help me pick skimmer please

Brickyardpub · 05/04/2008, 12:07 PM

currently have a asm g2 w mods and thinking of upgrading. cant drop a grand or so.... maybe 500 at most. light bioload, but will grow. ive read lots of threads here but still uncertain. i know its very subjective, but some direction would help. i have 105 total column, and after reading think the octo pro 250 may be too much skimmer, but the price is right. looking for plug and play basically. also, footprint needs to be about the same as g2, def not any bigger than 10 x 14. thanks in advance!

Brickyardpub · 05/05/2008, 02:58 PM

anyone?

GSMguy · 05/05/2008, 03:28 PM

MSX200

impur · 05/05/2008, 03:29 PM

I love my modded DNW200 Octo skimmer. But you need to mod it for it to compete with the skimmers 2/3/4 times its price. The mods are a piece of cake. The newer Octo skimmers are looking awesome.

edwing206 · 05/05/2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by impur
I love my modded DNW200 Octo skimmer. But you need to mod it for it to compete with the skimmers 2/3/4 times its price. The mods are a piece of cake. The newer Octo skimmers are looking awesome.

What mods do you suggest?

Brickyardpub · 05/05/2008, 07:37 PM

well, im looking more or less to avoid doing mods, but would like to get mid-upper level quality around the 500 mark. The new OCTO pro looks about right , but it seems that people are using them on tanks over 180 and it may over skim my 105 gallons. I just dont know what is really out there for that size and price range that is plug and play. My G2 with mods is doing pretty well , and my inhabitants are fine... but why not plan for a heavier bioload down the road?? I'm shooting for objective advice , and i fear if i post in the OCTO owners thread most will tell me they are amazing, much like i've read in the asm threads... if anyone else wants to chime in, please feel free!

Brickyardpub · 05/05/2008, 07:38 PM

i'll look into the MSX as well... i've heard some good things, thanks for the nod

impur · 05/06/2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by edwing206
What mods do you suggest?

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1284642

jtma508 · 05/06/2008, 10:38 AM

I have an AquaC EV-180/Mag 9.5 on my 90gal. Couldnm't be happier. No mods required. Setup like a breeze, dialing it in was simple and it has a comparitviely small footprint. I'd read the threads of people complaining that they couldn't get AquaC's to work but from my experience (and I'm a rookie) It couldn't have been easier or work better unless it emptied itself.

JRaquatics · 05/06/2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brickyardpub
well, im looking more or less to avoid doing mods, but would like to get mid-upper level quality around the 500 mark. The new OCTO pro looks about right , but it seems that people are using them on tanks over 180 and it may over skim my 105 gallons. I just dont know what is really out there for that size and price range that is plug and play. My G2 with mods is doing pretty well , and my inhabitants are fine... but why not plan for a heavier bioload down the road?? I'm shooting for objective advice , and i fear if i post in the OCTO owners thread most will tell me they are amazing, much like i've read in the asm threads... if anyone else wants to chime in, please feel free!

The Octo Pro would work fine for your tank. But it is not to the level of plug and play yet and would hold off on this skimmer. I would give it about another month and they should have the options and quirks worked out. I would still keep the Octo Pro in mind and see what they will have to offer.

skimmy · 05/06/2008, 10:50 AM

at this point i think your better off with the msx octopus extreme with the sicce pump.
the msx 200 would be great for a 120g

1,200 lph of air @ 23 watts, and a price tag of $350

i dont think any of the other suggestions can beat that.

and sorry, but imo aqua c = big waste of money

BigJay · 05/06/2008, 10:57 AM

Isn't Octopus the same company/people that built the ASM line of skimmers?

Why would you pay money to "upgrade" to a skimmer that is made by the same people that built the one that isn't working out for you?

I'd give the MSX or Euroreef a try. Everyone raves about both of them, you can't go wrong.

GSMguy · 05/06/2008, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigJay
Isn't Octopus the same company/people that built the ASM line of skimmers?

no they are NOT made by the same chinese person but they are made in the same country, the MSX blows the ASM out of the water the ASM uses the junky Sedra the whole thing is junky thats right i said it flame on.

GSMguy · 05/06/2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigJay
Isn't Octopus the same company/people that built the ASM line of skimmers?

Why would you pay money to "upgrade" to a skimmer that is made by the same people that built the one that isn't working out for you?

I'd give the MSX or Euroreef a try. Everyone raves about both of them, you can't go wrong.

except that a euro reef is not as well designed well the RS series anyway. the MSX would blow away the RS series euro reef, and the RC series are 3x the money

JRaquatics · 05/06/2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigJay
Isn't Octopus the same company/people that built the ASM line of skimmers?

Why would you pay money to "upgrade" to a skimmer that is made by the same people that built the one that isn't working out for you?

I'd give the MSX or Euroreef a try. Everyone raves about both of them, you can't go wrong.

ASM (all sea marine) is not even in the same ball park let alone made by the same company. Octopus, MSX, Reeflo, AquaEuro and some of the EuroReef line is made by the same company/manufacturing plant.

skimmy · 05/06/2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigJay
Isn't Octopus the same company/people that built the ASM line of skimmers?

Why would you pay money to "upgrade" to a skimmer that is made by the same people that built the one that isn't working out for you?

not even close...
the asm skimmer body has the strength of uncooked pasta, and leaks like a seive. and is definately NOT made by the same company.
actually asm was started by members of the family who own euroreef.

Brickyardpub · 05/06/2008, 11:30 AM

now that is some feedback i was looking for. i'll post a few more questions as i look into those units. thanks for your replies.

ZAZA71 · 05/06/2008, 12:20 PM

DNW200 Octo skimmer unbeatable for the price. Modding is easy.

luke33 · 05/06/2008, 12:36 PM

The new octo200 will pull much more air than the old one as the venturi is better and the plumbing is unresticted. Its 660lph vs 340lph as the old. You can mod it fairly easy to do 800-900lph.

kdblove_99 · 05/06/2008, 12:39 PM

I would also get a MSX, well i did

Brickyardpub · 05/06/2008, 12:40 PM

how would the ati bubble master 160 rate to the octo pro? both around 499 i believe?

JRaquatics · 05/06/2008, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brickyardpub
how would the ati bubble master 160 rate to the octo pro? both around 499 i believe?

At this time the BM functionally is a better skimmer. IMO

kdblove_99 · 05/06/2008, 12:52 PM

Why would you pay that much more for a ATI when a MSX will perform as well or better for much less?

GSMguy · 05/06/2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kdblove_99
Why would you pay that much more for a ATI when a MSX will perform as well or better for much less?

handicapped though process

luke33 · 05/06/2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GSMguy
handicapped though process

Bad GSMguy

Some just feel more comfortable with the ati. It will work fine for him but it will just cost quite a bit more for a inferior design imo.

05/04/2008, 12:07 PM	#1
Brickyardpub Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lewiston, NY Posts: 147	help me pick skimmer please currently have a asm g2 w mods and thinking of upgrading. cant drop a grand or so.... maybe 500 at most. light bioload, but will grow. ive read lots of threads here but still uncertain. i know its very subjective, but some direction would help. i have 105 total column, and after reading think the octo pro 250 may be too much skimmer, but the price is right. looking for plug and play basically. also, footprint needs to be about the same as g2, def not any bigger than 10 x 14. thanks in advance!

05/05/2008, 02:58 PM	#2
Brickyardpub Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lewiston, NY Posts: 147	anyone? __________________ steviem ~ Serenity Now ~

05/05/2008, 03:28 PM	#3
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	MSX200 __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

05/05/2008, 03:29 PM	#4
impur Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 4,262	I love my modded DNW200 Octo skimmer. But you need to mod it for it to compete with the skimmers 2/3/4 times its price. The mods are a piece of cake. The newer Octo skimmers are looking awesome. __________________ Great spirits often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds. Current Tank Info: 75gal, 20gal sump, 6-54w T5 TEK

05/05/2008, 07:37 PM	#6
Brickyardpub Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lewiston, NY Posts: 147	well, im looking more or less to avoid doing mods, but would like to get mid-upper level quality around the 500 mark. The new OCTO pro looks about right , but it seems that people are using them on tanks over 180 and it may over skim my 105 gallons. I just dont know what is really out there for that size and price range that is plug and play. My G2 with mods is doing pretty well , and my inhabitants are fine... but why not plan for a heavier bioload down the road?? I'm shooting for objective advice , and i fear if i post in the OCTO owners thread most will tell me they are amazing, much like i've read in the asm threads... if anyone else wants to chime in, please feel free! __________________ steviem ~ Serenity Now ~

05/05/2008, 07:38 PM	#7
Brickyardpub Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lewiston, NY Posts: 147	i'll look into the MSX as well... i've heard some good things, thanks for the nod __________________ steviem ~ Serenity Now ~

05/06/2008, 10:38 AM	#9
jtma508 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,232	I have an AquaC EV-180/Mag 9.5 on my 90gal. Couldnm't be happier. No mods required. Setup like a breeze, dialing it in was simple and it has a comparitviely small footprint. I'd read the threads of people complaining that they couldn't get AquaC's to work but from my experience (and I'm a rookie) It couldn't have been easier or work better unless it emptied itself.

05/06/2008, 10:50 AM	#11
skimmy T3am Zissou Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Galactic Sector ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha Posts: 1,123	at this point i think your better off with the msx octopus extreme with the sicce pump. the msx 200 would be great for a 120g 1,200 lph of air @ 23 watts, and a price tag of $350 i dont think any of the other suggestions can beat that. and sorry, but imo aqua c = big waste of money

05/06/2008, 10:57 AM	#12
BigJay Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southlake, Texas Posts: 1,872	Isn't Octopus the same company/people that built the ASM line of skimmers? Why would you pay money to "upgrade" to a skimmer that is made by the same people that built the one that isn't working out for you? I'd give the MSX or Euroreef a try. Everyone raves about both of them, you can't go wrong. __________________ PBITAWA

05/06/2008, 11:30 AM	#17
Brickyardpub Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lewiston, NY Posts: 147	now that is some feedback i was looking for. i'll post a few more questions as i look into those units. thanks for your replies. __________________ steviem ~ Serenity Now ~

05/06/2008, 12:20 PM	#18
ZAZA71 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Va. Beach Posts: 129	DNW200 Octo skimmer unbeatable for the price. Modding is easy.

05/06/2008, 12:36 PM	#19
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	The new octo200 will pull much more air than the old one as the venturi is better and the plumbing is unresticted. Its 660lph vs 340lph as the old. You can mod it fairly easy to do 800-900lph.

05/06/2008, 12:39 PM	#20
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	I would also get a MSX, well i did

05/06/2008, 12:40 PM	#21
Brickyardpub Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lewiston, NY Posts: 147	how would the ati bubble master 160 rate to the octo pro? both around 499 i believe? __________________ steviem ~ Serenity Now ~

05/06/2008, 12:52 PM	#23
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	Why would you pay that much more for a ATI when a MSX will perform as well or better for much less?