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looking for suggestion and advice to buy a skimmer

Olivier

Olivier

hi everyone,
I want to buy a skimmer for my 180 gallon tank. I currently have one right now but its footprint is quite large for my sump. I have hard time to take it out for cleanning. any suggestion on what brand to buy with good price ? my budget is max out at $300.

i saw eshopps skimmer that have cone ($ out of my range)however they do have other type like PSK 200. I also see bubble magus. any advice and suggestion on those two skimmers? any other skimmer outthere in the range of $$ that do a good job of skimming.
 
M

mr_X

yes, some of the recirc models have a decent footprint for their capabilities. what kind of room are you working with?
 
Nickjr000

Nickjr000

Reef Octopus DNW 200
Recirculating
Protein Skimmer
PS-OCT-DNW-200

$379.95 $299.95
(Savings: $80.00)

There is your 300 dollar range. It would be a beast on a 180. Dont know if the height works for you though

Specifications:

- 7.8" Diameter
- 29.64" Tall
- Equiped with with needle wheel impeller recirculating pump
- - Requires additional feed pump with gph rating at approx. 1.5 times volume of your system.
- Recommended for aquariums up to 400 gallons
- Footprint 9" x 21"
 
Olivier

Olivier

this skimmer is big for me. the footprint is way larger than my available space. my available space is 13"x17"x36" (LxWxH) max. I can however, remove2 baffles to free up 1 more inche that make 14x17. for $299.95 is right on my max available fund of $300. anything else outthere ? I saw eshopps and footprint look good but don't know it performances that goes the same for bubble magus.


Nickjr000 said:
Reef Octopus DNW 200
Recirculating
Protein Skimmer
PS-OCT-DNW-200

$379.95 $299.95
(Savings: $80.00)

There is your 300 dollar range. It would be a beast on a 180. Dont know if the height works for you though

Specifications:

- 7.8" Diameter
- 29.64" Tall
- Equiped with with needle wheel impeller recirculating pump
- - Requires additional feed pump with gph rating at approx. 1.5 times volume of your system.
- Recommended for aquariums up to 400 gallons
- Footprint 9" x 21"
Click to expand...
 
C

concept3

is your current skimmer able to run as an external? How much space do you have under the 180, how about a second sump (but only to hold the skimmer in case it leaks/overflows?)
 
Baxreefs

Baxreefs

At $300 MAX price range for a decent 180 skimmer, are you searching the used equipment forums?

Since your footprint is your limiting factor as 36" is plenty of height, search the on line stores and select some skimmers that interest you that fit your dims.

The Octopus is a great line of skimmers for the money to be sure. You may find some earlier models for sale used that better meet your budget. To me skimmers are like cars, let someone else take the depreciation hit and buy used. You can always mod it to update the skimmer for cheap. Octopus, ATB, ATI, MRC, even old school ERs, to name a few, are all good brands of skimmers that are often for sale used at very reasonable prices.

Remember, with any skimmer your paying for the quality of the skimmer body build, the pump, and the name. Pumps are swappable so buy the skimmer for the body!
 
Baxreefs

Baxreefs

reeferwanabe said:
I think the ASM g series is a great skimmer and price. also recirculating G3 or 4 would work on a 180.
Click to expand...

I own a ASM G4x. I have to agree with Mr X that the body work is very cheesy, but it's a lot of skimmer for a real low cost, at 9.5" dia. with a 22" tall body, 4" neck and nice big collection cup. I bought mine, used, for like $250 with a Sedra 9000. With a few mods: gate valve and a mesh wheel, this puppy held its own on my heavily stocked 120g display/240 g system. Later I swapped in a Sicci SPK 250 mesh wheel and it totally kicked but at less than 40 watts of draw. I still use that SPK configuration as a back up skimmer.

I guess my point is, when you are looking to get the biggest skimming power you can for the lowest cost, shop used, buy a good skimmer body, and mod it to improve performance. Research skimmers, know the quality brands, dims you want, and pumps you like, and be patient wait for the right deal to emerge, it will. It is by far the cheapest way to good skimming.
 
R

reeferwanabe

ok the reef octopus xp 2000 looks very impressive with a low profile. looking at this for a 150. should work on a 180 google it and look at the video. sweet
 
Olivier

Olivier

reeferwanabe said:
ok the reef octopus xp 2000 looks very impressive with a low profile. looking at this for a 150. should work on a 180 google it and look at the video. sweet
Click to expand...

I google it and see the price is in the range of $300+. where do you find $150? perhalf you mean second hand right? second hand for $150, I am game.

there is a person selling the DAS BX-2 for $250. I am thinking of getting it.
 
Olivier

Olivier

Baxreefs said:
reeferwanabe said:
I think the ASM g series is a great skimmer and price. also recirculating G3 or 4 would work on a 180.
Click to expand...

I own a ASM G4x. I have to agree with Mr X that the body work is very cheesy, but it's a lot of skimmer for a real low cost, at 9.5" dia. with a 22" tall body, 4" neck and nice big collection cup. I bought mine, used, for like $250 with a Sedra 9000. With a few mods: gate valve and a mesh wheel, this puppy held its own on my heavily stocked 120g display/240 g system. Later I swapped in a Sicci SPK 250 mesh wheel and it totally kicked but at less than 40 watts of draw. I still use that SPK configuration as a back up skimmer.

I guess my point is, when you are looking to get the biggest skimming power you can for the lowest cost, shop used, buy a good skimmer body, and mod it to improve performance. Research skimmers, know the quality brands, dims you want, and pumps you like, and be patient wait for the right deal to emerge, it will. It is by far the cheapest way to good skimming.
Click to expand...

Baxreef, thank you very much for your suggestion. It is very intuitive and constructive suggestion. I am glad that you reply to my post.
 
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