Skimmer selection

[sterling]

I'm trying to decide on a skimmer... I'm setting up a 180 reef tank that will be prodominately SPS with some zoo's. I plan on using a converted 75 as my sump. I would really prefer the skimmer to be in the sump as the tank will be in a room with new hardwood floors. I'm not too eager to have a skimmer fail and ruin the new hardwood floors, if it were external. I'm wanting some input and your thoughts.

1) MR2 skimmer - higher water flow being sent to the skimmer. Higher price and requires a bigger pump. Potentially more noisy then a needle wheel skimmer.

2) Reef Octopus - Probably SRO 3000 INT or recirc 200 model. Concerned that it only supplies 500 gph. I plan on using an Iwaki 40 RXT as my return which will be in 1100 gph range.

3) Vertex VX170 - Heard great things about this skimmer, but also a high price to accompy it...

Thanks suggestions?...

 

[dangit2001]

Have you looked at a SMC skimmer. I heard good things about them as well and they are not expensive either.

 

[skriz]

Between the 2 needlewheel options you're considering, I'd go with the Vertex hands down. Everything about the Vertex is better than the octopus.

However, if you're concerned about how much the skimmer can turnover, neither nw option will process as much as the MR-2. The MR-2 is also a more aggressive skimmer, capable of handling much more bioload and it can easily be upgraded if you want more out of it. The new design makes the unit pretty quiet (nw skimmers are generally almost silent).