Skimmer for 350g setup

I am setting up a new tank and wanted to get some opinions on skimmer choices from others that know people or have used some of these skimmers on their tanks.

I have been doing a bunch of research and am still undecided on which skimmer to go with. My setup will be a 225g main tank with a 100g sump and 4 20g frag tanks. I am figuring with all the rock and sand the total amount of water will be around 350g. This tank will mainly be SPS dominated with a few fish and some other corals. I plan to have this tank heavily stocked as i am moving 3 tanks into one. The skimmers i have found that i like are

Reef Octo XS-350
Skimz SK-251
Euro-Reef RSA-250 or 350
Vertex IN-280
SWC-300 or 350

Looking to spend 900 or less and i want a skimmer that is quiet and very efficient. The vertex i think will be to small and i do not want to spend the money for a BK, Deltec or ATB at the moment. Thanks

 

I would get a Sro xp-5000

 

I do like the price on that unit. IS the bubble blaster pump that good even over the sicce pumps on the xs unit?

 

It really comes down to preference , there are a few threads on other forums on that topic.
I have no complaints with the bubble blaster, it is a very good pump IMO.

 

The skimz 251 is the same as John Warner's mf 251. I have the kone version the mfk 251 which you would want as well. It is a downright Fantastic skimmer. It would be perfect for your build. The small footprint is deceiving, this thing is a BEAST. I am extremely happy with mine, quiet too. Compared to my sro3000int I replaced, it has a smaller footprint despite the larger body and neck, it is quieter and it pulls double the skim mate.

 

grim, love your 210. awesome tank. Pm'ed jon to see if he still has the 251 demo for sale. That looks like a monster skimmer. The pumps it uses also pulls more air than the SRO5000.

 

Thanks for the compliment!

http://www.3reef.com/forums/warner-marine/demo-skimmer-sale-131348-7.html

Looks like he still has a MFK251 for sale on the discount price!! At $640 for a brand new skimmer that retails for $750+ shipping, it's a steal! He'll also through in a big container of Ecoback and some other goodies (I got a bottle of AMINO and a bottle of softy aminos)

 

He'll yeah, the WM skimmer is a beast for sure. Still waiting on a part or two to get my sump up nd running. But, damn if that Warner 161 isn't awesome looking. And it throws out crazy bubbles.

 

Ye i have been talking to jon after doing some more looking around and talking to him i think i am set on the 251. i like the fact that it has a smaller footprint just encase i ever move it to another system with a smaller sump.

Now just waiting for the IRS to deposit my check so i can get this build finished and buy the skimmer and the last tidbits. I hope to setup a thread like yours to show the progress on this amazing system that i have been dreaming about for years. The tank is basically the same as yours dimension wise, 72"x24"x30" but its a clear eurobraced tank with one large center overflow with 3 bulkheads. Then two extra bulkheads to run my closed loop system for my GFO, carbon, and calcium reactors.

I kno this hobby is all about patience but i am losing mine cuz i wana see this tank complete.

Thanks for the help guys

 

Not to burst your bubble, but just so you are aware... skimmers with internal pumps are great for foot print, and sometimes that is what you need. But it is a compromise and is not the best way to go for pure performance. You loose volume.

Also, just me personally, I have never been a big fan of dual pump skimmers. You have to get the skimmer first and break it in. If you do not have an air meter, you will need one. If you have problems with your performance, you have two pumps to trouble shoot. Sure if one goes out you still have half a skimmer, but it is no way tuned to operate well like that. The reason it is done is to bridge a gap. A single pump that will do that range is more expensive... so again it is a compromise.

I had the WM K2, and I have talked to Jon plenty. I certainly trust what he says and the advice I get from him... so this is not a bash at all. If you are OK with the compromises then get the 251... after all all skimmers are a set of compromises. I just thought I would add to it.

The Bubble Blaster pumps are good pumps so I would not worry about that. At least Octo makes a full line of dedicated skimmer pumps across a very wide range, so it is really had to compete against them or count them out. But again, I certainly have no problem buying a WM either. Just my .02