skimmer?

[bruce 1]

I am looking for a external skimmer for my 180gal hex. What should I be looking for in a skimmer?

Thank you Bruce

 

[jusney]

I am not a pro and have been away from the hobby for a long time. However, I went to se the Octopus Extreme on a friends tank and it really performs well. So suffice it to say that with the performance and the relatively low cost (initial and ongoing cost) this will be the brand I am going with. I am looking at all their skimmers because I am not sure which one I am going with yet, but take a good look at them.

 

[mockery]

jusney;570934 wrote: I am not a pro and have been away from the hobby for a long time. However, I went to se the Octopus Extreme on a friends tank and it really performs well. So suffice it to say that with the performance and the relatively low cost (initial and ongoing cost) this will be the brand I am going with. I am looking at all their skimmers because I am not sure which one I am going with yet, but take a good look at them.

Instead of the extreme you should look at the new line of super reef octopus. I have one on my tank and it rocks.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

I've have an older Octopus re-circ skimmer and it performs very well. I've seen their new cones in action too and they seem to really perform. I'm sure there are others as well but I think you'll find a large contingent here use the Octopus line.

 

[jase75]

Are you looking for a HOB or one that sits outside the sump?

 

[rbredding]

bruce 1;570914 wrote: I am looking for a external skimmer for my 180gal hex. What should I be looking for in a skimmer?

Thank you Bruce

depends on what you're planning on doing with the tank...

 

[bruce 1]

MRC-2 Skimmer w/dual injectors Would one of these be good for out of sump? One guy told me it would be but someone else told me it is for insump use??

 

[bruce 1]

Aqua-C EV-180 or is one of these good?

 

[jhutto]

I would get an octopus made for that size tank. Just good performance for the money.

 

[gnashty]

bruce 1;571836 wrote: MRC-2 Skimmer w/dual injectors Would one of these be good for out of sump? One guy told me it would be but someone else told me it is for insump use??

This is what I use - I run it in sump. From what little research I did and people I spoke with said they dont run an MRC out of sump because they may leak from somewhere eventually...and if they do they mount it above sump or above a catch pan. Mine does leak a little from the quick connect fitting but its just because I prolly need to tighten it a little bit more. MRC actually markets it as an out of sump product with the ability to run in sump. Best thing about an MR2 w/ dual injectors is it doubles its rating from 300 gal to 600 gal.

What I love about the MRC skimmer line is the ability to expand it and customize it after you buy it. you can add an injector, turn it into a recirc, add a riser, etc...kind of like the erector set of the reef world imo...

I like my MR2 but have heard great things about the Reef Octopus, I will have to try one out on my next build

 

[thbrewst]

I have a LifeReef and am very happy with it. In fact I am getting ready to sell a used one. I had to downsize to a smaller one so it would fit in my stand. I stuck with the same brand. I haven't had a chance to clean-up the other one so I have not posted it for sale yet.

 

[jhutto]

I hear MRC Skimmer are good if you like cleaning the injectors often. Octopus skimmers are plug and play. Just an occassional clean up and you are ready for the next round.

 

[bruce 1]

What size Octopus skimmer would I need and what pump? I like plug and play. Thank you for the replies.

 

[mockery]

bruce 1;571898 wrote: What size Octopus skimmer would I need and what pump? I like plug and play. Thank you for the replies.

Is this going to be an sps reef or what? How big is the sump. If your want internal I would say the super reef octopus 2000 if softy/lps tank, 3000 if sps. The internal is a great model and like the poster above they are just plug and play.

 

[bruce 1]

mostly soft, few hard, and it must be external. With a Med. fish load. (I have not got all the fish yet)

 

[bruce 1]

The sump holds 25 gals. But I am limited on space in the sump. That is why I need out of sump. I have looked at a few different Octopus skimmers there are so many different ones. Thanks Bruce.

 

[mockery]

bruce 1;572038 wrote: The sump holds 25 gals. But I am limited on space in the sump. That is why I need out of sump. I have looked at a few different Octopus skimmers there are so many different ones. Thanks Bruce.

Then I'd go with this model here.
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=34_398_626&products_id=6783">http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=34_398_626&products_id=6783</a>

And if you pay for a membership you can save 10% from our sponsors and aquarium specialty is one.

 

[rbredding]

I've got a dual beckett MR-2 skimmer.. I like it.. you can see pictures of my setup in the signature link below..

it's run out of sump..