The All-Too-Often Asked Question...

[gofor100]

I'm planning a pretty major upgrade in the near future, and have come to the point that I'm researching various pieces of equipment... and the all-too-often question popped into my head "Which skimmer should I get?".

Instead of generally posting this question without any criteria , I'll give you some criteria to go off of:

> Tank size will be approximately 300 gallons, but will be decently stocked (meaning there will be a good amount of fish/waste-makers, and I'm not one to starve my fish if you catch my drift) and maintaining mostly SPS; I would also like to leave open the ability to expand my set-up (i.e., plumb in other tanks- thinking of adding an LPS only tank later on). So the skimmer has to be pretty monstrous.
> This will be an in-sump skimmer that will be used in conjunction with a "back-up" skimmer (my current Vertex Alpha Cone 200) because I travel a little for work, and would hate to come home to a completely skimmerless tank after being gone for a week. Kind of precautionary, not sure why/if this is important (maybe so you know the skimmer will be getting some help from another skimmer), but thought I would share.
> Looking for efficiency. Since I live in Southern California, and get charged up the wazoo by Southern CA Edison for electricity, I would prefer a skimmer that is pretty efficient when it comes to electricity.
> Ability to either 1) Purchase with a head cleaner, or 2) Add a head cleaner later (i.e., swabbie).
> Would prefer that the skimmer doesn't cost more than the tank itself, but all suggestions would be considered since I know if there is one thing to break the bank on, it would be the skimmer.

Thanks in advance for your help, eace:

Chad

 

[wickedfish]

BK 300 super Marin.

I have the 250 on a 225 g and I think it's a good fit, cause I also feed heaaaaavvvvvvvvyyyy! They aren't all that finicky they just take setting up and then it gets the grossest crap
Ever.

Look for them used if you can. Super efficient skimmers and as quiet as a mouse.

Tom at Socal was saying that not many people are buying BK's lately because of the economy buy in that same breath he bought a pallet full of them.
No one comes close on price with cash in hand.

ATB's sound like they are the close tie. Also pricey. I figure if you don't start with a beast skimmer when are you gonna have a nice display?

I would rather buy a skimmer that might overskim that way if it does you can feed how you want or need be. I hate buying a skimmer and being like oh I could go bigger this thing is weak.

The 250 SM is rated much higher than my size tank but that's all speculation and it all depends if you have a fat nasty piggy fish or not or many. My case the angel eats more than all my fish together well the PT is a close second.

 

[gofor100]

BK 300 super Marin.

I have the 250 on a 225 g and I think it's a good fit, cause I also feed heaaaaavvvvvvvvyyyy! They aren't all that finicky they just take setting up and then it gets the grossest crap
Ever.

Look for them used if you can. Super efficient skimmers and as quiet as a mouse.

Tom at Socal was saying that not many people are buying BK's lately because of the economy buy in that same breath he bought a pallet full of them.
No one comes close on price with cash in hand.

ATB's sound like they are the close tie. Also pricey. I figure if you don't start with a beast skimmer when are you gonna have a nice display?

I would rather buy a skimmer that might overskim that way if it does you can feed how you want or need be. I hate buying a skimmer and being like oh I could go bigger this thing is weak.

The 250 SM is rated much higher than my size tank but that's all speculation and it all depends if you have a fat nasty piggy fish or not or many. My case the angel eats more than all my fish together well the PT is a close second.

Thanks wickedfish... it does seem that Bubble King/Vertex and ATB are the two "premium" skimmer brands people are suggesting. With SWC coming in as an economical skimmer brand.

Are there any other brands out there that I should consider, or are these the three that most would consider? Also, does anyone have any experience with any quality/efficiency loss between ATB/Bubble King and SWC? I'm just trying to figure out if the ATB/Bubble King skimmers are truly worth the extra $$$.

I've been happy with my Vertex Alpha Cone 200, but got it used, so paid like 1/2 the price... just trying to get a feel on what people have experienced with these skimmers.

Thanks guys! Keep the comments/suggestions coming!

-Chad

 

[gumbii]

reef octopus...???

http://www.saltysupply.com/Super-Reef-Octopus-XP-5000-External-p/oc8117.htm

 

[wickedfish]

I had And still own Lawrences SWC 300 with two sicce pumps. I had it on with 17 fish an now with 7 fish and a BK 250 I get twice as smelly skimmate and about 20-30% more and darker.

 

[Ghost]

BK 300 super Marin.

I have the 250 on a 225 g and I think it's a good fit, cause I also feed heaaaaavvvvvvvvyyyy! They aren't all that finicky they just take setting up and then it gets the grossest crap
Ever.

Look for them used if you can. Super efficient skimmers and as quiet as a mouse.

Tom at Socal was saying that not many people are buying BK's lately because of the economy buy in that same breath he bought a pallet full of them.
No one comes close on price with cash in hand.

ATB's sound like they are the close tie. Also pricey. I figure if you don't start with a beast skimmer when are you gonna have a nice display?

I would rather buy a skimmer that might overskim that way if it does you can feed how you want or need be. I hate buying a skimmer and being like oh I could go bigger this thing is weak.

The 250 SM is rated much higher than my size tank but that's all speculation and it all depends if you have a fat nasty piggy fish or not or many. My case the angel eats more than all my fish together well the PT is a close second.

+2 on the BK Skimmer! I have the 200. They also come with a 10 year spare part guarantee. Who else offers that?

 

[Rukis]

BK 300 ALL THE WAY, it's a beast and my next investment!

 

[gofor100]

Wow... looks like I've got an overwhelming concensus here. :grouphug:

Now (unless others have input), it looks like I need to stash some more cash before making the investment.

More input welcome, but it looks like BK 300 might be the choice (since the DT itself will be approx. 300 gallons, but I want to be able to expand into multiple systems plumbed into the same sump/skimmer).

-Chad

 

[lowbudget]

and swc is not electricity friendly. hahahaha

 

[wickedfish]

Your sort of right hahahahaha. 80 something watts on the two psk2500 pumps for the 300 SWC extreme. Not 47 watts like my bk 250sm

 

[wickedfish]

If your still gathering, I might know where you can buy a real nice atb BNIB.

 

[JOSE CASAS]

Bk for whats its worth. I was like you earn first setting up my tank and was tired of having a skimmer but was not satisfied till I got my BK 300 deluxe 4 years ago, I have nothing but good things to say about my skimmer with one exeption and that the price but feel you pay for what you get in this hobby not talking about corrals though lol hth.

 

[lowbudget]

internal or external?