Aquamaxx Cone 3 Skimmer

[modder man]

I am currently running an MRC-MR2 with dual becketts and am thinking of replacing it with a newer skimmer that will be less work for me. The MRC skims like a beast but I would like something that requires less maintenance and more likely than not something in sump. Will be skimmer a 190gal tank, but I would like to oversize the skimmer as there is a good chance O upgrade to a bigger tank not to far down the road.

Is there a skimmer that would be more highly recommended less than $500
Is there a self cleaner that will fit the cone 3 skimmer?

[ksed]

You would need more than a cone 3. Especially coming from a Becket like that .
How big is your planned tank.

[modder man]

the tank size is mentioned above but its 190 gallon. the MRC is rated at 350gal? I know its a beckett and can more likely than not handle a larger load load than the cone 3 but I think it would be sufficient

[azjohnny]

Aquamaxx skimmers are going to be the best in the <$500 price point

[modder man]

I would consider spending a little more if needed. I would like to have a great skimmer. I was also looking at a deltec 702, that is an old skimmer though.

[Drae]

The cone 3 would be great. 8" diameter with around 1000 lph of air and it's perfectly balanced. These skimmers are better than the em series and perform awesome.

[modder man]

Thats what I am thinking especially at there current $311 price tag at marine depot. At this price or anywhere close I think it would be hard to beat. Any ideas what an actually heavy load rating may be?

[Drae]

Thats what I am thinking especially at there current $311 price tag at marine depot. At this price or anywhere close I think it would be hard to beat. Any ideas what an actually heavy load rating may be?

I wouldn't hesitate to run a 200 gallon heavy bioload tank with the cone 3. Most people doubt these skimmers because of the insane manufacturer rating but they actually perform. A buddy of mine runs a 300 gallon fowler with the cone 5 and a 500 gallon reef with the cone 7. The 300 had an atb 10.5 before and the pump went out so he bought the cone 5 and is very pleased. The 16" cone 7 is a just a beastly skimmer that pulls coffee colored muck from the 500 ( 490 display with 80 gallon volume in the sump). The cone 3 is better than the sro3000 that people put on 200 gallon tanks. These are just my observations and opinions btw. I'd get the cone 3 in a heartbeat.

[modder man]

if I was aquamax for sure ideally i would go with a cone 5 but it cost double what a cone 3 does.

[ksed]

Again I don't know how many times I have to emphasize the cone 3 or AquaMaxx does not have 1000lph of air. Take a meter and measure it for yourself. I am not knocking the brand I have one and skims great but the rating are exaggerated.


The cone 3 would be great. 8" diameter with around 1000 lph of air and it's perfectly balanced. These skimmers are better than the em series and perform awesome.

[ReefPharmer]

how much air does it pump out?

[ksed]

Read this thread
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2341856

how much air does it pump out?

[Drae]

Again I don't know how many times I have to emphasize the cone 3 or AquaMaxx does not have 1000lph of air. Take a meter and measure it for yourself. I am not knocking the brand I have one and skims great but the rating are exaggerated.

I just know that they work pretty well. Whatever the air numbers are they seem to be a good balance for the body.

[ksed]

Agreed but IMO their sizing are over rated. I wish their number were mre realistic, as this way they would also gain more respect. Look at BK number and compare you will see a big difference in air to ratings. I did mention this to Marine Depot as well.


I just know that they work pretty well. Whatever the air numbers are they seem to be a good balance for the body.

[modder man]

Thanks for the great discussion guys. Unfortunately now I am even more on the fence. There are so many different decisions to make and different ways of doing things in this hobby.

[Timber77]

the con3 is a toy compared to what you have now. The whole philosophy of bubble plate and cone to reduce turbulence and goes against the most important factor dwell time as well as make the reaction chamber smaller, its advertising double speak. The deltec 701 would blow it away, much better option imo. Or get a bigger pump and a neck extension for your current skimmer. Ive had the ap851 its was great but the little pumps are too costly to replace imo.

[modder man]

my current MRC is a beast dont get me wrong. It is just very awkward for plumbing and much more work to keep it maintained. It is also very power hungry. I have not ruled it out by any means just considering options

[Timber77]

if you have a line on a 702 would snap that up no brainer…. I'm old, I've had beckets, downdrafts, the first generation of mesh wheel bm200 , real bubble king when a guy named klaus made the… , overall big tall venture's are my favorite , currently running a t5000 single aqua medic on 200 gallons and will be till they make a centrifuge :) I hear ya on the big pump and not wanting the noise. have you ever seen a lifereef skimmer in action, they are solid and you could use your same pump, much quieter than the becketts and not so hands on.. might be a good choice.

[ksed]

if your looking at the Aquamaxx, I would look at the cone 5 or em 500. Gives you possible upgradability.

[modder man]

The 702 cost almost double what the cone 3 costs. I am not ruling it out by any means if it is that good I will buy it with no hesitation. I want to do what will be best for my reef and what is best for my ease of use. I travel quite a bit and I am trying to make my tank more automated.

[Timber77]

if the eheim pumps are in good shape, i would try to beat him up on the price a little but is a no brainer 2 ehiem needle wheels will put out a lot of tiny bubbles and they are well tested designs. eheim's last a long time. the one on my calcium reactor is at least 15 years old. in the future you can probably find a wash down head for that skimmer if you really want automate it from deltic or avast. Sell your current one for a couple hundred bucks and smile cuz you found a smoking deal.

[modder man]

decisions decisions decisions...the deltec was my original idea before i realized how cheap aquamaxx's were for the performance

[Saltwatercoral2]

I'd get the aquamaxx, Don't wait too long, these things go out of stock and remain back ordered for 6 weeks at times.

[azjohnny]

I would also factor in replacement parts availability, I do believe the Deltecs are still using Aquabee pumps which can no longer be bought in the U.S.

[modder man]

the Deltec 702 is running eheims that is what scared me a bit...if anything does break its a discontinued skimmer finding parts for it would be tricky

[Timber77]

deltec parts theaquariumsolutiondotcom
from canada. i think the guys name i have used is phil there.

[Tcasey]

I have a Question. In the process of setting up a 125 and have decided on a Aquamaxx, seems people love them. So right now Marine depot has the Cone on sale, not the ConeS. +its in stock So I was looking at the Cone2. Can anyone tell me why I would wait for the ConeS or would I be just as happy with the Cone2??

[Drae]

I have a Question. In the process of setting up a 125 and have decided on a Aquamaxx, seems people love them. So right now Marine depot has the Cone on sale, not the ConeS. +its in stock So I was looking at the Cone2. Can anyone tell me why I would wait for the ConeS or would I be just as happy with the Cone2??

The original blue cone series are great skimmers. I personally think that the coneS on the bubble plate are just a gimmick ( jmo). Same skimmer but one has cones and the other doesn't. Same body, pump, air/water ratio, etc. Get the blue one.

[Tcasey]

Cool, thank you . Great price right now on the Cone2 its on sale 4 253. So it wouldn't be overkill for a 125? Since its rated for upto 350 gallons?

[Drae]

Cool, thank you . Great price right now on the Cone2 its on sale 4 253. So it wouldn't be overkill for a 125? Since its rated for upto 350 gallons?

There's not a 6" diameter skimmer on the planet that could handle a 350 gallon tank ( unless it was a 4 or 5 feet tall beckett). Perfect skimmer for a 120.