Protien Skimmers

[neptune9824]

Hey everyone

I just needed your opinion on skimmers. I have had a berlin for the past three years and have had nothing but problems with it. I was just wondering what skimmers you would suggest for a 175 gal, fish only tank with a sump.

Thanks

[Gizmo]

ASM G2 or G3. I've use one and will never go back.

[Ruth]

Depends on how much you want to spend. I don't think you can go too far wrong with an ASM skimmer, probably a GX4 or larger for that size tank. Good price and good skimmer. If you want to go all out and spend the big bucks then look into Bubble King, H&S or Deltec - IMO the best on the market but also the most expensive.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

A friend has the ASM-GX5 or something like that & loves it. I think the 4 is rated to handle your size system.

[Black Phantom]

I'm suprised you lasted that long with the Berlin. I had one for about three months and it drove me nuts.
Bought a Precision Marine bullet skimmer from J & L Aquatics and have been a happy camper ever since.
I'm not sure of the others but this one comes completely apart for cleaning and only takes a couple of minutes to do.

[TheReefGeek]

The Berlin is a good skimmer, just not for over 100g.

For a 170 with a sump, depends on the size of a sump, the G4 plus is probably your best bang for your buck. But you might want to go bigger for if you want to upgrade down the road.

[richtg]

Love my ASM G3. It easily handles my 120 gal of water. I set mine up in a constant-level first stage of sump. Never have to adjust. Had for 1 1/2 years.

[Myanth]

Is the water level in the sump really important for setting up a skimmer. I would imagine that it is due to pressure changes with water levels. The reason I ask is that I have a Red Sea Berlin that has needed constant maintenance since I set it up. I have downloaded the owners manual and it basically explains all of the "tweeking" necessary to effectively run one of these, but is seems like a real PITA. It skims lots but I always have to adjust water flow and air flow just to keep it going and keep it from flooding. Am I doing something wrong?

My remora is so nice in comparison. If I want wet skimmate I lower the cup, dry skimmate I raise it up. Simple.

Mike

[TheReefGeek]

I assume you got my old Berlin up and running. When I had it up and running the skimate stayed constant when I ran it in 8" of water (the manufactuers recommendation) and I had the "throttle" on the pump at about 3/4, and the airline barely pinched.

When a skimmer is added to a system it takes a couple weeks to break in and settle down. You also have to watch what you add to your reef in terms of additives, some will make any skimmer go nutz and overflow, so you have to shut down the skimmer for a while.

[neptune9824]

I want to thank you all for your opinions. Looks like i will be going with the G4. I still want to do a little more research first. I kinda got screwed with the berlin.

I was down in Calgary this weekend at Big Als and they were showing me this skimmer that sat outside of my sump. It was a fancy thing however it cost $1300 and it would require a little bit of plumbing. I do not remember the name though. I think it was the EST I am not sure. They said it was the top skimmer on the market right now. I still dont know if i want to put that kind of money into a skimmer. Especially after what happened with my berlin.

Thanks again.