Need help with skimmer upgrade???

robertcedgar · 11/23/2012, 07:55 PM

Hello,

I am considering an upgrade in skimmer. My setup and parameters are as follows:

140 gallon Oceanic (48x24x28) with 30 gallon sump/refugium and about 160 pounds of LR in the display.

Salinity - 1.025
Alk - 9
Calcium - 450
Mag - 1350
Ph - 8.2
Nitrate/Nitrite/Phospates - undetectable

I currently run an ASM G2 which is outdated and a little big for the performance it offers. I have been researching and am considering the following skimmers as replacements:

1. Skimz Monzter E 161 or 201
2. SWC Xtreem 180
3. Super Reef Octopus 3000 SSS

I like all of the designs on the listed skimmers as they all appear to offer better performance than what I have now but also because the pumps are completely underneath the skimmer body itself. The build quality of the Skimz line also appears to be excellent so I am leaning that way. Any opinions you might have would be most appreciated.

Thank you,

Rob

moondoggy4 · 11/23/2012, 08:07 PM

The Skimz line of skimmers has had spotty history at best, the SRO 3000 I would say is oversized. Look into the JNS Alpha 2 I think it is called, Sea Side aquatics with the Sicce 1000 pump they just changed the number on the skimmer.

moondoggy4 · 11/23/2012, 08:11 PM

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/aqu...rotein-skimmer sorry this pump is on the outside

azjohnny · 11/23/2012, 08:14 PM

Depends on your bioload ioload

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

robertcedgar · 11/23/2012, 08:39 PM

Thanks moondoggy and Johnny, I'd say the bioload is medium.....

swcc · 11/24/2012, 08:23 AM

oops.. I see you posted this twice... as for the listings you have yeah, forget the skimz... the sro3000 is ok, but I would get an external pump model. Yeah, the JNS sk2(same skimmer as the aquamaxx) is a very nice choice and I also would get that over the sro3000.
External pump skimmers are more efficient in terms of being able to utilize the body better and provide more air water contact time, so while sump saver models offer an attractive footprint I would suggest external as long as you have the room... the seaside aquatics skimmer mentioned above is the model cs8. I would choose the jns over the seaside aquatics though if room allows. for it. if you want an equivalent reef octo... the xs200 is the one to look at.

robertcedgar · 11/24/2012, 09:37 AM

Thanks swcc! I'll try to fit one with an external pump as what you say makes a lot of sense.

11/23/2012, 07:55 PM	#1
robertcedgar Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Pedro, CA Posts: 236	Need help with skimmer upgrade??? Hello, I am considering an upgrade in skimmer. My setup and parameters are as follows: 140 gallon Oceanic (48x24x28) with 30 gallon sump/refugium and about 160 pounds of LR in the display. Salinity - 1.025 Alk - 9 Calcium - 450 Mag - 1350 Ph - 8.2 Nitrate/Nitrite/Phospates - undetectable I currently run an ASM G2 which is outdated and a little big for the performance it offers. I have been researching and am considering the following skimmers as replacements: 1. Skimz Monzter E 161 or 201 2. SWC Xtreem 180 3. Super Reef Octopus 3000 SSS I like all of the designs on the listed skimmers as they all appear to offer better performance than what I have now but also because the pumps are completely underneath the skimmer body itself. The build quality of the Skimz line also appears to be excellent so I am leaning that way. Any opinions you might have would be most appreciated. Thank you, Rob

11/23/2012, 08:07 PM	#2
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	The Skimz line of skimmers has had spotty history at best, the SRO 3000 I would say is oversized. Look into the JNS Alpha 2 I think it is called, Sea Side aquatics with the Sicce 1000 pump they just changed the number on the skimmer.

11/23/2012, 08:11 PM	#3
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/aqu...rotein-skimmer sorry this pump is on the outside

11/23/2012, 08:14 PM	#4
azjohnny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Gold Canyon Posts: 2,914	Depends on your bioload ioload Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

11/23/2012, 08:39 PM	#5
robertcedgar Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Pedro, CA Posts: 236	Thanks moondoggy and Johnny, I'd say the bioload is medium.....

11/24/2012, 08:23 AM	#6
swcc Moved On Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Tampa Fl Posts: 1,659	oops.. I see you posted this twice... as for the listings you have yeah, forget the skimz... the sro3000 is ok, but I would get an external pump model. Yeah, the JNS sk2(same skimmer as the aquamaxx) is a very nice choice and I also would get that over the sro3000. External pump skimmers are more efficient in terms of being able to utilize the body better and provide more air water contact time, so while sump saver models offer an attractive footprint I would suggest external as long as you have the room... the seaside aquatics skimmer mentioned above is the model cs8. I would choose the jns over the seaside aquatics though if room allows. for it. if you want an equivalent reef octo... the xs200 is the one to look at.

11/24/2012, 09:37 AM	#7
robertcedgar Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Pedro, CA Posts: 236	Thanks swcc! I'll try to fit one with an external pump as what you say makes a lot of sense.