What would a good skimmer be for a 300 gallon semi reef?

[viperfish]

Originally Posted by Myka

I have 2 SWC cone skimmers, and they are great skimmers...skim like no tomorrow. However, they do have a drawback...cheap pumps that are prone to issues and premature death. They also only have a 6 month warranty. When/if my SWC skimmers' pumps die I will replace with a more durable pump. Skimz are basically the same design but with better pumps.

I don't know which SWC models you have but I have the SWC 230 with the Askoll pump, not a cheap pump at all.

[wickedfrags]

plan on purchasing a skimmer/pump combination in and around the $1200-$1500 price range (new) for a system that size.....as it's the most important piece of hardware you will by ever by, don't skimp

[Myka]

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

I don't know which SWC models you have but I have the SWC 230 with the Askoll pump, not a cheap pump at all.

Hey this is a good point. I forgot the bigger SWC cones come with the Askoll. I was referring to the Sicce and Atman pumps.

The SWC Xtreme 250A Cone would be a great skimmer for a 300 gallon tank and at $750 is between $500 and $1000.

Btw, I don't usually believe the manufacturer recommended tank sizes...or at least go to the bottom of their scale. I consider air intake one of the most important factors when choosing a skimmer size. The SWC Xtreme 230 is $565, but I think it would be pushing size for a newbie on a 300 gallon tank. Although I think the 230 @ $565 is a better buy than the 250A at $750.

[Hustler]

Are the skimz series comparable?

[unclesalty]

Originally Posted by Hustler

Are the skimz series comparable?

Skimz and SWC are Chinese manufactured
Bubble King is German manfactured

BMW, Audi, Mecedes vs Toyota, Honda - which would you pick?

[Hustler]

LOL that is funny to say the least.... Ive seen a welding rig (chevy) that had a bumper sticker reffering to it being made with sockets not with chopsticks lol...
I get the point.... but there is a cost factor aswell and from time to time..... there are some really good cheap chinese products that out perform at half price. Im just looking for a solid skimmer at a decent price no matter what the brand.....as long as it works

[unclesalty]

Originally Posted by Hustler

LOL that is funny to say the least.... Ive seen a welding rig (chevy) that had a bumper sticker reffering to it being made with sockets not with chopsticks lol...
I get the point.... but there is a cost factor aswell and from time to time..... there are some really good cheap chinese products that out perform at half price. Im just looking for a solid skimmer at a decent price no matter what the brand.....as long as it works

The Vertex Alpha Cones are awesome skimmers and reasonably priced IMO

[unclesalty]

Another good skimmer I wouldn't hesitate buying is the ATB. Just bought a ATB return pump and Victors(ATB)customer service is awesome!

[Myka]

Originally Posted by unclesalty

The Vertex Alpha Cones are awesome skimmers and reasonably priced IMO

The Bubble King Super Marine 250 ($1800) would be king in this competition. However, not everyone can afford an $1800 skimmer. So there are some cheaper versions that are comparable in design as far as flow and air intake. Obviously there are sacrifices made to produce a cheaper skimmer like pump quality and build quality. Most of the better skimmers are essentially all designed the same (main difference being cylindrical or conical)...it's not hard to make copycats. The Bubble King is an industry leader right now, and is the Rolls Royce of skimmers. It will outperform other skimmers in its size class.

In the same size class are the Vertex Alpha Cone 250 ($1200), the Skimz 251 ($750), and the SWC 230 cone ($565).

A 300 gallon saltwater tank is a big jump to make as a newbie, and not something I would personally recommend mostly because of costs associated with setup and maintenance as well as little mistakes turn into large costly mistakes very quickly. If a hobby is costing a person a lot of money, and is not pleasing or satisfying to partake in loss of interest quickly ensues. I believe a newbie is better off starting with a budget, and then choose a tank size to appropriately match. Many newbies get turned off of reefing because they buy sub-par equipment which makes maintenance much more difficult and the tank slowly dwindles into a slough. I think the biggest mistake a newbie can make is skimping out on a skimmer. A good skimmer will help to buffer many newbie mistakes, a so-so skimmer will not absorb newbie mistakes.