I'm having a hard time choosing a skimmer for my new 2 shallow tanks + 1 sump build (Link to the build thread).
I'm guessing the total water volume would be roughly around 300 liters (80 gallons), including the sump. No corals, just shrimps, and some inverts.
At first, I was going to buy the Aquamaxx Q2 (AC) but then I realized how the bioload of my current marine shrimp only tank is quite low for the size of the tank.
I thought maybe Q2 might be too powerful to have a consistent result and it might be better to buy a DC skimmer and turn it down. ......But I'm still not too sure.
I'd like to run my skimmer dry and prefer to under skim than over skim.
As you can tell, I'm very indecisive and have been thinking about this for several weeks already.
I've made a list of the candidates (I live in Korea and my options are often limited to what they have here and the prices may differ from the skimmers sold elsewhere).
Please feel free to comment and any feedbacks are welcome. Cheers.
1. Aquamaxx Q2
Still a strong candidate.
Pros: Good price and reviews. Love the twist-off skimmer cup. Reliable Sicce pump. Comes with a 2 year warranty.
Cons: AC pump, less control.
Etc: The smaller Q1 and the DC versions are not imported here. I even thought about putting this skimmer on a timer.
2. Reef Octopus Regal 150int
Pros: Good review, read good things about the model and the brand. The external pump design is a plus.
Cons: The most expensive on the list. Comes with a 1 year warranty. I fear any replacement parts (like the pump) would cost a lot of money should there be an issue after the warranty expires.
Etc: For the price, it would've been much better if the warranty was at least for 2 years. The twist-off skimmer cup would've been nice too.
3. Maxspect SK400
Pros: Cheaper than Reef Octopus.
Cons: Couldn't find many reviews (long term). Comes with a 1 year warranty. I fear any replacement parts (like the pump) would cost a lot of money should there be an issue after the warranty expires.
Etc: it would've been nice if the warranty was at least for 2 years. The twist-off skimmer cup would've been nice.
4. Tunze 9410 DC
Pro: Feature-wise, this has all that I want. Easy to take the skimmer cup out, eternal pump, adjustable, good reviews, etc. It's the skimmer I want.
Cons: Not sold in Korea. I could buy one from abroad and have it shipped here but it would practically be without a warranty since it'll cost quite a bit to send it back and forth overseas to get it replaced or repaired. Also, not cheap. I'm trying very hard to convince myself not to do it but it is still very tempting.
5. Tiger 150i protein skimmer (DC)
Pros: The cheapest option. Much cheaper than the rest. Uses Jebao dcp pump (ease of replacement). This has the twist-off skimmer cup that I like.
Cons: Comes with a 1 year warrenty. Uses Jebao dcp pump (not saying they are crap but not the most reliable brand name). Not enough reviews out there.
Etc: I've heard this is a locally deisgned skimmer that is manufactured in China.
6. Deltec 600i
Pros: Good reviews.
Cons: Expensive. Comes with a 1 year warranty. I heard they use Jebao pumps (can someone confirm if this is true?). It's not that I don't like Jebao pumps, but for the price, I expect something better.
Etc: Not really considering this option at the moment.
I'm guessing the total water volume would be roughly around 300 liters (80 gallons), including the sump. No corals, just shrimps, and some inverts.
At first, I was going to buy the Aquamaxx Q2 (AC) but then I realized how the bioload of my current marine shrimp only tank is quite low for the size of the tank.
I thought maybe Q2 might be too powerful to have a consistent result and it might be better to buy a DC skimmer and turn it down. ......But I'm still not too sure.
I'd like to run my skimmer dry and prefer to under skim than over skim.
As you can tell, I'm very indecisive and have been thinking about this for several weeks already.
I've made a list of the candidates (I live in Korea and my options are often limited to what they have here and the prices may differ from the skimmers sold elsewhere).
Please feel free to comment and any feedbacks are welcome. Cheers.
1. Aquamaxx Q2
Still a strong candidate.
Pros: Good price and reviews. Love the twist-off skimmer cup. Reliable Sicce pump. Comes with a 2 year warranty.
Cons: AC pump, less control.
Etc: The smaller Q1 and the DC versions are not imported here. I even thought about putting this skimmer on a timer.
2. Reef Octopus Regal 150int
Pros: Good review, read good things about the model and the brand. The external pump design is a plus.
Cons: The most expensive on the list. Comes with a 1 year warranty. I fear any replacement parts (like the pump) would cost a lot of money should there be an issue after the warranty expires.
Etc: For the price, it would've been much better if the warranty was at least for 2 years. The twist-off skimmer cup would've been nice too.
3. Maxspect SK400
Pros: Cheaper than Reef Octopus.
Cons: Couldn't find many reviews (long term). Comes with a 1 year warranty. I fear any replacement parts (like the pump) would cost a lot of money should there be an issue after the warranty expires.
Etc: it would've been nice if the warranty was at least for 2 years. The twist-off skimmer cup would've been nice.
4. Tunze 9410 DC
Pro: Feature-wise, this has all that I want. Easy to take the skimmer cup out, eternal pump, adjustable, good reviews, etc. It's the skimmer I want.
Cons: Not sold in Korea. I could buy one from abroad and have it shipped here but it would practically be without a warranty since it'll cost quite a bit to send it back and forth overseas to get it replaced or repaired. Also, not cheap. I'm trying very hard to convince myself not to do it but it is still very tempting.
5. Tiger 150i protein skimmer (DC)
Pros: The cheapest option. Much cheaper than the rest. Uses Jebao dcp pump (ease of replacement). This has the twist-off skimmer cup that I like.
Cons: Comes with a 1 year warrenty. Uses Jebao dcp pump (not saying they are crap but not the most reliable brand name). Not enough reviews out there.
Etc: I've heard this is a locally deisgned skimmer that is manufactured in China.
6. Deltec 600i
Pros: Good reviews.
Cons: Expensive. Comes with a 1 year warranty. I heard they use Jebao pumps (can someone confirm if this is true?). It's not that I don't like Jebao pumps, but for the price, I expect something better.
Etc: Not really considering this option at the moment.
