Skimmer suggestion please
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Krish
RF STAFF
Welcome to RF!! 
As for skimmer choices, I'd look into Euroreef, Octopus and ASM as my 3 top choices. Good luck!
As for skimmer choices, I'd look into Euroreef, Octopus and ASM as my 3 top choices. Good luck!
bubblemasters are thw woop ass in skimmers. Krish probably didn't mention it because you quoted a $500 budget. The bm160 runs around $600 and i think that is without the pump.
By all means if it's in your budget....get it!
By all means if it's in your budget....get it!
Skimmy
SKIM FU
the ati bm 160 is a great skimmer, awesome performer, but the pump does have start up issues, and it's a bitch to get it out of the skimmer body all the time to make it work right, but works great once you get it going...probably the best bang for your buck.
i would also look at a euroreef rs180, the tunze 9010, the DAS ex-2, all would be great for your 90g and are under $500
i would also look at a euroreef rs180, the tunze 9010, the DAS ex-2, all would be great for your 90g and are under $500
Skimmy
SKIM FU
the 200 doesnt have anywhere near the startup issues, just because of the design of the body and the pump is on the outside,... easy to pop on and off the skimmer body.
and if needed(most of the time not needed)usually a minor trimming of the mesh will fix most startup issues.
get a 200 quick though, because i think the only ones left are the ones that stores have in stock. otherwise you will have to wait a while, they too are being redesigned.
and if needed(most of the time not needed)usually a minor trimming of the mesh will fix most startup issues.
get a 200 quick though, because i think the only ones left are the ones that stores have in stock. otherwise you will have to wait a while, they too are being redesigned.
ReefferMan
Fish out of water
Look into the Deltec's there up there in quality!
Skimmy
SKIM FU
yes, but nothing available for $500 that is appropriate for a 90g. the ap600 starts at $645 and is too small for a 90g.
besides the ati bm 160 and 200 are twice the power of that skimmer for less cash.
Damsel13
Well-known member
I hate it when those pumps are finiky!
ReefferMan
Fish out of water
Whis! your right! i just love mine, i do have to remember i got lots more water volume. I was looking into maybe purchasing an h-s unit there almost the same thing but less $$$.
kriswaters
Well-known member
Octopus....the NW and recircs kick some booty. I have a NW150 on my 55 and it works fabulous. It was totally plug and play with hardly any "break in time". Even better....you get more bang for your buck!
Good luck.
Kris
Good luck.
Kris
Reefergeorge
Well-known member
I agree, I have a octopus rps-2000 same as the recirc-150 on my 90 and love it.
Plus its only $269 at octopusskimmer.com
Plus its only $269 at octopusskimmer.com
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Damsel13
Well-known member
ati bm....I am going to check it out. I know nothing. Eventually I will have a 180 long. Please help me.
Thank you in advance.
Thank you in advance.
kriswaters
Well-known member
I did about 2 months worth of research before buying. I found that any of the Octopus models were the cheapest and modeled nearly exact to the ASM. There are so many out there (trust me). Go with a size that is rated higher for you tank. For instance, I have 55 gal display and 22 gal sump...75 gallons total. My NW150 (Octopus) is rated for 90-120 gallons. You will not be dissatisfied with this skimmer. Everyone that has posted that owns it, loves it. The recirculating model is a little more expensive, but on a bigger tank may prove to be a better choice.
I did not (and still don't) have a lot of money to drop into this hobby. Everything I buy or bought in the past was after extensive research and price matching. As I said before, this skimmer will give you more bang for your buck.
Good luck.
Kris
I did not (and still don't) have a lot of money to drop into this hobby. Everything I buy or bought in the past was after extensive research and price matching. As I said before, this skimmer will give you more bang for your buck.
Good luck.
Kris
Skimmy
SKIM FU
octopus skimmers are cheap chinese crap, and they are mediocre nw skimmers unless you mesh mod them.
the pumps have a very high failure rate and they have actually changed the motor inside the pump for an even less powerful one, so now the new pumps arent even as good for modding as the old one.
the metric undersized plumbing also makes it a poor choice for modding unless you plan on cutting new holes with new plumbing
if you buy the cheapest skimmer you can find, dont expect it to work well for several years.
instead you would be much better off spending the extra +$100 for the euroreef model that the octo is trying to rip off anyway.
granted, they are pretty good when modified, they will "perform" amost as good as the euro reef skimmers, and the pumps are fairly inexpensive if you must replace them, but the euroreefs are much better.
and ASM?...they might as well be made out of uncooked pasta.
the pumps have a very high failure rate and they have actually changed the motor inside the pump for an even less powerful one, so now the new pumps arent even as good for modding as the old one.
the metric undersized plumbing also makes it a poor choice for modding unless you plan on cutting new holes with new plumbing
if you buy the cheapest skimmer you can find, dont expect it to work well for several years.
instead you would be much better off spending the extra +$100 for the euroreef model that the octo is trying to rip off anyway.
granted, they are pretty good when modified, they will "perform" amost as good as the euro reef skimmers, and the pumps are fairly inexpensive if you must replace them, but the euroreefs are much better.
and ASM?...they might as well be made out of uncooked pasta.
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Skimmy
SKIM FU
a bm200 for regular stocking or mixed tank of predominantly softies/lps, or if you have a big refugium, then sps as well.
a bm250 if it will be heavily stocked or sps without a fuge
