[Dale D]

Hi Farmerjo90

The right skimmer design and size for your tank is going to have alot to do with what you want to keep in your tank and how you want to run it.

If you are going to keep mostly SPS, have a heavy fish load or are going to be feeding your fish and corals alot, then you will want a skimmer that can more than handle the size of your system.

Less demanding corals (LPS and soft ect.)will not need a skimmer that is as big or as effective.

Some people choice air driven skimmers over venturi or beckett skimmers because they are more plankton friendly (they may be keeping alot of filter feeders or Anthias) and some are more effective.

Some people don't even use skimmers.

I myself have a 250 gallon reef system skimmed with a Red Sea Berlin Classic run by a Rio [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] 2500.

I maintain a 175g reef for a local business and it doesn't even have a skimmer on it ( come to think of it, it doesn't even have a filter on it, except the live rock).

It's like everything else in this hobby. Why buy something you don't need for what you want to keep.

I talked some customers out of buying MH lighting from me the other day because they only want to keep mushrooms and soft corals. I told them PC's are cheaper and more than enough for what they want in their tank.

Like I said before ultimately your choice in equipment should depend on what you want to keep. You will save yourself alot of money in the long run by buying the correct equipment the first time.

Having said all that. [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] If I was in the market for a large powerful skimmer,(and wasn't too worried about price) I think I would go with one of the Areofoamers as well.

I was looking into getting a new skimmer a few months ago and had decided on the areofoamer, until I saw one called a Canreef skimmer (great design and great price) unfortunately they stopped making them. [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] So I spent the money on my car instead [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

In the future I am thinking of going wild and maybe upgrading to a Red Sea Berlin XL maybe even a Turbo. [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]

HTH Dale

[ 23 August 2001: Message edited by: Dale D ]