skimmer opinions

[picoreefguy]

every now and then i work for an older guy helping him take care of his tank and yesterday he called me and said his skimmer stopped working. so i went over this afternoon to check it out and it turns out his pump is dead. i checked to make sure it wasn't just something blocking the impeller or a broken impeller and it wasn't either. the motor just isn't working anymore so i told him we could either replace the pump or the whole thing since its at least a decade old. he decided to replace it. he gave me a budget of 500 bucks and i told him id look around and find the best skimmer i could within the budget. his tank is a 150 gallon heavily stocked softy reef and his sump looks to be around 80-100 gallons. i have narrowed it down to 3 skimmers so far.

1. the vertex omega 150 which is the big brother to the skimmer i bought.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vertex-omega-150-protein-skimmer.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vertex-omega-150-protein-skimmer.html</a>

2. the reef octopus prime 200 int
[IMG]http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?idproduct=CV25158&child=CV25158&utm_source=adwordsfroogle&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=adwordsfroogle&utm_content=CV25158&gclid=CjwKEAjw56moBRD8_4-AgoOqhV4SJADWWVCcbI-4l37G7GieZyUVizT0ylTcOCfqpCAPD6MMBMkUXBoCvW3w_wcB">http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?idproduct=CV25158&child=CV25158&utm_source=adwordsfroogle&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=adwordsfroogle&utm_content=CV25158&gclid=CjwKEAjw56moBRD8_4-AgoOqhV4SJADWWVCcbI-4l37G7GieZyUVizT0ylTcOCfqpCAPD6MMBMkUXBoCvW3w_wcB</a>

3. the skimz sm 201 monster e series
[IMG]http://www.aquacave.com/skimz-sm-201-monzter-e-series-in-sump-protein-skimmer.html">http://www.aquacave.com/skimz-sm-201-monzter-e-series-in-sump-protein-skimmer.html</a>

i dont know anything about this third skimmer company but i have heard their names thrown around a couple times and its rated to over 500 gallons (we all know that aint happening) but it seems like it could handle a 150.


im leaning towards option 2 but id like to hear what you guys think. also if theres another skimmer that you think would be better let me know and ill look into it.

 

[hiimsean]

I think the vertex would be too small. Mines in a medium to lightly stocked 90g and pulling a ton of crud. I would consider the 180 instead for a 150g.

I've heard bad things about Skimz pumps failing after a year or so. I thought about them but am staying clear of them.

I have no experience with the new line of RO but I think the sro2000 would be a good fit and could be had for a good price used.

 

[robbywood20]

if he can use an external I have a MRC

 

[jeffmuse]

I have a similar setup and I use the Super Reef Octopus 3000 internal. Provided it fits in his sump, this is an excellent choice (and it even fits within the budget )

 

[picoreefguy]

HiImSean;1022212 wrote: I think the vertex would be too small. Mines in a medium to lightly stocked 90g and pulling a ton of crud. I would consider the 180 instead for a 150g.

I've heard bad things about Skimz pumps failing after a year or so. I thought about them but am staying clear of them.

I have no experience with the new line of RO but I think the sro2000 would be a good fit and could be had for a good price used.

oops the 180 was the one i was thinking of. idk why i posted the 150 but even still its at the very top of his price range and is rated for "between 92 and 184 gallons. with his tank being closer to the 184 so i want to go with something that can handle more than he could need and the prime is rated for up to a 265 lightly stocked or 180 heavily stocked so i think it might be a better fit. ill look into the sro2000.

robbywood20;1022213 wrote: if he can use an external I have a MRC mailto:MR@-R">MR2-R</a> with a blueline 55 pump.its about a year old. paid $650 for just the skimmer amd its a beast i just need to go internal because im adding a frag tank onto my system[/QUOTE]

his stand is full as is so im just looking for an internal replacement. thanks for the offer though.