Best in sump skimmer that is relatively inexpensive

[degibson84]

The setup that my brother and i purchased had an old Red Sea Berlin turbo skimmer and it is not producing enough bubbles to get anything up to the collection cup. When we first plugged it in no bubbles at all looked into it and the impeller was broke so i ordered a new one figured it would work like a champ. Is it because we have no bioload? If not then we are looking for a new skimmer that we know will work but the budget is tight after purchasing the setup and just adding LR and sand. the tank is a 155 bowfront with a 30 gallon sump slightly under half full. What would work good for us at under $300?

 

[reefer gladness]

You might try placing a larger pump on the skimmer you have, no experience with that model so maybe someone who does can chime in. However, if there's nothing to skim then you won't be producing skimmate.

'Best' is an opinion and you'll find several, but for the money I think the Reef Octopus skimmers work pretty well and a lot of others do too.
Reef Octopus Needle/Pin Wheel Protein Skimmer

 

[degibson84]

so since this is a brand new setup meaning all freshly mixed water brand new sand and just added about 90lbs of LR you think there is nothing to skim at all and that could be the issue?

 

[reefer gladness]

It's possible but there's usually some die-off from new LR unless you directly transferred from another cycled tank. Have you tested for ammonia, nitrates, etc?

 

[degibson84]

We have not tested yet. the LR went from tank into styrofoam box then transfered home and we added to the tank

 

[reefer gladness]

Here'a read on curing LR, generally not a good idea to go straight into the tank. Assuming it was 'live' rock you'll bring the good and the bad inhabitants into your aquarium. If it was live rock I would expect there to be enough die-off already that you would be skimming something though so a skimmer upgrade is probably a good idea.

Reef Aquarium Care: Live Rock and Live Sand Acclimation and Curing Guide

 

[PIMPALA]

give it a few days to get going first.



but if you were to replace the skimmer with a new one, ASM in my opinion makes the best skimmer on the market for the money.

 

[degibson84]

give it a few days to get going first.



but if you were to replace the skimmer with a new one, ASM in my opinion makes the best skimmer on the market for the money.

thats what the LFS told me but i dont always believe them

 

[PIMPALA]

I've has a G1, 2 different G3s, and a G4. Never a failure, always skim awesome.