What is the BEST skimmer on the market?

[Ben1]

Right now I have a 75 with a 30 gallon sump. I want to trade in my Turboflotor HOT and get a larger skimmer. I plan on upgrading to a 125-180 gallon in the next year so want a skimmer that will handle this tank also.

I have looked at all the major skimmers I think, Euroreef, Aquafoamer, PM Bullet, ETSS, Aqua-C, ect. I really cant decide, I like the beckett design on the PM skimmer. I also like the simplicity of the Euroreef and its cup, I like the downdraft on the ETSS, but why or why not is downdraft better then venturi, spray injected, or becket injection method?

What do you think is the BEST skimmer?

 

[thinhvu]

IF I CAN not find a used one i will go for euroreef. recently i got a used etss 600 with a affordable price to replace cpr back-pak. i ran it for 5 days in my 58g. i was great, the water look more crystal. the foam is not thich yet, but the waste in the collect cup is very green or dark brown. i am very happy with that. remember that thinh of price... price... price when you want to get etss.

 

[Iron]

There is no best skimmer. Whats best for your application. For me i prefer becket skimmers.= aerofoamer,bullets,myreef. I like euroreef and lifereef also. I would choice bettween these.

 

[dukecola]

How come we don't see Tunze skimmers on the market anymore? They use to make the best in tank skimmer, of all the skimmers I had that one was fantastic.

 

[Anonymous]

How come we don't see Tunze skimmers on the market anymore? They use to make the best in tank skimmer, of all the skimmers I had that one was fantastic.

Place in Texas -- AquaticTek, I think -- carries the line in the US these days. They do mail order, and now that Burleson isn't the rep on them anymore the prices have come down significantly.

 

[richw]

I have a euro-reef and have been pleased with the results; nice foam. My prior skimmer was an ETS reef devil 3. Some people love the down drafts -- not me. The most reliable skimmer I ever had was a CPR backpack. Too bad it cannot handle a big tank. Just my opinion.

 

[mark h]

Ben,

i have a euroreef and love it. it is quiet efficient, easy to clean, and skims like crazy.
here is link to a comparison test of some of the most popular skimmers.

www.thereefweb.com/skimmer_comparison.htm

 

[Anonymous]

Ben, have someone build one for you. IME it's the better way to go. You can get a nice beckett skimmer without the huge price and even have the skimmer custom built for your exact specifications in most cases.

I have had a few skimmers built for me and I wouldn't buy another fromk anywhere else.

HTH
JP
Just Phish
www.justphish.com

 

[Ben1]

Right now its inbetween the AquaC ev 240, Euroreef CS8_2 and the PM bullet skimmer. I like to buy from a company so I have a warrantee. I liked the comparision chart.

I feel there is a best skimmer, the one with the best constuction, best injection method (the best bubble size and thickest froth IMO), Longest contact time, Ect. makes the BEST skimmer. I cant decide from these skimmers which fits this criteria best. Any other opinions>?

 

[golfish]

Euro-reef is the "best" I have seen and used

 

[saltybob]

Go with a euro-reef,I have 1 running on a 250 I maintain and a Aqua C EV-150 on my 120. Both do a good job but the euro has less maintanece. JustPhish is giving some good info too, IME skimmers are good as well as saving money. AT any rate your on the right track

 

[Iron]

Best skimmer =best for your application euroreef bullets ,aerofoamers are all built well,all have good contact time. But the beckets can be use in and out of sump and you can put a any pump or a large pump = more bubbles and thicker. Euroreef can only be used in sump but can use smaller pumps and gives good foam. The best is whats best for you. Lifereef makes good quality skimmers also. Only the user can say what is the best. Aquac skimmers aren't built as well imo. Beckets skimmers depending on the maker you can upgrade with larger towers also. So you need to figure out how you want to use it before you can find the best skimmer. If its out of sump you can rule out euroreef. If you want a smaller pump and have a large sump euroreef maybe whta you want. Only you can decide. Most any top skimmer are par

 

[Ben1]

I really dont know what to choose.

Euroreef CS8-2, PM Bullet 2, or Aqua-C EV240.
This is as far down as I can narrow it. I really like all these skimmers

Euroreef cs8-2:

Wide foam tower
comes with pump
collection cup has easy removal
every part accessable for cleaning

Cant be used in sump
new impeller assembaly expensive

AQUA-c EV240

Easy flanged collection cup
baffled for longer contact time
can be used with smaller or larger pumps
raised valve so skimmer can sit in up to 10" of water.

Not all areas available for cleaning
Not sure how well the spray injection works
ozone hole can effect skimmer proformance when using a larger pump.


PM Bullet 2

Good quality constuction
beckett injection
can have expanders built


Nylon screw for cup removal a pain
needs larger pump
must be raised in sump

Any more pros and cons?

What would you choose? SO far it seems like Euroreef is the skimmer of choice but I really like all three.

 

[bigtank]

I would buy the Euroreef. Just my .02.

 

[EmilyB]

Euro-reef.

Impeller cost....may be high

Life with a Euro-reef....priceless...

JMO..

 

[Iron]

Of those 3 skimmers The 8" euroreef would be the better skimmer. it's much larger.

 

[samurai9]

While we're on the topic, I'd love to see pics of skimmers in action also.

 

[Iron]

The bullet is louder but a simple plastic tube make it silent. The aquac skimmers the old ones anyway aren't made all that great. They market these skimmers big time this is why they are biased why i don't know. But you can search all the bb theres ppl who ditched there aquac for bullets or myreef skimmer. But they were the older ones they had probs. the new ones I don't know. And its hard for me to belive a 6"x24" skimmer will out perform a 8"x24" euroreef skimmer. I would ask them if they had it in stock?(euroreef) They market the aquac alot over the years I've seen it out. I doubt it will out prefor a bullet 3= 32" thats just hard for me to belive. I'm sure you would still like the aquac skimmer but to say it out performs the 8" euroreef It's just hard for me to belive they said that. But maybe they had alot of improvements?? a good becket skimmer imo will out perform but aquac. Guess I don't know now. I thought all they did was move the ballvalve higher??

 

[MIKE NY1]

How about a RK1000CXF.. it spits out a 1000gpm and weights only 2000lbs and yes you can have it for a mere $23,999.99!..... Seriously I have a Precision Marine and I like it on my 90gal.

[ December 22, 2001: Message edited by: MIKE NY ]</p>

 

[Ben1]

Aqua-C also added baffles on the inside of the box to create longer contact time. Raises the valve and made the collection cup easier to access. I think