skimmer for 100 gallon system

[jrmx635]

I am just looking for opinions here.
I am running a etss 600 on a 75 reef (100 with sump)
I have also had on this tank a asm g3,euroreef rs80,reefdevil and evolution 500.
I am thinking the 600 is overkill and maybe picking up a octopuss 200.
electricity saving is less than $8 a month
I just have an addiction to trying new equipment.
personally I don't believe in it,but what do you guys think of overskimming.

 

[agent6473]

I would stick with the ETSS 600. Downdrafts are great skimmers if you can afford the noise and electricity cost. I recently picked up a Bubble Master 200 which works amazing on my system, far outperforming my old downdraft. The 200 would probably be way too much for your system, but the new BubbleMaster160 looks great. I would consider putting that model on your system and I bet it would be awesome.

 

[JayM]

my octo nw150 mesh/gate works fine on my 200G system, and is good skim/dollar value

if you have the ca$h, the bubble ma$ter $eem$ to be a hot setup, but IMO, there may be better skimmer values out there.

 

[agent6473]

Don't knock the value until you try it Jay. The Bubblemaster was worth every penny of the $550. Skims amazingly and the time saved on cleaning, maintenance, and adjusting saves money through opportunity cost of not wasting my time!

 

[JayM]

I wasn't knoocking it; merely pointing out that there may be better value out there.

Even with a high bioload, my skimmer keeps my nutrients in check for less than 1/2 the price. Not saying the BM is a bad skimmer, just an ex$pen$ive one

And I DO have to clean mine 2x a week, so your point is well taken. Of course, I'm cleaning it because it's cleaning my tank.....

 

[RichConley]

Jay, honestly, the bubblemaster is a very good value. Theres nothing that comes close to it as far as air draw/cost. To get an ER that pulls the same air as a BM200, you're looking at $1500+.

You can get the octopus (200, not 150) to pull that much air, but its either going to need the pump heavily modified or replaced. Its going to draw a lot more electricity than the BM if modified. Its also never going to perform as well because the neck isnt wide enough.

I'm not totally hot on the BM, I think it could be much better with a slightly different design, but theres nothing in its price range that comes close without some SERIOUS DIY.

 

[JayM]

I think you are missing my point. I acknowledge that it is a superior skimmer, but how much is enough for 100 gallons?

My wallet asks why spend 600 when you can get it done for 300? That was my point.

you did, however, bring up the point that I should have looked at a kill-o-watt reading before and after my meshmod......

 

[grundig5]

I love my Orca skimmer. They will build you anything for a VERY reasonable price (ie 2xaquabee 8.5inch skimmer with 4.5 neck for about $500). Check them out fr sure protein-skimmer.com

 

[RichConley]

I think you are missing my point. I acknowledge that it is a superior skimmer, but how much is enough for 100 gallons?

My wallet asks why spend 600 when you can get it done for 300? That was my point.

you did, however, bring up the point that I should have looked at a kill-o-watt reading before and after my meshmod......

I completely agree. Thats why I'm running an octopus. (recirculating NW200 with a laguna pump)

The wattage draw probably isnt any higher after being meshmodded, but its highher than the bubblemaster by a good bit (65w vs 20w)

 

[agent6473]

I actually thought the price of the BM 200 is quite reasonable. I also agree with Rich that the design could've been a lil better, but for the money this is an awesome skimmer. You have to compare it to much more expensive skimmers when comparing how much air it pulls. The size of the BM is very deceiving, compare it to much larger, and more expensive skimmers.