Is 1 really good skimmer better then 2 decent skimmers?

[ralphie16]

I was looking to purchase an H&S 250 skimmer that costs about $1500.

I was also looking at a BM250 which costs $750.



So is the H&S that much of a better skimmer in that it will skim that much better that its worth two BM250s?

Or is it just better construction/materials that will make it last twice as long?

What justification is there for the price differential?

[areze]

I think 1 good one is better than 2 lesser ones.

but I dont know if you can really quantify it by price so easily. I dont know the skimmers that well, but I do know I wouldnt take the prices to be the absolute authority on their respective quality.

[kodyboy]

not really. teh H&S is probably better than one BM250, but not two. it really depends on the application.

[Benny Z]

only reason i would run two skimmers would be if i wanted the benefit of the different types of skimmers.

i.e....

beckett skimmer set to skim wet along with a needlewheel skimmer set to skim dark and dry.

[davefan13]

running two skimmers would get pretty expensive with the price of electricity and the pumps needed to feed it.

[honda2sk]

You guys are taking my question too literally. Im not going to run two skimmers. Im asking if the twice the cost is going to give me anywhere near twice the performance? or if twice the cost is going to give me just a little better performance but much better quality/looks/dependability?

[Jim_S]

You can't really compare skimmers like that.

The H&S is more expensive for several reasons, mainly for the quality of craftsmanship and name brand. But in this hobby, the price increase on equipment rarely equals performance gained. But some of us like high quality toys to play with, and choose to spend the extra cash because they have it, or don't really care how much it costs, they just want the best. (something that just isn't "cool" around RC anymore, and as a result, many longtime members go elsewhere to discuss equipment).

The BM is definetly built cheaper, with cheaper materials. But now that they are on their 4th generation of production, they appear to be a solid buy performance wise, (minus the actual construction).

So to answer your question, no. The H&S A250 will not provide the same performance as 2 BM250's.

But I would take the $1500 H&S over the $750 BM for several reasons. None of which would make BM owners too happy..... so I won't touch on that. But if you have the cash (this being the key qualifier), I'm sure you'll be much happier with the H&S product. Its built like a tank, they use quality unions and bracing, etc., etc. But if you are looking for bang for your buck, then the BM will be fine.

Also take into consideration that you are comparing two differnt styles of skimmers on many levels. but for one, the A250 is external model, while the BM250 is an internal only model. You could save a bit of money if you looked into an internal H&S model.

HTH

Jim

[honda2sk]

Originally posted by jimdogg187

But I would take the $1500 H&S over the $750 BM for several reasons. None of which would make BM owners too happy..... so I won't touch on that.
Also take into consideration that you are comparing two differnt styles of skimmers on many levels. but for one, the A250 is external model, while the BM250 is an internal only model. You could save a bit of money if you looked into an internal H&S model.

HTH

Jim

1) why wont you touch on that? nobody cares, nobody will get angry, this is a discussion board, so PLEASE discuss what you have to say

2) a250 i am referring to is indeed an internal model, the external model is an additional $300-$400. so both skimmers i am referring to are internal

[Jim_S]

Just to clairify, if the H&S skimmer has an "a" in front of the body size number (i.e. 250), then it is indeed an external model. If there is no "a", that designates an internal model.

The reason I don't want to say why I would choose this skimmer over the next is because the thread will just turn into a debate on theroy, and preferrence. Just because I feel one way, doesn't mean others feel the same.

So after I get back from a sales meeting I'm about to go to , I'll PM you my opinion if you'd like.

Cheers,

Jim

[Reef Sponger]

There's been quite a few skimmer threads that has gone off base from the original question. Some interesting and others a futile boxing match.

Responding to original question. Without having owned either model, but I do own a H&S skimmer and will own a BM160 skimmer soon, I believe the H&S A250 will out perform the BM250. Will it be double the performance? No. But then most hobbyist on this forum believe that the BK skimmers is the best skimmer manufactured even though most who make this comment have never owned one. Does the BK250 Ext outperform the H&S A250 by double as the pricing is almost double. I doubt it.

[mavgi]

jimdogg187 :

the H&S build 100% stronger then the BM you right on that .

but to be honest when you want give a truly compare about the performance need to put those 2 skimmer in a same tank and to see it not to guess ..... you didn't test both to tell 100% what better .
also it doesn't matter if one it's external and the other internal when you want to know who make more skimmate between this 2 you connect the external as is and run the internal as is in the sump the skimmer that will produce the better foam that you llike and want (dry/wet whatever) will be the better one in this case.
then you can said H&S external perform 100% then BM internal in this system . if this skimmer external and the other internal why they can't be compare if one of them collect more doc and build better detritus IMO this the one that perform better on this system and i believe it will do it on other system to...




personal i don't married to my skimmer i buoght it and when i want i will change it if it's work good i will keep it if not i will change it and i don't care about the brand name i care about the performance .

also i don't put big attention how thick it's the skimmer body (of course i will not buy 1mm skimmer thicknes...) because i put the skimmer under the tank and not play with it like football , even if it will be 6mm thick i will be careful with it not to damage it ... but 1.5mm will not change my decision to buy the skimmer if it perform well IMO .

i am not turn into a debate on theroy... i just said MY opinion

[Jim_S]

I just re-read the OP's original question again. Indeed ralphie did state that he/she is looking into the H&S 250 not the A250. Sorry about that

So the last two sentences in my first post can be disregarded.

Jim

[Jim_S]

Originally posted by mavgi
jimdogg187 :



but to be honest when you want give a truly compare about the performance need to put those 2 skimmer in a same tank and to see it not to guess ..... you didn't test both to tell 100% what better .
also it doesn't matter if one it's external and the other internal when you want to know who make more skimmate between this 2 you connect the external as is and run the internal as is in the sump the skimmer that will produce the better foam that you llike and want (dry/wet whatever) will be the better one in this case.
then you can said H&S external perform 100% then BM internal in this system . if this skimmer external and the other internal why they can't be compare if one of them collect more doc and build better detritus IMO this the one that perform better on this system and i believe it will do it on other system to...




personal i don't married to my skimmer i buoght it and when i want i will change it if it's work good i will keep it if not i will change it and i don't care about the brand name i care about the performance .

also i don't put big attention how thick it's the skimmer body (of course i will not buy 1mm skimmer thicknes...) because i put the skimmer under the tank and not play with it like football , even if it will be 6mm thick i will be careful with it not to damage it ... but 1.5mm will not change my decision to buy the skimmer if it perform well IMO .

i am turn into a debate on theroy... i just said MY opinion

This is why I don't want to post how I feel.

I will not post another message in this thread.

edit: also mavgi, I understand english is not your first language, but I'm have great difficulty understanding you... sorry.....

Jim

[mavgi]

Originally posted by jimdogg187
I just re-read the OP's original question again. Indeed ralphie did state that he/she is looking into the H&S 250 not the A250. Sorry about that

So the last two sentences in my first post can be disregarded.

Jim

it's ok i don't argue i think the H&S great skimmer to and i believe if he/she will buy it he will be very happy with it .

before i saw the ATI i want to but the H&S A250 the problem was it was new (we didn't know the size yet) and i was afraid about the size because i don't have the space for it but certainly it's a great skimmer .

[mavgi]

Originally posted by jimdogg187
This is why I don't want to post how I feel.

I will not post another message in this thread.

edit: also mavgi, I understand english is not your first language, but I'm have great difficulty understanding you... sorry.....

Jim

JIM sorry about that i copy the last line from your post and past it and i forget to put the word "not" after i post it i saw it and i edit it the last thing i will do it's to bash i hope you read it and understand the mistake if you will look on all my post you will see that i edit almost all of them because my english .

[klam114]

Originally posted by ralphie16
I was looking to purchase an H&S 250 skimmer that costs about $1500.

I was also looking at a BM250 which costs $750.

So is the H&S that much of a better skimmer in that it will skim that much better that its worth two BM250s?

Or is it just better construction/materials that will make it last twice as long?

What justification is there for the price differential?

R16, I'm just playing devil's advocate here:
What is the justification for price differential between:
1. Lexus & Toyota
2. Lincoln & Ford
3. Sony XBR LCD HDTV & Samsung (screen made by same manufacturer)
4. Sony XBR & Visio LCD HDTV
5. Tunze Stream & Hydor Koralias
6. Eheim pump & Mags
7. H&S & Bubblemaster

They are all good products, but whether they are twice as good, absolutely not. There are those who will only buy Sony XBRs and others who will be fine with a Visio from Costco.

Either skimmer, you will do fine as they are great performing skimmers. At least you aren't comparing something that just doesn't work well. If you have the budget, go for the H&S and if you don't, go for the BM. I've owned the BM200 and the H&S A110, although the BM200 is definitely a better performing skimmer than the H&S A110, the H&S makes an awesome skimmer and yes, I believe it will last longer than the BM because of the better construction. Then again, the BM200 isn't built as well as the BM250, but my H&S A110 is built better than the BM200.

[da1jewfish]

I never new they made or anyone would buy a $1500 skimmer! or even $750. thats insanity! I thought it was a typo.
If you have that much money to spend you can give to the "Bobby needs to move out of mom's house charity" it would go to a good cause and on top of that you would still have money left over for less expensive skimmers, that work.

[ralphie16]

LOL

[RichConley]

Originally posted by jimdogg187
But some of us like high quality toys to play with, and choose to spend the extra cash because they have it, or don't really care how much it costs, they just want the best. (something that just isn't "cool" around RC anymore, and as a result, many longtime members go elsewhere to discuss equipment).
Jim

Jim. I really disagree with this. The issue isnt that its "not cool" to have the best equipment, its that a lot of us are really sick of being told that we can't keep a 55g tank without using a $1500 skimmer.

I can't see how losing the elitist attitude around here is a bad thing.


Also, there are plenty of members around here who just want to spend the most, whether or not its the best, or even adequate. (cough..solaris..cough)