Which skimmer should I buy?

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Son Of Skyline

I used a bubble magus bm160 skimmer on a 70 gal and it worked well. The aquabee pump it came with was a good pump. Paid less than $200. I then upgraded to a PM Bullet 2 on a mag12 and it also works well. You can get that combo used for around $200-250. I upgraded because I used a bullet before and want to use it on a bigger tank some day, but the BM would be perfect for a 70. My tank is an sps tank with 8 fish of various sizes.

I don't think that you need to spend big bucks for a skimmer and I don't believe that you absolutely "get what you pay for" with all skimmers. Many expensive skimmers just seem way overpriced for what they are. Acrylic and a pump.

Thanks for letting me know about the PM bullet 2. Didn't know the name till I googled it. I severely lack ideas about skimmers!

Originally Posted by FishyFishy!

Well some people don't have the extra money to blow on a more expensive skimmer, so people should truely stop recommending skimmers double the price of the OP's budget.

For your $200 budget... go with the Curve 5.

I had a Curve 7, and it did not take long to break in after a vinegar soak, and it pulled lots of goop out right away. It was also almost dead silent, contrary to other posters comments... who I really don't think have ever owned a new Curve skimmer.

Only reason I sold mine was because I upgraded to a larger tank. Otherwise it was a great skimmer for the money.

Thanks Mike. Yah there are times where the budget is the limiting factor. Being an international student, I still try to accommodate the best I can get but its not always possible to get the best of the best.

Originally Posted by reef-keeper

Where can you pick up a BubbleKing for $500.00? I paid $1000.00 for my mini 180.

I was referring to the skimmer which is being sold over here ;P

[spit.fire]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

1. JL is back ordered
2. Expensiveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

1. Concept
2. Cheap compared to other skimmers that perform as good

[asylumdown]

IMO when people talk about what makes a skimmer 'better' or 'worth the price', the question isn't really about how good it is at removing DOC. I'd suspect that the differences in efficiency between similarly gallon rated units are fractional, and most certainly do not warrant hundreds of dollars in difference in price. What does warrant hundred dollar differences in price is everything else that makes a skimmer worth having - how finicky is it, how easy to clean, how loud it is, does it fit in the space you've got, how much power does it draw, how likely is it to go nuts and overflow, how often do you need to adjust it, what other bells and whistles does it have to make your life easier etc. etc. etc.

I've had everything from a Coralife Overflow Special all the way up to a Deltec SC2560, and while I can't say a single thing about which one was better at removing organic gunk (they all made plenty of skimmate), the "ARE YOU F*&$ING KIDDING ME?!" expensive Deltec is the least fickle piece of tank equipment I've ever had. It's got such a fine degree of control, and is so completely rock solid in the way it behaves that to me was worth the extra money. As was mentioned, if your only goal is to remove DOC, then all you need is some PVC pipes and a wooden air stone. If you want a piece of equipment that is a pleasure to work with and always behaves as expected, you start adding zeros.

I'd be looking for the best user reviews that talk about what it's like to own a particular model, not how much skimmate people subjectively think theirs is making. I'm sure some less expensive models are just as good in that regard.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by asylumdown

IMO when people talk about what makes a skimmer 'better' or 'worth the price', the question isn't really about how good it is at removing DOC. I'd suspect that the differences in efficiency between similarly gallon rated units are fractional, and most certainly do not warrant hundreds of dollars in difference in price. What does warrant hundred dollar differences in price is everything else that makes a skimmer worth having - how finicky is it, how easy to clean, how loud it is, does it fit in the space you've got, how much power does it draw, how likely is it to go nuts and overflow, how often do you need to adjust it, what other bells and whistles does it have to make your life easier etc. etc. etc.

I've had everything from a Coralife Overflow Special all the way up to a Deltec SC2560, and while I can't say a single thing about which one was better at removing organic gunk (they all made plenty of skimmate), the "ARE YOU F*&$ING KIDDING ME?!" expensive Deltec is the least fickle piece of tank equipment I've ever had. It's got such a fine degree of control, and is so completely rock solid in the way it behaves that to me was worth the extra money. As was mentioned, if your only goal is to remove DOC, then all you need is some PVC pipes and a wooden air stone. If you want a piece of equipment that is a pleasure to work with and always behaves as expected, you start adding zeros.

I'd be looking for the best user reviews that talk about what it's like to own a particular model, not how much skimmate people subjectively think theirs is making. I'm sure some less expensive models are just as good in that regard.

You always hit the sweet spot of any argument

[FishyFishy!]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

You always hit the sweet spot of any argument

LOL, yeah the sweet spot... take out a second mortgage to buy a skimmer!!!!

I think all of us in this hobby would prefer that every piece of our equipment had three zero's after it, but thats not reality for the majority unfortunately.

I myself, don't make a ton of money. This hobby is so expensive, that the only option sometimes is used or cheaper equipment. And while I would love to have deltec this, or bubble king that..... it just isn't going to happen (yet).

I think that we can all agree that you usually get what you pay for in this hobby. But when the poster asks for recommendations on a skimmer for a budget.... I don't think that everyones answer should be "just buy a bubble king". Just dosn't make any sense. lol.

Originally Posted by asylumdown

I'd be looking for the best user reviews that talk about what it's like to own a particular model, not how much skimmate people subjectively think theirs is making. I'm sure some less expensive models are just as good in that regard.

^^^ Well said Adam!

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by FishyFishy!

LOL, yeah the sweet spot... take out a second mortgage to buy a skimmer!!!!

I think all of us in this hobby would prefer that every piece of our equipment had three zero's after it, but thats not reality for the majority unfortunately.

I myself, don't make a ton of money. This hobby is so expensive, that the only option sometimes is used or cheaper equipment. And while I would love to have deltec this, or bubble king that..... it just isn't going to happen (yet).

I think that we can all agree that you usually get what you pay for in this hobby. But when the poster asks for recommendations on a skimmer for a budget.... I don't think that everyones answer should be "just buy a bubble king". Just dosn't make any sense. lol.

Yah :P If everything ended with "just buy a bubble king", other skimmers would not be in the market.

[Seriak]

How about a used Reef Octopus 1000 SSS?

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Seriak

How about a used Reef Octopus 1000 SSS?

No used stuff is going in or around my tank anymore (electrical equipment) even if I have to get something that won't perform as good. I just have too many bad lucks with used equipment :P

[FishyFishy!]

Originally Posted by Seriak

How about a used Reef Octopus 1000 SSS?

If you have one for sale... PM me lol