Skimmer recommendations for 215?

[Bill S]

OK, we're still in process here. Felipe's going to drill the holes in the next couple of days, Dan's building the calfo, sump and fuge. Next on the list:

What would YOU buy in the way of a skimmer, if you had this tank (or if you have one like it!), and why. As this project is getting out of hand $$$, money is an issue - but I really only want to buy ONE skimmer in the next few years. Dan recommended a Turbofloater Shorty, but $550 +/- IS a bit steep!

It will need to be a stand alone - as at this point, Dan's not designing a spot in the sump for it. Also, space is a premium - 36" tall is about max height.

Thanks in advance!

[scuba_steveo]

Another vote for the turbo floater

[Richard]

I use an AquaC EV240 on my 215 and am very happy with it.

[don-n-sa]

With your budget it will be hard to find a skimmer that will be suffecient for your 215. Especially since you want to get it right the first time.

First decide on which type of skimmer you want ie...needlewheel , venturi , beckett, downdraft etc.

I recommend the needlewheels with recirculating pumps...they use less power and are truly "set and forget" type skimmers. Try monitoring reefcentral for a used skimmer or contact matt her on maast...I believe he is going to make a recirulating skimmer soon.

[matt]

My recirculating skimmer is about 1/2 finished; I'm still waiting on some hard to find PVC fittings from e-pipe connection. For a 215, I'm not sure the recirc design like euroreef offers that much of an advantage unless you're limited by stand height. You'd need a recirculating skimmer with at least 2 sedra 5000s or similar, that's 100 watts. A sizable beckett skimmer running on an iwaki 40rlt or 55rlt would probably pull more skimmate, and I don't think the pump draws that much more current. For small tanks, say 100 gallons or smaller, the recirc skimmers really save on power consumption. We'll see how mine turns out. If you only have 36" of height available and you want strong skimming for a heavily stocked 215, maybe the recirc is a good idea; 8" tube, a couple of sedras; might work great.

[Bill S]

Don - I'm not saying that it's out of reach - I'm just saying I really don't want to spend THAT much! Do any of us?

Richard - uh... The AquaC is about the same price? Why did you choose it over the Turbofloater? Just curious.

Thanks!

[gjuarez]

A beckett like a precision marine or my reef creations would also be good.

[don-n-sa]

here is a great deal on RC!!!!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=782731

[brewercm]

I love the skimmer I have from this place and the G4 or G4x would probably work out fine for your needs and they are both around $350. They run on the same concept as the turbofloaters or euroreefs do which is also a great skimmer but they don't seem to have many different options on theirs for sizes.
Also check with Richard at CB pets and see if they've heard anything more on the Coralvue (I think) brand that is just coming out. I thought they had a large version for even less, I just don't know anything about the pump and it's performance. I know the pump on both the ASM and Euroreefs is the Sedra which uses very little power compared to a pump for a beckett style/down draft skimmer. The pump for the Turbofloater is the Oceanrunner which is another which is well known performance wise.

http://www.asmskimmer.com/

[brewercm]

Oops, just noticed that this needs to be a stand alone, You'd need to get the recirculating modification and I think you can then run it next to the sump and have it flow back into the sump. You'd need to check with the company to find out if this would work outside a sump or not to be positive.

[MikeP]

I have a EuroReef CS 8-2 on my 215 (300 gallons total volume). It works pretty well but was largest I could fit under the stand. Honestly though in retrospect I'd get a bigger skimmer if you go Euroreef.

[Richard]

Richard - uh... The AquaC is about the same price? Why did you choose it over the Turbofloater? Just curious.


Just because I like them.

[TallTexan]

I have an AquaC EV 400 on mine and i love it so far...lol

[Bill S]

One more thing - this beast is going in the wall between the dining room & the master bedroom - it's really in the master. So, noise is an issue... Does that change anyone's mind? I'm kind of leaning towards an AquaC, but OUCH!

ASM says DON'T install outside of the sump. They leak...

Anyone give any pros/cons on the Kent Nautilus? --- NEVER MIND - I've seen some reviews on line...

[Bug_Power]

check out online.....I bought a becket $12 and made a venturi. Both are on Skimmers I made from PVC and Acrylic. They work great, and I get nice dark green skimmate out of it. We have it on my 180 and my friends 150. Both were made for under $100

[captexas]

Noise is usually created due to the pump(s) but that can be worked on. Use a rubber pad under the pump to dampen any vibration. You can also buy sheets of foam at Lowe's/Home Depot (roofing/insulation area) and place it against the side of the wall by the bedroom to help absorb the noise as well. I have been working on an in-wall tank and I took out the sheetrock and loaded the wall with R-31 insulation as a sound dampener for all the equipment under the stand.

[Bill S]

Chris - that's a great idea for in the wall - I'll definately do that - wall hole cutting starts Saturday!

[LoneStar]

Depending on what kinda skimmer you use depends on the noise. I use a Dart running a beckett skimmer. The air intake valve for the skimmer is louder than the pump running it.

[TheCampbells]

I love my euroreef.....

[hobogato]

i run a single beckett skimmer that is 25 inches tall with a mag 12 as a supply pump. not noisy and pulls a gallon of dark green liquid every two or three days. BTW it is on a 240 gall tank with a high fish load and lots of corals. drawback - has to be adjusted about once a week or so.

[Bill S]

Ace, who made your skimmer?

[hobogato]

i did.