$700 budget-Which skimmer?

[LUVSPS]

Hi all,

I am planning my 120g 60''x18''x26'' mostly sps tank. The skimmer can't be taller than 28'' because it is going under my stand. Footprint other than that doesn't matter really because I'll build my sump around it. So to speak.

Fish load:

10 blue chromis
1 yellow tang
1 hippo tang
1 wrasse
1 orange spot diamond goby
1 purple psuedochromis
1 pair of clowns
1 yellow clown goby

And, eventually I want to try a CCB. All of these fish will be QT.

OK, my budget is $700 and I want the best. I have a couple ideas but I want your guys' opinion.

Euro-reef RC135
Euro-reef RS180
H&S 150-F2001
AtI Bubble Master200

Which skimmer should I get?

[joncat24]

I would look at the MSX 200 for $280 or the MSX 250 for $400 and save your self some money for livestock.

[ClownNut]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13312721#post13312721 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joncat24
I would look at the MSX 200 for $280 or the MSX 250 for $400 and save your self some money for livestock.
+1

[Charlie's Angel]

Look at the ATB's. I hear they are awesome.

[johnnyblaze313]

The bubble master is probably the best performer on you list, having said that the msx extreme or octo extreme use the same pump for alot less money go with one of those. I think a octo pro is only around 700 might be worth looking into.

[orangekush4]

I have a RC135 on a 75 and that thing is a beast.My budy has the ATI and its great when it wants to work.

[orangekush4]

IMO I would go with a RC skimmer.H&S,Euroreef or a deltic.

[photobret]

Check out the Warner Marine AS-200, the new Sedra 9000 HO pumps are off the hook, pulling more air than an Eheim. For budget why not a Deltec Clone, the DAS- EX2 is an awesome skimmer and uses aquabee pumps. I have this one on my 90gal SPS system and its overkill, but bigger tank coming soon :)

[Dyraxe]

MSX200 or 250 or Octopus Extreme. What ever is not sold out. They are same as ATI. They sell like hot cakes due to the performance at a great price. You can pay more for the ATI but why? They all will outperform euroreef or h&s imo.

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13313101#post13313101 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by photobret
Check out the Warner Marine AS-200, the new Sedra 9000 HO pumps are off the hook, pulling more air than an Eheim. For budget why not a Deltec Clone, the DAS- EX2 is an awesome skimmer and uses aquabee pumps. I have this one on my 90gal SPS system and its overkill, but bigger tank coming soon :)

I agree the AS-200 looks killer. I'll be setting one up on my 90G this weekend, I'm getting tired of seeing it sitting in my dining room :)

[LUVSPS]

Thanks for all the input! I am leaning towards the MSX 200 or the WM AS-200. I love the price on the MSX but I have heard about their pump problems? Have they resolved them? I want a plug and play skimmer. No tinkering for me :)

[Blazer88]

If you are looking for no tinkering, I would look to stick with pin wheels (on either model). You can read through the MSX/Octo Extreme threads and I think many have had issues with trimming the mesh and stuff. The WM skimmers are pin wheels and will pull 1000 lph without any modding. If you were interested in meshing the impeller, Jon (owner of WM) got up to 1500 lph with the flat back mesh. The build quality is top-notch as well. I thought the WM skimmer was worth the extra money.

[LUVSPS]

Yeah, the WM skimmers look awesome!

Do the MSX come with a pin wheel as well as the mesh impeller? So, if I use the pinwheel on the MSX I can just plug and play?

[Poorcollegereef]

I have a MSX 200 and they come with both the pinwheel and meshwheel. The pinwheel is very good and makes the skimmer hassle free. Some meshwheels have consistency issues... aka some meshjobs are good and some are not, but they have been getting much, much better. (I just had to trim a few threads off, and then plug it in. I have never had a start up issue) The mesh does offer better performance. The pinwheel is plug and play after you switch it for the mesh and, one can buy an ATI meshwheel and run it in a MSX. The MSX/Xtreme offers dirt cheap performance, and is as good as the ATI... if not a bit better. I think the MSX is the best "midshelf" skimmer, if you can go topshelf and get similar or better performance, its your money, go for it. I would also look into the Tunze since I trust their products.

[reef_doug]

On your list, the BM200 would be the best performer. Like others said the clones offered by Octopus MSX 200 are quite abit cheaper and have the same Sicci pump. They also offer both a meshwheel and needle wheel.

Meshwheels are the best performers but require more tweaking and are hands on.

If you can afford an ATB small, that would be my first pick.

[TheOtherReefer]

dude anything with 700 for a 120

[GSMguy]

the MSX/CNC/OCTO EXTREME are nicer than ATI BM skimmers.

[mdt178]

I'd take a used Eheim-powered skimmer over a Sicce PSK-powered one.
For $700, you can get a new WM or an Orca System custom skimmer, with Eheim 1260 of course.

[LUVSPS]

I haven't heard anything bout ATB skimmers. I looked on their website and they look good. Are they new? Does anyone on here have one they can vouch for?

[Blazer88]

The ATB skimmers are excellent but they are spendy. They have their own sponsor forum on here, you can post specific questions and see some setups there. I considered and ATB small for my tank but I didn't think the price justified any performance increase that I would get from my Warner Marine skimmer. Cool skimmers, just not $1K cool (IMO).

[LUVSPS]

Ok, sounds good. So in your honest opinion a Warner Marine would be a better skimmer for my set-up than a MSX? I don't mind spending the money if I'm really getting a better skimmer. But if I'll be just as good with a MSX than why spend the money? Thanks for all the input again guys! I really appreciate it!

[reef_doug]

I don't know which one would perform better, but the Sedra 9000 pump uses about 90 watts and is known to be fairly noisy. I think Warner Marine does offer an Eheim option.

The Sicci is very quiet and only uses 40 watts.

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13315641#post13315641 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reef_doug
I don't know which one would perform better, but the Sedra 9000 pump uses about 90 watts and is known to be fairly noisy. I think Warner Marine does offer an Eheim option.

The Sicci is very quiet and only uses 40 watts.

Where are you getting the 90 watts from? Jon posted the numbers on a different forum, 1080 lph @ 47 watts on his test model. There are a few threads on RC where a member tested the Eheim (which comes on much more expensive skimmers, like the ATB) and the Sedra 9000 HO out performed it. I felt the price was an upgrade over the MSX but everyone is different. I also feel that customer service is worth something and Jon has always been quick to respond. I understand the customer service for MSX skimmers may leave something to be desired. I'm not trying to knock the MSX skimmers, they are extremely popular for their price. I just feel the WM is a worthy upgrade.

[moondoggy4]

ATB can be considered in the top 3 skimmers but they are costly so most people go for the most bang for the buck.

[reef_doug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13315829#post13315829 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blazer88
Where are you getting the 90 watts from? Jon posted the numbers on a different forum, 1080 lph @ 47 watts on his test model. There are a few threads on RC where a member tested the Eheim (which comes on much more expensive skimmers, like the ATB) and the Sedra 9000 HO out performed it. I felt the price was an upgrade over the MSX but everyone is different. I also feel that customer service is worth something and Jon has always been quick to respond. I understand the customer service for MSX skimmers may leave something to be desired. I'm not trying to knock the MSX skimmers, they are extremely popular for their price. I just feel the WM is a worthy upgrade.

Apparently I miss quoted the wattage when used on the WM skimmer. The Sedra 9000 by itself over the counter is 90 watts but the modified one by Jon is only 47 watts (eg removing impeller and replacing with neddle wheel). Appologies here.

No doubt Jon will have excellent customer service on his skimmers. I only wish they were out for consideration when I purchased my ATi BM250 a couple years ago.