AquaC EV-240 or ETSS 600 XR / ETSS 800 XR

Let say electricity bill is not a problem and pump not a problem, I have a chiller, A/C in the house..... so which skimmer would you recommend?
AquaC EV-240 (no pump) 500$ ...so I need to add a pump
ETSS 800 XR (no pump) 400$ ...so I need to add a pump
Aqua Medic Turbofloter blue 3000 (include pump) 300$

The company that I will use for the pump is Aqua EL (https://sklep.aquael.pl/webapp/wcs/...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001) ... check the home page.. go to Garden, then Fountain pumps ..should I get PFN-3500 EU or PFN-7500 EU or higher?

That if I choose AquaC EV-240 or ETSS

I hope that help a bet.....

 

Seriously, I don't have a ton of experience with a ton of different skimmers. I was only sharing what I learned lately with my skimmer research. Needle wheels seem to be the most poular becuase of a smaller pump.

I was very happy with my AquaC, and they are very popular. Required little tweeking. Pulled consistent wet or dry. Seems the ETSS claims even less. I don't know anything about Aqua Medics. AquaC seems to have a good rep for powerful skimming with a small foot print. I would go with the AquaC only because that is what I know and they have a large following. Understand, I don't know much about downdraft skimmers except that they are old school.( not automatically bad)

 

Do yourself a favor and don't buy the Aqua C skimmers. I've had the Urchin, Remora and EV series and they are average compared to the Octopus, Deltec and Bubbleking skimmers.

Heres what i would get for your tank

DDNW 150

Allows the user to input the exact amount of water desired to be skimmed.
Requires a feed pump or plumbed from an overflow to inject water into skimmer.
Needlewheel pump driven.
2 OTP 2000 pumps at 500 gph each included.

In sump or out of sump.
High performance venturi air injection system.

Rating: Up to 350 gallons.
Diameter = 6" Height = 27.25"
Footprint= 16" x 7"
New pinwheel impeller increases the performance by 30%.

Price $279

or

TDNW-300 Octopus Recirculating Skimmer

Item #: OCT-TDNW-300

Allows the user to input the exact amount of water desired to be skimmed.
Requires a feed pump or plumbed from an overflow to inject water into skimmer.
Needlewheel pump driven.
3 OTP 2000 pumps at 500 gph each included.
In sump or out of sump.
High performance venturi air injection system.

Rating: Up to 600 gallons.
Diameter = 12" Height = 32"
Footprint = 20" x 18"
New pinwheel impeller increases the performance by 30%

Price :$549

THe Aqua C Skimmer at their best cant hold a candle to these skimmers. I've seen many Octopus skimmers personally, they pull out a ton of thick dark gunk. I just ordered the DDNW 150 model up there.

 

I hope you shop around before paying those prices. I just bought my EV-240 on ebay brand new for $225.00. You can find them new with pumps also cheaper than $350.

 

Guys, he is overseas. He already mentioned he does not want to pay international shipping, and those are the only choices he has locally. His local retail prices are a bit different than our U.S. ebay prices.

I am curious though... how much is international shipping??? I would tend to think the price breaks you can find on line would make up quite a bit of shipping. Especially if it is a superior design to what you have locally.

Lots of people love Octopus. There are a ton of needle wheels out there. From budget $200 skimmers all the way to $1000 ++ Bubble Kings.

My only real recommendation is don't settle on such an important piece of equipment. If you really like what you have locally, get it. Everyone has their opinions. You could do a lot worse that an AquaC, but there are better too.

 

Oops i missed that. I hope you still can get a better price but he is right shipping would kill him!

 

Thanx fpr all the comments.... Shipping is expensive, but the problem is that the electricity in the US is 120 Volt and here it is 240 Volt like the rest of the world. So buying anything that has electricity is possible with a transformer but not advisable. So that is why I could buy from Europ but I know all of you are form the US so you don't need to think about electricity on top of shipping.

 

You're right. It didn't even occure to me.

 

By the way did any one of you check the pump that I am talking about on the link I gave?

I think the Aqua C EV-240 will not be enough for me since my tank is 244G already... and as a thumb of rule always get a bet bigger as a skimmer then your tank volume.... so I am left with Aqua Medic and ETSS... but alot of you think that the ETSS is old school...but is Old school that bad if the pump is not an issue? And is it alot of tweeking to it or its simple? Currently I have my Aqua Medic turboflotor 1000 and its great its alot of green dark water with pieces. So I am very much leaning tower its big brother 3000....and the extra money by saving will go to purchase sand, salt, etc...

 

While waiting for your answers... I started to put my piping in my tank. I am hoping to finish tomorrow my plubing.... I think by end of next week my tank will be up and running (I hope).
Just a qauestion is not to much about skimmer, but related... what kind of pump i must have for my return if my pump for the skimmer is arround 900g/h?