protein skimmer (1 Viewer)

[arthur08]

can anyone give me an opionion on wat skimmer i should get for my 120? i want something that is reliable, gets the job done, more than anything worth the money im looking to spend about 300 would really like some good advice or experiances but lmk thanks im planning to buy it by sunday

 

[fightmeaboutit]

Bubble magus nac 7 rated for 130-185g fits your budget
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/bubble-magus-bm-nac7-cone-protein-skimmer.html

 

[TexanReef]

Dennis at FJW usually has the BM NAC6 in stock. That's what I have on my 120 and it seems to do the job just fine.

 

[Jasonc]

Vertex IN-180 - It's a few years old but an awesome skimmer.

 

[flipside]

You can ask this type of question 1000 times, and get 1000 different answers.

IMHO:

No budget --> BK Mini 180 or ATB 849 v2
Great for price --> Seaside Aquatics CS2 (or an Avast CS1 if you want to put it together), or SKIMZ SM201
Contenders --> SRO 2000 and Vertex IN180

Personally, I don't like the Bubble Magus line-up that much. I mean, they are okay entry level skimmers; but the numbers are just not there, especially for a fully stocked 120g.

Good luck!

 

[Diesel]

If you looking at manly corals whit a few fish in there the Bubble magus nac 7 is a awesome starter skimmer. BRS is out of stock but http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/ has them in stock if you even want a better use out of them replace to pump and put a Aquabee pump in there that rates the same, much better pump.
Or the Super Reef Octopus XP2000 Space Saver SRO-XP2000SSS is a bit more in price but does the job little better.
Just what Flipside says you have to find the best one in your budget.

 

[arthur08]

i was looking at the nac7 i seen one on duty n it was pulling alot, flipside that bk mini would be great but unfortunately have to work on a budget lol,
i might consider the SROXP2000 its a bit more but heard good thing about it thanks Ben

 

[flipside]

Understood. The SRO is an excellent route, but I've heard many guys out there not happy with the noise from the exit pipe. Other than that, they do very well.

I always tend to use a skimmer that's rated at "way more" than what it's actually going on. For example, my SWC Xtreme 160 Cone is on my 30 gallon nano. If it's pulling, it's doing it's job. I personally don't believe that you can overskim, but wow... that's a debate in itself.

Any way, good luck and I'm sure whatever you get will be fine. Technology and skimmers are leveling out these days.

 

[Jaypilot]

I have the BM NAC 5, I have pulled out some of the darkest nastiest stuff I have ever seen with that skimmer. It is rated up to 120G so if you don't plan on over stocking or anything else it would work great but I would consider going bigger. BM are a great bang for the buck. I bought mine used from Dennis at FJW. IMO plastic is plastic and if you can get one at 50% of the price that is a better way to go even if you do have to buy a new impeller or motor.

Also try ADG off of 288 and the beltway (southside) they had a lot of used stuff that they had some great prices on. Call before you go but thy are always selling used stuff.

Spend $100 on a good used one and then get a nice pair of clowns with your savings just my $.02.

 

[Jasonc]

The SRO is an excellent route, but I've heard many guys out there not happy with the noise from the exit pipe.

That's the only complaint I have with my 3000.

 

[flipside]

That's the only complaint I have with my 3000.

Not to stray off topic, but you can fab up a downspout with a PVC elbow and piece of PVC. It may not fit perfectly, but get one just "slightly" bigger than your exit pipe and use teflon/plumbers tape to tighten up the fitting. Of course, with added resistance of the exiting water, you'll have to readjust your skimmer over the next few days, but it should work.

 

[crvz]

Not to stray off topic, but you can fab up a downspout with a PVC elbow and piece of PVC. It may not fit perfectly, but get one just "slightly" bigger than your exit pipe and use teflon/plumbers tape to tighten up the fitting. Of course, with added resistance of the exiting water, you'll have to readjust your skimmer over the next few days, but it should work.

I did that this week on my SRO5000. You can also buy the proper 50mm to 1.5" adapter directly from CoralVue to get a tight fit (as well as a few other places on the intertrons), but I didnt bother yet. It worked fine, and the amount of head pressure increase is minimal at best.

 

[flipside]

I did that this week on my SRO5000. You can also buy the proper 50mm to 1.5" adapter directly from CoralVue to get a tight fit (as well as a few other places on the intertrons), but I didnt bother yet. It worked fine, and the amount of head pressure increase is minimal at best.

Thanks for the confirmation, Chris. Good to hear that it's minimal... My old Vertex IN-2XX (can't remember off the top) had that built on, and didn't restrict much, either. Just felt it was worth mentioning...

 

[Jasonc]

Hey guys, I started another thread so we don't hijack his:

http://www.marsh-reef.org/showthread.php/32648-re-noisy-SRO-output?p=285219#post285219

 

[arthur08]

so i found a bm nac7 for 200 its used but has a new impeller and i saw it while it was running and it was pulling (doing work) i still have a few days left but i know this a steal i hate decisions

 

[arthur08]

oh now worries jason im just hearing reading wat u guys go through so id try to learn from it ha ha lol