Skimmer Choice

Jackie Blue · 03/25/2010, 05:14 PM

OK I am looking for a skimmer for a 180 gallon mixed reef that will eventually be heavily stocked.

I have my choices narrowed down to 3

SWC 250 1a: 750$

Super Reef Octopus 2000: 400$

MSX 250A (with askol) :500$

I am a bit wary of the Octopus I currently have the 160 extreme and I am not pleased with it's performance.

Everything I have seen about the SWC has been very promising however it seems a bit over kill since it's rated at 400 gall. heavy bio load.

So far I am leaning towards the msx 250a since it seems to be the one standing in the middle of the pack price wise.

My questions are is the price of the SWC justified and if there are any other skimmers out there I should be aware of. Also if anybody knows of lower prices then those listed by all means feel free to tell me.

Have a good one.

Jack

reefkeepa14 · 03/25/2010, 08:56 PM

never have enough overkill when it comes to skimming

i run a bubble master 200 in my 40B....its rated for 250

i say go bubble king and save yourself all the trouble. like they say, go big or go home

kcsalt · 03/26/2010, 07:14 AM

You could look at the new Deltec skimmers.

Mounda · 03/26/2010, 07:53 AM

The SRO 2000 is not very suitable and it runs for $350.

However if you meant SRO 3000 that is a different story because that monster would be perfect for your system. With the new bubble blaster 3000 pump and the 3 year warranty it comes with it should be great for your system. Another option at the same price would be the Super Reef Octopus XP2000 cone, it's a cone design with a bubble blaster 2000 pump which is less powerful than the 3000 but compensates for it with the new design. These skimmers come internal and external.

If you want to dish out an additional $100 their bigger brother SRO5000 is rated at 400gallons but I think that might be too much for your system.

Jackie Blue · 03/26/2010, 08:08 PM

Was referring to the super reef octopus xp2000 cone. sorry I didn't clarify.

Mirror Pond · 03/26/2010, 09:07 PM

I have the SWC 250 1A cone on my 180 fairly heavily stocked reef with SPS, clams, anemones and quite a few fish. It does a decent job but it may be just a bit too large for my system. It seems to have a hard time producing really consistent skimmate. I have it in about 8" of water but my sump does vary a little each day so that is probably the problem. It does come with internal recirculating plumbing that will keep the water supply constant so that is what I am going to try next. If I hadn't got such a great price on the skimmer (I picked up my skimmer for under $550.00 on clearance from a sponsor here on RC) I would have gone with the MSX 250a.

Jackie Blue · 03/27/2010, 04:50 PM

Alright looks like it's a toss up between Super Reef Ocotpus xp2000 cone and the msx250a. The msx has the askol which from what I have read and heard has nothing but praises heaped on it.
Does anybody know which one is quieter.

Jackie Blue · 03/27/2010, 04:51 PM

Unless anybody can find a msx 1a cone for around 500 bucks lol

mojo~ · 03/27/2010, 05:09 PM

The msx 250a is a very nice unit. you will be pleased

Jackie Blue · 03/27/2010, 06:33 PM

Whelp it's got the mojo endorsement that's good enough for me. lol Thanks.

gooyferret · 03/29/2010, 12:01 AM

I have a 180gal with the MSX200 right now, im actually going to be upgrading to the Octopus xp-3000. But im still looking at this point.

03/25/2010, 05:14 PM	#1
Jackie Blue Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 333	Skimmer Choice OK I am looking for a skimmer for a 180 gallon mixed reef that will eventually be heavily stocked. I have my choices narrowed down to 3 SWC 250 1a: 750$ Super Reef Octopus 2000: 400$ MSX 250A (with askol) :500$ I am a bit wary of the Octopus I currently have the 160 extreme and I am not pleased with it's performance. Everything I have seen about the SWC has been very promising however it seems a bit over kill since it's rated at 400 gall. heavy bio load. So far I am leaning towards the msx 250a since it seems to be the one standing in the middle of the pack price wise. My questions are is the price of the SWC justified and if there are any other skimmers out there I should be aware of. Also if anybody knows of lower prices then those listed by all means feel free to tell me. Have a good one. Jack __________________ How am I doing? Well I got ten fingers and toes. Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon. Custom made refugium sump 30 gallons.

03/26/2010, 08:08 PM	#5
Jackie Blue Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 333	Was referring to the super reef octopus xp2000 cone. sorry I didn't clarify. __________________ How am I doing? Well I got ten fingers and toes. Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon. Custom made refugium sump 30 gallons.

03/27/2010, 04:50 PM	#7
Jackie Blue Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 333	Alright looks like it's a toss up between Super Reef Ocotpus xp2000 cone and the msx250a. The msx has the askol which from what I have read and heard has nothing but praises heaped on it. Does anybody know which one is quieter. __________________ How am I doing? Well I got ten fingers and toes. Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon. Custom made refugium sump 30 gallons.

03/27/2010, 04:51 PM	#8
Jackie Blue Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 333	Unless anybody can find a msx 1a cone for around 500 bucks lol __________________ How am I doing? Well I got ten fingers and toes. Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon. Custom made refugium sump 30 gallons.

03/27/2010, 05:09 PM	#9
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	The msx 250a is a very nice unit. you will be pleased __________________ Mojo~

03/25/2010, 08:56 PM	#2
reefkeepa14 Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 858	never have enough overkill when it comes to skimming i run a bubble master 200 in my 40B....its rated for 250 i say go bubble king and save yourself all the trouble. like they say, go big or go home

03/26/2010, 07:14 AM	#3
kcsalt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shawnee, Ks Posts: 52	You could look at the new Deltec skimmers.

03/26/2010, 07:53 AM	#4
Mounda Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 452	The SRO 2000 is not very suitable and it runs for $350. However if you meant SRO 3000 that is a different story because that monster would be perfect for your system. With the new bubble blaster 3000 pump and the 3 year warranty it comes with it should be great for your system. Another option at the same price would be the Super Reef Octopus XP2000 cone, it's a cone design with a bubble blaster 2000 pump which is less powerful than the 3000 but compensates for it with the new design. These skimmers come internal and external. If you want to dish out an additional $100 their bigger brother SRO5000 is rated at 400gallons but I think that might be too much for your system.

03/26/2010, 09:07 PM	#6
Mirror Pond Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 354	I have the SWC 250 1A cone on my 180 fairly heavily stocked reef with SPS, clams, anemones and quite a few fish. It does a decent job but it may be just a bit too large for my system. It seems to have a hard time producing really consistent skimmate. I have it in about 8" of water but my sump does vary a little each day so that is probably the problem. It does come with internal recirculating plumbing that will keep the water supply constant so that is what I am going to try next. If I hadn't got such a great price on the skimmer (I picked up my skimmer for under $550.00 on clearance from a sponsor here on RC) I would have gone with the MSX 250a.

03/27/2010, 06:33 PM	#10
Jackie Blue Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 333	Whelp it's got the mojo endorsement that's good enough for me. lol Thanks. __________________ How am I doing? Well I got ten fingers and toes. Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon. Custom made refugium sump 30 gallons.

03/29/2010, 12:01 AM	#11
gooyferret Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MN Posts: 599	I have a 180gal with the MSX200 right now, im actually going to be upgrading to the Octopus xp-3000. But im still looking at this point. __________________ I smell something Fishy! Oops excuse me! Current Tank Info: 180gal Mixed Reef