Reef Octo. BH-100F opinons please.

[mile sq. reefer]

How would you rate this skimmer and would it work on a 55g tank?

[pIankton]

I use the BH-100 and am very pleased. I think it would be more than adequate for a 55.

[mile sq. reefer]

Do you use the model with the internal pump?

[dzeadow]

i used the 100F on a 45 w/ good results. it's on a 20L now w/ good results as well. As long as your 55 isn't over stocked, you'll be fine w/ it... .if/when it ever becomes available again.

[mile sq. reefer]

When is going to be available? Was there a problem or just the supply did not meet the demand?

[dzeadow]

the latter.. I've heard rumors through the Octo Hang-on thread that they're supposed to be here some time soon, next couple weeks? not sure. You might check w/ which ever vendors you deal w/ that would normally carry them and see if you can put in a pre-order or something.

[mile sq. reefer]

Thanks, I like the fact that the pump is internal and has an area for the heater and media but need to make sure it can handle my tank. The other option is Bermuda Rogue. Just want a good upgrade.

[mile sq. reefer]

Any other feedback.

[pIankton]

The BH-100 has the pump inside the display (or wherever) - not internal. I had to replace the stock pump (common issue) with a Sedra 2500 and imo, this skimmer cranks with this pump. I don't think you'll go wrong if you decide on one.

I hear the Bermuda is a great skimmer as well, but I don't have any experience with it.

[happyface888]

The skimmer works great, I am getting black stuff and it stinks when I clean it out. Smells like a sewer , the bh100f has a surface skimmer box but you have to cut the inlet tube to the right length of else the surface box would be submerged. And if you wanted a different surface skimming box make sure no snails can get in there or else it'd break your siphon. Last thing aim the return against the glass to minimize micros.

[mile sq. reefer]

Whats the stock pump and can the BH100F come with a Sedra 2500 pump?

[dzeadow]

it's a resun 225, and no, you have to buy the sedra seperately

[FishAreFriends2]

You don't really need to replace the pump, you could follow dzeadows easy mod to pimp it out. Than it'll skim even better. But stock bh100/f seems to work well right out of the box.

[mile sq. reefer]

I hear the pumps that come with this skimmer are prone to failure. Have any users had this happen to them?

[dzeadow]

there's been several, but the distributors have been pretty good about replacing the pumps pretty quick. I've had two of them now, and neither one failed... so it's hit or miss I guess.

[happyface888]

It seems that most of the pump issues are on the bh100 and no one that has the 100f has said their pump got nuked. or anything. But like dzeadow mentioned they will replace it, no questions asked

[mile sq. reefer]

I really like the positive press, and the fact that the pump is internal to the unit. My only other concern is that it will not meet the needs for my 55g reef which is mostly SPS with six fish, 50# LR and 2" SSB.

[mile sq. reefer]

Any one use it on a 55 to 75g tank?

[dzeadow]

if you get to a 75g tank, you might wanna jump to the 300F. It's more money, but will handle that size better. Luke33 has one on a 75g tank, the 300F that is.

[Ludwigia73]

Finally, I get to chime in with some USEFUL info!!! I bought one of these used after reading through around 100 pages of threads. The pump sounded worn out, and noisy, but it did skim a tiny bit, and I assumed that since the pump was worn out all I'd have to do is replace the pump. Everyone that sells the pump was backordered on them, and it was around $30 for a new pump. I decided, hey, I'm smarter than this... the pump is around x gph, I can mod in a different pump. Hmmm, Brain farts aside, I modded in a maxijet. It's not a needle wheel, it's a paddle type impellar, but the flow was around the same. Didn't work at all. It overflowed the skimmer so fast I almost couldn't unplug the pump fast enough. Thinking about it, I believe the octopus pump is rated at that flow rating with air, since the impellar has to chop up all those tiny and the maxijet is rated without the air. (more on this later). So, I broke down and based on the indirect recommendations of everyone in those 100 pages of posts praising the skimmer, I broke down and bought a new one. Problem is, it was backordered and the chuckleheads at that website took 2 weeks to tell me this, and another 2 weeks to credit me back. I finally get everything back to square 1, and just call Debbie at DIYreef, perfect service, packaged well, and the skimmer didn't work right out of the box. I couldnt find a thing wrong with it. Then I noticed down in the intake tube (on the intake side of the pump) there is a little ridge where the fitting is glued to the pump. The skimmer was running around 2 weeks before I tried this... I took a piece of 220 grit sandpaper, and over the course of 45 minutes, massaged that lip away. Put it all back together, and it's skimming like a champ!!! This is a great little skimmer. After a month of no skimming, it's pulled about 3 full cups of dark brown in a week. So, if you get one, before you do any mods, try that little one. I didn't take it all the way out, just about a millimeter, and there's about a millimeter left. There was just enough flow restriction that there wasn't a strong enough venturi effect to suck the air in. Get a little more flow through that fitting, and it's suckin air like a champ!!!

Hope this helps
CHris

[dzeadow]

The problem you had was probably this:

The Resun225 is a 225gph pump and i'm sure that's rated w/o air, so WITH air, it's probably pulling somewhere in the 100-200gph range. W/ the MJ1200, you're at 295gph w/o air, and if you put their version of a venturi in it, which is on the output of the pump, you're still pushing 295 gph through it, which is WAY too much. You can ask these guys about their Sedra's that are 250gph, it's probably almost too much flow. Even if you restrict the outlet pipe a fraction, you run the risk of overflowing. I have a custom outlet on mine that goes from 3/4 to 1" but does it horizontally then down. every time I turn the pump off then on again I have to watch it and pull the plug I have on the exterior of the outlet to make sure the reaction chamber doesn't overflow.. it gets as high as the rim. These things aren't made for too much more. The 300F has two pumps which probably max out at around 300gph total w/ air and it's reaction chamber is bigger... so 295 is way too much.

I'm glad you got it dialed in though... they're great HOB's for the $$. I was thinking of selling mine since I think it's a bit much for my 20L, but I decided to keep it .