Reef Octopus NW250 vs NWB250

windowlicker916 · 12/30/2011, 11:34 AM

Found a used NW250 for $100 eith a pin wheel mesh mod.

Wondering what the difference is between that model and the NWB.

Also is this a worthwhile purchase for a planned 180g SPS tank?

I think for the price point I couldn't lose.

Thanks for your input!

tkeracer619 · 12/30/2011, 11:58 AM

First off thats a pretty good price but I do not expect that the skimmer will be able to handle a 180g sps tank.

There have been some changes over the years to that model.

The body is different. The fact that the one you mention has a "pin wheel" means either a pinwheel was purchased for it or it was on the tailing end of that model. At the end before the big change they started to use pinwheels vs needle wheels.

The lifespan on those pumps is pretty decent so you might be ok purchasing it. It will only be a temporary solution though. You will surpass its capabilities.

Personally I would hold off and get something else.

ziyaadb · 12/30/2011, 12:08 PM

couple years ago it was sufficient for a 180G tank, skimmer is not be all and end all of a reef tank

tkeracer619 · 12/30/2011, 12:30 PM

Crap I was thinking the nw-200 which was a good skimmer.

I own a DDNW-250 which is the external version of the one your thinking. I wouldn't purchase it. There is a reason its $100. What are the condition of the pumps?

Also not to sure about the pinwheel unless it was purchased afterwards. I don't think they were still manufacturing the 250 when they did the switch.

Look for crazing. (small cracks in the acrylic)

The old version had two otp-3000 needle wheel pumps instead if a single larger pump. Not sure why but I was really never able to get good skimmate out of it until meshmodding. I went to far with the meshmod and ended up breaking the impellers. (the old needle wheels)

windowlicker916 · 12/30/2011, 01:12 PM

My bad.

It's a needle wheel with mesh mod and cone style neck with a single pump and from te picture it looks like it has a bubble plate.

This still not enough for the long term for a 180g?

Appreciate the feedback.

As a seperate note I have been throwing around the idea of implementing a algae scrubber instead of a skimmer.

It makes sense to keeping algae growth out of the tank and lower it's growth on the display.

allsps40 · 12/30/2011, 02:31 PM

IMO they are pretty good skimmers for the price range. The only thing I do not like is the OTP pumps, not a great pump, mine lasted 3 years. RO is using a lot better pumps theses days on their better skimmers. I would go with the SSS line of RO skimmers, they have a bubble blaster pump. IMO if it has the OPT pump on it I would not buy it.

tkeracer619 · 12/30/2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windowlicker916

My bad.

It's a needle wheel with mesh mod and cone style neck with a single pump and from te picture it looks like it has a bubble plate.

This still not enough for the long term for a 180g?

Appreciate the feedback.

As a seperate note I have been throwing around the idea of implementing a algae scrubber instead of a skimmer.

It makes sense to keeping algae growth out of the tank and lower it's growth on the display.

Can you post the picture of it? It sounds like it would be fine if its a single pump model with a cone neck.

12/30/2011, 11:34 AM	#1
windowlicker916 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Citrus Heights, Ca Posts: 938	Reef Octopus NW250 vs NWB250 Found a used NW250 for $100 eith a pin wheel mesh mod. Wondering what the difference is between that model and the NWB. Also is this a worthwhile purchase for a planned 180g SPS tank? I think for the price point I couldn't lose. Thanks for your input!

12/30/2011, 11:58 AM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	First off thats a pretty good price but I do not expect that the skimmer will be able to handle a 180g sps tank. There have been some changes over the years to that model. The body is different. The fact that the one you mention has a "pin wheel" means either a pinwheel was purchased for it or it was on the tailing end of that model. At the end before the big change they started to use pinwheels vs needle wheels. The lifespan on those pumps is pretty decent so you might be ok purchasing it. It will only be a temporary solution though. You will surpass its capabilities. Personally I would hold off and get something else. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

12/30/2011, 12:30 PM	#4
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Crap I was thinking the nw-200 which was a good skimmer. I own a DDNW-250 which is the external version of the one your thinking. I wouldn't purchase it. There is a reason its $100. What are the condition of the pumps? Also not to sure about the pinwheel unless it was purchased afterwards. I don't think they were still manufacturing the 250 when they did the switch. Look for crazing. (small cracks in the acrylic) The old version had two otp-3000 needle wheel pumps instead if a single larger pump. Not sure why but I was really never able to get good skimmate out of it until meshmodding. I went to far with the meshmod and ended up breaking the impellers. (the old needle wheels) __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

12/30/2011, 02:31 PM	#6
allsps40 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 4,627	IMO they are pretty good skimmers for the price range. The only thing I do not like is the OTP pumps, not a great pump, mine lasted 3 years. RO is using a lot better pumps theses days on their better skimmers. I would go with the SSS line of RO skimmers, they have a bubble blaster pump. IMO if it has the OPT pump on it I would not buy it. __________________ __________ Current Tank Info: Past reef tanks: 20H softy, 29G mixed reef, 55G mixed reef, 40B sps dominant mixed reef and 75G sps dominant mixed reef. No tank currently

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12/30/2011, 12:08 PM	#3
ziyaadb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South Africa - JHB Posts: 733	couple years ago it was sufficient for a 180G tank, skimmer is not be all and end all of a reef tank

12/30/2011, 01:12 PM	#5
windowlicker916 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Citrus Heights, Ca Posts: 938	My bad. It's a needle wheel with mesh mod and cone style neck with a single pump and from te picture it looks like it has a bubble plate. This still not enough for the long term for a 180g? Appreciate the feedback. As a seperate note I have been throwing around the idea of implementing a algae scrubber instead of a skimmer. It makes sense to keeping algae growth out of the tank and lower it's growth on the display.