Can I get away with this Skimmer?

[InfernoST]

Hi All
I was looking at skimmers and came across the
Prizm Skimmer - Deluxe - 9 3/4 in. x 5 3/4 in. x 13 3/4 in. It's rated for 100 Gal I have a 120 and am using a canister filter so a sump version is not an option at this point, do you think i would be able to use this one?

[URL="http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/207483/i/1/pr[/URL]

 

[Atari]

I've used that skimmer on a 55gal and it barely coped so you would be better off looking at something rated for a larger tank. There seem to be a lot of skimmers about where you have to halve the rated capacity to get a more realistic estimate.

 

[InfernoST]

I've used that skimmer on a 55gal and it barely coped so you would be better off looking at something rated for a larger tank. There seem to be a lot of skimmers about where you have to halve the rated capacity to get a more realistic estimate.

That's cool you had experience with it, so if I'm hearing you correctly I should be look for a skimmer rated for about 250 gal tank?

 

[Atari]

Not necessarily, it would also depend on the efficiency of the skimmer and how heavily you want to stock the tank. I've always preferred the over-skimming approach personally, but there are many who say the opposite is better.

If I remember correctly the Prizm ended up on a 15gal nano, and did a great job, so not quite the capacity the manufacturer intended.

 

[mhart032]

I have this skimmer and well its junk mine was even brokein when i got it and it still never worked right. i used it for umm a week then i bought a oceanic super skimmer and am using that instead. i have one for sale if you want a red sea skimmer lol..
Matt

 

[roka64]

I don't use skimmers, but plenty of folks to and the general staement on them is you get what you pay for. A few good name brands are Octopus, ASM, Bak Pac and Aqua C Remora... There might be a few other but I can't thnk of them right now...

 

[InfernoST]

I don't use skimmers, but plenty of folks to and the general staement on them is you get what you pay for. A few good name brands are Octopus, ASM, Bak Pac and Aqua C Remora... There might be a few other but I can't thnk of them right now...

Thanks for the info roka64 now I have base to start from.

 

[BigMike75]

I don't use skimmers, but plenty of folks to and the general staement on them is you get what you pay for. A few good name brands are Octopus, ASM, Bak Pac and Aqua C Remora... There might be a few other but I can't thnk of them right now...

I have been doing some reading at ReefCentral and alot of people use Octopus and MSX skimmers. They seam to be the same skimmer. I am thinking real hard about setting up a 125 72" tank. I would go with the 200 or 250. Another big ticket item, they are around 300'ish. I have found nothing cheap in SW. You need to take into count your sump volume if you are going that way. My wife keeps telling me I need to do something for SW fish, they are alot prettier. I told her that everyting is more expensive, so I will see what she says after I do it. But Honey I told you.

 

[mhart032]

Far as i know the octo is a better skimmer. i would check around on craigslist or check out some for sale sections in forums their are always alot of of good used saltwater products for sometimes less than 1/2 the price, you can get pretty good deals. i really like the super skimmer i have. i bought it from craigslist for 40 bucks and its a 125g. its not always ya get what ya pay for..
Matt

 

[InfernoST]

I have been doing some reading at ReefCentral and alot of people use Octopus and MSX skimmers. They seam to be the same skimmer. I am thinking real hard about setting up a 125 72" tank. I would go with the 200 or 250. Another big ticket item, they are around 300'ish. I have found nothing cheap in SW. You need to take into count your sump volume if you are going that way. My wife keeps telling me I need to do something for SW fish, they are alot prettier. I told her that everyting is more expensive, so I will see what she says after I do it. But Honey I told you.

I'll go take a look, Mine also is aware of the cost and so far I haven't had any issues (thank the lord), but you know the thunder and lightning storm is just around the corner.

 

[roka64]

I think ASM is a sub-affiliate of another company or something like that.
The initial setup for SW is indeed expensive but the monthly maint isn't that bad. There are things you can get a great price on off of eBay. I bought my fluvial FX5 filter (around $200-250 shipped) my RO/DI ($200 shipped) and nova extreme pro lighting (around $250-300 shipped). There are some things you can hold off on during your cycle, like lighting, skimmer (although, you can run it to break it in during the cycle), RO/DI, buy dry sand instead of the so called "live" sand. Mix base rock with LR.
Drs Foster and Smith doesn't charge based on weight, but they tend to be a little more expensive so buy bulk there. I bought 270lbs of sand, a 6foot lighting system, about 5 buckets of salt and variuos other things for $15.99 shipped....

 

[BigMike75]

I'll go take a look, Mine also is aware of the cost and so far I haven't had any issues (thank the lord), but you know the thunder and lightning storm is just around the corner.

Last year we had a couple of storms where we lost power for a few days. I am thinking about getting a small generator just for my tanks. Wife would rather do that then have me buy all new fish.....

 

[InfernoST]

I think ASM is a sub-affiliate of another company or something like that.
The initial setup for SW is indeed expensive but the monthly maint isn't that bad. There are things you can get a great price on off of eBay. I bought my fluvial FX5 filter (around $200-250 shipped) my RO/DI ($200 shipped) and nova extreme pro lighting (around $250-300 shipped). There are some things you can hold off on during your cycle, like lighting, skimmer (although, you can run it to break it in during the cycle), RO/DI, buy dry sand instead of the so called "live" sand. Mix base rock with LR.
Drs Foster and Smith doesn't charge based on weight, but they tend to be a little more expensive so buy bulk there. I bought 270lbs of sand, a 6foot lighting system, about 5 buckets of salt and variuos other things for $15.99 shipped....

Drs Foster and Smith have pretty good deals, I ordered The Eheim 2080 for i think 359 or 379 shipped and a few other things. Oh yeah this is a biggie I ordered IO 200 gal mix in the box and found it on my door step broken over and salt on the floor. I wrote them an email explained what had happened and that only 1 bag had been torn open they turned around no questions asked and sent me another complete box and told me to keep the remainder of the other. I like those people over there. I figure it will take 4 to 6 weeks to cycle which will give me more time to save a few bucks and do more research on the other items you mentioned.

 

[melosu58]

I use an Excalibur skimmer and am very satisfied with it.