Whats the best in sump skimmer out there?

[marlinmero]

im building a sump tomorrow or this weekend and i want to build it to accomidate a good skimmer down the road. cause hopfully in december ill have lots of extra $$ to play with. and am going to get a good skimmer and what not. so i was wondering what a good skimmer would be for a 130gallon tank with a 55 gallon sump. and i have about 28" of height maybe 30

 

[mfinn]

I don't think you could point at any one skimmer and say it's best.
Look at one of the cone skimmers. SWC has some nice ones for the $

 

[Dalbery]

Marlin,
Reef Octopus or SWC. I will have one for sale in a couple weeks. I bought a new Reef octopus 2000 and it pulls some nasty skimmate. Just yeaterday I picked up a SWC 250. I'm in the process of evaluating it now. So when I figure out which one I'm keeping one of them will be on the chopping block. I think they are the best affordable skimmer out there. I did a ton of research before buying mine and I have to say all the positive reviews on both of these skimmers appear to be true. What width and length are you going with?
Darrell

 

[Ichthys]

Dream Skimmer

If money were no object this would be my skimmer..
http://www.barrierreefaquariums.com/productCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=625&idcategory=197

I don't have a lot of experience, but have read alot, and also some people I really respect in this hobby have Bubble Kings.

Seeing as I will never be able to afford a BK, I will probably shoot for a SWC Xtreme Cone 160.

Hopefully you will get some good informed answers from reefers with more than my newbie knowledge.

Good Luck
Ichthys

 

[marlinmero]

alrighty thanks for the info guys. i guess ill make my skimmer area big enough to hold a swc. that seems to a common answer.
im not sure what you mean byu what length and width. i havent gone with any size yet. im trying to find out what size i should do for future upgrades

 

[mfinn]

Here is something that looks interesting

http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/youbuilt/CS1-KIT

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Here is something that looks interesting

http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/youbuilt/CS1-KIT

That looks like an amazing deal especially with the sicce upgrade. Know anything about it?

 

[mfinn]

there is a thread about this on R2R.
Looks pretty slick, if you like to diy

 

[marlinmero]

that does look like fun. i prefer diy you get see the work you put in at the end

 

[crazyfish253]

That diy is sweet i hope thay open production. pre order only 24 suprised thay havent sold out.

 

[roscoe]

Well if you don't go with that one. I have a SWC 250 cone skimmer with the Askoll pump for sale.

 

[mfinn]

Well if you don't go with that one. I have a SWC 250 cone skimmer with the Askoll pump for sale.

That's what I WANT, I just don't have the $ right now.

 

[lvsuckerfish]

there are lots of skimmers out there it depends on your budget! bang for buck skimmers are avast nac series and avastmarine also has the swabbie head cleaner nice bonus for the product I have a media reactor from them good quality of material looks to be tonka tough. then you have stated above swc being easier to get a hold of as Skimmy is selling them now.

 

[marlinmero]

what do you all think about a euro reef 180?

 

[jaygalindo]

best skimmer is the biggest one you can fit. and euroreefs now known as reef dynamics are awesome

 

[jaygalindo]

you should check out the lafishguys series on youtube on protein skimmers. The owner of Reef Dynamics talks for almost an hour about protein skimmers. I learned a lot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXuEebGU9zA

 

[jrgilles]

I have an SWC 160 cone and I think it kicks butt. My total volume is around 120 (tank+fuge+sump)

You might want to go one size larger. Talk to skimmerwhisperer on the forums here. He has a vendor forum (I think) called Green Skimmers (or maybe its under SWC still?)

He can answer any questions about the SWC. They are great skimmers and a lot less expensive than others

 

[marlinmero]

anyone ever research that diy skimmer?

 

[Frankie]

I have always wanted to test drive the KZ skimmer. I really like the Beckett injector method and this is one of the few that comes that way.

 

[Skimmy]

imo, the best in sump skimmer right now would have to be the new ATI power cone skimmer... but pretty damn spendy.

SWC does have 2 new askoll powered cones coming to market that will be awesome as well.
http://reefbuilders.com/2010/10/21/swc-230-improved-swc-300a-releasing-time-christmas/