This is Not a skimmer debate for AquaEuro

sfauth · #1 07/13/2007, 10:36 AM

My intesions here are to neither spark debate nor to "trash" any skimmer brands.

I am in the process of purchasing a new skimmer for my 210gallon Display (approx 300-325 total gallons). IT is a mixed reef loaded with aggressive and larger fish. (pair blue throat triggers, few large angels, tangs, etc..)

In my search I came across AquaEuro skimmers. A brand I know nothing about and can't seem to find much on searches. I understand them to be similar to the Tunze skimmers with knock off pumps.

I wondered if anyone has had DIRECT experience with this skimmer and what their feedback was? If you bought it and loved it, what are the reasons why? If you bought it and have already moved on to a new skimmer, what are the reasons why?

I know there are a lot of mods that have been done to this style skimmer however, I am not mod savy so lets just assume I would be using it out of the box.

Thanks in advance!
Steve

Mr James · #2 07/13/2007, 12:18 PM

Are you concerned that you cannot find any information on them from the internet??

kodyboy · #3 07/13/2007, 12:44 PM

Well....I have an AE classic 400 and the skimmer body is quite well built , but it has a few design errors (Ts on the outputs, small neck) and the pumps BLOW! The pumps came with exposed metal and then there was lots of issues getting new pumps, getting new pumps without exposed metal etc. Basically until they get the pump problem handled I would not touch them. The AEs do skim well, don't get me wrong, and with decent pumps these would have been smoking skimmers.
Right now I would suggest DAS or Orca (protein-skimmer.com) From the size of your system I would go with at least a DAS Ex-2 (preferably EX-3) or an Orca built unit (the $439 recirc would be the smallest unit I would get for that system).

sfauth · #4 07/13/2007, 01:34 PM

Kodyboy - thanks for the info

Mr James - My concern is that I can't seem to find many people who actually use this skimmer. I did find a few things from people who are very happy with them after doing a few mods but even with that the info was limited.

Mr James · #5 07/13/2007, 03:13 PM

I feel for ya. I had the same issues with a chiller. Couldn't find much data on it. Turns out, it worked like a champ.

luke33 · #6 07/13/2007, 03:15 PM

There's a massive thread going around about teh 400, should be on the first 10 pages or so.

lsuberl · #7 07/13/2007, 03:24 PM

I've got a 135 Recric. model and like it quite a bit. I will say, however, that I don't have the years of experience in reef keeping some others on here have, so my opinion may not be worth as much.

I bought mine when they were on sale at ReefNut.com a couple months ago. I paid $150, and have easily gotten what I paid for. Which is to say this skimmer probably should not be compared with the EuroReefs and H&S models.

I like it for what it is. I put it on a 55g system, and it skims it quite well. I have it plumbed externally, so I'm not too concerned about any exposed metal plates within the pump becoming corroded from salt water exposure. It's performed with no problems thus far (the biggest problem I've had is an unreliable MaxiJet feed pump). For my purposes, it's built quite well and I was able to plumb it in to my system with the supplied parts.

I have tried to take advantage of the offer of a free replacement pump from them, and was sent an epoxy sealer stick for some reason...... So customer service may be a problem should you really need to use it.

Just my $0.02 worth.

RichConley · #8 07/13/2007, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kodyboy
Well....I have an AE classic 400 and the skimmer body is quite well built , but it has a few design errors (Ts on the outputs, small neck) and the pumps BLOW! The pumps came with exposed metal and then there was lots of issues getting new pumps, getting new pumps without exposed metal etc. Basically until they get the pump problem handled I would not touch them. The AEs do skim well, don't get me wrong, and with decent pumps these would have been smoking skimmers.
Right now I would suggest DAS or Orca (protein-skimmer.com) From the size of your system I would go with at least a DAS Ex-2 (preferably EX-3) or an Orca built unit (the $439 recirc would be the smallest unit I would get for that system).

Kody, you can buy a classic 400 and buy two Sicce SK2550s, and be at about the same price as the Orca unit, and have a significantly more powerful skimmer.

Just chuck the resuns. The body is worth more than the skimmer costs, IMO.

Noobie99 · #9 07/13/2007, 03:54 PM

IMO, I like the skimmer. I'm pretty new at this but it gets me loads of stinky stuff, so I assume its doing its job. the rusty pumps I could have done without, but they sent me replacements and no more exposed metals. Also, they replaced the pumps without asking for a deposit or requiring that I pay the shipping, they also didn't try to get out of replacing the pumps which a lot of companies would have done. i had to pay a deposit half of what my chiller cost to get a replacement, plus i had to pay the shipping back and shipping for the new chiller. its been a few weeks since I got my chiller and still haven't been refunded that deposit. So it could have been worse when it comes to Custer Service.

sfauth · #10 07/13/2007, 05:21 PM

So what I am hearing is pretty consistant that the body of the skimmer is great but the pumps just dont do the job.

Luke - I looked through the pages and couldnt find the thread. Any chance you have a link?

kodyboy · #11 07/13/2007, 06:16 PM

Rich,
I don't think the classic 400 could take the air of two sicces. And at $500 I could get a better skimmer from Orca. I am not saying the AE classic 400 is bad, it is not, it should be $200-$220 for the body alone however.

aninjaatemyshoe · #12 07/13/2007, 06:51 PM

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=1

luke33 · #13 07/13/2007, 08:29 PM

I think the neck diameter is 3 or 4", and that can't take to much air.

USC-fan · #14 07/14/2007, 01:36 AM

there has been a lot of threads about this skimmer brand here.