Skimmers- MRC, ASM, PM or ?

[150reef]

I have indicated a possible purchase of a MRC-2, but was also looking at Barr (thanks Cali), but not too keen when companies change hands and start to change the name of products, so a little leary there, but have not ruled out the Barr skimmers or now known as the foaminators (they could have come up with a less cornier name, but so be it). LOL

What are your thoughts of the ASM G4 plus skimmers, seems to be simple setup, but will it do the job on a 150 FOWLR, also was looking at the PM (precision made) #2 skimmers.or others ? Not looking for the seaclone mass produced inefficient type skimmers.

Please provide feedback need to make a decision in next week or so.

Thanks again guys\gals

 

[NYreefNoob]

skimmer

i have the asm 3 with mesh mod and gate valve mod, running on an overstocked 62g. i get great result's. people are going to promote what they have so you have to be open minded. seems bm has the best skimmer out though but they are big $$$. i am hapy with my asm though. and have spoke to the owner of the company and had great service and convo. so thats a plus for me. just my opinion

 

[marrone]

Someone is selling a Euro-Reef 8-3, which is good enough for a 175gal tank for $300

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/sale-trade/27863-f-s-euro-reef-8-3-about-9-mo-used-300-a.html

 

[fritz]

It really depends on the type of corals that you plan on keeping. If you're looking at beckett skimmers there really isn't much that will compare in performance to a beckett skimmer. A Beckett will skim all of your water many times over each hour. A Needlewheel or threadwheel will only hit your water once every hour or so. The best way to setup a recirculating needlewheel skimmer is by gravity feeding it from an overflow.

Personally I'd use the aforementioned Euro Reef and ASM skimmer on a 90 gallon but nothing much larger than that. The ATI Bubble Master skimmers are very good IME and allow me to feed my tank two or three times a day without it fouling my tank.

It also depends on what your budget is. Any of the below skimmers are great

beckett based skimmer (PM, Austin Oceans/Barr)
H&S or Deltec (Euro-reef with eheim pump only)
ATI Bubble Master

ASM and Euro Reef arent' bad but you need to do some modifications to them. If you're on a budget this might be the way to go but they DRASTICALLY overstate their skimmers capacities. IE: If you go this route pick something that is rated to FAR more gallons than you will use it for. (With the exception of the eheim pump Euro-reef)

Another noteworthy mention is power draw. A Beckett will require more than a Mag 18 to run it. You're going to need a pressure rated pump such as a Sequence Tarpon to properly run the skimmer but on the upside you can also use that pump as your return pump. You won't want to do that however if this tank and sump will be in living space. They are loud. A gravity fed H&S skimmer or ATI Bubblemaster is your best bet for quiet, energy efficient in sump use.

 

[150reef]

It really depends on the type of corals that you plan on keeping. If you're looking at beckett skimmers there really isn't much that will compare in performance to a beckett skimmer. A Beckett will skim all of your water many times over each hour. A Needlewheel or threadwheel will only hit your water once every hour or so. The best way to setup a recirculating needlewheel skimmer is by gravity feeding it from an overflow.

Personally I'd use the aforementioned Euro Reef and ASM skimmer on a 90 gallon but nothing much larger than that. The ATI Bubble Master skimmers are very good IME and allow me to feed my tank two or three times a day without it fouling my tank.

It also depends on what your budget is. Any of the below skimmers are great

beckett based skimmer (PM, Austin Oceans/Barr)
H&S or Deltec (Euro-reef with eheim pump only)
ATI Bubble Master

ASM and Euro Reef arent' bad but you need to do some modifications to them. If you're on a budget this might be the way to go but they DRASTICALLY overstate their skimmers capacities. IE: If you go this route pick something that is rated to FAR more gallons than you will use it for. (With the exception of the eheim pump Euro-reef)

Another noteworthy mention is power draw. A Beckett will require more than a Mag 18 to run it. You're going to need a pressure rated pump such as a Sequence Tarpon to properly run the skimmer but on the upside you can also use that pump as your return pump. You won't want to do that however if this tank and sump will be in living space. They are loud. A gravity fed H&S skimmer or ATI Bubblemaster is your best bet for quiet, energy efficient in sump use.

Thanks fritz,not to far from you I'm in old Mill Basin. Thanks for the input.
Money is a concern , been shopping around to get best prices, but on the flip side I want to get it right the first time and I would spend the $400 for a PM # 2 model. The reason for the in sump pumps is for that very reason, both sump and tank will be in living space and really want noise to a minimal and keep the sump simple with no holes to be drilled. I will be using a standard 36"X 12"X16" 30 gallon tank as the sump with 2 or 3 baffles, the tank itself will be a 150 gallon FOWLR with 100-150lbs live rock, 80lbs black sand, 30lbs pink fiji sand and 40lbs of live reef sand from my current 56 gallon. Is the PM a good choice with a mag 18 pump as per one of PM's recommendations, will also be using another mag 18 as the return How does the PM compare to the ASM, MRC, ATI etc... If you know, is PM a good quality unit? I'm ordering lots of stuff from "that fish place", should I just get the PM from them and save somewhat on shipping or should I get the PM direct from PM? Your thoughts and anyone for that matter. Most of the details I have worked out its just this damn skimmer choice that I have been kicking around for couple months now.Yes I'm opened minded and I have a thick skin so you wont hurt my feelings and everyones feedback (including Cali,LOL) has really made me re-think getting a MRC.

 

[marrone]

If this is going to be a FOWLR tank I wouldn't go crazy on a large expensive skimmer, as it's not needed. I would look at either ASM, Euro-Reef or maybe a AquaC that sits in the sump.

 

[150reef]

If this is going to be a FOWLR tank I wouldn't go crazy on a large expensive skimmer, as it's not needed. I would look at either ASM, Euro-Reef or maybe a AquaC that sits in the sump.

Why would you say that, curious? Other then the live rock, the next major filtration would be my skimmer, why would a large beckett type skimmer not be important? I'm not being sarcastic, just curious.

Thanks Jack

 

[cali_reef]

Don't run mag as your return or skimmer pumps, they will add so much heat to your tank you'll need a chiller even with a FOWLR. Go external.

Any skimmer needing a pressure pump will be considered loud to run in a living area, you should look into either a H&S or a BM250 for your set up.

A lot of people feel you don't need aggressive skimming in a fish only tank because they don't mind the dirty water as much as SPS. I prefer to give them the best water condition you can.