Help Trying to Buy A Skimmer

[asmodyus]

So I trying to but a skimmer that will do a heavy load 120 with 40 gallon sump and try to keep it under 250 if possible I am down to a couple of choices

Bubble Magus BM-220A Protein Skimmer w/Atman ph4000 260-396gal $274 shipped

ESHOPPS PSK-200 Protein Skimmer w/Sicce Italy Pump PSK-600 150-200g $225 shipped

Reef Octopus NWB 200 Classic Protein Skimmer Hailea OTP 3000 Pinwheel Pump 150-250g $289 Shipped

G-4 Protein Skimmer w/ Sedra 5000 Pump Up to 350 Gallons $250 shipped

I am leaning either on the G-4 Protein Skimmer or the Bubble Magus BM-220A Protein Skimmer.

Need some feedback please also if anybody has or is using any of these skimmers any feedback would be great got a couple days before I need t order one.

[Donkeykong]

I have always like the bubble Magus skimmers, but the atman pumps are not known to be the longest lasting pump, I had to replace mine at about the 2.5 year mark on my NAC6a.

[powderhound]

The bubblemagus 220 might be a little oversized for your system. It is a large skimmer. I just upgraded from a bubble magus 180 to 220a. i had the 180 running on the same size system as you have and it was perfect. Just got the 220a recently and it is large, make sure you have room in a 40 sump

[asmodyus]

The bubblemagus 220 might be a little oversized for your system. It is a large skimmer. I just upgraded from a bubble magus 180 to 220a. i had the 180 running on the same size system as you have and it was perfect. Just got the 220a recently and it is large, make sure you have room in a 40 sump

Yeah I have the room in my sump have a really large area for the skimmer so I want to go oversize. plus if I ever upgrade to a larger system I can use the same skimmer.

[asmodyus]

Okay down to 2 different ones recommendations on these 2

G-4 Protein Skimmer Reef Geek (http://www.reefgeek.com/filtration/protein-skimmers/asm-g-series-protein-skimmers/g-4-protein-skimmer-w-sedra-5000-pump-asm0011-2263.html#)
Bubble Magus BM-220A Protein Skimmer. Ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bubble-Magus-BM-220A-Protein-Skimmer-Brand-New-/111005895369)

OR save my monies because I really don't need an over-sized Skimmer Ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bubble-Magus-BM-180A-Protein-Skimmer-Brand-New-/321328803606)

I know that 3 but hey cannot decide.

[saltyair]

Have you looked at the aquamaxx line? Im thinking of up grading from a vertex in-250 they have the space saver and well priced

[jthao]

Just my .02, I would rather buy a used higher end skimmer for that price than a new skimmer for that price. IMHO, any of the sub $250 skimmer, will not be paired with a good pump. Even smaller skimmers like the sea side aquatics or vertex omega, will cost more than $250 because of the sicce pump they run (decent pumps). On skimmers, the pump is the main component that determines if it's a good skimmer or not.
You can probably get a used SRO 2000 int for under $300, or omega 150, or seaside aquatics cs1-2, all of which will kick those skimmers listed above's butts. Again, just my .02

[asmodyus]

Just my .02, I would rather buy a used higher end skimmer for that price than a new skimmer for that price. IMHO, any of the sub $250 skimmer, will not be paired with a good pump. Even smaller skimmers like the sea side aquatics or vertex omega, will cost more than $250 because of the sicce pump they run (decent pumps). On skimmers, the pump is the main component that determines if it's a good skimmer or not.
You can probably get a used SRO 2000 int for under $300, or omega 150, or seaside aquatics cs1-2, all of which will kick those skimmers listed above's butts. Again, just my .02

Yeah I have heard a lot bad things about the atman pumps but the I think more into buying the bodies and probably upgrade the pump later. But from what I understand the ASM G-4 w/ Sedra 5000 Pump is suppose to be a really good pump it's rather large and not sure if its to large for a fully mixed reef 120 with a 40 gallon sump/refugium. I have 17.5 x 14.5 So I have room for a larger sump just low on funds what why I was at these items which seemed the best for my buck

[asudavew]

Have you looked at the aquamaxx line?

:bounce2::bounce2::bounce2:

:thumbsup:

[SeedlessOne]

Look into the aquamaxx line


Steer clear of the atman pumps. Heck if you want to go that route Ill sell you a SWC160 I had on my old 120g.

[sirreal63]

The G4 is way too large, if you want to go with ASM get a G3 which is still oversized for a 120 but is a closer fit.

[asmodyus]

The G4 is way too large, if you want to go with ASM get a G3 which is still oversized for a 120 but is a closer fit.

See I was under the impression go with as big skimmer that you can afford and put in your sump and right now 260 is my budget and right now for 260 I can get the ASM G4, a bubble magus curve 7(LFS), or the Bubble magus BM-220A

[sirreal63]

Too much skimmer is inefficient, if you do not have the bio-load to support it, it doesn't work as well. There is no exact science in sizing a skimmer. I have a G3 and it worked well on a heavily stocked 125 but not as well in a lightly stocked 110, the total water volume of each was about the same, but the load was different.

[asmodyus]

Too much skimmer is inefficient, if you do not have the bio-load to support it, it doesn't work as well. There is no exact science in sizing a skimmer. I have a G3 and it worked well on a heavily stocked 125 but not as well in a lightly stocked 110, the total water volume of each was about the same, but the load was different.

Gotcha so like the Reef Octopus NWB 200 Classic 150-250g or the bubble Magus curve 7 that are rated around 185G-240G would be a better over sized than Bubble Magus BM-220A 260-396gal or ASM G4 which might be too over sized and inefficient.

[sirreal63]

Yes, but it can be more involved. Neck size and air input also come into play, a wide skimmer neck on a tank with a smaller bio-load can be problematic. The more air input, the larger the neck, the more load is needed to keep a foam head. A smaller neck will keep a better foam head with a smaller load. The trend in the past 5 years or so is a very large neck and a lot of air with a small skimmer body, this works if you have a lot of load but fails without it.

All of them will produce skim and the differences may not be substantial. To get an idea of how neck size can make a difference, look at d2mini's thread and the difference an properly sized skimmer can make. It may have you rethink buying too large of a skimmer.

[Crimson]

What about a RLSS 6i (which is what I use)? So far I like it in my 105 gallon. I had no luck with the RO pov dc1 and could not wait to get rid of it. I was looking at getting the AquaMaxx ConeS CO-2 but found they are hard to get in stock which also can be a red flag if something goes wrong like needing a part.

[asmodyus]

yeah I have got down to 3 choices bubble magus Curve 7, reef octopus classic 200 int, or the I will get the bubble magus bm-220a if it comes with a warranty. A local vender can get the first 2 under under 300 for me.

[sirreal63]

Avoid any with an Atman pump or an OTP pump.

[SeedlessOne]

Have you even looked into the aquamaxx line?

[asmodyus]

Have you even looked into the aquamaxx line?

Yeah I saw them there lower level one is rated up to 175 not sure how that is rated if it 175 light load and only 100 on heavy load and since I'm running a full mixed Reef with SPS I was looking for little bit bigger and I cannot afford there next line up..

[asmodyus]

Avoid any with an Atman pump or an OTP pump.

I notice on the Octopus classic 200 int that someplace are using the Aquatrance 3000 and some are using the OTP but there website says Aquatrance 3000. But it looks like everything is leaning towards the newer Bubble Magus curve 7.

[SeedlessOne]

Yeah I saw them there lower level one is rated up to 175 not sure how that is rated if it 175 light load and only 100 on heavy load and since I'm running a full mixed Reef with SPS I was looking for little bit bigger and I cannot afford there next line up..

yeah the cone 1 would be a tad small for your tank. Good luck with the search.

[asmodyus]

So I ended up getting the AquaMaxx ConeS CO‑2 Skimmer

[moondoggy4]

^^^^ Nice skimmer, good choice.

[EllisJuan]

So I ended up getting the AquaMaxx ConeS CO‑2 Skimmer

Awesome choice. They are on a roll and making some of the best skimmers on the market. My CO-1 is a beast. :thumbsup:

[wildman926]

My EM series 200 & 300 perform flawlessly on my 90g & 150g-

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s86/wildman926/Aquariums/New%2090G/F9393780-6455-4D83-999B-A1752BFEEA2B_zpsl99exrtm.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s86/wildman926/Aquariums/New%20150g/20F76357-4274-41BE-AE19-3422C264F05F_zpsgiokipzs.jpg

[ReefReader]

I agree with the logic in this. Do you know of a good, trustable place to buy used skimmers?

[ReefReader]

Anyone? I fear Craigslist due to why someone would sell their skimmer, unless it is really old or not functioning as well as it could. Any tips?

[ArmanS]

Where are you located? Check the local forums for your area. eBay is another good location for used equipment, the buy/sell forum you need 50 quality posts to view, lots of good equipment their.