Protein Skimmer Opinions

I had a question on which models are the best.
Is the ETSS 500 a good skimmer?
What about the Aqua C 180 or MRC MR2?

I am looking to pickup one of these for my 135 tank.

Just looking for suggestions and your knowledge of the differences and what technology is best, downdraft, venturi, etc...in sump....out of sump.

Thanks!

 

Those are all good choices. I don't have any expeience with any of them but I am sure you will get plenty of info on them.

 

sounds like good options.

 

I'm pretty much a broken record. I recommend the same all the time. Spray injection type skimmers work well but require a big pump. Needle wheel skimmers work just as well if not better and use a much smaller pump to do it.

Best bang for the buck seems to be Bubble Magus and Vertex.

Best all round performance and price seem to be Octo and SWC. I'm partial to SWC. Octo sort of copied some of their features. Both have some nice stuff in different areas.

The best period are ATBs and Warner Marine. There are more expensive, but not much better.

Everything being equal, cones are better than cylinders. Not by a HUGE margin, just a refinement of the design that is more efficient. Bubble plates are another refinement.

At 135, you need a Sicce powered skimmer. Many to choose from. Lots of competition in your size range. Tunze pumps are nice. Perhaps a Bubble blaster 3000 from Octo Super Reef.

 

I have an aqua C and love it, I would also check out This from member coloradoreef

 

I can say the same, AquaC is great!8)

 

Thanks for all the input....I hope I am making the right move...please let me know if not.
I am picking up a ETSS 500 skimmer it looks like....I found one for $160 from someone near me.
I have an extra Iwaki 70 I was going to use with this skimmer and valve it down.
Let me know if I made the right choice or if I should hold out. Also is the pump good for it or will it cause problems?
Thanks!

 

Actually I have the option between a ETSS 500 or an ETSS 60v Sump Buddy. The sump buddy is about $100 more.

Which would you choose or are they comparable...just in sump or out?

 

That's kind of what I'm talking about. A Iwaki valved down is still a huge pump. Draws 2.8 amps. That's up to 320 watts! A Sicce runs at 21 watts and can handle a tank up to 180. A Tunze uses similar, and a Bubble blaster uses I think 50 watts.

The old downdrafts do work, it's just that new needle wheel skimmers accomplish the same job with much less power use. Which means much less heat transmitted to the system. Excellent performance. Very consistent, very low maintenance. Much lower operating cost. What more could you want from a skimmer?

 

As others have noted, these all work well.

What size return pump do you currently have or plan to install...In my setup, this pump is of sufficient size to supply the PM Bullet 3 as well as other filtration...thus there is one less pump sucking power and adding heat to the tank for the chiller to deal with...

I ran the Aqua C 180 on a 75 gal DT with sump and liked it very much...today it decorates the shelf...waiting for the 30 gal seahorse tank to be started...very good skimmer...