Protein skimmer Recommendations

[mike007]

Ok, so i have made a couple of thread posts about skimmers in the past... I don't mean to ask again but i have a list of skimmers that I have researched and i am interested in buying. I am interested in feedback/reviews of these skimmers by fellow reefkeepers who have or have had them... even if you have heard anything about them.

DAS EX-1 Skimmer

Standard Skimmers Rated For 60 To 200 Gallons - D&T Aquarium Supplies- Product Info - Octopus DNWB-110 Needle Wheel Recirculating Protein Skimmer

Standard Skimmers Rated For 60 To 200 Gallons - D&T Aquarium Supplies- Product Info - Octopus DNWB-150 Needle Wheel Recirculating Protein Skimmer

D&T Aquarium Supplies-Aquarium Supplies For Saltwater And Freshwater Aquariums, And Ponds

D&T Aquarium Supplies-Aquarium Supplies For Saltwater And Freshwater Aquariums, And Ponds

D&T Aquarium Supplies-Aquarium Supplies For Saltwater And Freshwater Aquariums, And Ponds

D&T Aquarium Supplies-Aquarium Supplies For Saltwater And Freshwater Aquariums, And Ponds

Any other skimmer suggestions that you guys may feel are more fit to my tank are welcome.
this is my first protein skimmer and i would really like to do things right the first time to avoid having to upgrade later. as of now, I plan to keep softies, and maybe a couple LPS. later on, i will keep SPS's however. These skimmers are for a 90 gal tank (total). I do not have much room in my sump so all of these will be Externally mounted. my sand bed is about 2.5' and if theres any more info needed please ask me. I would like to keep it under $300 but not
skimp on performance. Again, any suggestions on others are more then welcome!

Thanks in advance!

[gregony]

I've heard lots of good things about Octopus. I too, have a 90g that I need to get a skimmer for. If you're considering the DNWB-150, here's the Premium Aquatics link. I use PA and DrsFosterandSmith for just about everything. I think the DNWB-110 would be a bit small. I've read about DAS on the mother of all protein skimmer threads at the manhattanreefs forum. It's supposed to be a Deltec clone. People who have them seem to like them.

Octopus DNWB-150 Needlewheel Recirculating Skimmer w/pump: Premium Aquatics

[Parrothead]

Check the AquaC Remora Pro with the mag 3 pump, it is a kick butt h.o.t, very compact, very powerful, budget freindly

[mike007]

Thanks a lot guys, I'm leaning towards either the Octo-150 or the Aqua Euro downdraft, it looks like the bottom has a cool looking reaction chamber.

Has anyone used the Aquaeuro? Are Downdrafts any good? pros & cons please!

Thanks again everyone! ;)

[dhondtster]

Im in the same boat Im starting a 75 gallon that built into the wall, just got that part done, I will be building a 20gallon sump/refu if anyone has plans? Ive done alot of searching on skimmers and I came to the conclusion of the octopus 150 does any one think this is to big for a 75 with 20gal sump? or can you go to big? ill post pics soon

[metalhead]

Im in the same boat Im starting a 75 gallon that built into the wall, just got that part done, I will be building a 20gallon sump/refu if anyone has plans? Ive done alot of searching on skimmers and I came to the conclusion of the octopus 150 does any one think this is to big for a 75 with 20gal sump? or can you go to big? ill post pics soon

The 150 should be perfect for that size system.

Why don't you start your own build thread?

Mike, not sure about the downdraft skimmers but I think Charlie used to run a big one for some time before he got his new cone skimmer. I beleive power consumption was an issue with the big downdraft skimmers but not 100% sure. PM Charlie and ask him for his .02... Or just wait until he sees me throwing his name around on your thread.

[mike007]

The 150 should be perfect for that size system.

Why don't you start your own build thread?

Mike, not sure about the downdraft skimmers but I think Charlie used to run a big one for some time before he got his new cone skimmer. I beleive power consumption was an issue with the big downdraft skimmers but not 100% sure. PM Charlie and ask him for his .02... Or just wait until he sees me throwing his name around on your thread.

Thanks Metalhead, will do.

quick question, would lack of a skimmer cause (or be more likely to cause) a diatom bloom? My sand is turning brownish and on the front and sides i can see some red Coralline-looking stuff. the coralline I don't mind But what can I do to get my sand pearly white as it was out of the bag? I would send pics but i just did a water change and the siphon made it a little better so i will send pics as soon as it gets bad again.

Thanks Metalhead

[Parrothead]

diatoms are part of the program, can't be avoided, do you have a clean up crew in there yet????

[mike007]

I had 20 blue leg hermits(not sure how many left due to shell taking homicides),2 turbo's, and 2 nassarious snails. I am going to expand it but am not sure exactly what to get. Ive read about Amphipods and Copepods helping, I will add some soon but i want to get some more Inverts too.

[mike007]

diatoms are part of the program, can't be avoided, do you have a clean up crew in there yet????

I had 20 blue leg hermits(not sure how many left due to shell taking homicides),2 turbo's, and 2 nassarious snails. I am going to expand it but am not sure exactly what to get. Ive read about Amphipods and Copepods helping, I will add some soon but i want to get some more Inverts too.

[mike007]

Would this be "too large" for my system? Is there even such a thing as too big of a skimmer?

Bubble-Magus BM200P Skimmer (115V 60Hz) - Protein Skimmers - Nuocean

Bubble-Magus BM160 External Skimmer - Protein Skimmers - Nuocean

the first one is bigger than the second option but they are about the same price shipped so i would be happy with either.

Anyone ever heard of anything about too large of a skimmer? Or can i just Skim the S**t out of my tank...

Thanks

[gregony]

That's not a bad skimmer for the money. The aquabee pump is a very nice pump. I've heard good things about the Bubble Magus. I've also heard a couple of horror stories when things don't work with them. They're out of China, and all replacement parts (for shipping damage for instance) used to have to come from China ($80 shipping fees). I don't know if its still the case but be leary. Make sure the dealer will take care of you if something doesn't work or shows up busted (get it in writing). Alternatives might include:
$300 you can get a Hydor Performer 700 from Premium Aquatics.
$270 you can get an Octo DNWB-150 which will be just as good as the Bubble Magus.
For around 300 you can also get an external version of the ETSS SB40 with a pump.
And I'm sure there's a dozen others for that price that I'm forgetting.
The only downside to having an oversized skimmer is the waste of electricity and money to buy the oversized skimmer in the first place. Skimming too much is rumored to remove too many trace elements. So that's another reason why most people don't like to do it. But the BM160 isn't too big really, its a 6" chamber, appx 20" high - thats about right for 90 gallons. You can't really go by manf ratings. They're more of a guideline and everyone I talk to says they always fudge on the high side.

[mike007]

Ill take a look at those. thanks Greg.