What Skimmer do you use? 120 gallonish tanks

[RobNJ]

I am in the progress of my next tank build and am looking at a few different protein skimmers. I was curious for all those out there with tanks in the rank of 120g what skimmer are you using? I will have a 29g Sump under the stand.

All comments are welcome as I am trying to choose a good skimmer for my system.

I think I would prefer external to the sump vs. in sump. comments and opinions on that aspect would be appreciated as well.

Thanks
Rob

[rreddick]

I run both an AquaC EV series and a Percision Marine Bullet 2. Both work very well, easy to adjust and pull out some nasty gunk. best of all they will not break the bank

Ron

[RobNJ]

Can they run outside the Sump? What model AquaC

[fishdoc11]

I use an MR3 on my 120 and like it very much.

[rreddick]

The AquaC EV400 is what I have on the 180G, external to the sump but the drian need to have a horizontal run back to the sump, no back pressure. The make a smaller unit which would be fine for the 120

Ron

[dkh0331]

H&S A150-F2001 skimmer on a 110 gal tank with about 50 gal in the sump. It can be run either in or out of sump. I run mine in sump with a direct feed from my drain line. It replaced an ER 6-2+.

Here is a link to the H&S skimmer club thread. http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=561761&highlight=H%26S

HTH

David

[RobNJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8887390#post8887390 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rreddick
The AquaC EV400 is what I have on the 180G, external to the sump but the drian need to have a horizontal run back to the sump, no back pressure. The make a smaller unit which would be fine for the 120

Ron


So the unit would need to be higher then the sump so the water would drain back to the sump?

[RobNJ]

How do the Coralife Needle Wheel Super Skimmers run? They have one for up to 220g for about $170....

Any thoughts?

[neotekz]

some people had good results with the coralifes but other including me didn;t have much luck with it. it skimmed great when it worked but most of the time it didn;t do much. i find you need to constantly adjust it. they are also prone to overflowing when the air inlet clogs up.

you can get a used euroreef here on teh selling forums for not too much more for a proven skimmer.

[McCrary]

I run an H&S 200-1260 on my 110, it is in my 30 gallon sump. The H&S A200-1260 would be the external model.

[RobNJ]

I thought the needle wheel didn't use air injection?

[newsalt]

Built my own Beckett.

[jer77]

I've experienced that the CSS's work much better outside the sump than in. There is the problem of overflowing, and it must be turned off to change the skimmate. I have the small 65g CSS with the needlewheel impeller, and yes they need air injection from somewhere to make the bubbles, and it worked horribly in the sump, but works good hanging on the side. It works better than my aqua-C EV, i mean it pulls out more junk than the aqua-c.

[RobNJ]

How did you stop the overflowing?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8888043#post8888043 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jer77
I've experienced that the CSS's work much better outside the sump than in. There is the problem of overflowing, and it must be turned off to change the skimmate. I have the small 65g CSS with the needlewheel impeller, and yes they need air injection from somewhere to make the bubbles, and it worked horribly in the sump, but works good hanging on the side. It works better than my aqua-C EV, i mean it pulls out more junk than the aqua-c.

[auto_loader]

MRC-2

[oceandrops]

I like LifeReef VS2-24S in-sump, but they also make HOB version.

[mattls]

Just switched from an ASMG3 to a new Euroreff RC180 with the new Eheim pump and needle wheel. It works great so far. ER 's quality is very good. I have a 50G sump and 15 gallon refugium. The G3 I did not think was enough. Hope this helps

[SDguy]

MRC2 with two injectors. Very happy with it.

[ct_vol]

I use an ASM g4+ on my 120g w/ 40g sump... Love the way it performs, but its not heavily stocked with fish...

[nhlives]

So the unit would need to be higher then the sump so the water would drain back to the sump?

I have been looking at the EV180 for a 120. The drain sits 9 inches above the bottom of the skimmer. As long as the sump water level is no higher than 9 inches you are O.K. Or raise the skimmer inside of the sump.

[weap0n_X]

I use a ASM G3 on my 120g w/29g sump. Works really well.

[drstupid]

i'm running an mrc mr-1 externally on my 120, with a genx pcx-40. it's does a great job getting gunk out when it's skimming right, which is about 90% of the time now, but i'm still learning the skimmer. it's probably a good beckett setup to start with, they are tricky to tune and you need to get some experience with them to work them right. i can't imagine managing multiple injectors right now.

you can get this combination for a reasonable package price through mrc, and i think it's a good starter choice to experiment.

as someone already mentioned, all of andy's stuff is really well made, and there's no reason to expect to not get excellent resale value if you eventually decide you love becketts and want to go massive, or that you'd prefer a set-it-and-forget-it skimmer.

[timespinner]

I'm using an external Deltec on my 110g + ~100g sump and I love it. I had a ER before, and I had to constantly tune it in order to keep it skimming properly.

[RobNJ]

So many Skimmers to choose from!!! Thanks for the suggestions. If anyone else has anymore comments regarding skimmers for a 120 please feel free...

Thanks
Rob

[mattls]

First you really should decide whether you want to go with a Beckett style like the MRC or the Needle wheel style like ER,ASM,Deltec,H&S. THis might make your decision a little easier. THe needle wheel skimmers from all these manufacturers I just mentioned are pretty much plug and play not much fine tuning needed. WHere the BEcketts could be a little more tricky to tune and operate especially first getting started with that style.
skimmer.

You have a nice size tank I wouldn;t skimp on the skimmer though. Make sure you get a good quality skimmer 1 time and you won;t regret it even if it means spending a few more dollars than you planned. Therefor I would not use a Coralife skimmer on this size tank but that just my opinion. Get an ER,ASM, Deltec, or an MRC and I am sure you will be very happy. THey all make quality skimmers.

[RobNJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8893053#post8893053 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mattls
First you really should decide whether you want to go with a Beckett style like the MRC or the Needle wheel style like ER,ASM,Deltec,H&S. THis might make your decision a little easier. THe needle wheel skimmers from all these manufacturers I just mentioned are pretty much plug and play not much fine tuning needed. WHere the BEcketts could be a little more tricky to tune and operate especially first getting started with that style.
skimmer.

You have a nice size tank I wouldn;t skimp on the skimmer though. Make sure you get a good quality skimmer 1 time and you won;t regret it even if it means spending a few more dollars than you planned. Therefor I would not use a Coralife skimmer on this size tank but that just my opinion. Get an ER,ASM, Deltec, or an MRC and I am sure you will be very happy. THey all make quality skimmers.

Thanks Mattis, I definitily will not be skimping on my skimmer, I run a aquaC Remora on my 40g reef right now and I love it. I am currently looking at the AquaC EV now for my 120. The make the EV 240 which would support a tank twice my size. I sure know the importance of a good skimmer.

My second choice right now is the ER line of skimmers.

Thanks for all the input.

Rob

[blureef1]

Using a euro reef 6-2