Skimmer for $100?

apayne · #1 10/10/2006, 04:24 PM

What type of skimmer whould you recomend I buy for around $100? It will be used in a 75g tank. Any info would be great.

Thanks

McCrary · #2 10/10/2006, 04:26 PM

You could look on the used forum and try to find a Corallife super skimmer 225 for a $100.

prance1520 · #3 10/10/2006, 04:26 PM

The corallife superskimmer things are probably the best your going to get for around $100. You might be pushing it on a 75, but if thats your budged thats your best bet.

Mariner · #4 10/10/2006, 04:31 PM

There are lots of options & opinions, but the main advice you'll probably hear is "don't skimp on your skimmer". You're not likely to get a skimmer that really does a super effective job for $100. That said, you may find something that's "OK" for that price.
You don't say if you're looking for a hang on back or in-sump model.
IMO, for an HOB, look for a used Remora Pro in the selling forums here on RC.
The Coralife Superskimmers have gotten decent reviews, and I think you can get a new one for about $100.
HTH,
Mariner

apayne · #5 10/11/2006, 10:37 AM

Thanks for the info. What skimmer would you recomend for say.. up to $200.00.
Thanks.

prance1520 · #6 10/11/2006, 10:45 AM

If you have a sump, you can get the smaller Euroreef, Octopus Recirc NW, and ASM skimmers for around $220-230. These are a big jump up from the $100 skimmers. If you need a hang on, Remora is still the way to go.

seattlerob · #7 10/11/2006, 10:53 AM

FWIW, I have been very happy with my CSS65 that I am running on my 90g. I will probably end up moving the CSS65 to my 45g tank & getting something a tad bigger for my 90g, but the CSS65 does a great job of pulling skimmate out. It can be found for less than $100 online.

hth,
rob

bskiba · #8 10/11/2006, 02:34 PM

$125 but will kill a super skimmer.
http://www.aquariumextreme.com/mm5/m...tegory_Code=PS

best for that price by far.

prance1520 · #9 10/11/2006, 02:36 PM

Good Find! I haven't seen that unit before, but thats a great deal.

apayne · #10 10/11/2006, 03:34 PM

quote
$125 but will kill a super skimmer.
http://www.aquariumextreme.com/mm5/...ategory_Code=PS

best for that price by far.
end quote

Thanks that looks like a good one. Do you have one of these in your tank?

bskiba · #11 10/11/2006, 04:07 PM

I have the biggest recirc on my 75. before I had a euroreef es 5-2 and I have had an asm g1x, I feel these are just slightly below er in performance but the body size give a ton of contact time with the 6 inch tube. same size as an asm g-3.

drauka99 · #12 10/11/2006, 04:17 PM

I have a CSS125 on my 55gallon tank, couldn't beat the price @50 bucks used plus it seems to be doing a pretty good job.

Hammercoral · #13 10/12/2006, 08:30 PM

You are a high school shop teacher, look in the DIY area. You can build a nice pvc skimmer for cheap , get a decent pump and be well under the $200 mark. I would build a 30-36 inch venturi or if space is tight a shorter needlewheel.

apayne · #14 10/13/2006, 11:14 AM

Hammercoral,
I was thinking of doing just that, trying to figure out a design that works well and i am going to try an copy it. I have worked w/ acrylic and PVC in the past. I think I might use acrylic so I can see whats going on inside the skimmer. this might be a DIY question, does any one have a good design, and what is better a Venturi or a needlewheel design?

Thanks for the info,
APayne

prance1520 · #15 10/13/2006, 11:19 AM

I think the NW are the most reliable and easy to configure at the moment. If you have the skills, just take the dimensions of a ER model that you like, slap a NW on it, and let it go. You can probably get an $800 skimmer for $200-250.

prance1520 · #16 10/13/2006, 11:21 AM

PS. I know premium sells some NW pumps, but I don't think they come with the venturi inlet part. That might be a good place to start looking at pumps. Gen-x are popular, so I've heard.

McCrary · #17 10/13/2006, 12:13 PM

Theres a thread in the DIY forum about modifying a pump to be a NW. It seems pretty effective, check it out.