[dinor2]

I am going to upgrade/change my skimmer but am getting all kinds of mixed reviews on them! I'm attaching links to the ones I am considering, anyone have one of these that they can tell me about? I would SO appreciate any help learning more about these skimmers from reefers who use them!

Thanks, here they are:

Deltec - Aquarium Equipment - protein skimmers, turbo skimmers, calicum reactors, fluidized reactors, kalkwasser stirrers

AquaC Remora Pro Protein Skimmer With Rio 1400 Pump (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Protein Skimmers > Hang On > Spray Injection )

marineandreef.com/ Aqua Medic Turboflotor Protein Skimmer Series

I am leaning towards the deltec because it doesn't look as complicated as the aquamed and won't have a huge pump in my tank like the aqua c remora pro...

[dinor2]

Or, would it be cheap enough to add a sump to my system? I just realized, I can probably get a 10 gallon under my dt and direct my mj 900 in my overflow down to a sump instead of back into the dt, put the skimmer in the sump to clean that water then direct the clean water back to the dt... would this work though? I don't have any holes drilled into my tank so I'd have to figure out what would be the right pump to get the water back into the tank from the sump but without taking in too much water from the sump while putting it back into the dt. Would this idea work? I have NEVER done a sump or any plumbing like it so this would be brand new territory for me! What do you guys think, new skimmer, or, new pump? My Berlin Turbo is just SOOOOOOOO GINORMOUS, but it would be fine off the tank, I don't know what I want to do, help! Here's a pic of my tank, on the left top corner is where my mj900 is in the overflow... and of course, you can NOT miss the turbo skimmer on the right side!...



Thanks for any help guys!

[NOSAJ214]

I Have A 90 Gallon Reef,and I Am Pretty Happy With My Coralife Superskimmer.it Is Bigger Than I Really Need,but Just Means It Can Handle More Bioload.i Know Evryone Lovbes The Latest And Greatsest When It Comes To Equip. But Thats Just My Opinion.as Far As How U Are Thinking Of Setting Up,that Will Work,but There Are Other Ways You Can Do It.for Instance If You Bought A Super Skimmer And Hung It On The Back And Put The Pump In The Overflow,you Can Then Run The Water Ejected From The Superskimmer Out Flow Down To The Sump,(you Will Need To Buy Some Longer Hose)and Have The Skimmed Water Go Through The Sump And Then To Your Return Pump.this Would Be A Very Water Cleansing Setup.let Me Know If I Can Help In Anyway.have Fun.also Check Your Phosphates.

[Ebert]

The benifits of a sump will add numerous benifits to your tank. Benifits,macro algae,filter socks, water voluume to system etc.
Number one simple & easy, water going to a sump is usually just gravity fed. If you an overflow box already Overflow for Wet/Dry
The return pump is what actually allows the water to return from the sump.
No water coming out from the sump meens no water existing the overflow/tank into the sump.
As complicated as a sump may seem there are quite simple.

As answering your question to what protein skimmer, the coralifes on sale are a great buy & worth the money. My 125 coralife super skimmer was $114. The most cost effecient with the highest ratings would be the Octopus skimmer. Most are sump skimmers.
Now out of the 3 you listed, I personally do not care for the turbo floater,poor reviews, the aqua c is an injection fed skimmer...more maintenace on the skimmer due to the injectors.
Deltecs are top notch equipment, pricey & may do ok but personally you would get double the performance from a sump skimmer
There are very few hang on skimmers that will come close to the performance of a sump skimmer
Return pumps you won't go wrong with a mag 7 or 9

[dinor2]

The turbo floater looks like a real pain to maintain anyways... I am actually starting to look at the ASM sump skimmers as well, can someone tell me what the difference is between the two below? They look pretty much the same to me... and I'm also still debating on which one (size) to get, I shouldn't have more than 7 small fish and lots of corals, and I know you can't over skim...


ASM G-2 Protein Skimmer w/ Sedra 3500 Pump (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Protein Skimmers > In-Sump > Venturi > 100-250 Gallons )

Or...

ASM G-1X Protein Skimmer w/ Sedra 3500 Pump (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Protein Skimmers > In-Sump > Venturi > 100-250 Gallons )

They seem very similar, which one would be the better one to get, assuming I build a sump?

[Ebert]

Really only difference is the height of the skimmer. They are both great skimmers in fact all the ASM's are. I mentioned the Octopus because its basically a cheap version of the ASM.
Octopus NW-150 Needlewheel Skimmer w/pump: Premium Aquatics

out of the two listed I would do this one if you have enough height in your sump
G-2

Specifications:

Body Size: 6 ½”
Height: 25
Foot Print: 10”X11”
Pump: Sedra 3500
Tank Size (Gal): 200 Gal

[adam jenkins]

I have the Octopus extreme ps-150.It does a good job skimming and its easy to adjust.Only problem I had is it comes with NO instructions of any kind.nothing ,nada,zip.It was reasonably priced as well.

[boba40]

dinor,i have the asm 1 for my 90 gal. it has been running nonstop for about 6 weeks now and does a great job and is easy to set up and clean.the asm 1x has a 5 1/2 diam body with an 8 1/2 in x 11 in. foot print.the asm 2 has a 6 1/2 in diam. body wit a 10 in x 11 in. foot print.the x1 model is rated for up to 150 gallon tank the g2 is rated up to 200 gallons.hope that helped.

[coreyg]

I'm in the process of making this skimmer,with a 700gph pump. DIY Skimmer

[gimmito]

Dana,

I have the deltec mce600 and am very happy with it. It can be used as a hang on or in sump.

Here's a pic.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/j...ito/TX5057.jpg

I agree a sump is beneficial for a reef setup. Is a 10 gallon the biggest size you could fit under your stand ?
Other skimmers to consider are the ati and atb.

Checkout Melevsreef.com - Welcome! on diy sump designs.

[Taras1]

Dana -- Now are you thoroughly confused? I'm running an ATI BubbleMaster 160 in my sump. I agree with Jim. ASM, ATI, Deltec are all good models and are fairly well rated for tank capacity.

I don't know how others feel, but I suggest going with a capacity of 130-140% of your tank size.

The bigger the sump you can fit under your tank the better.

[gimmito]

Germans Baby !

[dinor2]

Ok, I am not sure if I could fit a 20 gallon under there or not, definitly can fit a 10 though. What I really need to do now is figure out what I need to build a sump. I have 2 mj1200s (which, I'm guessing may be useless for this project) a mj 900 that is in my overflow directing back to the dt, a 10 tank and a red sea berlin turbo protein skimmer..... I'm going to start looking at the DIY threads and learn how to make a sump and, what I need to get the water into the sump and back into the dt, where to put my skimmer in the sump, etc. I know you all say this is easy but, to be honest, this feels difficult, maybe because I've never built a sump before...

I am still going to upgrade to the ASM skimmer at Christmas time though, probably the one rated for up to 150gallons; my tank is only a 55 gallon so I figure with a bioload of mostly corals and 5 or 6 small fish and about 20-28 cuc, 150gal rating on an ASM skimmer should handle that fine, don't you think?...