ER-RS80 Upgrade...

[taketz]

So, I'm thinking of upgrading this skimmer in the future as I believe my tank could use a more efficient skimmer which is better suited for my SSB and high nutrient removal system I am now running (Click the red house for my thread).

As of right now, I'm running one of the older model ER-RS80 equivalent skimmer and its doing a fairly decent job of maintaining water quality, however as my total water volume is roughly 60 gallons and I plan on having a fairly heavily stocked tank before I'm through with it, I figure I would likely need a little better skimmer before I'm through with this.

Now, for the question; I keep hearing things about the D.A.S. line of skimmers and looking at their design, they seem to be pretty nice, especially considering the price tag. Would a D.A.S. EX-1 model be a significant upgrade from my RS-80 I have now? I know the pump pulls in a little more air than the sedra 3500 does and its recirculating to boot, but will this be a significant difference?

If not, what other skimmers would work well in this situation?

Thanks!

[skwirl]

i think the das would be a decided upgrade. i absolutely love das skimmers. i have a bx2, and i couldnt complain if i wanted to. i have had a few er skimmers, and liked 1 of them alot, but das is das.

[EuroReef Tec1]

taketz: PM sent

[joeycadre]

i just upgraded from a er cs80 to an er rc80. this skimmer is freakin sweet. way more skimmate produced. and with the gatevalve it's even more quiet than the cs was.

[Reef Sponger]

IMHO, the RS80 or equivalent is too small for your project. I've never used the DAS skimmer, so can't say they are an upgrade or not. If it was me, I would have used a RS135 instead of the RS80.

[taketz]

Yeah reefsponger, I've come to that conclusion myself which is why I was looking to upgrade. The DAS EX-1 is basically the equivalent of an H&S A110 and a Deltec AP600. I just was wondering if anyone here had enough experience with DAS and other skimmer brands as to recommend how it stacks up.

[localdeltarider]

If i were you i would also look at the orca recirc skimmer. It uses the same pump as the das and is hand made in california so you will probably have better support if you live in the united states.
Or you could have orca build you a custom one.
http://www.protein-skimmer.com/shopping.asp?id=446996&itemid=6663&ct=1&shopperid=44121&merchantid=446996&shop=itemdetail.asp

[taketz]

The skimmer you linked is a DAS EX-1, but I might end up looking into getting an ORCA custom built for me.

[taketz]

Bump, just wondering what people think of this skimmer.

Thanks!

[BryanJ]

ATI is the skimmer I would choose if I were in the market.

[skwirl]

like i said.. i have a das bx2, and absolutely love it, and the ex skimmers are better performers then the bx models.