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07/19/2010, 09:48 PM | #1 |
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Buying my first skimmer- Red Sea Berlin x2?
Hi,
I am going to buy my first skimmer. I have a 100 gallon tank with a black volition, clown grouper, and damsels. Also has some live rock. I was pointed toward a Red Sea Berlin X2 Protien Skimmer. However not everyone is fond of this can anyone tell me what would be the best skimmer for my tank? |
07/20/2010, 01:44 AM | #2 |
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Don't cheap out on a skimmer. Buy the one you want and don't settle. That being said I've heard great things about the Swc cone 160.
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Current tank: 55g/ 20g sump,G/H Dart overflow, mag9.5 return,PC lighting. |
07/20/2010, 08:04 AM | #3 |
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I wouldn't waste my time on the Berlin x2 skimmer, not many reviews means prolly not the greatest skimmer. +1 on the above post, SWC cone 160 is a great skimmer for the price. Might also look into the vertex in100 or super reef octopus line of skimmers, or octopus / SWC extreme skimmers. All great skimmers, they cost a bit more, but if you cheap out on the skimmer you WILL regret it. I went through 5 myself before finally getting a good octopus skimmer. Talk about a waste of money on the first 5!
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07/20/2010, 08:05 AM | #4 |
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You might want to check out Vertex too. I have the 100 on my 90 gallon and I really like it.
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07/20/2010, 09:54 AM | #5 |
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Another vote for a SWC cone.
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240 gallon soft coral tank 50 gallon lps tank |
07/20/2010, 09:59 AM | #6 |
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berlin = junk
been there done that SWC has treated me well |
07/20/2010, 10:11 AM | #7 |
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check out octopus.
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07/20/2010, 10:25 AM | #8 |
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You didn't mention if you have a sump or if you need a hob skimmer. I believe the x2 can be run both ways. This info will help determine which skimmers to suggest for your setup.
FYI most of the skimmers mentioned so far are in sump only and cant be run outside of the tank. |
07/20/2010, 12:57 PM | #9 |
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Thanks for all the suggestions.
I need and in sump skimmer. |
07/20/2010, 02:29 PM | #10 |
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Another vote for the SWC 160 cone!
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07/20/2010, 02:37 PM | #11 |
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Depending on your budget and total tank volume the Bubble Magus NAC6 might be a good fit.
How many gallons is your sump? |
07/20/2010, 03:21 PM | #12 |
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Octopus 110 skimmer
I have the Octopus 110 skimmer and love it.
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07/21/2010, 04:29 PM | #13 |
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My sump is 37.5"x11"x12"
I think with the amount of water in my sump I have about 115 gallons total. I am leaning toward the SWC 160 cone. Any more suggestions/ final input? |
07/21/2010, 04:47 PM | #14 |
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Do a search on youtube for LA Fishguys, they interview Jeff M of reef dynamics formerly Euro reef. It has a few different parts to it but it's worth watching. He talks about cone vs cylinder skimmers & other aspects of skimming. It's worth watching since you are in the market for a skimmer!!
The Berlin skimmers were GREAT 10 years ago or whenever they came out but old technology now. |
07/21/2010, 08:51 PM | #15 |
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07/22/2010, 02:53 PM | #16 |
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I just got an Octo extreme 200 and it is awesome. I dont think there is a better skimmer out there for under 300. Mine 289 shipped and took a whole 4 days to get to my door.
The new body style is very similar to their top of the line Hurricone but a hair smaller. Mine was pulling gunk out of the water column 20 minutes after it was in my sump. This is the first real nice skimmer I have had that anyone has heard of so I really cant compare it to any other Needle wheel based skimmer but I can say it exceeded my expectations already.
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60 tall mixed 50 diysump/ref. a.c. jr.,Sealife system skimmer quietone 4000 ret kor. #4,#2,#1 Kor.1 and kor. #2 on ac jr wavemakerdiy calcr rectr diy phosphate rectr 4x36 t5 driven by icecap 660diy ato Current Tank Info: GLA 60 tall,50g DIY sump,20L refugium plumbed into sump,Octo ext-200 meshmod,icecap 250w HQI,icecap 660 4x36t-5,Aquahub ATO,DIY calc reactor,AC jr, |
07/22/2010, 03:03 PM | #17 |
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07/22/2010, 09:26 PM | #18 | |
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Quote:
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if your 555 Current Tank Info: 120 rr dual overflows, solarflare t5 fixture,octo extreme 200,vortech mp40w esx2. brs reactor for carbon, brs reactor for gfo, 40 gal breeder sump |
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07/22/2010, 10:05 PM | #19 |
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Location: Barrie
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It really depends on your budget, I had a octopus extreme 160 and it was great, very good value. With that size of sump you have many options
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