View Full Version : looking for a new skimmer
ati70cutlass
02/19/2009, 05:41 PM
hi, im setting up a 180 with a 75 sump. im pretty much in a state of dumbness cuz i have no idea in the world on what brand, model, or what ever. so if anyone has ideas or past experience please let me know
kraze3
02/19/2009, 06:12 PM
Ive heard great things about MSX skimmers. IMO bigger is always better.
suasponte2/75
02/19/2009, 06:41 PM
A lot will depend upon your goals (reef, FO, etc.) and how much you're willing to spend. Although, it is one of the most important parts of your set-up if you ask me so you'd want to spend a decent amount. A great skimmer will reduce a lot of your pollution issues (nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, etc.) and may decrease your need for frequent water changes IMO.
A great starter skimmer I think would be like a typical needle wheel in the likes of ASM (decent pricing) and/or Euroreef mold. They skim okay to possibly great (with some tweaking). I also had a great experience lately with a downdraft (ETSS 800)although they do draw a lot of power with their feed pump. I'm currently using a Deltec APF600 (higher end needle wheel) that is compact and also powerful but am having second thoughts on their customer service :rolleyes: lately.
Definitely don't go for the likes of the cheapo venturis like the Seaclones, Red Sea Berlin or such since you'll be regretting it later and want to go with the others eventually anyhow.
There's also a lot of great deals on craigslist as well as on the buy/trade/sell forums on this site. I hope some of this helps and someone else may chime in to assist.
Minh
ati70cutlass
02/19/2009, 07:11 PM
i have a red sea berlin right now, it pulls some of the nastiest looking stuff ive ever seen out of the tank. and im happy with that , all my corals look great, never a problem. dont know why people hate them but its done great for me. but i will take into consideration your advice , thanks very much
Ehaze
02/19/2009, 07:17 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14435906#post14435906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ati70cutlass
i have a red sea berlin right now, it pulls some of the nastiest looking stuff ive ever seen out of the tank. and im happy with that , all my corals look great, never a problem. dont know why people hate them but its done great for me. but i will take into consideration your advice , thanks very much
lol
suasponte2/75
02/20/2009, 01:05 AM
I thought that too when I first had it (LFS recommendation :rolleyes: )... until I upgraded to a euroreef and discovered what I was missing out on!! If you think the RS Berlin rocks... man you're in for a pleasant surprise! For a 180G, you're gonna need more than that... believe me.
Get the MSX 200 or better yet the 250 or the Octopus Extreme 200/250, both are pretty much the same skimmer and will be the next one I buy. You can't beat the price/performance ratio on these.
bsbarton
02/20/2009, 05:31 AM
You do not say in sump or out. I have a 180 ++++ for a total of 400g. and use lifereef product. Awesome customer service, products are just as good. Each unit is built one at a time.
Heinz
02/20/2009, 05:52 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14435906#post14435906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ati70cutlass
i have a red sea berlin
are you seriuse, for a 180?
look around RC, you will find out pretty fast which skimmer work,
also depence on how much you wanne spend
vikubz
02/20/2009, 06:58 AM
Are you handy with tools at all? It's not hard to build a big pvc skimmer, and you can save hundreds.
Ehaze
02/20/2009, 08:34 AM
get a MSX skimmer, I just got one for my 75gal, everyone told me I could not pull anything, but boy where they wrong.
LobsterOfJustice
02/20/2009, 08:53 AM
Whats your budget?
synofreak
02/20/2009, 10:16 AM
I believe his system is 255g(180 + 75 sump). So you figure about 200-210g total volume. I would highly consider a MSX 300. I own the MSX 200, just love the thing, truly plug and play.
ati70cutlass
02/20/2009, 03:06 PM
synofreak is right about tank setup. i have about 200-300 to work with. i was gonna set it soon but i think im gonna wait and have my uncle build me a custom stand and canopy to put my lights in. i have 3*250 mogul based 2*14k's and a 20k in the middle. i have had problemes growign just about everything. . can i still use epsoms salt, and pickling lime for my tank, i hear baking soda is great for alk>>>>> let me know what you think
LobsterOfJustice
02/22/2009, 09:54 AM
$200-$300 is not very much for that water volume. I spent over twice that on a skimmer for my 90 (150 system volume).
AquamanE
02/22/2009, 10:29 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14440303#post14440303 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by synofreak
I believe his system is 255g(180 + 75 sump). So you figure about 200-210g total volume. I would highly consider a MSX 300. I own the MSX 200, just love the thing, truly plug and play.
1+
I have a MSX 200 on my 120 with 40gal sump, full of sps, lps etc.... very good price/performance. and thats right out of box. some people mod them to get more. Here (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1524378) is a link to an interesting thread on that skimmer. customer support is getting good ratings too.
Zeus2
02/22/2009, 06:42 PM
This question was just torn apart in another forum (equipment forum). If I knew how to post a link to that particular thread, I would. It was posted by under Zeus2 (Battle of the skimmers) It'll be pretty far back now. Or if someone would like to tell me how to post a thread link here, I'll do that.
LobsterOfJustice
02/23/2009, 09:41 AM
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1579882
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=12977720
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