Aquamaxx vs Reef Octopus - Page 2

ksed · 08/31/2016, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepydoc

One advantage I just thought of with the DC pump is you can connect the 0-10V input to an Apex or other controller to control the output. Not sure if that's really that much of an advantage or not, but I always feel like starting and stopping is harder on motors than just ramping down the speed, so you could just drop the speed down when you're down maintenance, cleaning the cup, etc. They also have the handy 30 minute feed button on the controller. not that you couldn't do that with an Apex, but it's still handy...

I don't think restarts are all that critical. I have a JNS hang on the back skimmer for my 30 gallon frag tank. It's on a timer to shut off once a day , every day. The reason I do this is so that the Venturi doesn't get plugged up with salt. Otherwise I would have to remove every month and soak it in vinegar. On top of that you notice a gradual decrease in performance. I have been doing this now for over 1 year.
As with the larger JNS I manually disconnect the pump every 3-4 days to clean the cup and that flushes the Venturi out. The larger skimmer goes longer before salt build up do to the design.
I feel shutting down a skimmer lest say every time you clean the cup is beneficial in it keeps the Venturi clear of salt.

jason2459 · 08/31/2016, 08:41 AM

I agree. I shutdown my return and skimmer 4 times a day for 10 minutes actually. I feel the backflush on the venturi, skimmer, and return pump help keep them clean. Also, the emptying of the return and drain lines may help prevent some growths like sponges.

jason2459 · 08/31/2016, 10:23 AM

To clarify that's timed with feedings.

sleepydoc · 08/31/2016, 01:06 PM

Speaking of impellers...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2597497

ksed · 09/01/2016, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepydoc

Speaking of impellers...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2597497

That can happen with any pump that runs a plastic encased impeller. Titanium is better but you will only find them on expensive pumps.
The R/O Regal are not encased in plastic. That's because they use a ferrite magnets. Neodymium are stronger giving better efficiency but need to be protected from saltwater.

wildman926 · 09/01/2016, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asudavew

I do have impeller issues at times.. one has rusted and split in half.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksed

I have the older JNS EM 200 in a 120 gallon tank. It's been a great skimmer . The impeller had to be replaced once and man was it ever expensive. If I were to purchase another one today I would be looking at the Icecap (primarily because of the good reputation the Sicce pump has) and or the Reef Octopus Regal series. CoralVue has great service with parts on had all the time.
The Vertex another great skimmer but would only use the 180 . It appears to be more stable than the rest of the line up. The Alpha is another good line but an overkill for your needs.
The quietest one of the bunch would probably be the Regal with the DC pump but not by much. The Sicce's are quite as well. HTH

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepydoc

Yes, I had an impeller magnet fail on my current reef octopus with a Sicce PSK pump. Coral Vue replaced it under warranty, so I didn't have to pay, but they're about $40 online (c.f. $80 for the aqua max custom.) No other problems in 5+ years. It was more the number of reports I saw along with the cracked pump housing that concerned me.

In all fairness, it's possible that the other skimmers that use Sicce pumps replace the impellers with another custom impeller of their own; There's no easy way to tell just by reading the descriptions. At least if you need to get a new pump it's easier and cheaper to find.

The Sicce PSK pump on my current skimmer is pretty quiet; it's more the noise from the air intake that is an issue for me. DC pumps do tend to be a bit quieter, but I've had quiet AC pumps as well. I think it's as much a matter of design and construction as it is the power source. I'm not convinced the variability is truly necessary for a skimmer, so the extra complexity of the controller and power supply that you get with a DC pump ends up being unnecessary parts to break.

The Nyos skimmers have gotten good reviews, but I'm not sure they worth $150 more than the ice cap

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For what it is worth, I have had my impellers fail exactly as described on a standard Sicce Syncra return pump.

jason2459 · 09/01/2016, 09:35 AM

Yeah, I've had it happen on a mag drive and 2 different reef octopus bubble blaster pumps. I've seen it happen on many different brands.

BarIzoN · 09/01/2016, 01:07 PM

Hi,

I bought an Aquamaxx-1 HOB and really happy. After couple weeks the skimmer was still producing some micro bubbles, which doesn't bothered me.

I have a fire shrimp which I thought was dead, and start researching the reason and I read a high salt concentration can harm them. So I checked and I was on 1.031.

My RO/DI water went over and I filled with tap water, then added conditioner.

Immediately my skimmer went crazy on bubbles. There's still two weeks after and couple 20% water changes and I'm still having micro bubbles. I added a valve to control the air flow on the skimmer (plugged in the yellow tube) and this way I could control the foam.

Yesterday arrived the bubble stopper. I was a little confused with the installation and finally I figured out how - and where to install. You actually have to use the elbow to connect the "tee" provided with the stopper. I was plugging the stopper fully under water - which the bubbles were escaping to the water...

Well, after make the change with the elbow I say that 80% of the bubbles stopped. I'll still need to do another weekly water change, but I belive the bubble stopper will work 100% soon.

Oh, when I did the conditioner, I shut off the skimmer and I cleaned it. So, I believe it needs more two or three weeks to "break in" again.

Now I ordered a RO/DI unit and will arrive today.

Building things slow and enjoying each step!

The skimmer is AWESOME btw.

- BarIzoN -

Psionicdragon · 09/01/2016, 08:57 PM

Aquamaxx are pretty good. I am not a fan of octopus anymore...1 too many bad experiences

ajoe · 09/01/2016, 09:02 PM

Have had my AquaMaxx HOB-XC for 2 years and absolutely love it. Quiet, very well made, easy to clean and skims it's heart out. Very satisfied.

08/31/2016, 08:41 AM	#27
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	I agree. I shutdown my return and skimmer 4 times a day for 10 minutes actually. I feel the backflush on the venturi, skimmer, and return pump help keep them clean. Also, the emptying of the return and drain lines may help prevent some growths like sponges. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

08/31/2016, 10:23 AM	#28
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	To clarify that's timed with feedings. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

08/31/2016, 01:06 PM	#29
sleepydoc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,907	Speaking of impellers... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2597497 __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 120 gallon, coast to coast overflow w/beananimal overflow. Waveline DC 10000 II return pump, 40 gal sump, Octopus XS200 skimmer, T5 lighting

09/01/2016, 09:35 AM	#32
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	Yeah, I've had it happen on a mag drive and 2 different reef octopus bubble blaster pumps. I've seen it happen on many different brands. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

09/01/2016, 08:57 PM	#34
Psionicdragon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 3,727	Aquamaxx are pretty good. I am not a fan of octopus anymore...1 too many bad experiences __________________ Economy sucks bad! Lets pray for the best! in the meantime, liquidation!

09/01/2016, 01:07 PM	#33
BarIzoN Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 163	Hi, I bought an Aquamaxx-1 HOB and really happy. After couple weeks the skimmer was still producing some micro bubbles, which doesn't bothered me. I have a fire shrimp which I thought was dead, and start researching the reason and I read a high salt concentration can harm them. So I checked and I was on 1.031. My RO/DI water went over and I filled with tap water, then added conditioner. Immediately my skimmer went crazy on bubbles. There's still two weeks after and couple 20% water changes and I'm still having micro bubbles. I added a valve to control the air flow on the skimmer (plugged in the yellow tube) and this way I could control the foam. Yesterday arrived the bubble stopper. I was a little confused with the installation and finally I figured out how - and where to install. You actually have to use the elbow to connect the "tee" provided with the stopper. I was plugging the stopper fully under water - which the bubbles were escaping to the water... Well, after make the change with the elbow I say that 80% of the bubbles stopped. I'll still need to do another weekly water change, but I belive the bubble stopper will work 100% soon. Oh, when I did the conditioner, I shut off the skimmer and I cleaned it. So, I believe it needs more two or three weeks to "break in" again. Now I ordered a RO/DI unit and will arrive today. Building things slow and enjoying each step! The skimmer is AWESOME btw. - BarIzoN -

09/01/2016, 09:02 PM	#35
ajoe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 297	Have had my AquaMaxx HOB-XC for 2 years and absolutely love it. Quiet, very well made, easy to clean and skims it's heart out. Very satisfied.