New skimmer for 120 gallon upgrade. Help me spend some money

[Froggy]

Ok guys, I do not have a ton of experience with different skimmers and need your help. By a lack of experience I have only owned 2 skimmers. My current Euroreef CS 6-1 (equivalent to the RS-100 model now) and an Aqua C Remora hangon....

Now that you know what you are dealing with I need your help. :rolleyes: I will soon be upgrading my 75 gallon to a 120 and have come to the conclusion that I will need a skimmer upgrade, especially if I go BB as I am leaning towards. A shallow SB is still not out of the question though - another topic :)

Can you all please share some brands/models that you would skim a 120? I have been very happy with the Euroreef I have now but am open to other brand suggestions. As far as price, I would like to stay $300 or less if possible.

My current 75 is a mixed reef but leans toward being SPS dominant. Ok spend my money .........;)

Joe

[ConcreteReefer]

I use an ATB small on my 120g but it is out of your price range ($900+/-)

The MSX-160 is your best bet for the $300 range- I would opt for the MSX 200 which is only $50 more and be done with it, especially if your going BB.

MSX-200 will shut-down your Euro-reef..

Click the Red house to see my setup

[Quis]

I agree with ConcerteReefer. I would spend the extra money and get the MSX-200. The MSX-200 is the best equipment I have ever bought for my tank.

[Froggy]

See this is why I asked for help. I have never even heard of the MSX skimmers before now. From what I have just looked up, they look like a quality skimmer. Keep the ideas coming guys.

Thanks ConcreteReefer and Quis for the suggestion :)

[gguertin]

i bought the msx-160 for my 75 but just got a good deal to upgrade to a 125....

due to the lighting prices I will be using the 160 on my 125 as well but have been told it is plenty skimmer for that size tank? there is a huge msx thread if you want to read more but the 160 should be plenty for the 125....

[Quis]

Gguertin the MSX-160 is plenty for a 125. I bought the MSX-200 for future up-grade in mind.

[gguertin]

Great news!

Luke33 also thought it would be enough so I should be setup....

By the next time I upgrade tanks we would be talking years and probably a new skimmer ;)

[Froggy]

That MSX thread is huge. It will take me a while to get through that :eek:

Keep the ideas coming!

[Al Bendiksen]

Well eventhough a lot of people have already suggested this, im going to do it again :) :)



MSX 160!!!! I too have a 120g and the MSX 160 is the one for you :D

[Froggy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12481484#post12481484 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Al Bendiksen
Well eventhough a lot of people have already suggested this, im going to do it again :) :)



MSX 160!!!! I too have a 120g and the MSX 160 is the one for you :D

Well then, it sure seems the MSX line of skimmers are getting a lot of praise. I do not plan on upgrading tank sizes after the 120, so this skimmer could possibly be the last one I buy. So far from the responses to my question, I think pooling my pennies together and getting the MSX 200 seems like the right move over the MSX160. For $50 dollars more I shouldn't have to ever worry about the skimmer regardless of using a sand bottom or running it bare bottom.

Since the MSX comes with a meshwheel and not a pinwheel, do these need to be replaced on a schedule due to wear ? Any thoughts good or bad with the sicce pumps ? Thanks again everyone for giving your input. It is really helping. :)

[ConcreteReefer]

clean every 2-3 months, replace yearly..

[ZAZA71]

DNW200 Octo skimmer modded.

[burton14e7]

I don't know much about the MSX skimmers but I got a DAS EX-2 for my 120 and it's goodness.

[Quis]

The DAS EX-2 is a very good skimmer. Thats the skimmer I would buy if I wanted a recriculating skimmer, but for a in-sump skimmer MSX all the way.

[Froggy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12488249#post12488249 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Quis
The DAS EX-2 is a very good skimmer. Thats the skimmer I would buy if I wanted a recriculating skimmer, but for a in-sump skimmer MSX all the way.

Thanks, I am looking for an in sump model. As plug and play as possible with little trouble tuning it in after the break in period.