Cheap protien skimmer vs expensive

fish master

fish master

Member
Is there that big of difference between the cheap and expensive protien skimmers. To get a name brand for the size i need its going to cost 300.00. There is a no name online for 70.00. They are just plastic tubes that pump air and water together to make bubbles. I dont want to spend extra money if i dont have to. Kinda like nike shoes. Ive tried nike shoes and think they are the most uncomfortable running shoe there is. Your just paying for the name. Has anyone ever bought a cheap protien skimmer and it worked fine
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Before you go labeling cheap skimmer vs expensive....Give a little more info as to the skimmers your trying to compare......All skimmers to a degree aren't equal.....There is a difference between plastic vs acrylic.....Your cheaper skimmers might also skim on pumps as well.....A good example would be comparing an ASM to a EuroReef back in the day.......
 
fish master

fish master

Member
I dont want to post site, dont know if saltwater fish will get mad if i give links to other site. But here is some info
Power 90 Watt; Output 3200 L/H; AC 110V 120V /60Hz; Max flow rate: 800 GPH; Max tank size: up to 300 gallons. The reviews were up and down. Some people liked it, some didnt. Seems the pump was the strong point in the reviews
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
For $70.00.....I'd search around for that price and buy an ASM or EuroReef that's more than proven.
 
fish master

fish master

Member
I looked up asm a few minutes ago and cheapest one i could find was 336.00 just found asm for up to 350 gallon tank 445.00. Thats what iam asking myself. do i want to spend 70.00 on one or do i want to spend 450.00 on one if the 70.00 does just as good. iam sure the 70.00 one doesnt have all the bells and whistles but if it does what its supposed to. i would rather spend 70 and not 450
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Fish master I wasn't saying or directing to look at buying the ASM brand new.....Maybe I misled with my statement, but I'm sure if you look around "used" you can find them cheap.....What I'm getting at is spend your $$$ as you see fit, but I guarantee certain pieces of equipment are worth spending the "extra" what you might call "bells and whistles".....The skimmer your looking at isn't even considered "good" or "ok"......Just do a search on Seaclone......I have a buddy that thinks the same way, and after years and countless money spent on "subpar" skimmers, he finally parted with a little cash to get quality.....No one is saying to go spend mad cash on a Bubble King, ATB or what not.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I like reef octopus skimmers - they seem pretty solid built, and I like the PSK Italian pumps that they come with.
You're mainly paying for the pump. Sure, it's a little plastic or acrylic put together, but the pump is where the expense comes in. Bubble blasters, red dragons, and PSK series pumps are up there with the best.... But you're going to pay for em'
 
fish master

fish master

Member
Thats what i was wanting someone to tell me. Is it worth buying a name brand over a cheap one. Your right, i dont want to buy a cheap now and then have to go buy another later. I never even thought about used. my mind was focus one direction, new. I will look into used to see what i can find. Switching these tanks over is not going to be cheap so im trying to save where i can, but i want to do it right. I appreciate your guys experience and thoughts. Its easy to make a big mistake in this hobby. When i started these tanks 10 years ago i didnt know what i was doing. I had 12 fish in one tank and 15 in the other. way overcrowded. we moved to a new house. I set tanks back up and as fast as i could, everything seem fine. went down to tanks next morning and every fish in both tanks were floating at top of tank. i lost 1000.00 dollars of fish overnight.
 
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