Sick of CSS thoights on something better?
 

i have a corallife Super skimmer 220, sick of it. dosent pull alot of skimmate, never did from new infact. if you had a ton of money to spend, which skimmer would be your final upgrade?:twised:

Tagging along...

I'm currently contemplating the Tunze DOC 9410 (maybe 9415, same series slightly larger) http://www.tunze.com/149.html?&L=1&C...-infoxunter055

But am also interested in the 'ultimate' upgrade that I'd be happy with for the long term!

What type of skimmer and tank details would be helpful. Your skimmer is generally used as a HOB but you may want an in tank tunze or a HOB Reef Octopus many different choices. I'm sure if you provide some more details you will get a lot of differing but informative opinions.

Im looking to see what the best skimmers out there are, regardless of price! what would be your dream skimmer?

I would recommend asm skimmers I have the g3 on my 270 now it used to be on the 175g. Only problem I've ever had with it is the impeller shaft wore out and needed to be replaced. Hasn't ever pulled a lot but I also run a low bio load.

I have a Deltec 2060SC in my 187 gallon Display tank

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/d...-2060-internal

I have a Reef Octopus HOB 90 that I used on my 20 gallon log tank, took down my 20 gallon, using in my 80 Gallon Quanrantine tank

http://coralvue.com/bh-90-hang-on-skimmer/

I have a Reef Octopus External DNWB200 that I will using on my 90 gallon tank with 25 gallon sump

http://coralvue.com/dnwb200/

SWC all the way for me.....I'm running the "Minni" but If I had unlimited funds I'd buy a XTREME 230.....or well, anyone of there skimmer that a Askoll pump:wink:
http://www.saltwaterconnection.com/i...roducts_id=113

Bubble King. Period

Chevy you tell me what you have for a system and MR Skimmer king will put you in the right skimmer.



PERIOD:BIG:

90 gallon display, 55 gallon fuge, megaflow model 3 sump 20 gallons ish. the footprint has to be small, hence the HOB CSS.

Bubble Magus NAC 7 or the Heros

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1820546

I think David at Aquagiant has them in stock

How small?

Here's a good deal....if the seller is willing to ship
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=93258

There are a lot of skimmers out there. They all do the same thing... mix air and water. The more air they mix and the bigger the mixing chaimber the better.
Buy one with Bubble Blaster pump with at least 900 L of air per hour.
You will get same skimming as higher end skimmers with Red Dragon pump for the 50% or more off the price tag.
You can equip existing skimmer with bubble blaster or get Super Reef Octopus with one built in.
Depending on your sump size and budget.
http://www.saltysupply.com/Reef-Octo...mers-s/838.htm
.
http://coralvue.com/bubbleblaster/
.
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-s...-HY-3000S.html

Here is my choice if you can fit that in to your sump.
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-s...O-5000INT.html
It pulls 2000!L of air /hr compare that with the price of Bubble Kings and you will see for yourself.
Here is an example: The price tag is $2500! compare to $515.
It has larger mixing chamber and looks mean..er but basically the same performance as Super Reef Octopus for 5 times less money.
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-s...E-D300-EX.html
I am sure someone will argue so this is just my opinion.

here is one internal pulls 2000 L/h air , still with huge price tag $1750 compare to SRO $515
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-s.../RE-SM250.html

I also like Bubble Magus skimmers and Heros a lot, very good overall skimmers especially if equipt with Eheim or Aquabee pumps.
jm2cw
.

eshopps:biggrin:

1. Buy what you can afford...something is better than nothing
2. The most expensive skimmer is not necessarily the best
3. Skimmers with some form of recirc is better ( 20 % recycle is std)
4. Most efficent skimmers take out only 30 % of the TDS
5. All skimmers can achieve that level eventually
6. Buying a cone skimmer will result in modest increase in skimming ( 5% I think)
7. Wet vs dry skimmate not a lot of difference( note wet just looks more impressive )
8. Better construction is nicer but does not translate out to better efficency
9. A lot of skimmers are sold with pumps that may not be immediately replacable eg aquabee pumps

Disclaimer Your results may vary

Ditto.

Although I really have no experience with other skimmers for comparison I do know that my BBK is the bee's knees. The scum that thing pulls out of my tank is incredible and it runs like a top.

So, if i replace the css needle wheel pump with a bubble blaster do you think it will turn my CSS into a beast? the skimmer is 4 yrs old btw.

They have mesh mods for the ASM skimmer pumps Not sure why it wouldn't work for a CSS.

seen the mod, worried though that balance might be an issue. CSS pump has a pretty flimsy porcelin shaft. for the price and IF it can make my
Skimmer keep up to a bubble king wouldnt a bubble blaster pump be a more cost efficient upgrade?
Whats nice is its a HOB skimmer so any pump can be hooked up!

I had a corallife 220 and absolutely hated it. It pulled very little out of the water and it overflowed often. Went to an RPS 2000 Octopus which was an upgrade but it never really skimmed like I wanted. I now have a Bubble King 180 and it is an excellent skimmer and a major upgrade.

What kind of pump u got on the bubble king?

It was a used Bubble King with the Red Dragon pump.

[IMG]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...psb1c3e9b4.jpg[/IMG]

I ran a BK mini-180 before I upgraded to the BK SM300 for the big tank....the mini 180 would be a good fit and it has a small footprint....not sure if it would be small enough for you tho?.......5+ years at a LFS, so Ive fiddled with quite a few skimmers.....does the BK skim that much better than the less expensive models?...... not really.....I can say that they are built better so they should outlast most other skimmers and they are whisper quiet.....Ive never personally handled a Deltec but from what Ive heard from customers, you cant really go wrong with one of them either

We ve met before and will again soon fishy! the torch colony I bought from you is not doing so good 2 heads died sadly enough. Im not fully blaming the skimmer but maybe there is a bit to many docs? do you have bubble blasters?