I don't like the Sicce pumps because withthe mesh mod if you dont get the right mesh one it take a assistance of starting it up. and the impeller one too since that pump draws so much air it calf's out until it get s going.
that Sicce is on the 180 and the 200 unless you have the askoll pump runnign it .

When first getting the skimmer I did find it took some time to break in. And I agree the Siccee is a little finicky. Sometimes takes 60 seconds to kick in after plugging it in (but pretty reliable after that.) I used the mesh wheel that came with it until one of the little zip ties that held the mesh on snapped off after about 8 months of use. I use the stock pinwheel now and to be honest I find they both pull alot of skimate out of the tank. The Siccee pump I think is a pretty inexpensive pump and so I am sure there are higher quality pumps on other models/brands. This is my first skimmer so I am no expert but for what I think a skimmer is supposed to do my 200 has been living up to my expectations.

The Octopus 2000 Super Reef, cone or not cone would probably fit the bill.

If you go over to RC and look under the vendor forums you can find threads dedicated to users of the Octo skimmers under Reef Specialty. They are one of the big retailers in the US of Coralvue products.