Contemplating skimmer and return upgrade for 60

OceanJack · 08/13/2018, 01:49 PM

So my birthday

is coming up soon and I am going to use that as an excuse as normal folks would call it to upgrade or replace certain things on their reef tanks.

I purchased a 60 gallon cube with a 10 gallon sump about 8 months ago, so far everything is working along good. It came with a Mag 7 return pump and ASM Mini-G skimmer.

So far I've got about 5 fish and it's medium stocked I would say. But the Mag 7 was having some issues restarting and sounds like it could use a new impeller.

My needs are something reliable, cost friendly under $300,700-800 gph flow and wants but not necessary-controllable.

for the Skimmer, it is skimming along good so far. Pulling dark skimmate and I have no complaints with it, emptying every 4-5 days.

Should I even bother upgrading the skimmer? If I do, I need something with a smallish footprint for the sump. I know it's rated for 75 gallons but it does not specify whether light/medium or heavily stocked which I would doubt..

I just would like a cost effective and easy to tune skimmer that would handle my 8 fish bioload, I am a heavy feeder as well. would like cost to be under $300 as well.

Any recommendations?

I did see the Jebao return pumps but I am very skeptical on the reliability of those....

reefteaser · 08/14/2018, 10:15 AM

Check out Reef Octopus varios 2 or 4 for some future usability. I’ve been using the older RODC version almost 3 years, very reliable and super easy to clean.

OceanJack · 08/14/2018, 10:29 AM

That one definitely caught my eye, the pricing is great and reviews as well.

For the protein skimmer, i think the Eshopps X-120 might be on my to buy list. Any one have any luck with that skimmer?

LQT · 08/15/2018, 07:53 AM

Quite frankly, if your skimmer is pulling out nice dark gunk, why bother changing it? The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

steallife904 · 08/15/2018, 08:34 AM

I have a reef octopus DC return pump running 3 years now. Love the ability to change the flow. I just got a new skimmer, a bubble magus curve elite... it is awesome. If your skimmer is working though I wouldn't worry about it. As for the jebao dc pumps... I had one running on my old skimmer for years no issue, still works today just not using now but I have had no issues with it. I would say its worth a shot.

08/13/2018, 01:49 PM	#1
OceanJack Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Rochester Posts: 26	Contemplating skimmer and return upgrade for 60 So my birthday is coming up soon and I am going to use that as an excuse as normal folks would call it to upgrade or replace certain things on their reef tanks. I purchased a 60 gallon cube with a 10 gallon sump about 8 months ago, so far everything is working along good. It came with a Mag 7 return pump and ASM Mini-G skimmer. So far I've got about 5 fish and it's medium stocked I would say. But the Mag 7 was having some issues restarting and sounds like it could use a new impeller. My needs are something reliable, cost friendly under $300,700-800 gph flow and wants but not necessary-controllable. for the Skimmer, it is skimming along good so far. Pulling dark skimmate and I have no complaints with it, emptying every 4-5 days. Should I even bother upgrading the skimmer? If I do, I need something with a smallish footprint for the sump. I know it's rated for 75 gallons but it does not specify whether light/medium or heavily stocked which I would doubt.. I just would like a cost effective and easy to tune skimmer that would handle my 8 fish bioload, I am a heavy feeder as well. would like cost to be under $300 as well. Any recommendations? I did see the Jebao return pumps but I am very skeptical on the reliability of those....

08/15/2018, 07:53 AM	#4
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	Quite frankly, if your skimmer is pulling out nice dark gunk, why bother changing it? The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge

08/14/2018, 10:15 AM	#2
reefteaser Convince'em or confuse'em Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: S FL Posts: 341	Check out Reef Octopus varios 2 or 4 for some future usability. I’ve been using the older RODC version almost 3 years, very reliable and super easy to clean.

08/14/2018, 10:29 AM	#3
OceanJack Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Rochester Posts: 26	That one definitely caught my eye, the pricing is great and reviews as well. For the protein skimmer, i think the Eshopps X-120 might be on my to buy list. Any one have any luck with that skimmer?

08/15/2018, 08:34 AM	#5
steallife904 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 944	I have a reef octopus DC return pump running 3 years now. Love the ability to change the flow. I just got a new skimmer, a bubble magus curve elite... it is awesome. If your skimmer is working though I wouldn't worry about it. As for the jebao dc pumps... I had one running on my old skimmer for years no issue, still works today just not using now but I have had no issues with it. I would say its worth a shot.