Would you get this skimmer?

[ismvel]

I have a chance to grab the following skimmer for what seems to be a good deal. I am aware it isn't a Euro-Reef or a Deltec. It is rated for 400 gallons, and this is for my 220 gallon. Does anyone know anything about this skimmer?

Nautilus EX24

http://www.kentmarine.com/aquariumfilters/nautilus-ex.htm

ismael

[Bill S]

Nope. Had a Nautilus TE. Gave it to Ace for his school.

[ismvel]

Thanks Bill...

[brewercm]

I had one at one point and I don't remember who ended up with it here on the board, possibly Joshua. I liked it alright, it just took a very strong pump to make it work well. I had a Sedra 12000 on it (rated at 1200 GPH) and had to make sure there were no bends to the inlet to get it to work well. Other option was to get a stronger pump. The other thing is remember that this is a venturi skimmer and they require the venturi to be cleaned every so often. To this day I'm not sure how the venturi on that skimmer was to be pulled out or cleaned since it sits down in the bottom of that square box on the bottom and I couldn't seem to get it out. Somebody reading this may have experience with that part. It did do a good job of skimming though.

[ismvel]

Thanks Cliff,

It recommends a mag 12 to run it, so I see why you ran the Sedra 1200 on it. Didn't realize it was a venturi skimmer, which with needlewheels and all these other mods, I assume is fairly outdated correct? I talked the guy down to $150 for the new skimmer, so I thought I would see if it is worth it, or throw that $150 towards a better skimmer. Even though I know good and well you get what you pay for....

[Ping]

I have that skimmer Cliff, I got it from Joshua, it worked pretty good with a Mag 12. required regular maint however.

I just soaked the whole thing in vinegar.

Maelv, you can have it, you just have to give it to another Maastard when you upgrade.

[ismvel]

Thanks Ping for the offer. But I am nowhere near the point of setting up my 220. Just getting ready to start buying some equipment and store it until the time comes. Realistically I won't be ready to get any water into this beast until June time frame....

I do greatly appreciate the offer though...

ismael

[brewercm]

I'm not sure how well that would work on a 220. My opinion is it would be a little undersized. I'd save up and get a better skimmer like the one I now have (ASM G4+) which is similar to the Euroreef, or pick up a good Beckett skimmer.
Just my opinion, but hope it helps you out in the decision making.

[ismvel]

It did....I have come to the conclusion based on suggestions here, another forum, and a little research that it isn't the skimmer for me. I owned an ASM G-2 when I had my 135 gallon and liked it very much. I have been actually looking at the G-3, Octopus skimmer NW 200 recirc (I believe it was), and Tunze 9010. All around the $300 - $375 price range which is pretty good for a skimmer.

Really like the Tunze for:
1. Reliability
2. Size (non evasive, will take a small space)
3. Power Consumption

Only thing that worries me is that it is rated for up to 264, and I am not sure how big of a sump/fuge I will have.

And the G-3 is only rated for 250 gallons.

Thanks for all the help.

[crossxfire2]

Aren't the ratings for skimmers....well.... not exactly the best way to tell what aquarium they should go on? Ex: Seaclone 100. Rated up to 100 gallons, but would probably work good on a 20?

[ismvel]

Yes I have heard that the ratings are overstated by the makers of the skimmer, but I would beleive that they are more accurate with your bigger name skimmers they would be a little more accurate. You can't compare a Seaclone with a Tunze or anything like that...but once again, I really don't know about the ones I mentioned if they are really that out of line with their suggested sizes. As far as the three I listed above their suggested ratings are:

ASM - 250 gallons
Octopus - 300 gallons
Tunze - 264 gallons

[Wryknow]

The ratings are always nebulous at best. Most of them should be cut in half for practical use IMPE but it depends a lot on the brand.

The ASM G3 advertises that it is good for a 250 gallon tank (6" column, 24" height, sedra 5000 motor) but the same sized euro-reef skimmer (RS135) is only rated for 135 gallons. I'd say that the Euro-reef rating is probably more accurate for that size skimmer. The Tunze published ratings are accurate for what they are meant to rate - low sensitivity tanks. If you are planning on keeping SPS (high sensitivity) or SPS and an "above average" fish load then Tunze recommends cutting the skimmer rating by 40% or 60% respectively. So the 265 rating is probably more like 120 or so for most tanks.

Anyway, you need to take this into consideration I suppose. Saving a little bit on a skimmer now and then having to buy a bigger one later is an expensive proposition.

[brewercm]

Back when the company ASMskimmers was selling the ASMs they also stated they would only run the G3 on a 180 gallon that was of standard stocking at most. That's why I decided to go with the G4+ which is a much larger skimmer even though it's only on a 140 gallon but I have at least another 40 to 50 gallons in my sump/fuge.