Reef Devil Deluxe Upgrade?

thorsky · 06/05/2009, 11:15 AM

I've been running a Reef Devil Deluxe on a MAG 7 for a while now. Last night the MAG froze up and toasted itself. I've always wanted to try a non custom out-of-the-box needle wheel and now may be my chance.

Two options:
1. Buy a Iwaki/Bluline 20 pressure pump and keep the Devil. It's performed well on the MAG 7 and is purported to run even better on a proper pressure pump.

2. Buy a new skimmer altogether. I've read endless reviews and info on the Octo, MSX, i-tech, ATB, vertex, Tunze, etc... skimmers.

Bioload: Right now I have a 30g display with 4 fish, clam, zoas, crabs, shrimp, snails, etc... and will start adding a heavy SPS load. I lost all past SPS to tank issues about a year ago and just haven't had the heart to get back into it. Now I do.

I also have a 40g sump with about 1/3 sectioned off for a large LTA and a big maroon clown. Reasonable bioload I think but need a good skimmer.

If you had the choice right now, would you go with a new pump and keep the RDD or get a new skimmer? If so, which one? Another thing to keep in mind, I will be setting up my 90g display within the year so it would be nice if a new skimmer was sized with that in mind, even if it's a bit much for the current setup.

thorsky · 06/05/2009, 04:44 PM

Ok, looking at the Vertex 100 or 180. Both have excellent reviews. Would the 180 even function with my current bio-load? I just hate to buy one now, and then have to buy a bigger one in 6 months.

luther1200 · 06/05/2009, 04:55 PM

I'm sure if you just turned the air intake down while on the smaller tank it would be OK, right?

thorsky · 06/05/2009, 08:21 PM

I think it depends on skimmer design. I'm not concerned with overskimming the tank. My concern is more towards the skimmer not performing well at all if the bioload isn't sufficient. Based on reviews here on RC, it seems that some of the newer skimmers perform poorly if oversized for a tank. The BK minis come to mind.

I did have a chance to look at the PM Redline skimmers tonight at my LFS. He has some customers that seem to like them. I'll do some searches but if anyone has opinions on them feel free to share.

thorsky · 06/08/2009, 09:33 PM

Bumping this back up to see if I can get some more opinions.

thorsky · 06/09/2009, 09:48 PM

Ok, one last bump. I think I'm going to order a Vertex 180 and if it doesn't do well in the current setup, I'll hang onto the RDD. When I setup the 90g I'll put the 180 on it and sell the RDD.

06/05/2009, 11:15 AM	#1
thorsky Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 407	Reef Devil Deluxe Upgrade? I've been running a Reef Devil Deluxe on a MAG 7 for a while now. Last night the MAG froze up and toasted itself. I've always wanted to try a non custom out-of-the-box needle wheel and now may be my chance. Two options: 1. Buy a Iwaki/Bluline 20 pressure pump and keep the Devil. It's performed well on the MAG 7 and is purported to run even better on a proper pressure pump. 2. Buy a new skimmer altogether. I've read endless reviews and info on the Octo, MSX, i-tech, ATB, vertex, Tunze, etc... skimmers. Bioload: Right now I have a 30g display with 4 fish, clam, zoas, crabs, shrimp, snails, etc... and will start adding a heavy SPS load. I lost all past SPS to tank issues about a year ago and just haven't had the heart to get back into it. Now I do. I also have a 40g sump with about 1/3 sectioned off for a large LTA and a big maroon clown. Reasonable bioload I think but need a good skimmer. If you had the choice right now, would you go with a new pump and keep the RDD or get a new skimmer? If so, which one? Another thing to keep in mind, I will be setting up my 90g display within the year so it would be nice if a new skimmer was sized with that in mind, even if it's a bit much for the current setup.

06/05/2009, 04:55 PM	#3
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	I'm sure if you just turned the air intake down while on the smaller tank it would be OK, right? __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

06/05/2009, 04:44 PM	#2
thorsky Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 407	Ok, looking at the Vertex 100 or 180. Both have excellent reviews. Would the 180 even function with my current bio-load? I just hate to buy one now, and then have to buy a bigger one in 6 months.

06/05/2009, 08:21 PM	#4
thorsky Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 407	I think it depends on skimmer design. I'm not concerned with overskimming the tank. My concern is more towards the skimmer not performing well at all if the bioload isn't sufficient. Based on reviews here on RC, it seems that some of the newer skimmers perform poorly if oversized for a tank. The BK minis come to mind. I did have a chance to look at the PM Redline skimmers tonight at my LFS. He has some customers that seem to like them. I'll do some searches but if anyone has opinions on them feel free to share.

06/08/2009, 09:33 PM	#5
thorsky Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 407	Bumping this back up to see if I can get some more opinions.

06/09/2009, 09:48 PM	#6
thorsky Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 407	Ok, one last bump. I think I'm going to order a Vertex 180 and if it doesn't do well in the current setup, I'll hang onto the RDD. When I setup the 90g I'll put the 180 on it and sell the RDD.