Skimmer Advice

+2 I agree with Otty

 

So I should never have any waste in the crushed coral at the bottom of my tank?

 

Oh yes. The skimmer. Four I would recommend. None of them cheap. Do not skimp on skimmers and lighting. Those two you want to spend some money on.

PM Bullet 2
AquaC EV 180
ETSS 600XR Professional
Deltec MCE600

The PM Bullet is flat out a solid skimmer. I would have purchased this one if I had not run across a good used ETSS.

The AquaC is flat out a solid skimmer. This was my second choice.

The ETSS is great as well. A pro is that it gives you the most room to grow. A con is the possibility that the downdraft technology does not lend itself to the use of ozone very well. I am not sure on this 100%. I have an older variety that is not very good on ozone. That is OK. I don't plan on using it. I am very happy with my ETSS.

The Deltec I consider the best of the best. You have some room to grow with all except the Deltec. That is only rated from about 100 to 180 gallons. And since aquarists the world over tend to overstock, you're looking at about your current tank size. If I had a lot of money. I would get the Deltec.

Just google the names of the skimmers to take a look at them. There are others out there also that are good. These are the four I did the most research on.

Peace.......John.

 

I do not think I have ever heard anyone brag about their Seaclone.

I just got rid of my Jebo. I cannot believe a company wastes their time making this horrid excuse for a skimmer. There otta be a law. I am trying to block it all out......

 

i have a coralife 125 it works great, i have also heard good thing about octopus skimmers.

 

You shouldnt have CC in the first place, but thats just MO. I would dare to say that the reason why your No3 is 20-30ppm is b/c your over feeding and the CC is hiding all that wasted food and waste. Luna

 

As someone who made the mistake of using crushed coral in the past, I'll second that. If you can, get rid of it as it's nothing but trouble and a nitrate sink. I feel Green hair algae coming on...................

 

Ditto on the jebo.....JUNK

 

Are used skimmers a bad idea?

 

How much are you looking to spend? If you like the deltecs than check out the DAS skimmers. They are the same thing as the deltec without the price tag and deltec logo. Deltec actually sold the design to DAS...they use the same pumps for the the equivalently sized skimmer w/ just slightly different dimensions. So a DAS ex-1 is the same thing as a deltec ap600. Im running the DAS skimmer and i love it. The only real difference with the das and deltecs is DAS uses cheaper grade acrylic...However i dont play suoccer with my skimmer so i dont really care! The bullets are also great skimmers if you size them up with the right pump.