well, to me it's simple...
i want the most power, with the most efficency, and i also want ease of use.
on top of that, i want a company that has good customer service.
"at the mercy of needlewheel pumps"
well, that might have been true 5 years ago, but now with all the new pumps on the market, and the advent of companies perfecting enkamat mesh modification to the pump impellars, you will not be able to beat the power vs. energy consumtion of the nicer meshwheel skimmers, and no it doesnt fall apart after a few months if done properly, you will get more than 1 year out of a properly meshed impellar.
mkay, case in point, this skimmer:
http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/c...Skimmers/c22_48/p132/MSX200/product_info.html
1200 lph air injection, @23 watts, the finest bubbles you've ever seen,
and the smelliest skimmate you've ever smelled...
just try beating that power/energy consumption/price with any other skimmer...
and there are several companies using this sicce mesh wheel pump to power their skimmers. (cnc, ati, and now coralvue)
but if you have the cash, the best skimmers hands down are the ATB skimmers out of germany. they still modify eheim pump on the small model,(best eheim modification i've ever seen) but everyother skimmer is powered by a modified laguna pond pump, same as bubble king red dragon pumps. the design of these skimmers is hands down the best i've seen, and i prefer them even to BK skimmers.
http://www.atbskimmers.com/index.php