I need a good skimmer for a 400g

[Gools]

Hi guys. I need some help. I need a good skimmer, for about 400g. I was looking at the aqua medic shorty 5000, the euro reef and the euro reef knock off. I'm leading towards the shorty 5000, but want to know if anyone has tried one. The euro reef to get one that skims 400 are a little high priced for me that's why I would like to try the knock off brand. If anyone has any other suggestions of good skimmers, past them along. Thanks. Gools:rollface:

[ericgreathouse]

The Deltec Skimmers are much much better than any of those. They're German and just recently started selling in the U.S. Try www.aquatic-reflections.com for pricing.

[Gools]

I just found out the price on those deltic skimmers. Don't get me wrong I have a little money to spend, and they sure are nice. But they are more than my house is worth. Thanks though, I found myself a new website.

[Gools]

So does anyone out there have a shorty 5000, or knows someone who has one?

[wedfr]

i checked out those deltecs just now, i knew they were gonan be alot the website didnt even show unless i just didnt look hard enough but does anyone else think they are the exact same as euroreefs?

Gool i just sent you a PM

[scorcho]

could you let me know where to see the Euroreef "knock offs" (besides the Deltec)

[Puffer Daddy]

You can see the ASM's here... www.championlighting.com

The southbays are at www.exoticfish.com
I dont think these are on the page...you have to contact jeff for pricing and more info..hope this helps.

[dreamer]

1 word ...

Lifereef

[ericgreathouse]

The Deltecs aren't knockoffs. The skimmate from a Deltec is unlike anything I've ever seen. They're built better also.

[wedfr]

not saying they are knockoffs, its probably the other way around as if i remmber correctly euroreef got there design from somebody in germany.

All im saying is deltec,euroreef, ASM etc. Whocares who the knockoff is, if they all have the same design the same pump etc you are gonan get the same results wheter the thing is made out of cast acrylic, extruded, pvc, or whatever. If yrou not happy with teh build quality of ASM thats one thing but i dont really think you need to pay extra money for somethign better then euroreef quality thats just overkill. This is a piece of aquarium equipment that pulls out fish poop ya know.

[ericgreathouse]

Good point.

[moonpod]

I don't think ASM makes a skimmer that'll do a 400. Could be wrong. Southbay/Jeff's will make a knockoff 12 series which would do the trick. Other nice units are beckett injected (aerofoamer, MRC, barraquatics, and large AquaCs as well.

And Wedfr, the ER design is copied from Deltec, Ratz, Schuran etc...among other european makes. It's a "common" design concept in europe though honestly all these skimmers are standard venturi units with a needlewheel added. If you believe in the magic of the needlewheel then BAM! you're sold.

[dreamer]

Lifereef Skimmer info (http://www.lifereef.com/venturi.html#About)

[NRA4EVR]

Http://www.reefconcepts.com

[Gools]

Well I got impatent and just decided to order the shorty 5000. I sure hope I get a good skimmer. I tried looking uo info on it but couldn't find much, just the short description. Not much info out there on these skimmers. Thanks everybody for all you suggestions.

[mx_tang]

Gools,

Where did you get the shorty 5000? I think that Custom Aquatic had the Twin 5000 for around $750. I would have gotten that if it wasn't 78" tall.

[Gools]

I ordered mine from champion lighting. They where the cheapest on the net. And they are great people to talk to if you need any help.

[mx_tang]

Let us know how you like it when it arrives.

[Nagel]

Originally posted by Gools
Well I got impatent and just decided to order the shorty 5000. I sure hope I get a good skimmer.

Ok, I found this a bit late, but you made a GREAT choice.. I have the T-5000 single (6' version with one pump) and it ROCKS.... Currently its skimming just a 75, 55, 2 x 30's, 29g fuge and a 75g sump. I have a 275 that will be on that system within a few weeks (thats why I have such a big skimmer). Simple setup, simple maintenance and it just ROCKS.... I did a review of it here:

Review of the T5000 Single (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=226696)

Keep us posted on how you like the shorty....

[augustHou]

Aqua Medic always overrate their skimmer's capacity on the processing volumn. That's why their skimmers seem cheaper. If you compare on the same processing power, Aqua Medic is only 30%-40% of what they claim they can process using EuroReef standards. IMO (if you compare the pumps and the vulumns of the skimmers)

[Nagel]

Ok, here's an update on my T5000 single (rated at 750-1000 gallons).

Currently skimming for: 300g, 2 x 75g (SPS and 'Fuge), 55g anemone, 2 x 30 and 4 x 40g breeders for frags and odds and ends and a 1/2 filled 150g rubbermaid sump or about 800 gallons total. Between all the tanks, 50-60 fish. The skimmer pulls out 1- 1 1/2 gallons of dark, stinky skimmate every week. I feed it with an Iwaki 40 (750gph) and never have to tweak a thing...

I'm plenty pleased with its performance thus far....

[ATB USA]

take a look at geosreef.com I'm trying to get an clone of a cs 8-4. from him