skimmer - down to 2 choices, help me pick one.

viodea · #1 12/27/2007, 01:40 AM

I'm very close to get my skimmer. I have a 120 gal tank with 40 gal sump. My goal is corals with a few fishes. I'm not sure exactly what I want to keep but most likely I'll have softies, lps, and sps.
I don't want to under or OVER skim. All I need is a adequate skimmer with quiet operation and easy adjustment (setup). The compartment for the skimmer is 9"x16"x29"(H)

I thought I had more choice than this until I check the footprints. Seems like the only choice is Octopus 150 Recir. I hope it's going to be enough for me. I'm worry Euro-Reef RS100 is not big enough.

My finalists are:
1. Euro-Reef RS100 - $288 (RS130 doesn't fit 10"x11.5")
2. Octopus DNW-150 Recir - $302

Please let me know if there is another good skimmer under $300 with small enough footprint to fit in my sump.

thanks in advance.

JCTewks · #2 12/27/2007, 01:46 AM

No reviews on them yet, But IMO the Xtreme 160 for $275 (presale price)( www.marinesolutionsinc.com ) should be on that list. If you can wait a little while before pulling the trigger, the Xtremes should be shipping soon and the reviews will start rolling in

viodea · #3 12/27/2007, 01:55 AM

I checked that too but I worry a little bit about new product. Also, they didn't have any footprint size either. I'm not sure if it's going to fit or not.

IPT · #4 12/27/2007, 01:57 AM

I like My ER RS100. Quiet and skims very well.

JCTewks · #5 12/27/2007, 01:59 AM

the 160 will fit...the pump is mounted underneath the skimmer body. I believe the footprint is 7"x7".

viodea · #6 12/27/2007, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by IPT
I like My ER RS100. Quiet and skims very well.

what tank size is yours? I have a 120 tank and 40 sump. Is it good enough?

I really want to get the RS135 but too big for me.

jimi thing · #7 12/27/2007, 02:05 AM

Tunze skimmers are pretty small yet powerful. Just an idea.

viodea · #8 12/27/2007, 02:24 AM

too bad 9005 is not big enough and 9010 is over my budget

dbmtrman · #9 12/27/2007, 02:44 AM

do you have room to set the skimmer up externally? I just got an Octopus dnw200 and love it.

wayne in norway · #10 12/27/2007, 07:46 AM

How much is a Schuran Jetskim 100. I have one, small footprint, idiot proof, skims nicely.

Runfrumu · #11 12/27/2007, 10:45 AM

9010 is about 325 at finsreef. That's not too high over the budget. It is tiny but skims great.

viodea · #12 12/27/2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dbmtrman
do you have room to set the skimmer up externally? I just got an Octopus dnw200 and love it.

space inside is pretty tight already. I don't think a external is an option.

viodea · #13 12/27/2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wayne in norway
How much is a Schuran Jetskim 100. I have one, small footprint, idiot proof, skims nicely.

I never heard of that brand. Where can I get it?

shelburn61 · #14 12/27/2007, 12:11 PM

GO EXTREME!!!!!

viodea · #15 12/27/2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Runfrumu
9010 is about 325 at finsreef. That's not too high over the budget. It is tiny but skims great.

The price there is pretty good. I may consider that. Does it work well? Is it quiet? How much maintenance do I need to do?

viodea · #16 12/27/2007, 12:18 PM

Looks like my choices are still 2 but they are

Octopus DNW-150 Recir - $302,
Tunze DOC 9010 - $325.

Have anyone seen both in operation? I assume either one will be good enough for my system. Which one is quieter? I'm setting up my tank in my living room, quiet operation is a high priority.

thanks

viodea · #17 12/27/2007, 12:25 PM

One more question, the DOC 9010 is rated for 364 gal. Am I over skimming if I use this model? If I increase the flow rate on my overflow (600 GHP each overflow, skimmer and refuge has their own feed), does it make it less efficient on the skimming part and reduce the risk of over skimming?

vroyzman · #18 12/27/2007, 01:03 PM

Tunze is a good skimmer but can be finicky at times you will need to set the water level just right, at least with the old style Tunze's otherwise if set-up correctly they are a great skimmer. Tunze are pretty silent. The Octopus is reliable and I have heard good things, I am currently looking at trying one out, the extreme I have heard good things they are essentially a knock-off of the bubble king and should run quiet since the Ricce pumps are not to load. The rating systems tend to be on the high end for most if not all skimmers so you should be fine. If you are keeping softies and LPS nutrients aren't as much a problem, on my Softy tank I don't even run a skimmer most of the time and it is heavily stocked I have live sponge filtration and algea scrubber. The SPS tank I use the Reeflo and am going to supplement with an Octopus 400 which should be here shortly.

viodea · #19 12/27/2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shelburn61
GO EXTREME!!!!!

I thought about it but it's not even out yet. And I have no idea what the footprint is for this.
Maybe I can run my tank without a sump and skimmer to clue live rock until the extreme model is available. I really want to wait until a review out before I make my purchase though.

kdblove_99 · #20 12/27/2007, 02:41 PM

I would definetly look at the DAS EX 1 it is in that same price range $285.

Out of those 2 i would take the recirc

miketrevino · #21 12/27/2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by IPT
I like My ER RS100. Quiet and skims very well.

same here. even without mods, this skimmer rules.

miketrevino · #22 12/27/2007, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by viodea
what tank size is yours? I have a 120 tank and 40 sump. Is it good enough?

I really want to get the RS135 but too big for me.

its rated for an average bioload of 100g, or a heavy load of 80g.

i think it would be okay to use on a 120 if you left it on all the time. i also think its better to underskim your water than overskim.

viodea · #23 12/27/2007, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by miketrevino
its rated for an average bioload of 100g, or a heavy load of 80g.

i think it would be okay to use on a 120 if you left it on all the time. i also think its better to underskim your water than overskim.

Looks like you have a 120 display & 40 sump. Are you using the RS-100 on that one?
My long term plan is mostly corals with 5 or so fishes. Is it low or high load?

thanks

db_triggerfish · #24 12/27/2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by viodea
Looks like my choices are still 2 but they are

Octopus DNW-150 Recir - $302,
Tunze DOC 9010 - $325.

Have anyone seen both in operation? I assume either one will be good enough for my system. Which one is quieter? I'm setting up my tank in my living room, quiet operation is a high priority.

thanks

From those two i would go with Tunze, I considered the DNW-150 Recir But, since i like a very quiet system also in the living room and I have read somewhere about noise issue from them. I would make a thread just to find out, before buying. Most post about Tunze very quiet, but they like a certain water level which if you don't have ATO it is a pain. Good Luck and if you can don't hurry wait for results and data on the Extreme they may turn out to be really good buy with that new pump. I have the DAS EX-1(for only 2 weeks) very quiet so far i love it, but large footprint.

USC-fan · #25 12/27/2007, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by viodea
Looks like my choices are still 2 but they are

Octopus DNW-150 Recir - $302,
Tunze DOC 9010 - $325.

Have anyone seen both in operation? I assume either one will be good enough for my system. Which one is quieter? I'm setting up my tank in my living room, quiet operation is a high priority.

thanks

I would go the recir skimmer. A lot less headaches.