Skimmer for 210 SPS Reef

[Reef Mongoose]

I want to get people's opinions on what a good skimmer would be for a 210 gallon SPS dominated reef tank. Right now I am considering a couple different skimmers but I don't want to mention them, as I want a clean slate for people to make recommendations from. This is is going to be the heart of my reef so I am will to spend a good amount of $ but I am not really looking to spend like $1500 on something nuts. Let me know what skimmer you think would be best. Thanks guys

 

[Deanos]

What is your budget? That will go along way in getting accurate and realistic recommendations.

 

[leoskee]

You'll never get unbiased opinions about skimmers. Just like there are different types of skimmers you will get different suggestions.

My suggestion to you is to clearly think out what you need the skimmer for. For example: Are you planning on having a large bio load? Do you plan to keep water changes to a minimum and expect the skimmer to pull out a lot of the nasty stuff in the tank? Is electricity consumption a factor? These are all questions that you should consider thinking about so that you can get better recommendations.

 

[Reef Mongoose]

Price range is about $1000 (Really don't want to spend tooooo much)
Yes, I would like to be able to have a large bio load (I do like my fish)
Keeping water changes to a min is not a top priority but I do want it to really kick A$$ pulling stuff outta the tank
No, electrical consumption is not a factor
Basically I want a skimmer where I can a lot of fish in the tank but still maintain high water quality for my sps corals.

 

[jhale]

electrical use could be a big factor. you could get a needle wheel skimmer that uses 60 watts vs a becket skimmer that uses 200 watts. after time that will add to the cost of running the skimmer.

 

[Deanos]

Not if he lives in Co-op City. :shhh:

 

[jhale]

ahh, true. then get a becket skimmer and have no worries

 

[meschaefer]

Not if he lives in Co-op City. :shhh:

No he is in Westchester. I do miss the days when my landlord paid my utilities.

 

[pnoyreefer]

I would suggest what everyone suggested is think about what you want to do with your 210g tank then from there on you decide which skimmer will fit your needs. We can give you advise and this might be even a debatable thread as we all don't use the same skimmer ans some skimmer might really do a good job on one reefer but for the other its a POS. Its your money do some research or contact Rich and Kasei

 

[Reef Mongoose]

I will be paying the electric bills for this but my prime concern is performance, electric cost is a lesser concern. Any specific models you guys like?

 

[kimoyo]

Bubble King has very nice craftsmanship. The quality of their cnc'ing is the best in the hobby. They use special plastics for flanges and other parts that won't break like acrylic will. The bk's are very nice but the performance has alway been a questionable.

For me I think becketts are the best option performance wise. Right now I'm running a MTC HSA-250 and it has to be the most well-built skimmer I've seen in person. Who else uses 1/4" cast tubing!!! They've been around for a while and you don't here much about them but I feel so at ease handling/moving the skimmer. Some of these other skimmers have the nice cnc acrylic flanges but they break so easy. I know people are into fancy looking skimmers but for me I want performance and durability. I'm running a gen-x 30 but I'm sure I'm using less electricity then when I had my das ex-2 running. I even found a good/easy way to plump a beckett straight from the overflow. Precision Marine also has some nice looking skimmers specifically their injector assemblies which are really nice. And that zeovit beckett is crappy, don't get that.

If you go with a beckett, for a 210 I can't see you needing a dual beckett if the skimmer is properly made, so an iwaki 55 pump equivalent should do fine. The 55 is rate for 184W but on the beckett with its head pressure it will use much less.

 

[regal]

H&S A250X2 1260 eheim pumps is what I'm using. Similar design as deltec and very well built at a lower price.

 

[meschaefer]

For me, electricity is a concern. Not because of any cost factor, but an environmental one. It seems silly to be awed by the natural environment in our tanks, but to be wasteful in keeping it running. As such, I always try to buy the most efficient equipment I can, even if it means spending more on it up front.

I am running a DAS Ex-2 on my 220. There is a chance I may need to upgrade it when I get my tank fully stocked, but that is yet to be seen. The Gen-X pump recommended by Kimoyo, doesn't seem to be a bad bet to run a Beckett, at least in terms of consumption. I would be surprised if it was pulling less than the twin pumps on my DAS Ex-2, I can't remember right now but I think someone measured them at 35 watts a piece on that skimmer.

 

[cali_reef]

The DAS pumps ran less than 35W when I measured mine.

 

[kimoyo]

I'm running a gen-x 30 but I'm sure I'm using less electricity then when I had my das ex-2 running.

I have to take this back. I just measured and the gen-x seems to be pulling 120W. I was told it used 98W which should have gone down more on a beckett but thats what i measured. I would have thought it was closer even though I knew the das is pulling 70W. The main difference I noticed is my chiller doesn't click on nearly as much. For the past 3 days its be on only a few times. The das pumps were partially submerged but the difference is very noticeable.

 

[Reef Mongoose]

meschaefer,

You're absolutely right, I just had not thought of it that way. I will try to keep my electricity use on this or any other product I buy to a minimum. Thanks

 

[Reef Mongoose]

kimoyo,

The MTC skimmers look really nice, they look similar to another brand of skimmer I am considering. Do you have any experience with LifeReef skimmers, Jeff the owner of LifeReef talks a good game about his skimmers, thinking I might go with the VS3-36 from him.

 

[Sean]

There really is no perfect skimmer

but I would concider any of these
Bubble King
Deltec
AEtech (ETSS)
Tunze
H&S
ASM
MTC
My reef creations

sorry if I forgot any please add to the list this is off the top of my head

P.S. Consumption should alway be a consideration. Keep in mind air cooled vs. water cooled. Cooloing the tank uses energy as well.

 

[kimoyo]

Never used a lifereef. But try to get as much info before you make any decisions. You should look at this thread

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/8625-skimmer-thread.html

should be very helpful.

 

[Reef Mongoose]

damn! 101 pages in that thread.....looks like I got some reading to do
thanks