skimmers

[x-link]

what is the best skimmer on the market.MTC-My reef creation-Aqua.c-others?

[ReefSalt]

Well I use the an AeroFoamer 830 knock off,and its just great you can pick one up for 500$, I also used/installed LifeReef`s 6' unit (along time ago)good skimmer but way to much $$ back then.
Aqua C are ok,I almost bought one, but there has been a few tests done and it didnt perform as well as the Areofoamer did.

So I would most definetly go with an Aerofoamer,here is a review that was done by other hobbiest.

I've seen plenty of Aqua-C skimmers for sale, very few times have I ever seen Aerofoamers for sale. I have had people who own the Aqua-C emailing me on what size Aerofoamer they should trade it in for. Here is my rating for the best skimmers:


1- Aerofoamer
2- Bullet
2- HSA
4- Euro-Reef CS Model
5- ETS - Many people who run ETS and also own Aqua-C say that ETS is much better
Aqua-C - Nothing personal against Aqua-C it just dosen't rate as high as the others, but it is still with in the top 10 best which makes it a great skimmer.

[volitan]

http://www.lifereef.com/

harley makes a replica of those...i bought mine directly from lifereef and i absolutly love it...you set it once and no more....If I would of know harley made them....i would of bought from him..

The other thing with lifereef is thet they CVC system...constant venturie cleaning system...harley makes it like that as well

[x-link]

have you heard of MTC?

[x-link]

HSA 1000 what about this one?

[x-link]

yes HSA and MTC are the same company.

[skim]

X-link
Ya I know about them great skimmer put a mak 4 on it and it will blow you away but you would be looking at about $1600.00 for both pump and skimmer. They also have 2 smaller units
500 and 250 what size tank do you have and what's your bioload (heavy stocked med.,low), what's in the tank sps,lps,softies. Sorry just noticed 65gal. you don't need 1000 the 250 would be more then enough. Hard to get them if not in sock at LFS hard time to keep up with orders of product line,
that's what I have heard.

[Bvoss]

I was skimmer shopping recently. I needed the biggest skimmer I could afford that would work with my spare Mak4. I settled on an AquaC EV-400. It isn't the top rated skimmer, but it sure works nice with a Mak4. I got it off e-bay new for $425 USD. The new models (2002+) are much better so you have to be selective.

On the plus side it is quiet and pulls out a ton of stuff. I pulled a half gallon of coffe-colored skimmate out last week.

On the down side, it is a little fussy about things in the water. When you feed it stops producing foam for an hour or two. You also have to keep the injector clean. I had a snail shell and a piece of carbon get stuck in there.

[reefmutt]

x- link what are your space restrictions and plans in the future? the hsa1000 is a great skimmer- I ran one for years until I upgraded to a hsa 3000 (dual becket injection- runs on a Iwaki 100 or equivilant pump).
The 1000 would be overkill on your 65- unless you plan on a bigger tank. I don't have much experiance with other medium to high end skimmers..But I do know that you can't beat the MTC. If you are looking for a decent big skimmer, check out reefsolutions.com for a good copy of the hsa 1000. It is becket injected skimmer and is very fussy as well. The becket valves work amazingly well for mixing air and water so they are sensitive to changes in the water like adding food or putting your arm in the tank or when something gets stuck in the becket valve. However, they are WELL worth the regular maintenance required because they HAUL gunk BIG time! I know a couple of people using the reefsolutions skimmer and is works very well- it does require a good amount of space to install- it is pretty big..

[liv]

Harley can custom make one to the size and specs u need. its also going to be cheaper then a store bought one.
pm him your specs.

[volitan]

my lifereef hauls ass too...since the addition of it my water quality when sky high..the nice thing about it is that you dont need to constanly play with it....adjust it once and thats it...plus the venturie is constant cleaning system so it aslways cleans it self so it does clog.....very simple and well made skimmers...a tad on the expensive side thought

[ABahn]

I've got the Aqua-C EV-400T (twin injector). They are good skimmers, very easy to install and get going, but not quite as effiecient as a becket type. The advantage of a becket being tiny bubbles. Beckets, (any make, PM AF, etc.) are definitely the best value skimmer on the market. Needlewheels are the latest thing, but way over priced for now. Go with a becket skimmer for sure.

[CableGuy]

I have a 6' life reef skimmer. Yes it was expensive but I wouldn't think twice about buying another one. The craftsmanship is just awesome, and it pulls out some of the nastiest stuff!!!! There are many differnt ways that you can hook this skimmer up, to increase the preformance. Like Derik said it's a set it and forget it skimmer. You only have to clean it every so often.

Colby

[mpleleaf]

Derik did you find any info on the capacity of the Lifereef skimmers, I was looking a little while ago and couldn't find it so I gave up. I know it would depend on which pump you would use but there must be something stating a ballpark for gallons or how big a tank they can do! I seen a pic of the clone or what I thought was the clone to yours on a previous thread by Harley.

[Flame*Angel]

mpleleaf - why don't you just email Jeff at LifeReef and ask. He's very accomodating and will not sell you something that isn't appropriate to your needs. I set up my Reef with all LifeReef equipment (skimmer, sump, calcium reactor, auto top-off) and then bought a 6' one for my new 300g. It's really great equipment. Jeff is great to do business with and doesn't mind answering questions.

[CableGuy]

mpleleaf....I would do what Susan said and ask Jeff. He is a really nice guy and I'm sure he could give you a ball park on that skimmer. After all he make's them. He also answers e-mails several times a day, so you usually get a fast reply.

Colby

[x-link]

i have a aqua c ev120 with spray injection,now if i remove the spray injector and install a beckett in its place will it work super more efficiant?

[x-link]

i see that harley has a injector on the model#ACS620 it looks like a knock off of a Aqua C EV model,is his injector more better than the spray type?

[mpleleaf]

Ok, I've sent Jeff an email but I probably wont hear from him til Monday. Just watching the thread and wondering why Deltec wasn't mentioned, is there anything bad about those skimmers? The Lifereef and the Deltec are similarly priced, which would you chose over the other? Sorry x-link, I can't help you very much as I'm just learning about all these different types of skimmers, what can I tell ya , my first skimmer purchase was a Seaclone( all thats available around here)lol

[CableGuy]

I'm not sure why Deltec was not mentioned but It is a very good skimmer, and there is nothing wrong with them to my knowledge.

Colby

[Flame*Angel]

I checked into Deltec before buying the 6' LifeReef. The bit of research I did led me to believe they are probably the best skimmer on the market today. Not exactly the best bang for the buck though - they should have mortgages for those puppies!

[ABahn]

Deltec are needlewheel skimmers. The latest thing out there, and mucho $$$$

[weeble]

ive gopt a deltec AP600 and honestly havent found a skimmer the same size or slightly larger that could do the same job..they are by far the best skimmers ive seen, but i may be somewhat biased :)