1st Post! Which of these 3 skimmers?

You can get a used AquaC Remora w/ MaxiJet for much cheaper. Probably $60 cheaper on eBay

 

I would like to keep it under $200 or close to it.

 

i have the in sump version of the AquaC (Urchin pro) and love it. mind you its the only one iv owned spray injection can be a little noisy....

 

Dat's right. Sump and a SWC 120 and you'd be in good shape.

 

Lemme give you a good piece of advise.

You can pay now or you can pay later, but either way if you stay in this hobby you're gonna have to pay.

Don't buy the same piece of equipment twice. Get a good one now, so you won't have to buy a good one when you're fed up with the cheap crap a year from now. Personal experience talking here.

 

+100 on that, you can apply that same philosophy to many hobbies def. I have so many things lying around that I could "afford" only to regret and pay the extra later for the better equipment. If my Remora is in good shape it'll hold you over so you can save up for a really good hob. Or just buy my Deltec MCE 600 instead

 

I started with the remora. It did the job well but it is very loud and the pump uses a lot of electricity. I would look more into the reef octo or a swc. I bought a bubble magus and I'm amazed at how quiet it is and it does a great job. Check them out too, it's cheaper because it's Chinese or something. If I had to do it again I'd prob spend a few more dollars for build quality

 

Hello, and welcome to 3reef! I'm gonna agree with WhiskeyTango here, a sump will be a very beneficial addition to your set-up.

 

I get that your trying to help the guy understand that a sump has more benefits than just a skimmer alone, but your avoiding the question he is asking. He had asked which skimmer is more beneficial, not whether a sump is better than a skimmer. It seems that every time someone asks about which HOB skimmer to buy the answer is always, "get a sump." Sometimes a sump just isnt feasible for someone. At lease choose one of the possible skimmers he has done so much work researching. Then you could add, "but IMO a sump would be much better." He is basically asking if anyone has any opinions about these skimmers.

 

I would get an overflow box and a sump first then move onto a skimmer. I would add some more rock also. how often are you doing water changes?