final skimmer choices

I am all moved into my new house and it is finally time to set up my reef tank. It's a 120g tank with a 40g sump. It will have a medium to heavy bioload. I have been talking to my lfs and reading threads here and on other online forums trying to figure out which skimmer to get.

Here are the choices I've pieced together:
Hydor performer 600
EShopps Cone S-200
Vertx IN 280
Bubble King Mini 160 (gen 2) (~$900 ouch...)

Any thoughts on these? Are there any others I should look into? I am having a hard time deciding.

Thanks

 

look at the SWC line of skimmers. best bang for buck as far as ive heard

 

heres the link

SWC Protein Skimmers

 

Super reef octopus are nice too

 

Eshopps are a great bang for your buck.

 

I like the Aqua C EV Series...check ebay, every once in a while someone lists one on there and you can pick one up for under $200 sometimes.

 

Well all those are on the "low buck" side of the spectrum. My choice out of those would be the Vertex 280. Perhaps the best bang for buck out. Maybe Bubble Magus is catching up.

However, you list a BK Mini 160. I had one on my 90g. There is no difference w/ Gen2....not like on the 180. I would not run a 160 on your system. You need the 180 gen2....and yes they are exspensive. I would not be afraid to buy used. They are the Rolls Royce of skimmers.

Having said that.... if a BK is an option, then there are others you should consider. First would be a ATB 840 at $650. Awesome skimmer...about the best out right now. ATB customer service is getting down right legendary. A Warner Marine K2 would be just as good. The only difference would be the Sicce pump on both. WM does not have a custom volute and ATB does. Meaning there are no directional start issues. Next would be a Warner Marine AS-200. Not a cone, but simply an awesome skimmer. All you would need. PM me if you are interested. WM has some demos on sale for great prices. He has a K2 for $500. A steal. A AS-200 too. I really love Warner Marine skimmers. Best designed out and excellent company and sevice.

Between the econos and the premiums you have the middle ground held by SWC and Octopus. Any Sicce power skimmer will do you. SWC Extreme 200. Octopus came out with their Bubble Blaster pump and have been getting a lot of press. A BB 3000 power skimmer will do. Cone or cylinder. Both give quality construction, solid performance, and great price. I am biased towards SWC so take that for what it is worth.

 

I would highly recommend a SWC 160. IT should be a perfect match for your tank:

Xtreme 160 Protein Skimmer

The SWC 200 would also work very well and would give you a little wiggle room as compared to the 160:

Xtreme 200 protein Skimmer

 

thanks for all the replies.

How about the MSX250a? I've heard good things and it's in the same price range ~$600.

With so many different opinions it's hard to decide.

Thanks

 

Which one...the cone or the "A". An "a" has a Sicce... a "A" has a Askol.

Either way.... it's too big for your tank. You can't overskim a tank (IMHO) but you can have too big of a skimmer. I don't feel the 160 would be big enough with your volume.