Cone skimmer questions

[teog]

Hello all,
After 1.5 yrs of being tankless, Im now setting up a 120g SPS tank. It seems now the cone skimmers are the in thing. My question is, are they realy worth the $750.00 plus price tag? How much more effective are they than a standard quality needle wheel skimmer?

Im looking at the SWC, MSX or I-tech brands. Is there a big difference in the quality of these brands?

Thanks

[James77]

The ATB 840 is an excellent skimmer, IMO a perfect fit on a 120, and it is ~$650. I know you were looking at others, just to give you more choices.

I have an 840, I think it is a fantastic skimmer. It is cosistent and pulls out dark sludge when I have a high bioload. Better than conventionals skimmers?- I think so, but don't expect double performance or such. Ive owned 2 h&2 Skimmers, both Reeflo skimmers, 2 Euroreef, and an ASM- I would take this ATB is a second.

[redhanded77]

i was in the same boat as you. i couldnt get myself to spend $800+ on a new skimmer just because it was a cone. i had a standard swc200 and thought it was doing a good job. anyways, i took a chance an ordered a cone skimmer. in one day, i skimmed more than my old skimmer did in 3-4 days.

all in all, i think it was a good upgrade for me.

[Waterobert]

I am about to place order on ATB 840 for my 100 gal system. I have been reading reviews and nearly all are positive. I don't expect much better performance compering to my current skimmer, however one thing I know that cone skimmers are better than traditional ones is energy use. Cones use only 20-35 watts and produce same amount of sludge. Some say that sludge is darker and smell nasty and the skimmer performance is very stable. I think that cone design is an improvement in efficiency and it makes sense for large systems. I don't like the price but I am buying one when I have cash for it.

[nif]

Well I just pulled the trigger on a Warner Marine 10 Inch Cone Protein Skimmer w/ VBT Technology. Trust me my hand was shaking clicking that submit order button:rollface:
Should be at my doorstep on fri! I hope I hope it wont be disappointing.:D

[teog]

Thanks for the comments. every thing Ive read too are positive on the cone skimmers. Maybe Ill wait to find one used. I see there are a couple new in the 4 sale section. :)

[markandkristen]

im only 50 miles to the home of the itech skimmers which are cone skimmers
i think they are less than 600 new for theier 200 model and the 100 model is only around 400 i think.. and they handle up to probly a 120

they are using sicci pumps and tunze pumps

heres a link to thier website just ask for john when you call

http://www.ichthythings.com/

[Hal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15347136#post15347136 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redhanded77
anyways, i took a chance an ordered a cone skimmer. in one day, i skimmed more than my old skimmer did in 3-4 days.

So which cone outskims an MSX 200 by a factor of 3-4?

[thorsky]

I have both the ATB 840 and the iTech 200 w/ Tunze 9240. Both have performed admirably. I'm still in the process of reviewing each but right now I'm leaning towards the iTech as I like the extra air it pulls, more skimmate volume and it seems to be less sensitive to feeding and me sticking my hands in the tank. One thing I haven't had a chance to try is the large pinwheel on the ATB, but based on Mojo's review of the 840 I'm not sure if it's worth spending $30 just to try it.

You can't go wrong with either. Both are excellent set-it and forget-it skimmers that perform very well.

[Emster]

I would go with the I-Tech, all they have is 3 skimmers and work on them all day perfecting them. These companies that have 20 plus skimmers are way over their heads you can't possibly perfect that many skimmers.

I have an I-tech 100 on a 150gal heavy sps system and it does just fine. If you want the ultimate skimmer get two I-Tech 100's that way if you ever have a problem with a pump your not down 3 weeks without a skimmer. One thing I have learned in this hobby what can go wrong will and always have a back up. They are $450.00 each $900.00 is a lot of money but its the ultimate set up, this I-tech 100 is way worth the money.

[jasonrp104]

Is there a link that we can take a look at these I-techs? All I can find is a msg board and the store page just has a tunze in the skimmer section

[thorsky]

My iTech 200 review is here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1667864

The iTech Club thread has lots of pics too: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1536745

[solitude127]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15348243#post15348243 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hal
So which cone outskims an MSX 200 by a factor of 3-4?

I think he has the SWC 1A. I've seen his review on the SWC1A thread.