Best In-Sump Skimmer for $100-$200??

What is the Best In-Sump Skimmer for $100-$200?? I have a 55G Reef tank with a 10g sump and a 10g refugium. Currently the tank is skimmed by a Seaclone 100 but I need a better skimmer.

Here is what I am looking at so far:

The ViaAqua SK-388 In Sump Skimmer - http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/orde...er_viasump.html

Kent Marine Nautilus TE Protein Skimmer - http://www.marinedepot.net/kent-mar...ent-marine.html

AquaC Urchin Sump Skimmer w/pump - http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...gory_Code=AquaC

Turbo Flotor 1000 Stand Alone Protein Skimmer - http://www.oceanproaquatics.com/sho...roducts_id/2019

These are just a few ideas. Please give your opinion or share your experiences. Thanks

 

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The Via Aqua looks interesting but I haven't head anything about it. Curious if anyone has.

I believe I've heard mixed things on the Nautilus but I'm not positive.

The Urchin is pretty much my Remora. I like it, but it's not the most powerful skimmer out there. I don't know that you would see a big gain in performance over your SeaClone.

I've heard great things about the Turbo Flotor. Of these choices, I'd probably go with that if it were me.

 

I got a AquaC and am not terrible happy with it. I could never tune it in correctly and got a used ASM G-Series skimmer. The thing is amazing. I still have both and going to rework ni the AquaC skimmer i have once I built my new sump (from 29G to 75G)

If you can afford it, get the asm

 

We have a remora with a maxi-jet 1200 and a urchin pro with the rio 1400. I don't have experience with any of the other skimmers but I think you can't go wrong with aqua-c.  I would spend the $ and upgrade to the urchin with the mag 3 pump. And possibly get the drain fitting. We have had the cup overflow when forgetting to check it. :-[
Scott

 

I am curious about the Via Aqua skimmer also. I think I saw it at petsolutions.com.

The Red Sea Berlin Turbo series is supposed to be a fairly good buy. I know BL has one of the originals and she liked it until it broke. The turbo has that impeller that slices up the bubbles after the venturi I think. They have their own pump design too that is kind of cool 'cause the pump can go right in line with the plumbing for the skimmer as do the other skimmers like AquaC. 8)

I made my skimmer so I had to rig the plumbing to work with my venturi and Quiet One 3000 pump. My venturi is about 6 inches long. On the red Sea it's about an inch long, I think. :

Drew

 

I wish I had the skills to make my own. I am not a DIY'er unless it is EASY! The responses I got on Reef Cenrtal was EUROREEF all the way. Those things are big bucks.

My Sea Clone skims dark foul skimate but everyone says they suck. I had it on my 30 and it did well and then I transferred all my stuff to the 55 and it is still skimming. Maybe I can find a "used" big buck skimmer for around $200 or less

 

Go with the Remora Urchin, I've got the hang on version on my 120g and it skims like a banchee! Its also set and forget, no adjustments except the height of the collection cup and no venturi to adjust or clean. It would Kick A.. in a 55g tank.

 

If you are getting dark, foul, skimmate, then it is working! How often do you need to empty the cup? Every week or there abouts?

Also, is your seaclone a newer one? From what I understand, there was some defect that was corrected in the newer model and they perform better.

Craig Manoukian, on this site, has a Seaclone...he has pics in his gallery if you want to check them out, of his skimmer. ;D

If you are still looking, I did have the Berlin Hangon classic but I used a Mag 9.5 (950 gph) instead of a 500 gph. Between the skimmer and pump, you will probably be around 200+ with that anyways. :-/

As far as Reef Central goes, I check out my local club forums there, but...alot of times, there are only two answers to any question, their answer, and the wrong answer...that is why I come here. I don't like flame wars or one sided threads. Euroreefs are undoubtedly excellent skimmers, but there are alot of other options out there that apply to your situation.

 

Yes, it is the newer one. I received it as a gift for X-mas and I DID do a couple of mods. I shortened the the tube in the bottom of the skimmer to about 3 inches and I added a wooden airstone, just ran the tubing through the air hole and down in. It does produce dark foul skimate that I empty weekly. Problem is, it is the only skimmer I have ever had so I have to guess what "right looks like". I am planning to move this skimmer from the HOB to inside my sump and see how it does.

If it is working well then I go with the old addage that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Problem is that no matter where on the internet you go, the story is always about how useless the Seaclone is. I just want to do right by my animals.

 

People also like to say airstone skimmers suck, but it seemed to help yours out right? If you have to empty it every week, then I think it's working fine. THe proof is in the pudding.