Bubble king skimmers

[Technorch]

I'm currently running a AquaC ev-180 on my 6' 125g with a 30g sump. So far it's doing a good job but I'm going the sps route and I was thinking of upgrading to another skimmer. I've read/heard a lot from these bubble king skimmers as top of the line skimmers but a lot of $$$ for them. If they are what people say, I would rather save the money for one of these skimmers instead of going with a vetex or an octopus.

Now here is what I want to ask: would it be an overkill if i were to get the 200 model instead of the 180? The 180 is rated for 100-200 gallons and the 200 is rated for 135 - 265 gallons. It's only a $130 difference between these two and I wouldn't mind spending the difference.

 

[Joel A]

either one should be fine, i'd probably go with the model 180 myself, as it's perfectly suited and sized for your needs, but the model 200 would work as well, and leave a bit more flexibility if you ever wanted to upgrade.

Also check out cone skimmers.. lots of people like them now a days, the top of the line manufactures are Royal Exvlusiv (bubble king) they make the alpha cones that use the same pumps as the mini-bubble kings. A lot of people also like ATB, they make great cone skimmers, although the pump is not a red dragon. I have the ATB 840, and for a similar sized system it is an AWESOME skimmer. Other manufacutures of cones you might look into would be super reef octopus (coralvue, which will be the shortest money, but still a great product from my understanding) and I-tech, i-tech is a small company, but the cones are fantastic quality, and are relatively cheap for what you get.

 

[paulthomas]

If you're planning an SPS dominant tank and have/want lots of fish (large bio-load) you may want to go with the BK Mini 200.

Of course, those of us with Bubble King skimmers (and who use them ) say that a BK likes to be overworked. So using a skimmer that is rated for your tank should work fine, too.  To be sure, I'd run it by whichever dealer you plan on buying from. Premium Aquatics is good like that. They know their stuff, literally.

As Joel said, the Vertex Alpha Cone skimmers are really nice, too. They're basically a BK skimmer, sold under the Vertex name.

 

[SteveDola]

where do you find Itech skimmers

 

[Joel A]

www.I-techskimmers.com

There is often a bit of a waiting list to buy one of these skimmers new, but if you contact John, he'll hook you up as soon as he can.

 

[Arthur1]

You forgot SWC and WM cones :: lol

 

[Joel A]

i thought WM discontinued them? I haven't seen them around for a while at least, but they are solid performers if you can get a hold of one (although i still favor ATB/Vertex) I did forget SWC, but for one reason or another i kinda lump them in with the coralvue (octopus) cones...