Best Protein Skimmer for me?

[spuds]

Well I havent had a Saltwater tank in over 3 years now and Im finally getting back into it. My question is what is your opinions on what skimmer to purchase. I would like to keep cost below 150.00, however Im willing to go a little above that. Also it must be hang on as my tank isnt reef ready and I dont have an overflow.

Tank is 125 gallon with 140lbs of Live Rock.

BTW,

In a few months after I get this thing a little more established Ill have a little get together at my place for a frag swap or sales event. (alcohol will be permitted)

[coraline79]

go over to aquarium design, I think they have a fairly priced octopus for your tank. Ask Ray about them, I think he had one.

[Fish4life]

for that budget i would get an octopus. AD has them priced better than most places online.

cheers,

kurt

[RayAllen]

The NW Octopus 150 is perfect for a 125g, I ran one on my old 210 with out any problems. I now have a NW Octopus 110 for my 39g. Absolutley love the product. Many guys use them on here now including BigBird and TexReefer. I actually found that you can find them cheaper on line but with shipping the cost ends up being more than if you buy from Aquarium designs not to mention the are easily broken when shipped so its best to buy in store. The cost at AQ will run you about $225 tax included but it is well worth it.

Ray

[spuds]

Thanks for everyones input, it seems that Octopus is the way to go.

Has anyone benchmarked an Octopus Hang On vs a CPR Bak-Pak2?

Just curious since these are the two Im currently debating.

[ErikH]

The octo should spank it all over the place. If you are buying a USED CPR, you can mod them, and this would probably be cost conservative, but if you are buying new, go with the octo...

[captexas]

I was just in AD yesterday and they have a few skimmers on hand. I was looking at a little Octo and wondering if it would fit in my sump. They are moving in the next few weeks so they are trying to keep their inventroy levels down (corals are on sale). If they don't have the model you want, I'm sure they'll order it for you.

[ismvel]

Also it must be hang on as my tank isnt reef ready and I dont have an overflow.

The octopus aren't HOB though, correct? Aren't they for sump use only?

[captexas]

They have a hang-on model that looks like a double Bak-pak skimmer.

[captexas]

Ray - what's the actual foot print of your 110 skimmer? I've seen different measurements wherever I look and I am limited on space in my sump of my 45g.

[RayAllen]

the nw 110 has a ft pt of roughly 9x9, so it will squeexe into tight spaces quite easily.

[jrsatx20]

I Have The 110 From Ad Also And Love It. It I Had To Go Hob I Would Go Oct Again. My 110 Came Out To 150 With Tax Bought It Like 2 Months Ago. Sits In My Wet/dry With No Problems Rtn Pump Also Right Next To Him