Which skimmer for a new 210G system?

So I am planning my next build. It will be a 150G display with a 60G sump/refuge. I will be running a wide variety of soft and hard corals. As well as clams. I have broken it down to a few choices. Which skimmer do you think will perform the best without haveing to mod the crap out of it. I would also like to stay under 4 bills.

Vertex IN 250 In-Sump Protein Skimmer Generation 2- $320

Tunze DOC 9010 Protein Skimmer- $367

Bullet 2 Protein Skimmer by Precision Marine- $399

AquaC EV-240 Protein Skimmer- $399

AquaC EV-180 Protein Skimmer- $340

 

So I am planning my next build. It will be a 150G display with a 60G sump/refuge. I will be running a wide variety of soft and hard corals. As well as clams. I have broken it down to a few choices. Which skimmer do you think will perform the best without haveing to mod the crap out of it. I would also like to stay under 4 bills.

Vertex IN 250 In-Sump Protein Skimmer Generation 2- $320

Tunze DOC 9010 Protein Skimmer- $367

Bullet 2 Protein Skimmer by Precision Marine- $399

AquaC EV-240 Protein Skimmer- $399

AquaC EV-180 Protein Skimmer- $340

 

for a 150 you could easily get away with a bullet 1, as long as you aren't planning on stocking it to the gills with fish. if reasonably stocked it will work better than fine. you also need to get the "optional" waste collector, so figure that into the price.

 

Aqua C ev240 FTW. I love the aqua c stuff and have seen the ev 240 in operation. Great Great skimmers.

 

I've heard good things about the Aqua C skimmers. I have a marineland Marine pro 300 and it works good for me it does need time to mature and the sump has to be kept a certain level for optimum working condition. No drilling necessary is what I liked. The skimmer I originally had leaked all over the stand and floor. It was like Yikes! To each his own I guess.

 

Personally, I like needle wheel skimmers. I don't have a problem with their ability to skim, but with the power needed to do that. The EVs and Bullets need large pumps to work effectively. That equates to heat and cost. They can also be finicky to keep tuned and running well. Needle wheels use much less power to do the same job. I had a EV-120, and have been very happy with my NW skimmers. Vertex is a good line, but there are many others too. For the list you gave, I would go with the Vertex in a heart beat.

 

Whats with the extra waste collector. Is it just like a additional collection cup? whats its purpose other than making it so I don't need to empty the collection cup every day? I tried reeding up but couldnt find much.

 

so far NW really havent impressed me. I have a Octopus NW110 and it hasnt been doing very well for me

 

Why is that? I had good results with mine. Set and forget. My EV needed attention to keep it right. But to be fair, it was in a sump with a water level that varied.

 

oh my nw200 rocks. Flat out rocks. I love it. From his list though, I pick the EV