Need suggestions on skimmer

[Leddy]

I'm in the process of building a new stand to fit a sump/refugium with in-sump skimmer, pretty excited to get rid of the store bought stand and hang on tank gear. I have an 80G and plan on using a 29G for a sump/fuge. Maybe a 40G breeder if possible. I need suggestions on a good skimmer for a reasonable amount of money, trying to stay under 225. I've read that the ASM, Octopus, Coralife, Aqua-C EV and Lifereef Skimmers are all good. Just wondering if any one has suggestions or opinions on these or others. Thanks in advance.

[metalhead]

I've heard good things about the octopus skimmers, supposedly very good on power consumption as well. I am currently using a bermuda venturi style skimmer and have no complaints.

[Leddy]

So far I'm planning on the octopus nwb150, I've read the new bubble diffusers improve their performance. It's gonna be a 29 gallon sump/fuge, cant fit a 40 breeder. It will be a few weeks before I get everything (overflow, return, skimmer, sump with baffles), so in the meantime I'm just gonna research and get excited on this next step. Cant wait to free up the clutter from the two hang on skimmers and fuge, and get a more natural look and DSB with 90lbs oolite.

[Leddy]

A buddy of mine just gave me a 29 gallon to use for a sump, and a Mag 7 for a return for an old skimmer I wasn't using. Pretty good deal. I'm looking at getting a CPR cs90 overflow with the aqualifter pump. I am concerned with the height of the 29, could be an issue when its time to remove the skimmer and return for cleaning. Here is a few pics of my diy stand with the 29 and mag 7 inside.

[jaygalindo]

I am running a Vertex IN-100 on my 90 gal and has been producing a ton of foam since day 1.

[Leddy]

That is a nice skimmer, I'm leaning towards the new nwb 150 octopus skimmer, I really like the new bubble plate and funnel design, read some good reviews also. Might get the nwb 110 for space issues, but would like the 150.

I'm unsure if I should use the 29G or get a 20L for the the sump. The center brace on the stand is removable so I would be able to slide the 29G out a bit to remove the skimmer for cleaning, but a 20L seems easier. I'm looking for as much water volume as possible though and would like to use the 29.

Another thing is top off. The 20L would make it easier to dose and top off in the sump, but I will be adding an auto top off to which ever sump I decide. The inside of my stand is 23 inches tall, and between the horizontal supports under the ply is 27", the 29 is about 19", not much room to get inside for tweaking, cleaning, etc...

If I use the 29, I'd have to slide the sump out a little to remove the skimmer and return (EDIT: I can get the return pump and skimmer pump out for cleaning, but not the skimmer body) for cleaning, if I use a 20L, i could easily remove skimmer and pump with out moving sump, but sacrifice (not much) water volume.

Anyone have suggestions? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

[Leddy]

Anyone have opinions? Is sliding a 29 out sideways to remove skimmer a bad idea?

[reefhead728]

I use a octopus 160 on my 120 gallon and it runs like a champ. Go with the octopus youll like it

[reefhead728]

i would go with the 20. you would have more room under your tank, but on the other hand how often do you clean the skimmer body if its every other month a little more work might be worth it

[kronos5]

I agree wiyh reefhead

[reefplayground]

I like the Aqua Euro USA skimmer line. Especially their recirculating models.

[Leddy]

Well I decided to go with the 20 long. The height of the 29 was a bit too tight. I finally moved the tank to the new stand, and its looking good. The stand is really sturdy, maybe overbuilt, I can remove the center brace and slide the sump in and out if needed. When it's all set up with the sump in place I don't really intend to move the sump out all that much, but just for convenience I'm able to get the center brace out safely. I just purchased a CPR CS90 DX overflow box and aqualifter pump, and when funds permit have decided to go with the reef octopus 150 nwb skimmer. I will post pics of the tank on the new stand later. I am kinda bummed that I lost a 5 year old Royal Gramma and a 4 year old 6-line wrasse two weeks ago aftere the move from my Stealth Heater shorting/sticking on, came home to find my tank at 87F. My GS maroon clown, flame tail blenny and 5 chromis are the survivors.

[reefhead728]

Sorry to hear of the troubles, might want to look at reefwarehouse.com they priced my exrteme 160 cheaper than anyone else i could find online.

[Leddy]

Here are some pics of the tank on the new stand. 1st is the full tank, 2nd is left side of tank, and 3rd is the right. 4th is another full tank. I can't wait to get this sump up and running. I'm gonna run my 2 cpr bak paks in there until I get the reef octopus, and the HOB 'fuge is gone aswell. I kept the background paper off after moving to the new stand so I could see all the filtration working. Just temporary though.

[reefhead728]

Looks Great

[Breathe13stars]

i also use a cpr overflow its very reliable i can sleep at night without having to worry about waking up to a flood. Ive heard good things about octopus skimmers, but have never used one. I use an AquaC ev-180 and have nothing but good results from it. I also am using a 20 long as a sump also i think you will like it you have more room overhead than a 29 and makes maintenance a breeze only thing i did was add 3 pieces of glass in it as bubble diffusers before it got to my return pump.

[Leddy]

Yea i just siliconed the first baffle in the 20L. Gonna let it cure for 48hrs and give it a leak test. I plan on having 3 baffle bubble trap, over-under-over and then 1 more to separate the 'fuge from the return. Got some bills to pay before I can order the reef octopus 150 skimmer, but should be looking to get it around mid october.

[Breathe13stars]

from the pics i saw your tank is looking great

[Leddy]

Thanks, even with all the hang on equipment i'm pretty pleased with how its looking. From the pictures it looks like 2 solid masses of rock, but its more like 2 big caves, the base is set up in a circle formation with tons of little nooks, the centers of the 2 "islands" are hollow and real sturdy. I can see a lot of water movement flowing through them. I tried to make the tops of the two with as much surface area as possible for coral placement in the future. I can't wait to have the sump and new skimmer, but right now I'm pretty happy with the set up.

[Leddy]

Quick update, FedEx just delivered my CPR CS90DX overflow box and aqualifter pump.