MrsBugmaster Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 I am replacing my 34 gal Solana with a new Red Sea Reefer 170 series setup. This option will give me a sump which I don't have now. I need help picking out my skimmer and return pump. I need something that is silent!(husbands requirement for letting me upgrade) From the research I've already done it looks like these are the best options and what everyone is using. Keeping in mind that the skimmer section is 11.8”x9.8”,total system water volume is 43 gals, and return pump need to be 530 gph and is (11.8”x4.7”). If anyone has any experience or first hand knowledge of these please let me know. I am looking for something very silent and reliable for years to come. Or if there is something I am not aware of that my be better. These are what I am looking at: Skimmer Pump needs to be silent (skimmer section is 11.8”x9.8”) Skimz SN123 Monster Mini with dc pump Reef Octopus Classic 110 SSS Deltec SC 1351 (some report it is noisy) Bubble Magus Curve 5 (needs 9" of water and some report this is problem) Nyos Quantam 120 Return Pump Needs to be silent! (return pump section is 11.8”x4.7” and needs 530 gph) Even though the dc pumps are usually silent, some reports that a dc pump is not best option as it messes with water levels and the downpipe valve adjustments. The exception is the Vectra M1, which I think is way too much for this size tank but will include it as some use it. Echotech Marine Vectra M1 Nyos viper 5.0 (at 529 gph may be a little under sized.) Syncra 2.0 Pump: 568gph Syncra 3.5 Pump: 660gph Eheim 1260 :635 gph Tunze Recirculation Pump Silence 1073.020 :50 to 630 gph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryansweet Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 I have experience with 2 of those skimmers and 1 of the returns. I used the bubble magus skimmer on a previous tank and switched it out for the reef octopus 110 because of inconsistencies. The bubble magus worked really well (when it worked), but was so touchy it wasn't worst the hassle of constantly adjusting. The reef octopus was an excellent skimmer in my experience. Took a bit of time to dial in but once there it worked well, skimmed really good and almost never needed adjustment. The return pump I have experience with is the tunze. They are excellent pumps and I would definitely recommend. Dead silent and they are work horses. I had one for 6yrs on my 40gal when I lived in Florida before selling the entire system. Never had an issue with it and definitely didn't clean it like I probably should have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatO Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 Ive had a backwards experience to ryan. the BM curve 5 worked fantastic. very very quiet. I even had it raised on a platform to get the water lower in the body since my skimmer section was 8-9". it ran in about 7" really well. any RO skimmer ive had overflowed for no reason. shut it off, turned it back on and it was steady for another 2 weeks. noting in intake, nothing inside.... no reason ( the last RO was great, just sold it to Splix, that thing was amazing. too amazing. I now run no skimmer) as for return pump. cant go wrong with Eheim-bulletproof for many years but $$$. the Vectra ive read a lot about and I couldn't justify the price. I Currently have a Syncra..4 or 5? and had a 3 or 3.5 before that's still laying aroung from my old cube... they are both very very quiet. I run a beananimal overflow and it is dead silent, so I hear anything and everything in my tank. the loudest part had been my powerheads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbellm Posted September 26, 2016 Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 have a vetra L which I got only a month or so ago. I am happy thus far with it. It has been quiet, and although it is expensive compared to other companies the ecotech has a decent track record. Also their battery backup option was appealing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBugmaster Posted September 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 I like the DC pumps for their quietness and came across these two skimmers. They are rated for a little bigger tank though. Never heard of Simplicity brand before. Anyone know how good it is? Would they work on this size tank? Simplicity 120 DC rated at 60 to 120 gal RO Regal 159 NT rated at 55 to 210 gal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveG66 Posted September 26, 2016 Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 MrsBugmaster: I have a used 34g Solana that I just purchased a few weeks ago, is there a way I can contact you? I'd like to ask a few questions of you since you have one about the skimmer and water levels. I can't PM you maybe because I'm so new? Thanks and good luck with the new tank!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBugmaster Posted September 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 you should be able to pm me. I sent you a pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBugmaster Posted September 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 I am going with the simplicity 120 skimmer and the sicce 2.0 return pump 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatO Posted September 26, 2016 Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 I have read good things about the simplicity skimmers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamC00 Posted September 27, 2016 Report Share Posted September 27, 2016 I have a Sicce return pump and it is silent. It is also very easy to clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBugmaster Posted September 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2016 I have read good things about the simplicity skimmers. I have a Sicce return pump and it is silent. It is also very easy to clean. Good to hear, thanks for the comments. Look for my 34 Gal Solana in the For Sale forum soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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