Skimmer opinions – Aqua C EV-180 vs PM Bullet II

[fatoldsun]

I’m looking to upgrade my skimmer (currently I have a Bubble Magus 6 on a ~125 total system volume) I’ve come across 2 options and they seem pretty similar but I was hoping to get some opinion from anyone who has some experience or knowledge of either.

Choice A: a Precision Marine Bullet II run by a Mag18

Choice B: an AquaC EV-180 run by a Mag9.5 (may be a 12 – all I was told is that it’s larger than the recommended Mag7)

Either choice would be the same price (the PM includes the collection cup so that’s a bit of a bonus) and both are a few years old. I know the AquaC has at least one minor redesign on the new units being sold now - not sure what the significance of the change/upgrade was…

Thanks for the input

 

[fatoldsun]

guess I should add that I plan on running either choice in-sump

 

[redfishbluefish]

guess I should add that I plan on running either choice in-sump

That makes the choice pretty easy, because the Precision Marine is not an in-sump skimmer. Or let me put it this way, the water level must be below the exit port of the skimmer, which from the picture, looks like about 1 ½ inches.

 

[fatoldsun]

Thanks Paul - I was just reading up on that - found a .pdf of the manual and I wasn't sure what to make of that - obviously if that is the case than my thought process does have to change a bit. What I had read initially said it could be run out-of or in-sump - which I guess is technically true. I do have a fairly substantial amount of room under my stand but I think I need about 26" above the water level to clear the unit (28" tall)

 

[lefkonj]

I run the Trigger Systems Bursa skimmer. So far I like it.

http://www.triggersys.com/bursa.html

 

[downbeach]

If you have a limited amount of space under your tank, in your cabinet, you should stick to a skimmer that will operate in about 10" of water depth. If you get something that has to be in 6 or 7 inches, then you can build a platform for it, but you will be taking up the that amount of head space in the cabinet. Another BM is probably your best choice.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Dave, the more I think about this, I’m not quite sure what you are attempting to accomplish.

Now I have no idea how the Bubble Magnus NAC6 performs, but it is one of those new fangled cone skimmers that are the rage. Accordingly I’m not sure if you’ll see any difference with the choices you have identified, short of an increase in your electric bill….both require energy sucking pumps.

JMTC….I’ll wait for more knowledgeable ones to comment.

 

[Hawkeye]

On my old 55 i had an ev120 with a mag7. The maintenance is very easy - just have to clear the air-injector (unscrew, rinse in water or use a Q-tip).

The best thing about this series is the compact size - if you have limited real estate they are great.
One thing i also like is the twist-lock feature instead of those little screws you get with PM/MRC and others.

Cons:
Downside is mag is another pump to contend with and does produce heat in the water.
Also the skimmer is temperamental to changes in the tank (e.g. oil from mysis, or from your hands if you are not wearing gloves).

also - to note i have no exp with a BM.

 

[Olivier]

i used both of those skimmers before and I don't like either one.
matter of fact, i currently have AquaC 180 in the back of my house ready to be in trash.

main reason, the skimmate is never reliable. one day it work one day it just not. I also need to get a strong 4$$ pump in order to get it work due to spray foam or whatever they called. water level need to be stable as heck for it to work as well. so >>>>> I HATE IT<<<<<

why not buy those cone skimmer or those newer technologies skimmer ? any cone skimmer would perform better those AQUAC and PM.

don't even think about running both of those skimmer with Mag 7 9 10 12 etc. Mag18 is the minimal to get the AQUAC work and for PM skimmer, you need somehting like pressure pump such as panworld, GEN-X , little giant pump to run it.
this is the main reason I hate it due to pump and power draw for the average performance

 

[fatoldsun]

Dave, the more I think about this, I’m not quite sure what you are attempting to accomplish.
Now I have no idea how the Bubble Magnus NAC6 performs, but it is one of those new fangled cone skimmers that are the rage.

Basically I'm trying to upgrade -my current isn't a cone (I think that's the NAC7) the 6 is ok but mostly just a cup of slightly green SW to empty each day. There is some skimate that builds up on the skimmer neck which I wash off every now and again. The PM seemed like a good bargain and that's like crack for me. I get all twitchy and convince myself it's a necessity.

On my old 55 i had an ev120 with a mag7. The maintenance is very easy - just have to clear the air-injector (unscrew, rinse in water or use a Q-tip).

The best thing about this series is the compact size - if you have limited real estate they are great.
One thing i also like is the twist-lock feature instead of those little screws you get with PM/MRC and others.

Cons:
Downside is mag is another pump to contend with and does produce heat in the water.
Also the skimmer is temperamental to changes in the tank (e.g. oil from mysis, or from your hands if you are not wearing gloves).

Thanks for the input Phil. I'm looking at a 180 but still small. I'm not looking forward to adding another STRONGER/BIGGER Mag but I'm stuck w/ my sump layout & design so I gotta live with the "in-sump" w/ "in-pump" options

i used both of those skimmers before and I don't like either one.
matter of fact, i currently have AquaC 180 in the back of my house ready to be in trash.

main reason, the skimmate is never reliable. one day it work one day it just not. I also need to get a strong 4$$ pump in order to get it work due to spray foam or whatever they called. water level need to be stable as heck for it to work as well. so >>>>> I HATE IT<<<<<

why not buy those cone skimmer or those newer technologies skimmer ? any cone skimmer would perform better those AQUAC and PM.

don't even think about running both of those skimmer with Mag 7 9 10 12 etc. Mag18 is the minimal to get the AQUAC work and for PM skimmer, you need something like pressure pump such as panworld, GEN-X , little giant pump to run it.
this is the main reason I hate it due to pump and power draw for the average performance

Ok, kind of a buzz kill Oliver but maybe I needed that - after all as I confessed this isn't something that brings out the best in me. Anyway I thought it would be a step up without the required bankroll for some new $5-700 skimmer. I'd never get that passed the admiral - not now that she has some bank app on her phone that lets her check up on me - next fall ... CSI -Coral Reef!!