Trying to choose between these 3 skimmers

rainingshots · 02/05/2009, 08:44 PM

Please help me decide. Most people post that they have this or that, I don't need to know that, I just want to know the pros and cons of one over another. I want something that I don't have to fiddle with or maintain too much. Currently, I am leaning towards the Vertex.

Tank: 120 gallon (30-50 gallon sump)

Octopus Extreme 200
MSX Extreme 200
Vertex IN-180 (2nd Generation)

Ehaze · 02/05/2009, 08:45 PM

MSX / OCTO got my vote... they are some amazing machines...

Nereaga · 02/05/2009, 08:46 PM

^ +2

rainingshots · 02/05/2009, 09:05 PM

the reason I was leaning towards the vertex is because I heard they are built more solid and they are not mesh driven in terms of pumps.

dvanacker · 02/06/2009, 10:44 AM

the extreme skimmers come with a needle wheel and mesh I believe. If you want a needle wheel though maybe go with the MSX160. The 200 maybe just a tad big for a siccie needle wheel. The 160 should handle your 65 no problems.

rainingshots · 02/06/2009, 05:34 PM

it's for a 120 gallon

Nereaga · 02/06/2009, 05:34 PM

From what I understand a guy broke off from Euro-Reef and started his own skimmer line, Vertex you have, that also explains why they look VERY similar in design....

IMO, I had an older Euro-Reef ES5-3 with a Sedra 3500 pump, and to be honest, my Reef Octopus NW150 skimmed better on my setup. The RO are made solid aswell, IMO. Not cheap plastic like ASM skimmers...

Extreme models look really nice!

just dave · 02/06/2009, 05:56 PM

The IN-180 is impressive especially when cost is factored in.

mojo~ · 02/06/2009, 06:33 PM

for the money involved they are both really good. tHe msx would be my vote as I like the pinwheel that it comes with over the one from the octo line. With that being said, You dont normally hear about it but the sicce pumps that power the msx octo line can start in reverse. No an issue as other pumps can too. However the design of this pump running in reverse will give you less air draw. Easily detectable with an air meter. I just hook my meter up to make sure its running in the right direction. Still great skimmers good low wattage pumps. you can mesh mod them in the future if you are comfortable. Good luck with your choice. Another choice would be the arner marine s150 or as150. They have a longer cone transition on the top of the skimmer. The vertex is good as well. Just not built as well. You will be happy with any of the mentioned skimmers. I have used all the brands mentions and many others. Even a ETSS sumpbuddy 40 would do wonders. use a mag 7 pump on it. I could go on for days but its a big purchase and just keep in mind their are a ton of options. Good luck.

danielson1506 · 02/06/2009, 07:19 PM

vertex uses too much energy vs the msx/octos. I prefer the msx/octos because of it.

BlueStag · 02/06/2009, 07:47 PM

I vote for the vertex. An amazing skimmer for how affordable they are.

rainingshots · 02/07/2009, 12:19 AM

has anyone used both and would prefer one over the other?

02/05/2009, 08:44 PM	#1
rainingshots Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 384	Trying to choose between these 3 skimmers Please help me decide. Most people post that they have this or that, I don't need to know that, I just want to know the pros and cons of one over another. I want something that I don't have to fiddle with or maintain too much. Currently, I am leaning towards the Vertex. Tank: 120 gallon (30-50 gallon sump) Octopus Extreme 200 MSX Extreme 200 Vertex IN-180 (2nd Generation) __________________ Who says saltwater is hard, it's not! it's just friggen frustrating when you screw up. Current Tank Info: 65 gallon AGA

02/05/2009, 08:45 PM	#2
Ehaze Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Thornton, Colorado Posts: 1,259	MSX / OCTO got my vote... they are some amazing machines... __________________ 75g SPS tank, 30gal sump/refuge. Melev RO/DI, Coravue duel calc reactor, MSP 200 skimmer, 2 Vortech MP40, Mag drive 9.5 return, autotopoff.com ATO, 2 CoralVue 250W SE finished pendants(with 20k Radium bulbs), powered by 2x Icecap ballasts, controlled by a ACJR.

02/05/2009, 09:05 PM	#4
rainingshots Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 384	the reason I was leaning towards the vertex is because I heard they are built more solid and they are not mesh driven in terms of pumps. __________________ Who says saltwater is hard, it's not! it's just friggen frustrating when you screw up. Current Tank Info: 65 gallon AGA

02/06/2009, 10:44 AM	#5
dvanacker DID I SOUNDS SMRT?? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ontario, CAN Posts: 3,690	the extreme skimmers come with a needle wheel and mesh I believe. If you want a needle wheel though maybe go with the MSX160. The 200 maybe just a tad big for a siccie needle wheel. The 160 should handle your 65 no problems. __________________ --DARRYL-- Current Tank Info: 200g SPS dominant Mixed Reef

02/06/2009, 05:34 PM	#6
rainingshots Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 384	it's for a 120 gallon __________________ Who says saltwater is hard, it's not! it's just friggen frustrating when you screw up. Current Tank Info: 65 gallon AGA

02/05/2009, 08:46 PM	#3
Nereaga Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oley, Pa 19547 Posts: 1,513	^ +2

02/06/2009, 05:56 PM	#8
just dave 11th in '11 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cordova, TN Posts: 4,394	The IN-180 is impressive especially when cost is factored in.

02/06/2009, 06:33 PM	#9
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	for the money involved they are both really good. tHe msx would be my vote as I like the pinwheel that it comes with over the one from the octo line. With that being said, You dont normally hear about it but the sicce pumps that power the msx octo line can start in reverse. No an issue as other pumps can too. However the design of this pump running in reverse will give you less air draw. Easily detectable with an air meter. I just hook my meter up to make sure its running in the right direction. Still great skimmers good low wattage pumps. you can mesh mod them in the future if you are comfortable. Good luck with your choice. Another choice would be the arner marine s150 or as150. They have a longer cone transition on the top of the skimmer. The vertex is good as well. Just not built as well. You will be happy with any of the mentioned skimmers. I have used all the brands mentions and many others. Even a ETSS sumpbuddy 40 would do wonders. use a mag 7 pump on it. I could go on for days but its a big purchase and just keep in mind their are a ton of options. Good luck. __________________ Mojo~

02/06/2009, 07:19 PM	#10
danielson1506 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NC Posts: 82	vertex uses too much energy vs the msx/octos. I prefer the msx/octos because of it.

02/06/2009, 07:47 PM	#11
BlueStag Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Huntington Beach Posts: 1,054	I vote for the vertex. An amazing skimmer for how affordable they are. __________________ Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts Current Tank Info: 180 Starphire, SWC 250A Cone skimmer, 14k 250MH, Tunze wavebox

02/07/2009, 12:19 AM	#12
rainingshots Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 384	has anyone used both and would prefer one over the other? __________________ Who says saltwater is hard, it's not! it's just friggen frustrating when you screw up. Current Tank Info: 65 gallon AGA