Protein Skimmer ... Which one ?

[Sam1969]

some of these emphasize that its a recirculating skimmer .. whats the difference or is there one ?

[Sam1969]

how is the vertex ? is it noisy ?

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by Sam1969

how is the vertex ? is it noisy ?

"Noisy" is a relative and subjective term. It is quite noisy compared to a "$1,200 piece of plastic with a pump" but it's not like you can't hear yourself think while one is on. It's best for you to see and listen to one in action to judge for yourself.

BTW, certain females I know will pay about $1,200 for a leather bag with the letters "LV" on it. I'd consider half cm-thick CNC-machined cast acrylic with an Italian/German designed pump w/titanium screws and impeller shafts a pretty good deal (relatively speaking, of course )

[banditpowdercoat]

Originally Posted by fkshiu

"Noisy" is a relative and subjective term. It is quite noisy compared to a "$1,200 piece of plastic with a pump" but it's not like you can't hear yourself think while one is on. It's best for you to see and listen to one in action to judge for yourself.

BTW, certain females I know will pay about $1,200 for a leather bag with the letters "LV" on it. I'd consider half cm-thick CNC-machined cast acrylic with an Italian/German designed pump w/titanium screws and impeller shafts a pretty good deal (relatively speaking, of course )

Now put a LV on the Acrylic and see what they will pay LOL

[michika]

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

Now put a LV on the Acrylic and see what they will pay LOL

Now don't tease! Its cruel! A skimmer that could match my purse collection.....oh the possibilities!

[RSM]

I have a coralife skimmer 125 on my 90 gal (33 or 40 gal sump) i just purchased from a friend and its just ok. It is quiet but the one thing i hate is how sensitive it is to water levels. You have to "dial in " almost everyday because of evaporation. This is were auto topoff system would come in handy.

[phillybean]

I'm using a ASM G3. I like it, but plan to mod it shortly.

I'd go with a MSX skimmer if I could re-do it (and I will when I get my 180 )

[fencer]

Guide to skimmers
1. Buy what you can afford
2. Buy at least double the capacity
3. Choose between needle wheel and Beckett style
Becketts are better but are sensitive to water levels
4. Choose accordingly to what you want to put in the tank(SPS water quailty requirements are higher)

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

Now put a LV on the Acrylic and see what they will pay LOL

Apparently US$400 for a paper weight:
http://cgi.ebay.com.my/ws/eBayISAPI....3494&indexURL=

[lorenz0]

Originally Posted by fkshiu

BTW, certain females I know will pay about $1,200 for a leather bag with the letters "LV" on it. I'd consider half cm-thick CNC-machined cast acrylic with an Italian/German designed pump w/titanium screws and impeller shafts a pretty good deal (relatively speaking, of course )

LOL you just got the qoute for the year. Its going to be hard to match this one.

But yes stay far away from the coralife's. all i have heard is bad news. I was in the same position you were in (cause i am a cheap ass) but in the end dishing out the cash for the best skimmer you can afford is the best thing you could ever do with a reef tank. for sure look into vertex and euroreef skimmers. imo they are the best bang for your buck. AC's aren't bad but i heard they are over rated for what they can handle and they are noisey.