In sump Skimmers which are the best?

I am looking to buy an in sump Skimmer and was looking for some opinions on which ones you guys think may be the best and why you like the various models. Does anybody have the Redline serious out there from Precision Marine? I keep seeing PM and Octopus popping up around these forums. Are they the best? I have a 120g tank and would like to stay under $300. I look forward to the answers.
Dave

 

If you wish to stay under $300 look into Eshopps skimmers. They are well built and seem to work as well as the more expensive brands.

 

100% agreed, their the only good cheap skimmer I have any experience with, in my nicer tanks I use nothing but ASM products though, have over 5 tanks with ASM G series in them between G2-G4's

 

Thanks guys I will take a look at those. Have you guys had any problems with these in the past? How long have you been running them in your tanks? I like the fish in that picture Iraf. Nice work

 

only had mine running a few days but was a massive improvement over the coralife superskimmer it replaced

yeah that striped bass threatened my clowns so it got ate

 

There is no such thing as the "best". there are good budget skimmers. There are good solid price/performance skimmers, and there are simply the money no object skimmers. The leaders these day in the "best bang for buck" category seems to be Vertex. Bubble Magus has introduced some new ones that are very good but for smaller tanks.... Not sure about for your 120.

Octos and SWC have similar models and similar builds. They are about the best price/performance. But most are outside the $300 you set.

If I was you, I would look at the Vertex IN 180, or even 250 if you are going to have a ton of fish and big sump fuge.

 

Thanks for the reply Powerman. What would you say makes the Vertex better then a Precision Marine Redline or the Eshopps listed below? I am noticing about a $100 price difference between the Eshopps and the Vertex/PM models. What would I be paying for with the more expensive models.

If I am going to spend more money I would like to know 1) what I am paying for and 2) Is it really worth the extra cash.

 

I bought a bubble-magus BM200 for my 135 and it works great, I only paid 300 with free shipping for it.

 

I've used a Marineland Marine Pro 300 in my sump and it works fine for under $300. IMO

 

In general, you are paying for better features, better materials, better pumps, and better ease of use. Now all that does not always equal better performance in all those categories, but that is where the money goes.

Specifically, what you are getting from Vertex over the PM or Eshopps is a bubble plate which reduces turbulence, and a much better transition to the neck, which both increase performance. Vertex uses Resun pumps which have done well. Still cheap as are PM and Eshopps, so probably not much difference between the two.

The reason Vertex has been making a name for itself is how well it is balanced. It is just a very well put together design and performs very well. It is a very capable inexpensive skimmer.