Skimmer Advice Please - 90 Gallon Tank

[LJA]

Starting up a 90 Gallon and would like some advice on what skimmer I should go with. Main considerations are price, ease of use, plug-and-play ability, and performance.


My considerations:


MSX 200

Octopus NW200

PM Bullet 1

Aqua-C EV-120

Other?


Would like to stay under $350 Shipped. This will be a mixed reef that you could consider medium-high to a high bioload. I will have other filtration such as a fuge, macro's, and PO4 and C reactors.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Zestay]

ive heard nothing but awesomeness from the MSX line

[will16]

I am running the msx200 in my 90 and love it. There may be some tinkering but it's the best bang for the buck.

The one in sump is the 200. For comparison, the one in front is my buddy's new msx 300. No way it would even come close to fitting in my sump.

[calli]

I have heard really good reviews on Tunze 9010. I have a small area to use for my skimmer ... this one is great for that.. less than 5" square foot print..

Although I was trying to get a bigger area for this one MSX200.

[mg426]

No brainer here, MSX200 by a mile.

[filippo]

octopus nw200

[Tswifty]

MSX

[calli]

Is the footprint of the MSX consistant all the way up the unit?

[Tswifty]

On the MSX-160 yes.

Not on the other models though, as the pumps are mounted on the side of the skimmer rather than underneath it.

[Tswifty]

Originally posted by will16
I am running the msx200 in my 90 and love it. There may be some tinkering but it's the best bang for the buck.

The one in sump is the 200. For comparison, the one in front is my buddy's new msx 300. No way it would even come close to fitting in my sump.

Very nice setup... very organized... very clean... very impressive

[LJA]

Originally posted by will16
I am running the msx200 in my 90 and love it. There may be some tinkering but it's the best bang for the buck.

The one in sump is the 200. For comparison, the one in front is my buddy's new msx 300. No way it would even come close to fitting in my sump.

I think this is what I'm going to go with, What is the water level that yours sits in?

Their website says best in 8-10 inches of water and my sump compartment will be exactly that, 8 inches of water. Just wondering.

Thanks for the advice.

[will16]

Originally posted by Tswifty8
Very nice setup... very organized... very clean... very impressive

Thank you. I've seen your builds/threads and have been very impressed with your work as well. You've actually answered many of my posts so you helped build this

Been thinking of doing a build thread of my own... although it wouldn't actually be a build thread since it is already done. Took a bunch of pics but never got around to posting them.

Sorry.. didn't mean to get side tracked here.

My msx200 sits in a 15.5" x 12" area with room to spare. You can move the outlet plumbing around to fit.

[will16]

Originally posted by LJA
I think this is what I'm going to go with, What is the water level that yours sits in?

Their website says best in 8-10 inches of water and my sump compartment will be exactly that, 8 inches of water. Just wondering.

Thanks for the advice.

I have mine raised on an egg crate box. It sits in 9" of water. I think 8" should be fine.

You may want to read the msx owners thread. Very long but a lot of info on these skimmers...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...7#post13088327

Good luck

[inachu]

Originally posted by will16
I am running the msx200 in my 90 and love it. There may be some tinkering but it's the best bang for the buck.

The one in sump is the 200. For comparison, the one in front is my buddy's new msx 300. No way it would even come close to fitting in my sump.

I must have bought a low quality stand but you have an extra wide opening on your stand and mine has a center brace.

Or did you cut out the center brace?

Is your tank stand custom built or retail?

[will16]

Originally posted by inachu
I must have bought a low quality stand but you have an extra wide opening on your stand and mine has a center brace.

Or did you cut out the center brace?

Is your tank stand custom built or retail?

The canopy/stand is a diy. The beauty of building it yourself is that you can build it any way you like

[LJA]

Thanks, is there any website I can buy this besides http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com ? I would like to pay with paypal but they don't offer that.

[will16]

Originally posted by LJA
Thanks, is there any website I can buy this besides http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com ? I would like to pay with paypal but they don't offer that.

No. I do believe they are the only distributor.

[Tswifty]

Originally posted by will16
Thank you. I've seen your builds/threads and have been very impressed with your work as well. You've actually answered many of my posts so you helped build this

Been thinking of doing a build thread of my own... although it wouldn't actually be a build thread since it is already done. Took a bunch of pics but never got around to posting them.

Sorry.. didn't mean to get side tracked here.

My msx200 sits in a 15.5" x 12" area with room to spare. You can move the outlet plumbing around to fit.

Thank you... I actually can't wait to set up another tank, after all the "I'll never do that again" lessons I've learned

I would be very interested in a build thread if you decide to set one up, as I'm sure many of the other "clubhouse members" also would enjoy it.

[LJA]

Originally posted by will16
No. I do believe they are the only distributor.

< --- This further complicates things.

Just measured my sump that came with my 90G and the only compartment large enough for this skimmer is 12" x 15" but is actually more like 11.5" x 14.5" and will allow for a maximun of 7" of water.

I'm sure I can make the skimmer fit but I don't know how well the skimmer will work in 7" of water.

Maybe I should just go with the Octopus NW-200 or maybe even the MSX 160.

Will the water level of the compartment the skimmer is in REALLY effect the performance of it?

I really can't think of any way around this except maybe to get a brand new sump which I would rather not have to do.

[Tswifty]

Originally posted by LJA
< --- This further complicates things.

Just measured my sump that came with my 90G and the only compartment large enough for this skimmer is 12" x 15" but is actually more like 11.5" x 14.5" and will allow for a maximun of 7" of water.

I'm sure I can make the skimmer fit but I don't know how well the skimmer will work in 7" of water.

Maybe I should just go with the Octopus NW-200 or maybe even the MSX 160.

Will the water level of the compartment the skimmer is in REALLY effect the performance of it?

I really can't think of any way around this except maybe to get a brand new sump which I would rather not have to do.

I don't think you'll have an issue running it in 7" of water. You may just need to restrict the output a little more in order to get the water level inside the skimmer to the correct height.

I think most people run them in water ranging from 6-10"

Also, I do believe MarineSolutions is the excusive distributor for the skimmers. Although I'm not 100% sure.

[Tswifty]

Here's a great thread to ask any questions you may have about the MSX skimmers.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1434362

[will16]

It should fit in 11.5x14.5. I have mine in a 12 x 15.5 compartment and i can shift it around a few inches in every direction. Don't know about 7" depth. I have only run mine in 9" from the start. Maybe post in the msx thread?

[Tswifty]

Hey will. I see you have the Vortechs in your tank. How do you like them?

I saw a youtube video the other day of one in action, and the wave motion it creates is awesome.

I had a question though. How customizable are the settings, and how high does the wave get... can you control it?

The reason is, I would like to purchase 1 or 2 of them, but don't have a whole lot of space between the top of my tank and the water level.

Basically I don't want water splashing out from the waves.

Sorry for the hijack

[will16]

Hey tswifty,

Didn't want to hijack the thread. pm sent.

- Will