Best Skimmer at any Price

I also hate that skimmer tests because there are so many variables that cannot be factored in. We all know that it takes quite some time to find the sweet spot in any skimmer. I'm not saying that Ken Feldman did not know what he was doing, but I am saying that there is lots of room for error due to the fact that proper tuning of the skimmers may yeild better results. There are also things that a skimmer can do that were not factored in. Skimmers can remove detritus even before it can break down into organics. IME, skimmers also help to raise ph by adding oxegen to the water. One should not be caught up on the skimmate produced because this is just one of the many benefits.

 

Well, I didn't want to start a debate about the usefulness of skimmers - that's been done already and I'm still using one LOL. I'll just say though, when Feldman talks about bubbles being inefficient, that is relative and depends on what your comparing to. For example, if your removing 30% TOC, to do the same with a water change, you'd need at least a 30% water change (assuming there is no TOC in the salt mix, which may be a big assumption). So, to remove the equivalent TOC of a 30% water change, automatically, with a device that I only have to adjust and empty occasionally, actually doesn't seem so bad... Further, a skimmer will remove amphiphilic TOC molecules, carbon will remove hydrophobic molecules (and amphiphilic molecules as they will have a hydrophobic component). Of course neither will remove purely hydrophilic molecules, you need water changes for that. And further, our systems need some TOC, so, we don't actually want to remove all of it anyways.


It seems to me that a balance of filtration methods is really ideal. Anecdotally, there are some really, really nice tanks that use nothing more than skimmers, live rock and water changes as a means of filtration.

What I haven't seen anecdotal evidence for, is that "more expensive" skimmers produce significantly better results. The Feldman articles, seems to solidify that observation and help provide some explanation. Again, though, there is still a lot unexplained and not understood, such as the components of TOC and how they are effected by skimming.

 

My WM skimmer (The newest version MF 121)was produced at the Skimz factory and is almost identical to the Skimz.I love mine and the energy efficiency is awesome.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/protein-skimmers/review-mf-121-warner-marine-skimmer-135301.html

 

Thing is all this debate about the relative merits of skimmers notwithstanding I want to buy a skimmer to replace mine. While I like my reef octopus, it's not perfect. Adjustment is fiddly, it can be loud, it takes up a lot of room.

I'm looking for something rock solid, that doesn't need quite as much constant adjustment, that isn't going to break down, and ideally, that has a compact footprint. I'm not looking to spend as much as possible (I tried a deltec once and hated it). I don't mind spending as much as is necessary to get a skimmer that gives me some confidence that I have all the performance my bio pellets want.

I may, unlikely, but may, switch to zeovit too. I want something that can handle that task. I was leaning towards the diablo. I'm also considering a PM Marine Bullet. I don't want to have to experiment with skimmers though.

My wife is sick of me changing to new ones... I want something with some hope of keeping me confident in it for a while.

 

Completely agree with that!....When I buy a skimmer for a system I will either get a skimmer that is 1 step above or double the manufacturers recommendation depending on bioload. Some theories has that you want a constant stable foam head , I dont agree with that I feel the skimmer should lose the foam head and idle after a while. This is showing the skimmer has caught up to the bioload

A powerful skimmer will remove the organics before they have a chance to become ammonia/nitrates

 

Okay, lets try this another way. I like that BRS makes recommendations, so I'm considering giving them my skimmer business.

They offer three options I'm considering.

1. IN-180 Vertex Protein Skimmer. $299.00.
2. Reef Octopus Diablo XS 160. $295.99.
3. Bubble King Mini 200 (Gen 2). $1,209.99.

They're all rated at roughly the same capacity. The difference is 1 and 2 have very good reviews and 3 has great reviews. I understand marginal utility. I get that for $900 more I don't get 4 times the performance.

What do I get though? Nothing? A better built piece of equipment that does roughly the same job? Reliability? Stability? What else?

 

IMO the BK mini is not of the their better designs, I do love the pumps that BK uses they are called Red Dragon. The Bubble Blaster pumps are a Chinese copy of the Red Dragons that are decent but IMO don't process enough water but pull a lot of air and I presently own a Super Reef Octopus 5000 with a BB 5000 pump.

Depends on what you want your budget to be


As far as a skimmer that is set and forget is the Reef Dynamics skimmers.


If you want to keep the price around $500 my choices are the SRO 3000 ( an external skimmer that can be run in a sump and the Reef Dynamics INS250

 

Not really comparing apples to oranges. While I agree that the BK mini is not their best design, Of the 3 skimmers mentioned it will vastly outperform the others. Biggest reason alone is the reaction chamber is larger, pump is larger, ect... Jus not a fair fight IMO. I would also look into ATB as they are some of the best needle wheel skimmers made and can be found sometimes for less than the BK.

 

See this is the information I want. If comparing these isn't apples to apples, then why do I keep getting platitudes about all skimmers being equally wonderful? I want the best skimmer possible for my tank. I'm not trying to spend the most money, but I am willing to spend whatever it takes to get the best skimmer there is.

How do I figure out which that is?

 

internal or external?
If internal? How much sump space do I have to work with. Height restrictions?
Does noise matter?
Does energy efficiency matter?

These are all questions that need answers.