[gqsmoothster]

I've been reading the forums for days now agonizing over which skimmer I should buy. Sure, everyone has their favorite that "is the best" one out there.... and they always cost like $300 or more. The thing is that there's a million skimmers out there and I just want one that really works. Can it be that 999,999 brands don't work and only one or two do?

My question is not "which skimmer is the best" but rather which ones should I definitely stay away from. Can anyone share their experiences with skimmers that were junk/toys? I'd like to start a sump/refugium with an in-sump skimmer, but I want to make sure it works. There's some good looking acrylic combos on eBay right now, but I don't want to get burned with a skimmer that doesn't skim. I also want to make this project work for under $250 (sump and skimmer). I'd love to buy some decent, used skimmer on eBay but I'm not familiar with all the brand names. A list of bogus/junk skimmers would at least help me steer clear of these.

How about RedSea? SeaClone? generic knock-offs of the EuroReef?

Thanks.

[orion25]

Seaclone is CRAP. Had one and trashed it. The Red Sea Berlin Turbo is OK at best. I have one now and it almost works well. (they do have EXCELLENT customer service though).

When I move into the house we are shopping for I am hoping to upgrade to a 75g or 90g aquarium and will be getting a My Reef Creations skimmer most likely. See MRC skimmers here.

My 55g just does not have the room under it for a new skimmer.

Hope this helps.........

[jiggly75]

I like the Aqua C Brand the ev series and the remoras

[Poseidon]

If it sounds to good to be true it usually is....

A good skimmer, like a good car, boat, etc cost more then the others because they actually work! I have the Kent Nautilis EX, it works pretty good, but I know of other skimmers that work better. I paid 199 for the skimmer, and about 70 for the pump to drive it. Do a search on SeaClone and see what you find. I like the CPR bakPak and Remora by Aqua C in "less expensive" categories...

[spankerbob]

We all have gone through exactally what you are, the advice posted earlier "if it looks to good to be true it usually is." Is dead on, stay away from the $150 dollar or less skimmer if you every plan to get a bigger tank, for you will just be throwing it away, or trying tho sell it for pennys. I just bought my fourth skimmer a month ago, an asm g3, which I am very very happy with. There are good deals on ebay for asm's all of them, do some research on different web stores for prices and products.

[Gizmo232]

Originally Posted by gqsmoothster

I've been reading the forums for days now agonizing over which skimmer I should buy. Sure, everyone has their favorite that "is the best" one out there.... and they always cost like $300 or more. The thing is that there's a million skimmers out there and I just want one that really works. Can it be that 999,999 brands don't work and only one or two do?

My question is not "which skimmer is the best" but rather which ones should I definitely stay away from. Can anyone share their experiences with skimmers that were junk/toys? I'd like to start a sump/refugium with an in-sump skimmer, but I want to make sure it works. There's some good looking acrylic combos on eBay right now, but I don't want to get burned with a skimmer that doesn't skim. I also want to make this project work for under $250 (sump and skimmer). I'd love to buy some decent, used skimmer on eBay but I'm not familiar with all the brand names. A list of bogus/junk skimmers would at least help me steer clear of these.

How about RedSea? SeaClone? generic knock-offs of the EuroReef?

Thanks.

I too found out that seaclone is JUNK I had 2 of them and crushed both of them out of anger.... Then I got a PRO CLEAR AQUATICS skimmer and so far its done a pretty good job

[ereefic]

I have only used 2 different skimmers.

CPR Bak-Pak - Decent skimmer for smaller tanks (50gal. and under) IMO.

MRC MR-1 and MR-2 - Becketts are wonderful skimmers, can be a little finicky to tune, but once you get the hang of it, a piece of cake. But you SHOULD run a pressure pump to run them the best, flow pumps can work, but if you go Beckett, go pressure rated, you won't be dissapointed.

Just yesterday, I borrowed a Euroreef ES5-2 that i'm running in a tub with some curing LR. The verdict is still out on what I think of that.

You didn't mention what size tank you are looking for a skimmer for, that info would be helpful. My advice would be safe up your pennies and get yourself a good skimmer from the start. And think about future tank upgrades when choosing a skimmer now. I don't believe you can overskim a tank (others will disagree).

[Gizmo232]

Originally Posted by ereefic

I have only used 2 different skimmers.

CPR Bak-Pak - Decent skimmer for smaller tanks (50gal. and under) IMO.

MRC MR-1 and MR-2 - Becketts are wonderful skimmers, can be a little finicky to tune, but once you get the hang of it, a piece of cake. But you SHOULD run a pressure pump to run them the best, flow pumps can work, but if you go Beckett, go pressure rated, you won't be dissapointed.

Just yesterday, I borrowed a Euroreef ES5-2 that i'm running in a tub with some curing LR. The verdict is still out on what I think of that.

You didn't mention what size tank you are looking for a skimmer for, that info would be helpful. My advice would be safe up your pennies and get yourself a good skimmer from the start. And think about future tank upgrades when choosing a skimmer now. I don't believe you can overskim a tank (others will disagree).

Right now I am running a 100 gal. tank and in the future will have a 150 gal

[ereefic]

Actually, my question was meant for the starter of the thread. (gqsmoothster) But now I know your plans gizmo232.