What do you recommend on a 180?

I'm lost! I've looked and looked and can't make up my mind on which skimmer I want on my 180. Can you guys point me in the right direction?

Tank - 6 x 2 x 2
Sump - 36 x 16

I've got 500-600 budgeted on the skimmer. Is this reasonable? Less is better but if I need to bump the budget for quality/performance I can.

Thanks!

 

Go with the Reef Octopus 8 needle wheel. They are within the budget and have great reviews. I have the 4 model and its awesome value in my opinion. It will fit in your sump unless youve got lots of equipment already in there.

 

if you got that much in mind on spending then one up what rae said and get the Super Reef Octopus xp3000, its a monster, rated up to 300 gallons. heres a link to it. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...s/super-reef-xp3000-internal-sro-xp3000i.html

 

That SRO 3000 is what I have been looking at. Just wasn't 100% sure there wasnt another vendor I didn't know about that I should be looking at.

Also looked at the skimz monster series as well. Any word on their products?

There is a 1st gen bubble king mini 200 with a new red dragon pump for sale on my local club board. $500 even for the skimmer. Think it's worth it or keep looking at the newer model cones?

Thanks!

 

i would keep looking in my opinion you can get more skimmer for less.. i know bubble king is one of the best... the red dragon pumps are awesome ...

however i understand that the base of the red dragon pump is laguna... or hagen if you will..

that is also the base for the bubble blaster pumps... and they are awesome...

i love my beast got it for next to nothing but its a hurricone cat3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngu3D4iSWs0
and love it... its a little loud but my stand is insulated and i dont even hear it......

ive had quite a few skimmers from euroreef, reef octopus, aqua medic, and others i cant even name....

what kind of tank is this going to be softies,,, sps,,,, fish only ...

 

System will be mostly SPS with a few LPS and softies tossed in for the wife. Angels, butterflies and wrasses for fish. I have a history of overstocking ;D

 

Urban legend!

The bubble blaster pumps used on Octopus skimmers are not based on the Laguna pump. It is hard for a discount skimmer company to use an expensive pump like the Laguna since it is so expensive and drives up the costs associated with production. This increase in production costs is undoubetly passed on to the distributor, then the retailers and then to the customer. I have discussed using Laguna pumps to many manufactuers and time and time again, they come back with the same reasoning. To me it is a shame that many people feel as you do and think they are getting a Laguna pump, when in fact they are not.