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Best skimmer for around $250


ps2cho

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My current skimmers pump has died and I think it's time to upgrade the sca302...

 

What's my best choice here?

 

70g total water volume and it will stay on this tank so no need to oversize it.

No space constraints

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If it were me, I would probably go with this:

http://www.marinedepot.com/Reef_Octopus_Classic_INT_Protein_Skimmer_In_Sump_Venturi_Needle_Wheel_Protein_Skimmers-Reef_Octopus-CV5111-FIPSISNW-vi.html

 

or this:

http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx_ConeS_In_Sump_Protein_Skimmer_In_Sump_Venturi_Needle_Wheel_Protein_Skimmers-AquaMaxx-UJ00154-FIPSISNW-vi.html

 

Bubble magus skimmers are great as well, from what I've read. I've got a brand new curve 9 sitting in my garage and it's nice, but the build quality is only marginally better than the SCA that you have now. I was really surprised at how thin the plastic is considering the size of the skimmer. I'm sure it will work just fine though.

 

I've used RO skimmers for years and I really like them. I've never used an Aquamaxx but it sure looks sweet! Reviews seem to be very good.

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Basically if in the future I get a bigger tank, this tank will become a coral frag tank, so whatever pump I get, I want it to last for a long time so quality is a must. If that means I gotta spend $300 then thats what it is...but my AIM is $250 for right now.

 

Definitely the RO Classic skimmer looks like a good choice.

 

Anybody using the Coral Box skimmers on fish-street?

 

http://www.fish-street.com/coral_box_d700_dc_skimmerhttp://www.fish-street.com/coral_box_d700_dc_skimmer

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Basically if in the future I get a bigger tank, this tank will become a coral frag tank, so whatever pump I get, I want it to last for a long time so quality is a must. If that means I gotta spend $300 then thats what it is...but my AIM is $250 for right now.

 

Definitely the RO Classic skimmer looks like a good choice.

 

Anybody using the Coral Box skimmers on fish-street?

 

http://www.fish-street.com/coral_box_d700_dc_skimmerhttp://www.fish-street.com/coral_box_d700_dc_skimmer

 

I've been hearing more and more bad stories of jebao DC pumps going out in under 6 months. I'm not sure I would risk wasting the money on that upgrade but the Octopus and other DC skimmers are crazy expensive so might still be worth the risk.

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I have a 302 that's been up and running for a little over 2 years now. It's a great little skimmer that works extremely well. Why not just replace the pump and save a few hundred dollars?

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I have a 302 that's been up and running for a little over 2 years now. It's a great little skimmer that works extremely well. Why not just replace the pump and save a few hundred dollars?

 

This is my second pump...just starting to piss me off...

 

What about I save some cash and go with a decent tried and true pump?

http://www.amazon.com/Coral-Vue-Technology-AC20284-100-Gallon/dp/B003TQ7Z8W/ref=sr_1_3?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1418760863&sr=1-3&keywords=reef+octopus+protein+skimmer#customerReviews

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This is my second pump...just starting to piss me off...

 

The atmans are definitely the downside to these and the bubble magus and some of the other brands. Wish someone could come up with a way to put a sicce or other nice pump in them.

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The atmans are definitely the downside to these and the bubble magus and some of the other brands. Wish someone could come up with a way to put a sicce or other nice pump in them.

Yup. I had an Atman on a SWC160 and it took a dump after a few months. Terrible pumps.

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Odd and I dont want to jinx it, but mines been great thus far. Always starts right up after a cleaning and never any issues. I just think buying a whole new skimmer can be a waste when you have one that could just use a better pump.

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Odd and I dont want to jinx it, but mines been great thus far. Always starts right up after a cleaning and never any issues. I just think buying a whole new skimmer can be a waste when you have one that could just use a better pump.

 

I know...the skimmer itself is perfectly fine. There are, to my knowledge, no other pump alternatives that fit.

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What are the dimensions and flow rate of that pump?

 

I'm not sure if there is a needle wheel for them, or if the one from the stock pump will fit, but the Hydor pico pumps are fairly small and move a decent amount of water. They have been reliable for me and are pretty reasonably priced.

 

If you get me the dimensions of the magnet, diameter and length, and the daimeter and length of the shaft, I can compare it to the ones I have at home. I think I have three different sizes.

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How long are these pumps lasting?

I'm at about 2 years on my SC302. Seems like they either last like a normal pump, or they crap out in about a year or so. The Atman 2000 pump isn't exactly cheap either. Roughly $60 - $75 with shipping, but about half the cost of a comparable ASM, sicce, eheim, or other high quality pump.

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What are the dimensions and flow rate of that pump?

 

I'm not sure if there is a needle wheel for them, or if the one from the stock pump will fit, but the Hydor pico pumps are fairly small and move a decent amount of water. They have been reliable for me and are pretty reasonably priced.

 

If you get me the dimensions of the magnet, diameter and length, and the daimeter and length of the shaft, I can compare it to the ones I have at home. I think I have three different sizes.

700 gph is the rated flow, but I think that's the inline flow. 41W is probably a better metric.

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The Vertex Omega 150 was 250.You missed that deal though.

 

There was a RO skimmer for sale in the classifieds.Might be sold by now. I was thinking of buying it for a couple weeks.

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