What skimmer?

[hypertech]

I have a Oceanic Illuminata 57 mixed reef with SPS, LPS, and softies with somewhere around 60-70 gallons total volume with the sump (20L). I like fish and I don't like to do water changes so I need a big skimmer. Originally, I had a Octopus Extreme 160 skimmer on it and it was OK but too loud (I want my tank as silent as possible). The small purple pinwheel made it better, but it was still louder than I wanted.

 

Then, I came along a used BK Mini 180 that was just too good a price to pass up. It is OK and certainly well built, but I think it is just so oversized that it may not work right on my tank.

 

So, does anyone have suggestions for me? Any opinions on the itech 100 w/ the tunze pump?

[hypertech]

I have a Oceanic Illuminata 57 mixed reef with SPS, LPS, and softies with somewhere around 60-70 gallons total volume with the sump (20L). I like fish and I don't like to do water changes so I need a big skimmer. Originally, I had a Octopus Extreme 160 skimmer on it and it was OK but too loud (I want my tank as silent as possible). The small purple pinwheel made it better, but it was still louder than I wanted.

 

Then, I came along a used BK Mini 180 that was just too good a price to pass up. It is OK and certainly well built, but I think it is just so oversized that it may not work right on my tank.

 

So, does anyone have suggestions for me? Any opinions on the itech 100 w/ the tunze pump?

 

Well, I sold the BK Mini and ordered an Alpha Cone 170. Hopefully it will be a good fit for my system.

Edited February 8, 2010 by hypertech

[hypertech]

Well, that alpha cone 170 arrived today and my first impressions are that it is the best skimmer I've ever seen. I'm really happy with it so far and it built up a nice thick foam head within 15 minutes of turning it on. So far so good.

[khalid]

We need pics

[Coral Hind]

Keep us posted on how it performs.

[hypertech]

This is from less than a week of skimming on a tank that only has 5 small fish.

 

[khalid]

Looks great!

[Origami]

Pee-ew! I can smell that stinky skimmate from here.