W/D Reef octopus nwb110

JJIM · 07/27/2014, 08:02 PM

Anyone ever use the Reef octopus nwb110?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...m?pcatid=18997

I have a heavy bioload 90 gallon mixed reef. I recently consolidated my 28 nano and 55 gallon tanks into this 90 gallon and am looking at options.

I am considering the Reef octopus nwb110 coupled with live rock/rubble (instead of bioballs). If possible I might put cheato in one of the chambers for a refugium of sorts.

I frequently hear and see people opting for refugiums over the wet/dry systems . Please help me understand pros and cons of both. Can one not do both, and still obtain the objective of keeping water clean and add beneficial bacteria and pods to the DT?

One of the main objectives I want is keep the water quality stable and without high levels of nitrates and phosphates. I also want to keep pods growing with the cheato and live rock (refugium of sorts).

Thanks in advance.

theaquareef · 07/28/2014, 01:27 AM

Nwb110 is a pretty common and highly recommended skimmer. In particular I have the nwb 110 sss and so far it's been a great skimmer. I can say the nwb 110 is a good skimmer as would many others. Personally I would opt for a nwb 150.

As for wet dry systems most people would not choose to go that way for nitrate producing reasons. After a bit they tend to build up and nitrate requiring more maintenance then they are worth. I have no experience with them but this is what I've read.

On the contrary, fuge are highly recommend as a way or nutrient (nitrate, phosphate etc) removal through the macro algae. As well as what you mentioned, added bacteria through live rock or sand and a great spawning ground for pods and other beneficial creatures! Also with the refuge and macro algae comes a more stable ph, to a certain degree, especially If your refuge light is on opposite of the DT or constant.

Hopefully other people can chime in for you! Hope that helps!!

Dartolution · 07/28/2014, 01:32 AM

I have a NWB110 on my 40breeder and it is an awesome skimmer. But for your 90 gallon I agree, a larger skimmer, upper size octo would be better.

JJIM · 07/28/2014, 09:26 AM

I kind of cut and pasted the wrong item with heavy eyes last night. Below is what I have been looking at, therefore any insight on the below few items would be wonderful.

Guessing you could make the Berliner WD-125 a fuge in compartment II, but the polishing idea in chamber one seems nice (filter pads, media trays, socks). Also, the top on the WD-125 seems like a good idea to keep the salt creep down, but it may not allow the water to aerate as well.

1. Berliner WD-125 Wet/Dry Filter:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...m?pcatid=18997

or

Eshopps 2nd Generation Refugium R-200:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...m?pcatid=24529

I hope the skimmers I listed below will fit in both of these, so any personal experiences would be nice to hear.

2. And which skimmer of the two is a better option for a high bioload 90 mixed reef. Looking for ease of maintenance and skimmate production.
Octopus nwb 150 http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vertex...n-skimmer.html

or

AquaMaxx EcoMaxx EM200 In-Sump Protein Skimmer http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx_...PSISNW-vi.html

I certainly like the idea of the EM200 being $100 cheaper, but not a deal breaker.

3. Any other skimmers I should look at around $250-350ish?

rounder45 · 07/28/2014, 10:51 AM

the nwb 110 with the current aquatrance pump is a little small for a 90 based on water flow through the skimmer. It will only cycle your tank 1x per hour(92gph water flow). I would get the nwb 150. For the small price difference($30) it will work much better and give you a better flow through of about 2x tank volume. A proper size skimmer should flow 1.5-2x tank water volume through it. I would personally get the sss model over the standard simply due to the submerged wedge pipe outlet vs the gate valve that will pour water down into your sump and may require plumbing accessories to stop the loud splashing water stream.

07/27/2014, 08:02 PM	#1
JJIM Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: U.S Posts: 540	W/D Reef octopus nwb110 Anyone ever use the Reef octopus nwb110? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...m?pcatid=18997 I have a heavy bioload 90 gallon mixed reef. I recently consolidated my 28 nano and 55 gallon tanks into this 90 gallon and am looking at options. I am considering the Reef octopus nwb110 coupled with live rock/rubble (instead of bioballs). If possible I might put cheato in one of the chambers for a refugium of sorts. I frequently hear and see people opting for refugiums over the wet/dry systems . Please help me understand pros and cons of both. Can one not do both, and still obtain the objective of keeping water clean and add beneficial bacteria and pods to the DT? One of the main objectives I want is keep the water quality stable and without high levels of nitrates and phosphates. I also want to keep pods growing with the cheato and live rock (refugium of sorts). Thanks in advance. __________________ James

07/28/2014, 09:26 AM	#4
JJIM Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: U.S Posts: 540	I kind of cut and pasted the wrong item with heavy eyes last night. Below is what I have been looking at, therefore any insight on the below few items would be wonderful. Guessing you could make the Berliner WD-125 a fuge in compartment II, but the polishing idea in chamber one seems nice (filter pads, media trays, socks). Also, the top on the WD-125 seems like a good idea to keep the salt creep down, but it may not allow the water to aerate as well. 1. Berliner WD-125 Wet/Dry Filter: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...m?pcatid=18997 or Eshopps 2nd Generation Refugium R-200: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...m?pcatid=24529 I hope the skimmers I listed below will fit in both of these, so any personal experiences would be nice to hear. 2. And which skimmer of the two is a better option for a high bioload 90 mixed reef. Looking for ease of maintenance and skimmate production. Octopus nwb 150 http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vertex...n-skimmer.html or AquaMaxx EcoMaxx EM200 In-Sump Protein Skimmer http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx_...PSISNW-vi.html I certainly like the idea of the EM200 being $100 cheaper, but not a deal breaker. 3. Any other skimmers I should look at around $250-350ish? __________________ James

07/28/2014, 01:27 AM	#2
theaquareef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 578	Nwb110 is a pretty common and highly recommended skimmer. In particular I have the nwb 110 sss and so far it's been a great skimmer. I can say the nwb 110 is a good skimmer as would many others. Personally I would opt for a nwb 150. As for wet dry systems most people would not choose to go that way for nitrate producing reasons. After a bit they tend to build up and nitrate requiring more maintenance then they are worth. I have no experience with them but this is what I've read. On the contrary, fuge are highly recommend as a way or nutrient (nitrate, phosphate etc) removal through the macro algae. As well as what you mentioned, added bacteria through live rock or sand and a great spawning ground for pods and other beneficial creatures! Also with the refuge and macro algae comes a more stable ph, to a certain degree, especially If your refuge light is on opposite of the DT or constant. Hopefully other people can chime in for you! Hope that helps!!

07/28/2014, 01:32 AM	#3
Dartolution Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Alabama Posts: 356	I have a NWB110 on my 40breeder and it is an awesome skimmer. But for your 90 gallon I agree, a larger skimmer, upper size octo would be better.

07/28/2014, 10:51 AM	#5
rounder45 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 301	the nwb 110 with the current aquatrance pump is a little small for a 90 based on water flow through the skimmer. It will only cycle your tank 1x per hour(92gph water flow). I would get the nwb 150. For the small price difference($30) it will work much better and give you a better flow through of about 2x tank volume. A proper size skimmer should flow 1.5-2x tank water volume through it. I would personally get the sss model over the standard simply due to the submerged wedge pipe outlet vs the gate valve that will pour water down into your sump and may require plumbing accessories to stop the loud splashing water stream.