Skimmer for 80G SPS tank?

Lord,Darth Bane · 07/30/2018, 07:02 PM

Hi,

The Aquabee 2000i of the current skimmer just died last week after running for 8yrs. I am now looking for upgrading to a better skimmer and after some suggestion.

The display tank is 90x50x50cm (36”x20”x20”). Total system volume minus rocks is about 300L (~80G)

I saw the Vertex Omega 180i at the local store and it looks quite good. But would it be too big for my system?

The water depth of the sump is about 14”. I read that the water depth for the 180i needs to be around 8” but I don’t have enough space over the sump to raise it that high. If I place it like in 11” of water could it work? Would it be overflow?

Any other suggestion? How about the Bubble King Mini 180?

Cheers.

jda · 08/01/2018, 08:40 AM

Bubble King is a good skimmer. LifeReef is also excellent. I did not have good luck with Vertex and found them incredibly unreliable. I also like the older verison of RO with the Sicce Pumps - I have found the newer versions with other pumps to be less reliable.

I am still using my LifeReefs and old ASMs (Sedra based). For all of the talk, stuff like bubble plates, cones and all of that stuff do not perform any better than a good, proven skimmer. I would go with a proven winner instead of most new stuff - my ASMs will outperform nearly all new skimmers, or are least as good.

Which skimmer was the aquabee in? Are you sure that that a new skimmer will truly be better?

biecacka · 08/01/2018, 10:34 AM

ATB is another good skimmer I hear.
I love my Bubble King for sure though.

Corey

stpauli914 · 08/06/2018, 10:47 AM

I run a Bubble King Mini160 on my SPS dominant 80 gallon and it never skips a beat.

Lord,Darth Bane · 08/07/2018, 08:30 AM

Thanks. mini160 it is!

kevin.st · 08/10/2018, 11:41 AM

Nice. Throwin' it down!

BruceWayne · 08/15/2018, 11:02 AM

Very good choice

07/30/2018, 07:02 PM	#1
Lord,Darth Bane Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 69	Skimmer for 80G SPS tank? Hi, The Aquabee 2000i of the current skimmer just died last week after running for 8yrs. I am now looking for upgrading to a better skimmer and after some suggestion. The display tank is 90x50x50cm (36”x20”x20”). Total system volume minus rocks is about 300L (~80G) I saw the Vertex Omega 180i at the local store and it looks quite good. But would it be too big for my system? The water depth of the sump is about 14”. I read that the water depth for the 180i needs to be around 8” but I don’t have enough space over the sump to raise it that high. If I place it like in 11” of water could it work? Would it be overflow? Any other suggestion? How about the Bubble King Mini 180? Cheers.

08/06/2018, 10:47 AM	#4
stpauli914 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Clearwater/Dunedin Posts: 1,990	I run a Bubble King Mini160 on my SPS dominant 80 gallon and it never skips a beat. __________________ Thanks Reef Central!!! Current Tank Info: 240 Gallon Mixed Reef Miracles Custom 72x30x25 Starfire, COR20 RD3 80W, BK Alpha 200, MP40QD's, Radion G4 Pros * 80 Gallon Deep Blue Rimless SPS Dominant 48x24x16 Starfire, RD5 ECO, BK Mini 160, MP40QD's, Radion Gen4 Pros* Apex Controlled

08/01/2018, 08:40 AM	#2
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	Bubble King is a good skimmer. LifeReef is also excellent. I did not have good luck with Vertex and found them incredibly unreliable. I also like the older verison of RO with the Sicce Pumps - I have found the newer versions with other pumps to be less reliable. I am still using my LifeReefs and old ASMs (Sedra based). For all of the talk, stuff like bubble plates, cones and all of that stuff do not perform any better than a good, proven skimmer. I would go with a proven winner instead of most new stuff - my ASMs will outperform nearly all new skimmers, or are least as good. Which skimmer was the aquabee in? Are you sure that that a new skimmer will truly be better?

08/01/2018, 10:34 AM	#3
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	ATB is another good skimmer I hear. I love my Bubble King for sure though. Corey

08/07/2018, 08:30 AM	#5
Lord,Darth Bane Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 69	Thanks. mini160 it is!

08/10/2018, 11:41 AM	#6
kevin.st Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 151	Nice. Throwin' it down!

08/15/2018, 11:02 AM	#7
BruceWayne Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 8	Very good choice