Which skimmer should I get?

If I can pull half a liter of dark skimmate out per week with my $250 skimmer, I don't see the need for a "better skimmer" than this... While I certainly wouldn't want anything smaller or that performed less, I can't see the justification for anything better...

Here is the skimmate from my Reef Octopus DNW-150 in less than a week's time:

 

So then you have no idea how much a better skimmer could pull right... just sayin.

Performance is tough. Based solely on performance, there is no way a Bubble King will perfom 3 times better than one that is a third of the money. However.... the best companies strive for perfomance gains and spend a lot of time tweaking and refining design... just so some copy cat knock off company can build them in China and claim something special. I don't have a problem sending money to those companies that actually put in the sweat and hard work.

But money does not buy performance alone. What it buys you is better quality materials, better quality workmanship, and better quality pumps. All of which "I" feel is worth it.

Next you have ease of use. Better quality skimmers have better features not found on cheaper units. The Bubble King Minis are a great example. They CNC a block of PVC to form the transition to the neck. The cup is then machined to sit on top of the body. It is so heavy it seals itself. No friction joint, not lock or turn. Just lift the cup off. Then the neck is o-ringed into the floor of the cup and is completely removable to clean. It is a flippin work of art. Is it worth the money... that is an individual decision.

Last of all... you have customer service. Some people don't care or never have a problem... other high end companies pretty much bend over backwards to fix anything you are not happy with. Even the small guy garage company will do the same. Something some big importer/reseller of some Chineese knock off does not always offer.

That all adds up to the bottom line. Some perfer these things and are willing to pay for it. Some do not. Choice is awesome.

 

While I'm very happy with the quality and construction of my DNW-150, it is the best skimmer I've ever used, so it's difficult for me to compare the performance with "better" skimmers... Though I have used much worse.

I guess my original sentiment is this: Do I really need a better performing skimmer? No, definitely not. I have tested Zero Nitrates in my tank for months and feed A LOT. As a means of nutrient export, my skimmer works very well for me along with the other methods of nutrient export I employ... It also does a great job of aerating the excess CO2 out of my tank from calcium reactor use, AFAIK, as I have no ph problems.

I do believe that not long ago, VERY large and VERY efficient skimmers were needed on the best aquariums... I no longer believe this is the case. It's not that it's bad to have a giant expensive skimmer, but I strongly believe that it's not as needed now as it once was.

 

You are not unreasonable, and that is where personal choice comes in. Personally, I think bubble machines have pretty much peaked in performance... I don't see any huge breakthoughs coming in foam fractioning.

You have mentioned size a couple of times though and over sized and quality have nothing to do withy each other. While people in the past may have used huge honking skimmers.... that does not mean that they could actually do what they were rated for. ASM G series is a good example. They were (still are) rated for ridiculous volumes and many people thought putting a skimmer rated for 400 gallons on their 90g was great when in reality the skimmer was only truly capable of doing a 100g.

Also people tend to oversize because there is not much penalty for doing so. If you have a bad skimmer rated for 200 gallons and you put it on your 90g then you are still covered some for it's bad performance.

Most quality skimmers are rated pretty good to what they will do and you can be sure that is what they will do. So while quality skimmers may be expensive.... getting the smaller one that is properly rated to your tank over some huge piece of junk is actually a more cost effective way to go.

 

I agree with you, however, I also think that expensive, pretty skimmers with bold colors are marketed very well to folks willing to part with large amounts of money. I believe there is a point of diminishing return with skimmers, and I truly believe there is a lot of hype around these kinds skimmers... and when there is hype and lots of money being spent, you'll often find people attempting to justify these kinds of purchases to themselves and others.

 

You would have to give me specifics on what you think is hype and pretty colors. This subject is no different than any other hobby with any other equipment.

You do not need a Rolex to tell what time it is.... but don't even tell me a Timex is equal to a Rolex. You don't need a Porsche to get groceries... but don't think of telling me a Civic is it's equal cause it can go down the road at posted speed limits. A Bubble Magus/Octo will never be equal to a ATB or Bubble King just cause it makes bubbles.

There are plenty of folks that dream of having a Porsche and would if they had the means. Then there are the vast majority of us that actually drive Civics cause we have other priorities and practicalities. YMMV

 

you DO NOT empty that down your kitchen sink i hope. LOL coffee anyone? ;D

 

Sure do! Why wouldn't I?

 

yuk! that goes down the toilet...lol its poo and smells soooo bad.

 

The Vertex 180 would probably fit the bill at around 300$ though apparently it has a mediocre pump. Likewise the Octopus Super Reef 2000 internal(350ish$) or 3000 internal(400ish$) would probably work well too. If you want to go the cone route there is the SWC Xtreme 180 Cone(380$) or the BM180A(330$) as some options. As far as I know any of these would handle your tank size and bioload well, from what I've read protein skimmers are only effective at removing a maximum of 35% TOC so dropping 1000$ on a skimmer isn't really effective=> Feature Article: Further Studies on Protein Skimmer Performance — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine .