MSX, DAS, or Bermuda

andy51632 · 06/07/2008, 07:56 AM

Which one would be better for a 240gal reef tank?

johnnyblaze313 · 06/07/2008, 09:10 AM

From what ive read all 3 of these are very good skimmers and you should be happy with any of them. Personally i went with the msx cause it seemed i was getting the most for my money.

mojo~ · 06/07/2008, 11:24 AM

Agree all three are great skimmers. I went with the Bermuda because of its reliablilty and ease of ease. Oh and it is made in USA. I called customer service before I ordered too and they were very helpful and knowledgable about there products. IAsked many questions about dimensions and use and they were able to answer everything I needed. I found this the final selling point for me on the bermuda. Good luck. Again all are good choices. The Bermuda happened to be mine.

GSMguy · 06/07/2008, 11:33 AM

MSX 300.

octo pro 300

ATB medium with airstar.

the only one i would not buy is the bermuda as they are venturi designs and require tons of electricity

if you need an external skimmer consider the DAS

Warmart · 06/07/2008, 02:23 PM

Can't go wrong with either of the 3.

How much do you want to mess with it?

Dyraxe · 06/07/2008, 02:41 PM

If your capable of taking a pump apart to remesh a pump once a year then I'd get a MSX

mojo~ · 06/07/2008, 04:31 PM

well If you use the quiet one 3000 on a bermuda bps 3c it pulls 40 watts same as the msx 160. And it uses the injector.

andy51632 · 06/08/2008, 05:21 AM

Really don't want to mess with it but if is going to improve its skimming capability then I will learn how.

How long would you think these skimmers would last for?

A sea K · 06/08/2008, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mojo46825
well If you use the quiet one 3000 on a bermuda bps 3c it pulls 40 watts same as the msx 160. And it uses the injector.

A properly meshed pump on the 160 will only pull around 25 watts. Some a little less and some a little more.
Not a huge difference but feel it is worth mentioning.

A sea K · 06/08/2008, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by andy51632
Really don't want to mess with it but if is going to improve its skimming capability then I will learn how.

How long would you think these skimmers would last for?

It is almost mandatory to remesh a new MSX as the OEM mesh job leaves a little to be desired. This can take a few attempts if your not familiar with the procedure and can a bit of a pain. Once properly meshed the skimmers are pretty much trouble free or plug and play as some people say. As far as the longevity of the mesh I have heard anywhere from 6 months to two years, IMO you should pull your skimmer at least yearly ( I do mine 2X a year) for a thorough cleaning and it is easy enough to remesh while doing this so I wouldnt consider remesh as extra maintanence.

If you don't break the skimmer it should last many, many years as they dont really wear out. Other than the body it would depend on the life of the pump, most decent pumps will last several years IME.

USC-fan · 06/08/2008, 07:58 AM

I say go with MSX at that size.

You would have to get a das ex-3 and that is pricey compared to MSX 250 or 300.

GSMguy · 06/08/2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by andy51632
Really don't want to mess with it but if is going to improve its skimming capability then I will learn how.

How long would you think these skimmers would last for?

Shawn at ORCA protien skimmers can send you, for a fee a mesh modded impeller for the sicce if you dont want to mess rely on learning the mesh job

OnlyCrimson · 06/08/2008, 09:33 AM

Nothin wrong with the msx. Does a great job.

eddnyster · 06/08/2008, 11:09 AM

The main determining factor, besides performance, that lead me to buy my Bermuda is because fluctuating water levels in the sump DO NOT affect the performance of the 3C. Needlewheels rely on a fixed water level to perform at their full potential.

tpenn187 · 06/08/2008, 11:57 AM

they may need a set level in your sump to perform correctly, needle-wheels that is, but if you do your baffles correctly you should have no fluctuation in water level. i run a msx 200 on my system and love it, a msx 250 should be plenty on a 240, unless you plan on having about 10 huge tangs.

USC-fan · 06/08/2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by eddnyster
The main determining factor, besides performance, that lead me to buy my Bermuda is because fluctuating water levels in the sump DO NOT affect the performance of the 3C. Needlewheels rely on a fixed water level to perform at their full potential.

that is not true for recirc NW skimmers like the DAS.

06/07/2008, 07:56 AM	#1
andy51632 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 120	MSX, DAS, or Bermuda Which one would be better for a 240gal reef tank?

06/07/2008, 11:33 AM	#4
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	MSX 300. octo pro 300 ATB medium with airstar. the only one i would not buy is the bermuda as they are venturi designs and require tons of electricity if you need an external skimmer consider the DAS __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

06/07/2008, 09:10 AM	#2
johnnyblaze313 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 420	From what ive read all 3 of these are very good skimmers and you should be happy with any of them. Personally i went with the msx cause it seemed i was getting the most for my money.

06/07/2008, 11:24 AM	#3
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	Agree all three are great skimmers. I went with the Bermuda because of its reliablilty and ease of ease. Oh and it is made in USA. I called customer service before I ordered too and they were very helpful and knowledgable about there products. IAsked many questions about dimensions and use and they were able to answer everything I needed. I found this the final selling point for me on the bermuda. Good luck. Again all are good choices. The Bermuda happened to be mine.

06/07/2008, 02:23 PM	#5
Warmart Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: AZ - Maricopa Posts: 144	Can't go wrong with either of the 3. How much do you want to mess with it?

06/07/2008, 02:41 PM	#6
Dyraxe Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,606	If your capable of taking a pump apart to remesh a pump once a year then I'd get a MSX

06/07/2008, 04:31 PM	#7
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	well If you use the quiet one 3000 on a bermuda bps 3c it pulls 40 watts same as the msx 160. And it uses the injector.

06/08/2008, 05:21 AM	#8
andy51632 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 120	Really don't want to mess with it but if is going to improve its skimming capability then I will learn how. How long would you think these skimmers would last for?

06/08/2008, 07:58 AM	#11
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	I say go with MSX at that size. You would have to get a das ex-3 and that is pricey compared to MSX 250 or 300.

06/08/2008, 09:33 AM	#13
OnlyCrimson Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Royal Oak,Michigan Posts: 863	Nothin wrong with the msx. Does a great job.

06/08/2008, 11:09 AM	#14
eddnyster Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Whitter, CA Posts: 275	The main determining factor, besides performance, that lead me to buy my Bermuda is because fluctuating water levels in the sump DO NOT affect the performance of the 3C. Needlewheels rely on a fixed water level to perform at their full potential.

06/08/2008, 11:57 AM	#15
tpenn187 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: central illinois Posts: 630	they may need a set level in your sump to perform correctly, needle-wheels that is, but if you do your baffles correctly you should have no fluctuation in water level. i run a msx 200 on my system and love it, a msx 250 should be plenty on a 240, unless you plan on having about 10 huge tangs.