Help me choose birthday skimmer!

FishyFishy! · #1 10-16-2012, 09:32 PM

My brew's birthday is almost here, and I wanted to get him a new skimmer for his new tank (that i'm building for him). The tank is a Konolua Volcano tank replica, with a 50 Gallon (44" X 22" X 12") display, 60 Gallon Sump, and 30 Gallon skimmer/water change tank. Total system gallons will be roughly 120 gallons with stuff not being filled to the top.

So a skimmer good for 120 gallons, and $300 or less -

I've been looking at -

Bubble Magus Curve 5 - $184.99 (up to 140 Gallons)
Bubble Magus NAC 6 - $199.99 (100-160 Gallons)
Reef Octopus NWB-150 - $229.95 (up to 150 Gallons)
Bubble Magus NAC 7 - $249.99 (130-185 Gallons)

And these are a little expensive, but if people think that it's really worth going with one of these it may sway my mind.

Super Reef Octopus 1000 Internal - $299.95 (up to 125 Gallons)
Vertex IN180 - $298.00 (100-180 Gallons)

Let me know what you guys think would be the best skimmer for the setup. I want to buy it soon!

Proteus · #2 10-16-2012, 09:34 PM

I had a nac 7. Loved it. Great skimmer

FishyFishy! · #3 10-16-2012, 09:41 PM

So far the Reef Octopus skimmers have been standing out at me (because I have owned them before, and enjoyed them). But I've never actually owned a BM, so I can't say anything about them.

Anyone else like their BM's?

badAZZlars · #4 10-16-2012, 10:02 PM

My BM 180CS has been a great skimmer.

Coralgurl · #5 10-16-2012, 10:07 PM

I've got the Super Reef Octopus 5000 and its a beast!! Only other skimmer I've used is the Tunze 9011 and there is no comparison between the 2!!

Proteus · #6 10-16-2012, 10:11 PM

I had a reef octopus loved it. Also had vertex. Which IMO is a POS

Lonster · #7 10-17-2012, 04:07 AM

don't know if you ruled this out already but I have an swc 160 cone skimmer that I got this summer that I've been really happy with. They are right in that price range.

FishyFishy! · #8 10-17-2012, 05:12 PM

My favorite skimmer to date was a SWC MiniS skimmer. It was truely awesome. But i'm weirey of getting these now because of the follow up support as far as warranty is concerned. Anyone know whats happening with the company these days?

Proteus · #9 10-17-2012, 05:38 PM

How bout a mce-600. Hahaha

Seriously I have one and love it

FishyFishy! · #10 10-17-2012, 05:41 PM

Yeah I just sold mine lol. It was a killer skimmer, but he wants a true in-sump cone skimmer.

Plus, I would rather give him something new in box. I already gave him most of my hand-me-down equipment haha. His whole new system is pretty much stuff I had laying around!