Which skimmer?

Hi everyone. I am new to the hobby and will be setting up a 90 G tank, starting FOWLR with intentions of converting to a reef once I have some experience.

I need to buy a protein skimmer for my tank - I have some credit at a local store that sells the ProClear Aquatics Impact Down-Draft Skimmer 200, and also sells the Marineland Model 300. Does anyone know anything about these? How do they rate compared, say, to the Aqua C EV-120 or 180 (which is not for sale at the store I have credit at, but I am considering anyway)?

Any info would be much appreciated

 

depending on how heavy you stock your tank?
are you going to have a sump to put the skimmer in, since you are comparing to the aqua C EV-120 and 180? If so, consider the beckett injector Precision Marine Bullet 1 skimmer.

 

I had a ProClear Aquatics 150 skimmer and I now have a AquaC EV 180 skimmer and let me say that the AquaC is a bad azz. Dont get me wrong, the Proclear worked great, but not like the AquaC. Luna

 

Octopus Extreme 250 is hands down the best skimmer in this price class. It has sicce pumps, a larger volute, a bubble plate, and the option of going either needle wheel or mesh wheel impeller - comes with both.

A couple of years ago Bubble King starting changing up volutes and adding bubble plates - its a sea change in skimmer design. Some of the older companies have not adapted yet, I am sure they will, but the ASMs, Euro Reefs, AquaCs etc are all outdated at the moment. They are good, but not as good as they can be

 

I love my Octopus brand skimmer. But I'm not sure what skimmer is what when looking for a 90 gallon skimmer. Our skimmer is rated for 90, but it's always better to get a skimmer rated for a much larger tank then what you are planning on using.

Just be careful what you pay. One thing you can not go cheap on in this hobby is a skimmer. Do you have a sump? Or are you looking to hang something onto the tank?

 

Jwin--I know I am going to get bashed for this statement--nor do I promote this. But everyones system is different. I use 200 micron sock and I only need a 65 gallon skimmer (Coralife SS) It was explained to me like this--If you move into a bigger house, Do you buy a bigger vacuum?? No you just work it a little harder. I used to have a filter tray and the skimmer worked pretty hard--With the socks, skimmer still grabs skimmate but idles alot more. JMO--Did not mean to steal this thread.

 

You need a skimmer that can handle the load. One thing is its hard to over skim. Once you remove the gunk its gone and all your doing is making bubbles. I do 20% WC wekly, all of my skimmers are oversized and none produces a lot of skimmate. I could go weeks without filling the cups.

I do also use DSBs and refugiums. It is a whole picture kind of thing, but when starting out, a skimmer is a good insurance policy

thats not bashing too hard is it ?

 

hahaha no it did not hurt too bad---My only point was what you said, it is the overall system--That is why I said I do not endorse this. It is just what works for me. Thanks for not killing me LOL

 

+1. I've always loved my octopus, and I am going with a pro extreme 350 for my big tank. A lot of whats being said is this skimmers performance is right in line with orca's and bubble kings. And for what, a 3rd of the price? I would never hesitate to recommend an octopus, and the 250 would be a killer skimmer on a 90

 

I will amend my recommendation to a Octo Extreme Pro 200 in light of Robmans input. Or maybe a 160

And tell you what - not only does PA sell them, but they are great on service. I had a problem with a pump on one and heard back from the head of the company