Can't Decide Between 2 Skimmers.

[Compguy]

Hello everybody,

Right now I am sort of stuck between two skimmers, I am thinking either the :

Bubble King Cone Skimmer
http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=2571

or

MSX Cone MiniS
http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ca...duct_info.html

wondering if anybody out there has either of these skimmers and if so how well are they working for you.

I had read that Bubble King never really thought that the cone design would make that big of a difference because they had come out with the design along time ago but just never built it because of the performance, I guess somebody else purchased there design and then contracted them to build them. Just curious what people think of the cone skimmers and if they make a difference or not. Otherwise I was gonna go with the MSX200, well, actually I had already purchased it and told marine solutions to hold my order because I saw those cone skimmers on there site which I didn't see before.

[prugs]

Here's another option.

http://www.i-techskimmers.com/forums/

[gotfish8]

I would go with the BK. I have had many different skimmers and nothing can match the quality and performance.

[FiReBReTHa]

joining thread.



http://www.reefbuilders.com/2009/02/...oyal-exclusiv/

fun to read, ATB isnt too happy at the end.

[wmilas]

I have an ATB XLarge. Bubble King literally copied the ATB to the last nut and bolt. The support from ATB is better than Bubbleking IMHO. Up to this point the build quality was better with ATB but with Bubbleking copying ATB they are probably the same.

I'm not going back to BK after experiencing ATB. To each his own though, skimmers are very personal choices.

[Compguy]

The ATB Cone Skimmers do look exactly the same. I will probably go with the Bubble King really because they offer a smaller size which is still plenty big enough for the new tank, unless anybody else chimes in about the MSX Cone.

[Jeff]

Consider a Tunze Master Doc 9410. Self leveling, overflow protection, unbelievably efficient. I have a 9440 and cant believe how great this skimmer is. http://saltycritter.com/protein-skim...n-skimmers.htm

[JNye]

the cone does help, I was skeptical, but after seeing it, it does something. I beleive( just my observastions) it allows you to run the water level lower and you get a "longer" and smother transition of bubbles mixing with air and then the head. I got the I-tech 200 with purple pinwheel. Its a nice performer. For price its the best option. They are all nice really. In that price range I'd get the BK over the ATB because the smaller size and they can be dissassembled. ATB's Econo's can't. The pumps perform better on a cone because it restricts less.
But if you want to save money the MSX 200 will be more than good enough IMO.
I would get some first hand info on the MSX mini, I haven't heard anything on those and they may be new/first gen maybe?, I might be leary about that one, without hearing from users.

[Compguy]

Thanks for the link Jeff, I had never seen those before, will have to take that into consideration. I hear people talk about the I-Tech skimmers, I googled for them and can't find any stores where they are for sale, anybody got a link to a store that sells them.

[jmsalt1]

Originally posted by Compguy
Thanks for the link Jeff, I had never seen those before, will have to take that into consideration. I hear people talk about the I-Tech skimmers, I googled for them and can't find any stores where they are for sale, anybody got a link to a store that sells them.

I'm on the fence between the Royal Exclusiv 170 Vertex Cone and the i-Tech 100. Check here for all the information you need on the i-Tech. You need to contact John. They are only sold through his shop. Customer service has an excellent reputation and I must say, throughtout my inquiries about his skimmers, the communication has been a pleasure and very professional. I'm on a pre-order for the 170 but fear the water level may not be in the range I need it. These guys tested the 100 down to the bottom of their spec. for me and I know it will work. I may be changing my mind back to the i-Tech 100.

http://www.i-techskimmers.com/forums/

[ekrunch]

Don't forget about efficiency... power bills get ugly in the long run. Also consider noise, the Red Dragon pumps that BK's use are almost silent and extremely efficient on power. Maybe not quite as efficient as a heavily modded Sicce, but my RD starts up every time.

Here's a few teaser shots from my BK250 Deluxe. This thing is just awesome.





Watch out for physical size though, the BK is a big skimmer... for reference, this is my BK250 Deluxe in my 4' x 3' sump under my 275g tank.


A special thanks to gotfish8 for having such a large reef tank that it was too much for even the BK250 Deluxe so he had to sell it to me and get something else. I practically had to beat him to get him to let go of it but it's mine now! And here's some of his Nog shots from the skimmer running on his system.

[FiReBReTHa]

lulz,

line up at markins

*markings.

[mcliffy2]

Originally posted by wmilas
I have an ATB XLarge. Bubble King literally copied the ATB to the last nut and bolt. The support from ATB is better than Bubbleking IMHO. Up to this point the build quality was better with ATB but with Bubbleking copying ATB they are probably the same.

I'm not going back to BK after experiencing ATB. To each his own though, skimmers are very personal choices.

Ditto, I love my ATB L. Yes, the cone makes a difference. My ATB L @ approx. 40w outperforms the Reeflo 250 I had previously, which was much bigger and used triple the wattage.

Check out the ATB Econo: http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protein...duct_info.html

BK doesn't provide bad customer service, its just that when you have a problem, you get routed through proline (their distributor) to BKs folks in Europe. Not sure how/if Vertex being involved will change.

The service from Victor at ATB is beyond anything else in the industry, which to me makes ATBs a clear winner. Combine that with the fact you can get them locally from Reef Specialty, who is also known for great service, and you've got an unbeatable team. Sending you PM

[klviper]

What about the new warner marine cones? I have been following them and they seem nice. Their K2 is pulling 38scfh at 21 watts. Not to shabby.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...3#post14942993

[badazztealcobra]

What setup is this skimmer for ??? If its the 55g tank in your sig the MSX200 is MORE than enough for that, and I dont see any need to spend the extra $350+ for one of the cone skimmers.....

I bought my MSX250 from the first batch (before they even had pictures of them, I was basing it all of specs) and I couldnt be happier. I have both sicces running at 22 - 23 watts, and each one is pulling 40 SCFH of air. I NEVER have any startup issues either. Mine both start back up within 5 seconds of power being restored.

I dont think that my skimmer can be beat by enough of a margin to justify buying a cone or one of the "high end" skimmers. 75-80 SCFM at 45 watts is unbelievably efficient.

Personally I say stick with the MSX200 and buy something else with that $350.

[Compguy]

Thats what I am having hard time with, if I should go with a cone or not, is it really worth the extra money, my first thought was to go with the MSX 200, but then I see everyone is coming out with a cone skimmer, and whether they are coming out with them just for a new fad or if they are really worth the extra money. This is for a new frag tank, its a 70 Wide, 48 x 24 x 13, probably gonna be 100 Gallons system total, and like 90% SPS. There are just to many skimmers out there! I really want to complete my order but just don't know what to go with yet.

[FiReBReTHa]

jus buy the ATB or BK, decide in a month you dont care for either and Ill buyit from you for half cost.



IMO, sps mainly I would cut down even further, I think Any of those are too much for a non-LPS feeding/fish y bioload.

not worth going that extreme.

[badazztealcobra]

On that setup I say MSX200, redo the mesh to make sure its done really well, and call it a day. No need for a $650+ cone skimmer. If you havent done the mesh and need a hand I'm only a town away, I have a dwyer and kill-a-watt....

Spend the extra money on more lighting or more flow.

[FiReBReTHa]

Originally posted by badazztealcobra
On that setup I say MSX200, redo the mesh to make sure its done really well, and call it a day. No need for a $650+ cone skimmer.

Spend the extra money on more lighting or more flow.

+1

[Compguy]

That is probably the route I will go, I have done the mesh a few times on my Euro-Reef and works great, thanks for the help everybody, I would love to get a Bubble King, but right now with all the money I am spending on lighting and all that good stuff, the MSX is probably my best choice, if I could find a used bubble king that would be a good route just because they are so darn expensive new.

[mcliffy2]

Agreed you don't need to buy the skimmer, especially if its a frag tank and won't have many fish. I'd say buy an Octo Extreme from Reef Specialty to get the local support (and their improved pinwheel). The only reason to go with one of the cones would be if you plan to upgrade to a bigger tank in the future.

[badazztealcobra]

Yeah, unless you already have everything done with marinesolutions or want the white acrylic instead of the black, the Extreme Octo 200 is the identical skimmer.... Plus you're saving $10 and helping a local business.

I just didnt have that option when mine first came out there were no octo extremes....

[badazztealcobra]

If you dont mind used, Jeff is selling a BM200 thats the same price as the Octo/MSX 200.....

[Compguy]

I was actually inline for Jeff's, but before I knew it was available again I went ahead with another order, of course my card was never charged, and the MSX 200 is out of stock anyway, I will contact Jeff and see if its still available, I can't remember what size that is, or what size tank its rated for, you think it might be a little to big for my system, the BM200

[Compguy]

I decided to take your guys advice, I ended up going new, picked up the Octo Extreme 200 from Reef Specialty, that way if I have any problems they will be there to help and plus its a local business. Thanks for everyone's help. Nice how they already come with mesh and spare wheel