Skimmer opinions please

CHEMCHEF · Jun 18, 2013

I'm looking into getting a new skimmer.
My skimmer chamber is 7"x18" with a 10" water level.
I'm trying to decide between
Bubble magus nac 5.5
SWC 120
Seaside Aquatics CS5.5
Or
AquaMaxx ConeS CO-1
My options are fairly limited due to the 7" wide skimmer section.
So far I'm leaning towards the Seaside.
BTW. My system is 44 gal. TWV with 6 fish, SPS dominant.
What's y'all's opinion?
I would like it to be quiet also.
The skimmer I run right now is barely audible.

Spsnut · Jun 18, 2013

I Wonder how well a square Tunze 9005 would hold up against any of those?

E.intheC · Jun 18, 2013

Aquamaxx cone looks good. Those skimmers are all pretty similar, though.

I wouldn't run the SWC for free. But that's jmo.

How about the bubble magus curve line? My buddy runs one and loves the thing.

saltwaterinbrooklyn · Jun 18, 2013

I just posted a thread a few days ago about the skimmers I went through in the past 6 months and In the end I went from a swc 120 to a seaside aquatics cs1 , only because the 120 had a smaller pump and the cs1 was bubbling gunk in 10 minutes and out worked the 120, again it's a bigger skimmer !!!! But I wanted a better gunk pull!!!

I would go with the sea side or the 120 but just a little FYI , the seaside delivers the return water under the water line and has a nice rubber pad under the pump for greater silence and zero vibration , and it handles a greater water volume over the 120

Reefcowboy · Jun 18, 2013

I have a SeaSide Aquatics CS1 and is by far the best skimmer ive ever had. I like the brand, and think all options you listed are great choices.

oh207 · Jun 18, 2013

I too have a Seaside Aquatics, CS7, I think its the same as the CS1 and I can attest that it works great. However you need 25cm to 27cm water level for optimal skimming. Thats about 9.8 to 10.6 inches. If you have an ATO and can maintain the water level, then that would be ideal.

CHEMCHEF · Jun 18, 2013

saltwaterinbrooklyn said:
I just posted a thread a few days ago about the skimmers I went through in the past 6 months and In the end I went from a swc 120 to a seaside aquatics cs1 , only because the 120 had a smaller pump and the cs1 was bubbling gunk in 10 minutes and out worked the 120, again it's a bigger skimmer !!!! But I wanted a better gunk pull!!!

I would go with the sea side or the 120 but just a little FYI , the seaside delivers the return water under the water line and has a nice rubber pad under the pump for greater silence and zero vibration , and it handles a greater water volume over the 120

The next thing i was looking into after the footprint was the exit water configuration. So thanks for saving me the trouble. If the swc exits water above the water line it's a no go for me.
I'm hoping the seaside is not too large for my bioload. Sometimes that is worse than too small.
They do make a 3.5 also.

CHEMCHEF · Jun 18, 2013

E.intheC said:
Aquamaxx cone looks good. Those skimmers are all pretty similar, though.

I wouldn't run the SWC for free. But that's jmo.

How about the bubble magus curve line? My buddy runs one and loves the thing.

That's strange to hear about the swc. Why don't you like it. It seems to have great reviews?
The problem withv the curve5 is the pump. I hear terrible things about those attman pumps.

E.intheC · Jun 18, 2013

Owner's a complete goon. Here's a link: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blo...d-prison-time-for-smuggling-protected-species

Plus I hate Atman pumps

...EDIT -- I thought the curve had a different pump, but I guess not.

Imbarrie · Jun 18, 2013

I was not a fan of the Bubble Magus.
The build quality looks weak and the one I had seemed noisy.

CHEMCHEF · Jun 18, 2013

E.intheC said:
Owner's a complete goon. Here's a link: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blo...d-prison-time-for-smuggling-protected-species

Plus I hate Atman pumps

...EDIT -- I thought the curve had a different pump, but I guess not.

Thanks for the read Eric.
The swc is officially off the list.

CHEMCHEF · Jun 18, 2013

Imbarrie said:
I was not a fan of the Bubble Magus.
The build quality looks weak and the one I had seemed noisy.

I've seen a couple in action. They didn't seem noisy but the build quality has me a little concerned. Plus the pump issues.

jerl77 · Jun 18, 2013

Look into the avast skimmer
Thing pulls the best skim mate I see in 20 years in this hobby

saltwaterinbrooklyn · Jun 18, 2013

If jerl is recommending it than it may be as outdated as his lights , it probably has a hamster in scuba gear running in a wheel to power it lol

jerl77 · Jun 18, 2013

saltwaterinbrooklyn said:
If jerl is recommending it than it may be as outdated as his lights , it probably has a hamster in scuba gear running in a wheel to power it lol

Lmfao
Coming from a guy that keeps softies with LEDs but I guess you can't complain about the brown color

jerl77 · Jun 18, 2013

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371595651.917658.jpg

12 hours of skim mate

saltwaterinbrooklyn · Jun 18, 2013

Lol you got that lol great to see you out here bro , by the way that is some real skippy like skimmate , what pump does that skimmer have? And what's the foot print?

CHEMCHEF · Jun 18, 2013

jerl77 said:
Look into the avast skimmer
Thing pulls the best skim mate I see in 20 years in this hobby

I would love to especially at the price point. However the foot print is 9x9.
I don't have the space.

CHEMCHEF · Jun 18, 2013

saltwaterinbrooklyn said:
Lol you got that lol great to see you out here bro , by the way that is some real skippy like skimmate , what pump does that skimmer have? And what's the foot print?

Sicce psk 1000. FP. 9x9

saltwaterinbrooklyn · Jun 18, 2013

Hey chef I have a 120 sitting in my bathroom as a backup if you want , you can run it and see what you think

Skimmer opinions please

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