What skimmer should I get???

[RyanM]

I know this question is hard to answer as it is totally based on personal opinion but that is what I need, everyones opinion.

I have been on track for getting the asm g3. My tank is 120 and total volume is around 180. I have read so many reviews on every skimmer on the market that now I am total lost as far as what to get.

Price $300 range. But would go to as high as 450 or so if a euro-reef is the best way to go but I just dont know.


Whats everyones opinion. I need help.

[nwrogers]

Where will your sump be? How tall of a skimmer can you have?

[RyanM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10481703#post10481703 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nwrogers
Where will your sump be? How tall of a skimmer can you have?

My sump is under the tank inside a masive stand I built for it.
37" tall so height isnt a problem. 25" skimmer would have 12" of head room.

Here is a picture of tank and stand..So far i am loving it. Soon as I get my skimmer picked out I will Really love it. In the picture inside the stand is a 20 gallon tank siiting on the top shelf. Below and infront of the 20 is room enought to fit a 55 gallon for the sump. The 20 gallon is going to be a refuge I think.

http://s192.photobucket.com/albums/z8/Ryan13734/?action=view&current=DSCF0002.jpg

[fatrip]

dude go with the euro-reef......that skimmer is just sick, and very well designed for convience with emptying and adjusting the water out put.

[RyanM]

The euroreef RS180 is $600. That is ALOT of money. The ASM G3 is less than half that. $259 with free shipping. Is the euroreef that much better to justify the expence?

[nwrogers]

I have an ASM G3 and it is pretty nice IMO. The euroreef is built out of better materials and seems to be easier to make adjustments too but for the price it is hard not to get the ASM. Your choice. Both will skim :)

[RyanM]

Did you do any mods to your skimmer nate?

[RyanM]

Well after a week of reading and searching, It looks like I may go with the octopus nw200. Ive read as many good things about them as the ASM. Guess Im just going to have to pick one.

[tmz]

I have an asmg4x on a 400gallon system. It does a great job-no problems and it's been running for a year. My friiend runs his lfs systems -one on a euroreef and several on asms-you really can't tell the difference performance wise. Granted the euroreef is made of acrylic and the asm is made of plastic but when it's full of bubbles and skimate you can't tell.

[nwrogers]

Choosing a skimmer is a hard choice IMO. I guess the only recommendation I would make is to get one that is rated for a system twice your size. So if you have a 125 get one rated for a 250. Other than that IMO it really comes down to convenience. How easy it is to dial in, ease of cleaning and setup, etc. If you put the same size/quality pump on the same size acrylic tube it will skim the same no matter what sticker is on the outside. Go big and cheap if you can. The octopus nw200 looks like a very nice skimmer to me :)

[RyanM]

Well thats pretty much what I have desided to do, go big and cheap and I think the nw200 fits that bill.

[St.james of reefdom]

shoot an email to Condor he will build you an Euro-Reef knock off and it will be less inexpensive and skim like crazy...

[RyanM]

Who is Condor and is he local? Got his email address?

[drbronx]

Looks like a nice set up Ryan. I agree with Nate. The Euro is an awesome skimmer but for the price zi would go with ASM or Octopous.

[nwrogers]

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1140389

[RyanM]

Thanks for the link Nate but its to late. I ordered the nw200. Should be here tommorrow. From the sound of it this thing its a monster. 8" in diameter. And yea Jerry the tank size is very nice.
48x24x25 deep. Got it at ricks. If your thinking about going to that tank size stop down and take a look.