Protein Skimmer

[stoneroller]

I am also in skimmer research mode for my 72g RR bow. Premium Aquatics has the EUROREEF RS080-PROMO (extruded acrylic cylinder) for $178.95 versus the RS080 (cell cast) at $221. Good deal or should the extruded be avoided?

[stephencraig]

I've got a RS 180 (for about 2 months now) and have really like it. I think its the extruded as well.

[LoneStar]

I am also in skimmer research mode for my 72g RR bow. Premium Aquatics has the EUROREEF RS080-PROMO (extruded acrylic cylinder) for $178.95 versus the RS080 (cell cast) at $221. Good deal or should the extruded be avoided?

For that size of tank, either skimmer would work effeciently. Anything larger than a 75g I would personally think you would need a larger skimmer... But for the debate on extruded vs. cast on that Euroreef model, I think it comes down to personal preference. Either you don't mind paying the extra amout for a 'higher quality' acrylic material or you can say like the rest of us it really does not matter on extruded vs. cast (albeit you have a application without forces causing stress that would create a structural problem >_< )

[brewercm]

Not to mention that these are in sump skimmers and you really aren't putting that much stress on them like a beckett skimmer with a high pressure rated pump.

[matt]

Not to mention that these are in sump skimmers and you really aren't putting that much stress on them like a beckett skimmer with a high pressure rated pump.

The fact that they're in sump is important, because if anything happens it's not a disaster. But it's not the pressure pump that puts stress on a beckett skmmer, it's just the overall size; any skimmer holding 10-15 gallons of water in a tall tube is going to have more pressure on the joints than a smaller skimmer. And, there's different grades of cast and extruded acrylic. Not too long ago there was a lengthy thread on RC about the fact that Deltec uses extruded acrylic; pretty funny for a skimmer that costs thousands, but apparently it's some kind of high-grade european plastic that's much stronger than typical American extruded.

There's also cheap cast acrylic, which IMO is considerably worse to use on skimmers than good quality extruded, because the specific gravity of the plastic varies so much it afffects the way it solvent welds.

Premium aquatics is a quality place and I'm sure if anything goes wrong with the skimmer they'll take care of it. $175 is less than I'd spend in materials to make a small needlewheel skimmer with pump, so the price is right.