I am going to upgrade my skimmer from the aqua c urchin that i have now. I have been looking a the octopus models and even considering the new msx models from marine solutions. it will be going on my 135 gallon reef tank that has a heavy bioload so I need something that can handle that. It will be installed in my 30 gallon sump. Looking to spend around $300. So what would you recommend? what do you use on your tank?
I have been wanting someone to try one of the new Tunze DOC skimmers (9005 or 9010). They have a small footprint, are supposedly very quiet, and work great. But that is just what I have been told. I use an ASM G2 and like it, it is a Euro-reef clone. I never have to adjust it and it pulls out nasty crud. The needle wheel design in general is a bit noisy in my opinion though. Which is the reason I was researching the Tunze.
the rs180 is out of my price range and with a heavy bioload i would be afriad it wouldn't be sufficient unless you want to mod it for me . I have been all on Reef Central trying to see what everyone is using but everyone is modding theirs..I am seriously considering the octopus. ok i am not ashamed to admit even a mods for dummies book wouldnt help me . I just need a good quality plug and play skimmer that will more than cover what i need.. i also do need a small foot print and hopefully bottom mounted pump so depth wont be an issue in my sump. My tank is in the living room so hopefully it wont sound like a tornado under my tank. any other recommendations for me..tell you what james you buy the tunze 9010 &i will try it out for ya
Hmmmm, sounds like you will be getting an Octopus then! I have heard these work good. I didn't do any of the mods on my G2 and I am perfectly happy with it.
Hi! Hope all is well. I agree with James. I have an ASM G3 and it works great. I have a 135 and it is rated for 250. It's probably a little overkill but since it was my first skimmer I wanted to go as big as I could get. Only problem I have is the footprint is large and my sump is only 25 gallons. So it's a really tight fit but it works fine. Scott
james what do you now about the tunze skimmers, they aren't much to look at but it looks like they could handle my tank size according to their rating. i would go w/atleast the 9010
Please realize that Euro-Reef is known for properly marketing and sizing their skimmers. They are American made, quiet (if you don't get a model with the Sedra pump) and are easily mod-able. Remember, people don't always mod things because the item is deficient. Sometimes they do it because it's easy and can increase the efficiency cheaply.
Look at the skimmer on the RC tank-of-the-month: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-01/totm/index.php This system is insane.
OH MY HEAVENS! I just looked at the tank of the month on RC. that tank is unbelievable and that skimmer that is insane. No telling what that set him back you could snorkel in that tank . I have never heard of snow cap clowns but can i say--- I WANT! okay back to topic I will look at the euro reef again if you think the 180 would be adequate with a heavy bioload. it is just a little more than the octopus or the extreme i was looking at so is viable unfortunately the recirculating one- not happening at those prices.. is it a needle wheel skimmer? it doesn't say anywhere on the site if it is. The ASM G3 prices arent bad either so it is in the running..thanks for your help everyone!
I hate to say it but we have a pair of snowflake clowns much like the snowcap. the octo-puss skimmer needs to be moded. the pumps are weak and don't do the job. the euro reef are good right out of the box and you will be happy with it. If you buy the octo-puss we will mod it for you jest bring it in to the shop.
okay so what is the damage on the clowns? i might just have to make a trip to fayettville got pics for me? how much to mod the octopus? if i do decide on the euro reef is their any mods that can be done later if i need better more skimmate capability? have you seen the new msx models out they have them on marine solutions? I know i am worse than a kid- questions, questions, question
Im trying to get pics e-mailed to me to post right now. I would like to start posting pic's of our current inventory in the Worlds Under Water fourm. the clowns we have are snowflakes from ORA and are $299.00 for the pair. yea we don't expect to sell them but if someone wants them that bad we will be happy to. we jest got them because we can and expect to put them in our floor model tank that we will be setting up by the end of the year. the mod would be free and the trip would be worth it if you like corral. we are fully stocked with hard to find stuff. the euro reef would be all around better. Go with the euro reef. new its better than the octo-puss moded.
okay I think i will splurge and go for the euro reef 180 , seems to be hands down the best choice across the board. Thanks everyone for your help, soooo many skimmers, soooo little mula Thanks for posting triton i will have to make a trip up there sometime. If you dont mind can you email me your info, address, #, hours etc..
I have run an MRC (My Reef Creations) Skimmer for the past 5 years and been very happy with it. It is a becket injected skimmer and is built like a tank. When I chose this skimmer they were a bit less expensive than they are now but I like the fact that this was an aquarist that made a great product and you could call and talk to him - the actual person that built your skimmer. I also use Ocean Motion Squirts for this reason - you can call and talk to the person that designed and produces the product. MRC skimmers now come in dual beckett models and he also makes a recirculating skimmer now. They are worth a look.
Ditto on the MRC Becketts.....I have had Euro Reefs and ASMS but I greatly prefer the pure power of a Dual beckett recirculating skimmer. Also Oceans Motions products are first rate along with the customer service Chris mentioned in the above post.
so scubadog, you prefer the becketts to the euro reef and asm? how much do the mrc becketts run? i would love to have a recirculating but the ones i have seen are WAY out of my price range. can you post some pics and get me their contact info. Do you have anything that you would compare it to as far as quality and performance?
thanks, wow i am impressed and thrilled that for the price of the euro reef i could get a recirculating skimmer. do you think the MR-2R would be enough for what i need, all of the other ones are too tall to fit under my tank. are these to be installed in the sump or external? any experience with the mag pump that is probably what i will go with?
The skimmers can be instaled in the sump or external. Mine is external in an equipment closet. You would need ither a mag7 or mag9 for the feed pump and one of the recomended recirculating pumps for the recirculating loop. The unit can be plumbed for a regular style becket with one pump as well.
