Best Skimmer Under $450

I am setting up a 72 bow tank. I will primarily have soft corals, but anticipate it having a high fish bioload. Any recommendations on a complete skimmer (pump included) under $450? I need to fit it in the sump under the tank, so can't have a huge footprint.

 

It looked like the cone skimmers with dc motor were the new thing. Any significant advantages or recommendations?

 

Vertex Omega 150 Protein Skimmer. $400 at Bulk Reef Supply. 10% off sale now, so $360. It is a power horse. I've had it since Thanksgiving last year and really love it. Performance is super.

Reef Octopus skimmers are great. I used one for many years on my 75g display tank. It worked great - and it was a used skimmer. I finally had to replace it. Actually the skimmer still worked, but when the skimmer was turned off (for example to clean it), the pump had to be re-primed by blowing air into the tube. The skimmer was so old that I couldn't buy a replacement pump.

As it was late in the year when I was looking for a replacement, I was able to wait for the Thanksgiving Black Friday sales. I was able to snag the Vertex Omega for $250!! What a steal.

 

+1 on the Reef Octopus skimmers. Go to the liquidation section of Coralvue's website, you might be able to get an amazing deal on one right from the factory.

 

I also recommend reef octopus skimmers. You should be able to get one for less than 400. I haven't ran the DC pumps on one yet so I can't say if they are worth it or not.

 

Def reef octopus but also just keep an eye on here you can get great deals

 

I use the reef Octo 110 on my heavily stocked 72 bow.
Worx great
I usually tear it down twice a year for a good cleaning.

 

I can speak on the longevity yet of the DC pumps but I've been running two of their skimmers for 6+ months, both with DC pumps and I am very pleased. They are so incredibly quiet! If it wasn't for the "cloud" of white micro bubbles in the skimmer you wouldn't even know it was running. The selectable speed is a nice feature but semi pointless as I believe in running it full out for maximum air draw.

 

I have a reef octopus pov1 with a neck cleaner for 300. It is a newer style with the dc pump.

 

We have a member in the IA.City Region that has one brand new in box for $350.00 right now. if interested text me at 563-370-0122 for his info and pic. more than happy to help u both out.

 

I also vote for the vertex 150. I have a 180i I got during the BRS black friday sale and it's amazing. The 150 is 25w and draws up to 900 L/min air! I always try and look at air draw for comparing skimmers, it's not perfect, but IMO it's the best stat we have when looking at similar quality skimmers. I am not yet sold on DC pumps for skimmers and returns - those two pieces of equipment are too important for some of the DC issues I have heard about (failure, drastic flow reductions).

 

JNS CO2 cone gets my vote. :0