC vs. EuroReef post (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=2256560#post2256560)

In the end I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices listed, since there is certainly more than one way to "skin a cat" ;)

Joe

[virginiadiver69]

Thank you all for the responses. I will definitely give all of these suggestions a good look before buying anything.

[CeeGee]

I am running a ASM G3 on my tank.

I am not a big fan of the ASM skimmers. The build quality is terrible and I have to constantly adjust it. I would go with something else if I were you.

[USC-fan]

i second the DAS ex-3, it blows most of this skimmers listed here away.

I use a das ex-2 on my tank and love it! Its really plug and play.

Plus its a recir skimmer!

[virginiadiver69]

I also use a ASM at the moment. For the money I have been fairly happy with it. It is taking care of a loaded 125 and I feel it is maxed out. For my upgrade though, I am looking for something that is quieter and better constructed(cast vs. extruded to start).

[virginiadiver69]

Came across this.
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=78592&start=0&