Picking a skimmer

What a headache, I look on RC for skimmer recommendations and everyone has their favorite, try to read on different ones but every brand has a 120 page thread going. What a pain in the rear. I have that tiny sump though so I'm leaning towards the Tunze 9010, little more than I wanted to spend but supposed to work well without needing mods or constant adjustment. A lot I checked out just plain won't fit, the skimmer section is only 12x11, another option is the Sump Buddy but than I need to buy a pump on top of it which drives the cost up. A Reef Octo Extreme 160 would fit but not sure if the rating is correct or not.

If you have the cash you can get a http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/catalog/Protein-Skimmers-MSX-Skimmers/c22_48/p132/MSX200/product_info.html

Or the 160 size. People tell me its better then the Octo. The air vent that sucks the air in to the pump is bigger then the octo.

Too big, it's 13.5 on the one side and I only have 12" max. That's the problem with a couple of the skimmers I've looked at, there's a couple that fit but will take up the entire area like an ASM or the PM redline but those both seem to have crappier reviews than the Tunze as well.

125g tank right ?


http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protein-Skimmers-Octopus/c21_46/p425/NEW-2009-Octopus-Needlewheel-200-Protein-Skimmer/product_info.html

They have diameter listed instead of footprint, the body is 8" round but the bottom is 11.5 x 13.5 according to aquacave.com

Which I may be able to slide into my sump still but there wouldn't be room for anything else.

What about a External skimmer ?

danreefs wrote:What about a External skimmer ?

Noise is a concern, tanks in my living room. I like the Tunze for the wattage as well, I hate to run another large pump 24/7. I thought about getting a larger sump as well but that seems like a huge hassle and might require some rearranging under the stand. We shall see how the sale goes and what I can afford though. I wish I had the cash to drop on a BK or something really nice but no way.

I had the 9010 Tunze skimmer for couple year and it worked very well. It takes a while to get it going and the air control screw is a little temperamental. But its very silent and low power draw. Roger at Tunze USA is really nice to deal with if u have any problems.
Vishnu

Shame the MSX 160 wouldn't fit. Jason, Strangerdejavu, has one for $200 from the tank he's selling off.

blennieluvr wrote:Shame the MSX 160 wouldn't fit. Jason, Strangerdejavu, has one for $200 from the tank he's selling off.

I believe the 160 would fit, it's 8 x 10, just not sure if it's enough skimmer for a FOWLR or not, he had his on what a 75 gallon? It'd take up pretty much the entire skimmer section but would fit. I doubt it'll still be around by the swap when I get money though.

Im sure it wll work for a fish only tank.

i think it would of been big enough, but he no longer has it. i had my name on it for the last three weeks but didn't know if i would have the money in time so i let garrett take it off my hands.

I did some reading on RC on the octos and the consensus was go bigger, a 200 or 250 for my needs and those won't fit. I don't want something undersized that I'll just have to upgrade down the line. Jesus though, there was like 4 thread splits before it got closed and then another octo thread besides. Craziness.