My take on the protein skimmer thing...

[rjs5134]

I've been looking into a new skimmer for some time now and it appears I will be getting it by year end. The choice is not easy. I looked into Austin Oceans, Bermuda Aquatics, ASM, Reef creations, Coralife and now the RPS-3000(due to tray262's review).

I was originally leaning towards the ASM G-3. It's reasonably priced(279.99) but after further review seemed to be a little less product than the others, hence the price.

The Bermuda Aquatics skimmer looks similar to the ASM as far as what you get for the money, but is a little more money at $295 + pump.

The Reef Creations MR-2 looks good, is reasonably priced @ $299 and appears to be upgradable should I increase the tank size. It's also hard to argue with Scott's recomendations.

Tray262's ringing endorsement for the RPS-3000(although I would opt for the 2000) makes this an interesting choice and appears to be all-inclusive at $345.

Austin Ocean's skimmer sounds great and comes with a favorable word from Greg. The integrated flow meter sounds nice, and you know I'm a big fan of instant visual feedback. The only drawback is the price @ $449+Pump. That makes it nearly twice the price of the other desirable models.

My summary and conclusion is my skimmer will probably be the Reef Creations MR-2. I can't wait.

Rob

[reseter5]

my new setup has a slimmer in it .. and i am amazed at the amount of junk and garbage it pulls out of the water.... i wish i would have had a skimmer a long time ago......... a skimmer is a great idea

[Poseidon]

Good Choice Rob, I am sure you will be pleased with the skimmer! Just remember that bad boy is going to require a rather large pump to run it. I run mine with an Iwaki 70!

[tray262]

Sounds like a good choice. Keep in mind that they need a pretty bog pump. The only problem I personally have injector style skimmers is that they are a little a loud while operation. Being mine is in my Living Room I wanted one that was super quiet. I do here nice things about the MRC line tho. Just look at the pump that you'll need before you buy anything.

On another note the RPS-2000 is not totally ready to go. It comes with the Recirulating pump not the drive pump. (So it needs a second pump, normally like a rio 1100 power would be plenty big.) I'll make sure I clear that up on my review. Sorry for the confussion.

[rjs5134]

Noise could be a problem, it's in my living room too. I have a cabinet to house the equipment, but I'm not sure this will be quiet enough for my wife. Anyone have input about noise on the other models?

[tray262]

My corilife was silent, I didn't hear it at all, The new has a little bit of pump noise. Not much, in a closed cabinet I think it would go away totally. My friends' downdraft is pretty noisey, same with his injection skimmer. I don't know for sure about the MR-2 I'd say that's a question for Scott. But in general I know that injections and d.d.'s are typically a little louder.

[rjs5134]

Thought I had this issue licked... Guess not. I think all are good choices, some slightly better than others, but noise is going to be a big issue.

[golfish]

Rob, I think the MRC is the best choice but that prices doesn't include the pump, does it?

[Reefland]

I don't think it includes the pump, and as mentioned it will need a rather beefy pump. I actually used an MR-1 with a MAG 18, which was quiet. However jumping up to a larger pump due to the larger skimmer might create some noise. Poseidon has a nMR-2 so we'll see what he says about the noise.

[Poseidon]

The skimmer itself can be pretty quiet. I fixed up a neat little silencer, using a film (remember that stuff?) can. I put it on the air inlet, drilled a ton o holes in the top and packed it with filter floss. When I had it running in my sump, in the cabinet, I used a MAG12, and it to was VERY quiet.

Now I have it hooked up external, and I am using that Iwaki 70 that I mentioned earlier. No way would I run that Iwaki in my living room, it is WAY to loud. Iwaki 70 + Basement sump, works just fine though. If you do decide on the MRC, I would get a MAG18 or 24 and run it submerged, then it would be quiet.

[rjs5134]

That's what I needed to hear... SOLD. Thanks guys!!

Rob

[tray262]

I hate buying new equipment too!!! Too many choices. lol. Good luck with your new toy.

[Reefland]

Let us know how you like the performance when you get it Rob.

[rjs5134]

Well, the MR-s has been here for a while, but I pondered the pump question for a while. I finally broke down and bought the Mag-18. The intent was to turn an old 29 gallon tank into a sump, but I just realized that the skimmer won't really fit in the tank and I would need to drill it for the return from the skimmer if the skimmer was outside the sump.

My thought now is the pump will go in the sump where the current pump and skimmer are and the MR-2 will be external. I will drill the acrylic sump(which I'm capable of doing myself), install a bulkhead, and make the connection. Before I destroy my existing sump, am I headed in the right direction?

Also, do i need a check valve to keep the water level in the sump from backing into the skimmer and raising the water level in the sump?

Thanks for the help.

Rob

[rjs5134]

Here's a photo of my dilemna... The word box reads, "The new bulkhead and connection go here???"