reef octopus vs reef octopus!

[aquamanpc24]

Hey reefers I rarely ask for advice but figured I would post my dilemma. I own a lot of tanks and I am always tweaking my tanks and adding stuff to make them more enjoyable and ultimately healthier. I have kept my 33 gallon reef (primarily clam and couple lps) for well over 2 years without utilizing a skimmer. I am not anti skimmer but I was using a home made "ac500" style HOB fuge and a chemical filter on the other side. For those not familiar with the 33 layout its basically a 55 gallon tank but much shorter in height! I set this tank up after my 90 collapsed 2 years ago. I light it with a tek light 6 bulb t5 setup soon to be upgraded to 2 150MH halide and 4 t5 actinics.
Anyway, I never ever needed more filtration until recently. (more clams and anenome) I now have added 2 tanks to it. I am insane, just need to add that in there, I have stands and tanks in my garage, so I said the hell with it hooked up a 30 long sump I fitted the overflow on the 33. 800gph specs. I realized I also had a 40 breeder drilled in my garage so I said hey why not put that on top of the 30 long aside the 33 reef and have a second 40gallon fuge. So I have a 900 gph return pump for the 33 reef and I installed a mag 5 to the feed the 40 breeder and it pvc drains to my 33 display.
40 breeder holds LR and mangroves and sump holds chaeto at the moment.

back to the task at hand
I have selected 2 options and want your choice and or other options
I came down to reef octopus recirculating dnwb 150 or reef octopus sro 1000int

basically put its recirculating which is "new" technology or the bubble blaster pump that looks amazing! I am crossed between these 2 options and I am going nuts. super reef octopus 1000int is $280 vs recirculating $295 area. Price isnt concern at that point its more which option is better I must say I love that blaster pump but want to know your opinions!

p.s. the pictures are older ones. The 40 gallon fuge now utilizes a 150w mh and t5 with plant light for mangroves and has much more rock. Those pictures are from when the tank was initially setup..

[reefsurfing]

Bubble blaster is the way I would go; I like the idea of 1 great pump! The recirc's are cool but kind of a gimmick imo with double the chance of problems with 2 pumps ..

[aquamanpc24]

yeah my buddy and I were going back and forth on thinking maybe the recirculating is just the latest fad... happy to have some one on my side of the thinking. also the height of the super pro is much smaller so should be nice and easy to fit in sump as opposed to 25" tall collection cup

[aquamanpc24]

some shots of it more setup and some clams!

[aquamanpc24]

sorry for double post couldnt post these with the earlier shots

[sirreal63]

My recirculating "Gimmick and Fad" skimmer is over 5 years old. It is far from new technology. Recirc allows for fluctuating sump volumes, slower feed and more contact time. Both ways work and work well. I would get the BB optioned one if I had a sump compartment that never fluctuated with water level, it looks to be a promising pump.

[James404]

I have the SRO-1000int and I must say it is one hell of a skimmer. Took a few to get the sump level right but it I am very happy with it. The BB pump is great and pretty quiet too!

[chadfarmer]

reef octopus recirculating dnwb 150


i wouldnt waste my money on that model ---

[Hermes`]

The BB have a 3 year warranty

[aquamanpc24]

I am likeing the 1 pump and the 3 year warrenty as well. I was unaware of how long recircualting was available in the lower end skimmers, I knew it was used on the huge $660 plus skimmers! thanx for all advice

[tmc1313]

I have the SRO 300int with the hy3000 bubble blaster pump. By far, the best skimmer I have used to date. Absolutely love it! If I had to have one complaint, I guess it's that it's not silent, but what skimmer is.

[Dustin1300]

+ 1 on getting skimmer with the BB. I have a 3000 Internal and for the money these skimmers are AMAZING. I hope the pump is highly reliable and have faith with the three year warranty. Only complaint is that the skimmer does not disassemble completly (bubble plate, etc...) but with a good vinegar bath can clean well.

[aquamanpc24]

skimmer came in last night. greatest skimmer I ever purchased to date.


and if that doesnt work youtube link is here

[LifeAquatic]

I have the reef octopus xp 3000 cone. The bubble blaster pump works great!

[reefsurfing]

Originally Posted by aquamanpc24

skimmer came in last night. greatest skimmer I ever purchased to date.


and if that doesnt work youtube link is here

GLad you got the SRO, Man that does look great, Enjoy.

[aquamanpc24]

ty ty it rocks. I mean it literally is a 4 to 5 inch dense head of foam in the riser and breaks apart at the cup allowing only heavy proteins to get pulled... I mean wow.. I need to sell my etss reef devil on my fowlr now and get the 3000 or the 5000 for that tank

[rzlinux]

Always good to hear. I just got my SRO XP 2000 Cone today. Man is it big.