which skimmer should i purchase

[marvinsae]

Originally Posted by mseepman

They are complete junk and I don't think there is any saving them...mods or otherwise.

I think everyone here will concur.

lol i assumed that would be the answer...but even if it's free?

[steve fedyk]

I wuold go with the vertex 180

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by marvinsae

lol i assumed that would be the answer...but even if it's free?

If you take a saw and cut it up a bit you might find a use for the acrylic. I'm surprised people still get sucked in to buying them. Junk

[SmallFry]

Firstly, I am no skimmer expert, this is only from my own (limited) experience and quite a bit of reading. There are some skimmers that the reviews indicate perform pretty well for a modest price e.g. the Bubble Magus, having said that it seems they aren't as cheap as they apparently once were. My honest advice on skimmers is that it's one area where you really do not want to cheap out.

I did, (it's made by Weipro) and even after a year of fiddling with the thing I'm still bitterly regretting it. Thank goodness I'm only FOWLR and on a 27 gallon frequent water changes are cheap. OK it was only about $80 ($80 absolutely wasted), but it is the biggest piece of junk that ever showed it's miserable face on Earth. I literally despise the thing. I can't wait to get my new tank running so I can drive a steamroller over it. Repeatedly. It's sole purpose is now aeration, because I could do a better job of skimming myself with a drinking straw and a spoon..

With an upgrade in progress I've done a lot of research, and from what I've read you'll probably be best off looking towards the Vertex/Euro Reef price range as an entry point (though there do seem to be some questions on the Euro Reef meshwheels at present).

My tank upgrade has a Euro Reef RS100 (pinwheel) waiting, just to show I've learned my lesson!

[fishytime]

BM or vertex....the money you save getting the seaclown for free you will spend cleaning your floors or replacing your hair

two areas really that you should not skimp.........skimmer and lighting......if you go cheap to begin with you will usually end up spending more in the long run upgrading later

[Albertan22]

You might want to consider SWC as well. I have an SWC Xtreme 200 on my 120g and have been really happy with it. When I was looking for my skimmer I had initially debated between a Vertex or a Euro Reef but as I recall, there were issues with the pumps on both the skimmers I had been looking at. SWC puts Sicce pumps in their skimmers, which has proven to be quiet and reliable after the break in period.

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by marvinsae

my tank is a 65 with 40gallon sump and was thinking of purchasing a seaclone 150... it is pretty cheap about under 100 but i was thinkin of spending around 200-250. anyone have any skimmer suggestions

Check this out good skimmers good prices shipping is around $75.

http://www.fish-street.com/bubble_ma...category_id=88

Excellent skimmer within your budget !
hth

[bauder1986]

Originally Posted by Chaloupa

STAY AWAY from the Seaclone..they are junk, honestly. Any of the others suggested would do 100x's the job that the seaclone would. I am a Euroreef fan but they just don't make them anymore....the Vertex is one I would consider for sure..but the BM would be fantastic!

The Seaclone isnt that bad really. Its great for nanos as long as you can figure out how to get those damned microbubbles to stop.

[no_bs]

Why waste money on cheap, useless skimmers? You will upgrade after frustrations. Now Euroreef is well worth the money, even used ones. They are plug and play.

[viperfish]

Lately a some sponsors are really pushing Bubble Magus, and there is nothing wrong with "knock off" skimmers, they are certainly a better value than the models they have cloned. Don't forget to have a look at Eshopps, they are also a sponsor, and make a very good skimmer delivering a lot of bang for the buck. If you're into the cone style check out this article http://reefbuilders.com/2009/03/10/c...koner-roundup/