Whats the better skimmer?

Starry · #1 12-07-2011, 11:54 PM

Looking for a skimmer under $400 for a 180 gallon. Out of the following, whats the better skimmer?

- Eshopps psk200
- Skimmz sm161
- Vertex in-250
- Bubble Magnus nac7 cone

Currently running a vertex in-100 on my 70, its ok, but I'm on my second pump, and find it needs tweeking all the time.

Thanks

dsaundry · #2 12-07-2011, 11:59 PM

My vote would be the BM

outacontrol · #3 12-08-2011, 12:05 AM

Have you thought about SWC?
I think you could get a SWC Xtreme 180 cone for around $400. I bought a 160 recently and love it. Really quiet and seems to work really nice.

gregzz4 · #4 12-08-2011, 12:11 AM

Watch out for the pump on the SWC 180...do some research
Apparently there's a problem with restarts and you may need a needle-wheel mod

Good reviews on the Skimz

dsaundry · #5 12-08-2011, 12:12 AM

Hated my SWC.

outacontrol · #6 12-08-2011, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregzz4

Watch out for the pump on the SWC 180...do some research
Apparently there's a problem with restarts and you may need a needle-wheel mod

Good reviews on the Skimz

That problem was apparently a bad batch of impellers has been resolved. My 160 restarts every time, I tried it many times to make sure.
There is threads on Reef Central about the skimz being hard to adjust and also about some other problems.

gregzz4 · #7 12-08-2011, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outacontrol

That problem was apparently a bad batch of impellers has been resolved. My 160 restarts every time, I tried it many times to make sure.
There is threads on Reef Central about the skimz being hard to adjust and also about some other problems.

The 120 and 160 use a different pump than the 180
Like I stated, do some research as the info is out there

Myka · #8 12-08-2011, 01:19 AM

I have SWC 120 (Atman pump) and 180 (Sicce pump), and they both start up no problem. I put the Red Devil needlewheel impeller in the Sicce as soon as I bought it. I'm not familiar with the BM or the Eshopps. I would pick the Skimz over the Vertex, but I think an SWC is a better bang for the buck. Compare the air input and power usage when you compare skimmers.

intarsiabox · #9 12-08-2011, 02:23 AM

I have a SWC 200 that uses the same sicce pump as the 180. I had a ceramic pump shaft fail on me after 10 months but SWC sent me a new right away and no problems since. Mine always restarts without any issues. SWC skimmer bodies have no seams and seem to be overall well made.

fishytime · #10 12-08-2011, 03:05 AM

I would choose either the BM or the vertex......