Skimmer question

[Charlie's Angel]

I have an ASM G4 for 375 gallon system with 550 total gallons. A local LFS setup the tank for me and I was a little concerned that the skimmer was too light. Was assured that I would be fine. Tank has been up for 9 weeks and while everything is doing well, I am concerned with the water clarity. Seems like particles are in the water. Do I need a better skimmer and if so any advice on one.

All the water parameters are good.

Thanks

[SlowCobra]

The G4 is WAY too small for a 550 gal system. Every skimmers factory rating is highly exaggerated. The G4 has a manufacturer rating of 350 gals. In reality it will handle probably 200 effectively.

[Charlie's Angel]

Great...any advice on a replacement...also looks like I will have a fairly new skimmer for sale shortly.

[SlowCobra]

Sorry I am on drugs and slow on the uptake right now. :) Give me a few mins to get you some links. Also it may be time to find a more knowledgeable LFS.

[flyyyguy]

You are correct in thinking that skimmer isnt enough. You should make the lfs who set it up for you buy the thing back

You have a budget or dollar figure you can spend???

A G4 wont even handle a 200 all that effectively

[SlowCobra]

I did say probably. Obviously factors are going to come into play such as stocking, feeding, etc. It is just a poor choice for the 375. I mean come on ASM only rates it to 350 which is as I said highly exaggerated and the LFS claims it will work with an extra 200 gals OVER the exaggerated figures. I am with Flyyy make them refund your money. I guess I should also have asked what type of budget do you have to work with?

[Charlie's Angel]

Yes...I feel as if I have been taken advantage of. However, they have done right by me for years and have set up and maintained some of the most beautiful systems in my area. There is a lot of live rock, sand, chaeto, etc. At this point, budget is not a huge issue. Not too say that I want to spend like crazy, but I want to make sure the tank and my livestock are taken care of. I want to stock the tank on the heavy side.

I am still learning a ton on the equipment side of this, so I am not sure what a new skimmer would do to the system. For example, do I need multiple pumps. I also will need to find someone to help install something new, if I go that route.

Let's assume budget isn't a huge issue.

[Charlie's Angel]

bump

[USC-fan]

how much room do you have for a skimmer? Could you fit a 4-6ft skimmer in you set up?

[Charlie's Angel]

Might be able to fit a 4 footer...I will have to check tonight...six footer is not an option.

[Charlie's Angel]

Anybody have any ideas?

[USC-fan]

how much room do you have? budget?

[Charlie's Angel]

I can fit a 4 footer and budget isn't a huge issue...just looking for some ideas.

[Reef Sponger]

In my biased opinion, H&S makes one of the best performing skimmers. For your system, it would be the double-Eheim pump A250 for $1,700.

Of course, there's what most people feel is the best needlewheel skimmer available, Bubbleking 300 EXT $2,100. There's also, Deltec AP902, $1,900. Do you have sticker shock yet. These are what many consider some of the best needlewheel skimmers available for the 400g-500g range. I don't think Euro-reef makes a double-Eheim model, so their ER RC500 is $2,200.

But for better price per performance value, the new Orca Reefflo $1,200 looks good or the new ATi BM250 $800 if you don't mind an in sump only skimmer. All the others can be installed in sump or out of sump.

[Charlie's Angel]

I have done a little looking at the H&S. I will look at the others No sticker shock at all. I know the really good ones cost a bunch. It will need to be installed in sump. Where can I purchase or find good info on the H&S. Actually looks like Fins Reef is a good place.

Thanks

[Reef Sponger]

Fins Reef is the exclusive importer for H&S equipment. They can answer any questions that you have on them. There's also a handful of dealers that are skimmer savvy on H&S and other brands as well.

The non sticker shock is the ATi BM250, although expensive, no where near what similar models cost.

[Charlie's Angel]

Thanks...I am going to give them a call next week. What do you think or have you heard about the Bubbleking? Seems impressive. Do you have any personal experience with one.

[CruzinKim]

Most members believe that Bubbleking is the best needlewheel skimmer made and worth every dollar. I noticed that even members who do not own a BK feel exactly the same way, so you will get very little negative comments against this skimmer line. But then, the pricing is in a league of their own.

A close 2nd in terms of built and performance seems to be H&S, because of the quality construction and reasonable replacement costs.

I'm going for the budget model myself, ATi Bubblemaster and picking mine up this weekend from what seems to be one of the most popular skimmer vendor posted on RC in the Vendor Experience forum. Little skeptical on popularity as I have had my bad experiences with LFS owners and workers who give bad advice and I've gotten burnt.

[GSMguy]

ONE choice in my book and that is Reeflo NW 250 or 200

bubble king 300/400 performance at less than half the money.

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10964358#post10964358 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CruzinKim
Most members believe that Bubbleking is the best needlewheel skimmer made and worth every dollar. I noticed that even members who do not own a BK feel exactly the same way, so you will get very little negative comments against this skimmer line. But then, the pricing is in a league of their own.

A close 2nd in terms of built and performance seems to be H&S, because of the quality construction and reasonable replacement costs.

I'm going for the budget model myself, ATi Bubblemaster and picking mine up this weekend from what seems to be one of the most popular skimmer vendor posted on RC in the Vendor Experience forum. Little skeptical on popularity as I have had my bad experiences with LFS owners and workers who give bad advice and I've gotten burnt.

the ati bubble master and the bubble king are hard to compare but for the money the ati is a nice skimmer.

also bubble king pricing is much better than it used to be but with the reeflo skimmers out now they are IMPOSSIBLE to beat bang for your buck.

[USC-fan]

ReefFlo Skimmer is what i would spend my money on.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SQ-OCT-PK&Category_Code=reefflo

If you want to spend a little more get a big H&S.

I would stay away the BubbleMaster skimmers...

[Charlie's Angel]

Can that Reeflo be used in sump?

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10965499#post10965499 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Charlie's Angel
Can that Reeflo be used in sump?
no

[Charlie's Angel]

I didn't think so...I am leaning toward purchasing the H&S double-Eheim pump A250. Finsreef has it listed for $1,399.00.

[CruzinKim]

I think you're looking at the H&S 250, $1,399. The recirculating A250 is $1,699. Excellent skimmer if you have that kind of dough to blow.

[Reef Sponger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10965537#post10965537 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Charlie's Angel
I didn't think so...I am leaning toward purchasing the H&S double-Eheim pump A250. Finsreef has it listed for $1,399.00. Great choice! This would be my first choice too, but I would buy the A250 instead of the 250. But depends on your sump space and budget, either model would work for you.

[USC-fan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10965503#post10965503 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
no you can run it in a sump....

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10965902#post10965902 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by USC-fan
you can run it in a sump....

i wasnt aware you could submerge the pump,

[USC-fan]

you might be right! i didn't think about that.

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10966073#post10966073 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by USC-fan
you might be right! i didn't think about that.

you could put a stand for it in the sump but its no wimpy skimmer its big

[Lumamae]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10965537#post10965537 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Charlie's Angel
I didn't think so...I am leaning toward purchasing the H&S double-Eheim pump A250. Finsreef has it listed for $1,399.00. :thumbsup: Excellent choice, I agree. Look around as some online e-Tailers offer discounts to RC members.

[Charlie's Angel]

Can the recirculating go in sump?

[Charlie's Angel]

I only have room in the sump...what is main difference between the 250 and A250?

[steve the plumb]

The A250 is an external skimmer and the 250 is in sump.

[Charlie's Angel]

I will be going 250, need internal...would an upgrade to a 300 be overkill?

[steve the plumb]

I like those eiem pumps over the 3 aqua b pumps but I think you could get something cheaper.

[steve the plumb]

something like this but in sump I would ask Shaun to build you one it will probably cost a lot less http://www.protein-skimmer.com/gallerymore.asp?id=446996&page=2&galleryid=3508

[Lumamae]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10966906#post10966906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Charlie's Angel
I will be going 250, need internal...would an upgrade to a 300 be overkill? No, no, no. You don't need a 300. The advantage of A250 over the 250 is control. You have greater control over your skimmer and if you set it up to feed the skimmer directly from your overflow boxes, you get an even better edge on skimming. But for you setup, the 250 will work just awesome.

[Reef Sponger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10966794#post10966794 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Charlie's Angel
Can the recirculating go in sump? Yes, absolutely. All the H&S recirculating skimmers can be installed in sump or outside of the sump, you have a choice. And yes, the 300 for A300 would be overkill, you don't want to waste your money here.

[USC-fan]

Go with the recirculationg version!!! A lot better performance if setup correctly.

[Charlie's Angel]

Thanks everyone...I will stay away from the 300 and try to get the A250.