Help Me Choose a Skimmer

stevetcg · 07/10/2019, 06:17 AM

My choices in hardware have been questionable in the past so I want to solicit the advice of people less stupid than I...

Please help me choose a skimmer for the system I am building out.

72 Bowfront DT, mixed reef with some messy tangs
55g sump with DSB/LR fuge and 40 sq in 2 sided turf scrubber for nitrate removal. No constraints on footprint or headroom as the 55 hasnt had baffles added yet.
Future room for a smaller (40-50g) type specific DT.

So ideally we would accommodate a 200g system without really tight water parameter constraints (I dont keep anything terribly demanding). I would love it if it had a drain line or could have one added to it with a little DIY work.

I would like to spend ~$250USD. Or less.

Ready go.

. TIA

stevetcg · 07/10/2019, 07:33 AM

Also, if my price point it totally unreasonable, it would help to know that as well.

ryeguyy84 · 07/10/2019, 07:45 AM

Simplicity is all I can think of. It's actually a decent skimmer, one of my friends has the 120 model and it's quieter than my reef octopus but not as quiet as the silent Nyos skimmer I saw at RAP a few weeks ago.

https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/coll...mplicity-240dc

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

wildman926 · 07/10/2019, 10:28 AM

I just sent you a message about an Aquamaxx EM200

Vinny Kreyling · 07/10/2019, 12:29 PM

The Aquamax was actually one I considered before a deal came along.
They have a good reputation.

moondoggy4 · 07/10/2019, 08:41 PM

I would get a skimmer with the pump inside the body of the skimmer, the Aqua Maxx is a real good skimmer that wildman has or get a Simplicity 320 model. Your price is out of line if you want a new skimmer, so buying used is probably best.

biecacka · 07/11/2019, 01:23 PM

One thing to keep in mind, is you should only base your skimmer on you DT tank size, not your sump or anything else. So 72 gallon tank is what you need to buy it on, and not sure how many “messy tangs” can fit in a 72 gallon tank either....

Corey

SuperAni · 07/17/2019, 06:15 PM

After considering several skimmer I pulled the trigger on a red sea rsk300. It comes with like a foot and a half of drain line with valve. It also has the cup cleaner squeegee thats pretty cool. It's $299 msrp not too much from your budget, and what I was sold on was it didn't require a deep sump depth 7-8 inches if I recall. Its only been running for a few days and I've also been doing alot of adjustments to the tank so I can't comment on performance yet sorry.

07/10/2019, 06:17 AM	#1
stevetcg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Melbourne FL Posts: 321	Help Me Choose a Skimmer My choices in hardware have been questionable in the past so I want to solicit the advice of people less stupid than I... Please help me choose a skimmer for the system I am building out. 72 Bowfront DT, mixed reef with some messy tangs 55g sump with DSB/LR fuge and 40 sq in 2 sided turf scrubber for nitrate removal. No constraints on footprint or headroom as the 55 hasnt had baffles added yet. Future room for a smaller (40-50g) type specific DT. So ideally we would accommodate a 200g system without really tight water parameter constraints (I dont keep anything terribly demanding). I would love it if it had a drain line or could have one added to it with a little DIY work. I would like to spend ~$250USD. Or less. Ready go. . TIA

07/10/2019, 07:45 AM	#3
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	Simplicity is all I can think of. It's actually a decent skimmer, one of my friends has the 120 model and it's quieter than my reef octopus but not as quiet as the silent Nyos skimmer I saw at RAP a few weeks ago. https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/coll...mplicity-240dc Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

07/10/2019, 10:28 AM	#4
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	I just sent you a message about an Aquamaxx EM200 __________________ Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!! The search function actually works quite well!! Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie Last edited by wildman926; 05/21/2020 at 07:22 PM.

07/10/2019, 12:29 PM	#5
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	The Aquamax was actually one I considered before a deal came along. They have a good reputation. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

07/10/2019, 07:33 AM	#2
stevetcg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Melbourne FL Posts: 321	Also, if my price point it totally unreasonable, it would help to know that as well.

07/10/2019, 08:41 PM	#6
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I would get a skimmer with the pump inside the body of the skimmer, the Aqua Maxx is a real good skimmer that wildman has or get a Simplicity 320 model. Your price is out of line if you want a new skimmer, so buying used is probably best.

07/11/2019, 01:23 PM	#7
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	One thing to keep in mind, is you should only base your skimmer on you DT tank size, not your sump or anything else. So 72 gallon tank is what you need to buy it on, and not sure how many “messy tangs” can fit in a 72 gallon tank either.... Corey

07/17/2019, 06:15 PM	#8
SuperAni Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 27	After considering several skimmer I pulled the trigger on a red sea rsk300. It comes with like a foot and a half of drain line with valve. It also has the cup cleaner squeegee thats pretty cool. It's $299 msrp not too much from your budget, and what I was sold on was it didn't require a deep sump depth 7-8 inches if I recall. Its only been running for a few days and I've also been doing alot of adjustments to the tank so I can't comment on performance yet sorry.