Skimmer Gurus needed

[intensity888]

Hi,

I have spent many hours reading about skimmers (design, quality, price, maintenance). After all this reading, I am willing to spend money for a reliable, easy to clean one since it sounds like if i get hooked into the hobby i will eventually spend the money for one anyway.
I have:
180 gallon tank (Oceanic reef)
29 gal. Lifereef systems berlin sump w/approx. 1100 gph (Little Giant pump)
High end/popular skimmers i've looked at:
Lifereef 24" vs2
AEtek evolution 500
Euro reef cs8-3 and cs8-4
Less expensive i've looked at:
CPR, Nautilus, ASM G-2 Protein Skimmer , and a ton of virtually unknowns (Catalina Aquariums, Jebo, etc)

I am like most people - if i can save a buck i want to, however, i am smart enough to understand the cost to actual service comparison. I want to make the right choice for the long run.

I am hoping that some people that have been through a multitude of skimmers can give me good recommendations or at least some (dont waste your money on this crap) pointers.


Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

I have an ER, and like it a lot. I know several who have ASM's, an ER clone, and like them a lot. If I were buying a new skimmer, I would go with ASM.

I can't speak to the other skimmers because I have no experience with them.

BTW:

:welcome:

 

[cjsrch]

dont know much but i know this. downdraftskimmers are apparently the best

also after working at an lfs i learned
never buy seaclone and never buy the kent nataulus or the ones that red sea makes. hard to adjust and never worked right for more then a day without needing another adjustment

 

[Anonymous]

I used a Lifereef VS2-24 on my 75G for 5 years and thought is was great.

Louey

 

[intensity888]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Appreciated. I will try to read a lot from previous posts if they have a clear subject to not ask totally redundant questions.

 

[Anonymous]

From your list if I wanted to save a few bucks I would go with the ASM. From the premium list ER.

 

[intensity888]

Yeah, I cant find any negative reports on the asm skimmer. I am thinking that i will go with that and consider the savings as money towards a calcium reactor. I anticipate going to sps, so i figure might as well do it from the start.

 

[ChrisRD]

I think the ASM is a good choice. Personally, for a tank that size I would be looking at something more along the lines of a G-4.

 

[intensity888]

I realized that my lifereef sump (LF1-300) needs a skimmer with a small foot print if it is to go into sump. I may have to go with an ETSS skimmer due to it having a smaller foot print than the ASM. hmmmm

I shot an email off to lifereef to see what they had to say about footprint.

of course, i could get an external skimmer which the sump is set up to handle. decisions decisions.

 

[LA-Lawman]

From your list if I wanted to save a few bucks I would go with the ASM. From the premium list ER.

I agree, and if you need more umph! add a recirc pump later!