Best skimmer for 120gal

I have been doing some research on a new skimmer for my 120gal. This will be mixed reef with mostly sps and med-heavy bio load.

I Narrowed down to
Vertex IN 180
SWV 180 Cone

The bad reviews i get about the vertex is the bad pump and adjustment sensitive with water level) which i dont think i can tolerate but other then that i have read mostly good about it.

Any other suggestions?
Something with a small footprint would be ideal.

 

I love my aqua medic Aqua Medic Turboflotor Hang On Protein Skimmer

Just empty the cup ever so often and forget about it.

 

Do you have a sump or are you looking for a HOB? I have a 120 gallon mixed reef, myself, with a 30 gallon sump. The first skimmer I got was an off-brand, used piece of junk that sort of worked for a little while. I read a lot about skimmers and ended up with an Octopus skimmer. I wanted a recirculating skimmer so that I didn't have to worry about the water level in my tank impairing the skimmer's ability to function fully (some in-sump skimmers are highly sensitive to water level changes, and mine loses over a gallon of water a day due to running 7 VHO bulbs - no room for a auto top-off). I went with the Reef Octopus DNWB-150 6" Skimmer, and it has worked like a champ. I clean it every day (most efficient that way), and it really pulls out the goo!

 

I have the smaller version of the Vertex. The IN - 80 and I love it. Its quite and does what its supposed to do. Adjustment is fairly easy, although it isnt quite as advanced as some of the newer more expesive skimmers.

Not sure what you mean about the water level part because all in sump skimmers should have a steady water level to sit in. usually between 8 - 10 inches of water. I think mine is in 9

 

Good question. What I meant was, that my water level in the sump drops up to a couple of inches each day due to evaporation. I fill it up with a gallon or 2 of water every afternoon -- takes me about 5 minutes including cleaning the skimmer . So, I got a recirculating skimmer that sits beside the sump and not in it. It works well, and I don't have to worry about the constant water level.

 

I have a 40gal sump which leaves a few inches of room under the stand. This wont allow me to have an external skimmer.
So the skimmer would have to be in the sump.
I was checking out the Octopus XP 2000cone which had really good reviews. So thats what i am looking into right now.

 

* not "good question" rather "good comment" Sorry about that.

 

That one was recommended to me, too, as a great skimmer. Octopus skimmers are good. In the one you're looking at, try to get the newer bubble blaster pump rather than the older sicce pump.

 

why not a bubble magnus? I have a NAC7 - awesome on my 90gal.

 

I have an Octopus 200 xp and love it. Takes a little adjusting in the beginning to make sure you have the right sump water level but you can also set it up externally (don't like that for overflowing)