I asked your advice on skimmers, and it seems that the most recommended were Euro-reef. I checked out the prices and wow!! major bucks. The thing is..is there that big a difference between them and say bullet or ETS and what about DAS?? Maybe someone can explain to me the different types??venturi, needle impellor?? air stone etc. thanks so much every one.
skimmers....again????
- Thread starter Lynn
- Start date
I agree these protein skimmers are over priced. In the long run it will make sense to buy a good one. I went with ETSS because of the price. It's not that bad of a skimmer. I did the same thing you are doing. Do some research and see whats in your budget. I added a mag 500 to reef devil and it works great.
Howdy,
You will definitely want a nice skimmer since you plan on going with a FOWLR setup. Skimmers are almost a must for those type of systems because the fish are the centerpeice of the tank. Because of that, you want to make sure all the fish are fed, which usually means "overfeeding".
In a reef tank, fish are part of the system. There are usually fewer fish in a reef system, and the amount of food entering the system is alot less then in a FOWLR. Also, the other organisms in a reef system help by taking in some of the organics in the water. Still, alot of people with nice reef setups still use a good (read that as large and expensive) skimmer. Even if they don't need a skimmer that powerful, it is nice to have it as a backup in case a organism dies and fowls the tank.
Another point to consider is the fact that everyone upgrades after first starting out. I bought a seaclone when I first started, because it was the cheapest Hang-On-Back skimmer I could find for my 20 gallon starter tank. 5 months later I purchased a berlin XL because the seaclone couldn't handle my 55 gallon tank I had just upgraded to.
I eventually bit the bullet and purchased an AquaC EV150 because I kept upgrading tank sizes, and was tired of having to upgrade skimmers as well. The AquaC cost me $310 with shipping. All said and told, I spent over $500 in skimmers when I could have saved $200 and gone with the expensive one right at the start.
Buying a nice, expensive skimmer now may give you sticker shock, but it will save you money in the long run. Trust me.
Good luck,
Scott.
You will definitely want a nice skimmer since you plan on going with a FOWLR setup. Skimmers are almost a must for those type of systems because the fish are the centerpeice of the tank. Because of that, you want to make sure all the fish are fed, which usually means "overfeeding".
In a reef tank, fish are part of the system. There are usually fewer fish in a reef system, and the amount of food entering the system is alot less then in a FOWLR. Also, the other organisms in a reef system help by taking in some of the organics in the water. Still, alot of people with nice reef setups still use a good (read that as large and expensive) skimmer. Even if they don't need a skimmer that powerful, it is nice to have it as a backup in case a organism dies and fowls the tank.
Another point to consider is the fact that everyone upgrades after first starting out. I bought a seaclone when I first started, because it was the cheapest Hang-On-Back skimmer I could find for my 20 gallon starter tank. 5 months later I purchased a berlin XL because the seaclone couldn't handle my 55 gallon tank I had just upgraded to.
I eventually bit the bullet and purchased an AquaC EV150 because I kept upgrading tank sizes, and was tired of having to upgrade skimmers as well. The AquaC cost me $310 with shipping. All said and told, I spent over $500 in skimmers when I could have saved $200 and gone with the expensive one right at the start.
Buying a nice, expensive skimmer now may give you sticker shock, but it will save you money in the long run. Trust me.
Good luck,
Scott.
you want a top of the line skimmer that you will enjoy, and that will last you a very long time, I suggest go with a Lifereef skimmer, www.lifereef.com , I use a VS3-36""good up to 500gal tank" I use it on my 110gal, won't have to upgrade when I get bigger tank, it's hands off and whisper quiet to boot, and pulls out the thickest smelliest crap that you will ever see, you will not be dissapointed.
She indicates that she currently only wants FOWLR tank but maybe in the future she might have some corals. Because of this should she not be a little worried about buying a skimmer that is too big for her tank. I have heard about over skimming and how it can actually remove stuff from the water that her tank mates needs. Then she will have to supplement it with additives.
I am curious about over skimming as I hope to move to a bigger tank, but my current skimmer is only rated up to 100G.
Patrick
I am curious about over skimming as I hope to move to a bigger tank, but my current skimmer is only rated up to 100G.
Patrick
golfish, lynn, lol, sorry, what I meant to show was my bioload.
I do not in any way believe in overskimming, and have never added any additives. I ran a POS Berlin on this tank for a couple years when I only had a couple small predators in there. That wouldn't be possible now.
I am also one who believes in keeping nitrates low, whether that be FO or Reef. Lynn, your original question was about best skimmers, of which I believe the Euro to be one.
It is a person's own choice if they want to buy on a low end product, risking the need to upgrade in a couple years, at best.
Good luck !
I do not in any way believe in overskimming, and have never added any additives. I ran a POS Berlin on this tank for a couple years when I only had a couple small predators in there. That wouldn't be possible now.
I am also one who believes in keeping nitrates low, whether that be FO or Reef. Lynn, your original question was about best skimmers, of which I believe the Euro to be one.
It is a person's own choice if they want to buy on a low end product, risking the need to upgrade in a couple years, at best.
Good luck !
thanks guys,does anyone else have a opinion on the lifereef skimmers?? I don't mind spending fairly big bucks for a good one, but the euroreef is about 750 U.S. compared to most others that are around 4-500. Remember thats almost double for me in Canada. If thats what everyone figures that I should spend..then so be it...let me know. thanks
Emily, thanks for clarify the pics!! I pretty much feel like a idiot already..and then I'm thinking I'm suppose to be seeing something thats not there??!!LOL
Well I'll probably go with the euroreef is thats what it takes. Could you explain the differences though? air stone, venturi, needle impellor. Also would like to hear anyone else on the DAS and the lifereef??? thanks
Well I'll probably go with the euroreef is thats what it takes. Could you explain the differences though? air stone, venturi, needle impellor. Also would like to hear anyone else on the DAS and the lifereef??? thanks
Venturi injection is water pushed at a high rate of speed past a small opening which pulls in fine bubbles, basically.
Euro-reef skimmers use a needle wheel to furthur chop the bubbles. They have a longer dwell time then almost any skimmer on the market. Longer dwell time enhances the amount of organics each bubble is able to collect. It also runs off a smaller pump then most skimmers. It also have an easy to clean cup. The only skimmer that rivals its cup cleaning is the new EV series with the flanged cup. Euro-reef has wider reaction chambers available from 6-12 inchs, this is also a major attribute. For these reasons I just installed the CS8-3 on my 75 in my 30 gallon sump. I wanted a big skimmer as I plan on upgrading tanks later. I paid $528 from Marine Depot and got free skimming on the www.marinedepot2.com site where all purchases over 100$ recive free shipping. I had a berlin classic before this, then a turboflotor multi hang on, then the euroreef. So I wasted $380 before I settled down. I do think the Turboflotor HOT model is the best HO skimmer. I havent tried the Lifereef skimmers though.
A beckett injector is a pond foamer head. The pump rushs water thru a foamer nozzle but requires a large pump to work correctly.Myreef creations and PM Bullet uses beckett injection.
The Aqua C skimmers use a spray nozzle injection. This is a hard spray of water coming out of a tube directly above the water in the skimmer creating a rapid moving foam. I was not impressed with my Remora Pro but the EV series are a different story.
ETSS is a downdraft skimmer, these skimmers push water thru a tower of bioballs to mix air and water, then have a mixing box for a reaction chamber.
[ January 21, 2002: Message edited by: Ben ]</p>
Euro-reef skimmers use a needle wheel to furthur chop the bubbles. They have a longer dwell time then almost any skimmer on the market. Longer dwell time enhances the amount of organics each bubble is able to collect. It also runs off a smaller pump then most skimmers. It also have an easy to clean cup. The only skimmer that rivals its cup cleaning is the new EV series with the flanged cup. Euro-reef has wider reaction chambers available from 6-12 inchs, this is also a major attribute. For these reasons I just installed the CS8-3 on my 75 in my 30 gallon sump. I wanted a big skimmer as I plan on upgrading tanks later. I paid $528 from Marine Depot and got free skimming on the www.marinedepot2.com site where all purchases over 100$ recive free shipping. I had a berlin classic before this, then a turboflotor multi hang on, then the euroreef. So I wasted $380 before I settled down. I do think the Turboflotor HOT model is the best HO skimmer. I havent tried the Lifereef skimmers though.
A beckett injector is a pond foamer head. The pump rushs water thru a foamer nozzle but requires a large pump to work correctly.Myreef creations and PM Bullet uses beckett injection.
The Aqua C skimmers use a spray nozzle injection. This is a hard spray of water coming out of a tube directly above the water in the skimmer creating a rapid moving foam. I was not impressed with my Remora Pro but the EV series are a different story.
ETSS is a downdraft skimmer, these skimmers push water thru a tower of bioballs to mix air and water, then have a mixing box for a reaction chamber.
[ January 21, 2002: Message edited by: Ben ]</p>
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