Time to upgrade my skimmer!

gsxunv04 · 08/14/2009, 12:32 PM

Hello,
I am currently running an Octopus nw-150. I am not pleased with the skimmate it has been producing so I am starting to question if I should upgrade my skimmer. I like the look of the Vertex skimmers, but the resun pumps, I am not to familiar with. I would like to keep it under $300.
My current skimmer seems outdated, I would like to know if the bubble plates, conical designs, and such of the newer skimmers is worth me upgrading from my NW-150.
Also should I be shopping for a skimmer rated for 100g or should you still try and overskim? When I bought my nw-150 I was in belief that you should buy the largest skimmer you can fit in your sump.

My tank is 75g reef with 20 Long sump. medium bioload.

Thanks everyone!

moondoggy4 · 08/14/2009, 09:22 PM

There is a new line of NW Octo skimmers that are pretty popular and there is a new fan club on them I believe. Or you could go with a I-Tech small with a choice of pumps. It will skim the heck out of your 75 gallon tank.

KevinYates · 08/14/2009, 10:08 PM

<--- euro-reef man

noboddi · 08/14/2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KevinYates
<--- euro-reef man

ER isn't really building skimmers outside the nano these days

29reef · 08/14/2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by noboddi
ER isn't really building skimmers outside the nano these days

I thought EuroReef is making a cone and a recirc as well as others..... in many sizes. Am I mistaken?

YogiBoo · 08/14/2009, 11:44 PM

The MSX Skimmers... very cheap and has a good bubble plate and all.

gsxunv04 · 08/15/2009, 07:13 AM

arent the msx mesh wheel? i want a pinwheel impeller. I-tech, do you always buy the pump seperate with them?

mojo~ · 08/15/2009, 07:30 AM

You will want ot look at the vertex in 180. THe skimmers hasa great design, pulls a good amout of air and water, And stays in your budget. Probably the best bang for the buck skimmer under $300. I have reviewed so many of the budget based skimmers to the high end ones . THe vertex IN 180 is a great value. You will be very happy over the nw 150. I have had that one too. lol
Mojo~

gsxunv04 · 08/15/2009, 07:32 AM

are the new nw-150's a pinwheel impeller?

do you think if i added this to my current pump, itd make a difference?

http://www.aquacave.com/pin-wheel-im...pump-2427.html

noboddi · 08/15/2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 29reef
I thought EuroReef is making a cone and a recirc as well as others..... in many sizes. Am I mistaken?

I haven't seen their cone yet. I hear they are really hurting these days; if you go to their web site, they have like one skimmer for sale

noboddi · 08/15/2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gsxunv04
are the new nw-150's a pinwheel impeller?

do you think if i added this to my current pump, itd make a difference?

http://www.aquacave.com/pin-wheel-im...pump-2427.html

It might. Cheaper than a new skimmer. I hear the new pinwheel, which all Octos come with now, really increases the air it pulls

gsxunv04 · 08/15/2009, 02:28 PM

hmm. I think I may get the pinwheel impeller and see if that improves anything. I accidentally lost the tiny plastic washer from my imprller shaft last time I was cleaning it, can I get a similar one from lowes, or is it ok to go without one? Would the new impeller assembly come with the washers? In the description it says no rubber endcaps or shaft, but nothing about the washers.

Thanks for all the advice!

JTL · 09/15/2009, 11:39 AM

I need to get a skimmer and I am really torn between the MSX160 and the Vertex In 180. I have about 100 gallons net water between the DT and sump after deducting sand and rock. I won't have a really heavy bio load. Can someone help me decide?

gary504504 · 09/15/2009, 11:47 AM

octopus,das and deltec are all good skimmers

joncat24 · 09/15/2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gsxunv04
arent the msx mesh wheel? i want a pinwheel impeller. I-tech, do you always buy the pump seperate with them?

Msx 200 comes with pinwheel installed on it. For $279 you can't touch it...IMO

Ken_wied · 09/15/2009, 01:19 PM

FWIW, I bought a new ReefOcto DNW 150 Recirc skimmer. After 3 weeks of inconsistent, if any skimmate, I sent an email to AC to see if I could exchange it. The next day, wham, it started pulling like a champ. I had also thought about getting the pinwheel for it. Now, I just did a water change yesterday, and cleaned the skimmer cup, and it's already half full of dark, thick nasty smelling skimmate. I guess it just needed a longer break-in period.

08/14/2009, 12:32 PM	#1
gsxunv04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 874	Time to upgrade my skimmer! Hello, I am currently running an Octopus nw-150. I am not pleased with the skimmate it has been producing so I am starting to question if I should upgrade my skimmer. I like the look of the Vertex skimmers, but the resun pumps, I am not to familiar with. I would like to keep it under $300. My current skimmer seems outdated, I would like to know if the bubble plates, conical designs, and such of the newer skimmers is worth me upgrading from my NW-150. Also should I be shopping for a skimmer rated for 100g or should you still try and overskim? When I bought my nw-150 I was in belief that you should buy the largest skimmer you can fit in your sump. My tank is 75g reef with 20 Long sump. medium bioload. Thanks everyone!

08/15/2009, 07:13 AM	#7
gsxunv04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 874	arent the msx mesh wheel? i want a pinwheel impeller. I-tech, do you always buy the pump seperate with them? Last edited by gsxunv04; 08/15/2009 at 07:21 AM.

08/15/2009, 07:30 AM	#8
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	You will want ot look at the vertex in 180. THe skimmers hasa great design, pulls a good amout of air and water, And stays in your budget. Probably the best bang for the buck skimmer under $300. I have reviewed so many of the budget based skimmers to the high end ones . THe vertex IN 180 is a great value. You will be very happy over the nw 150. I have had that one too. lol Mojo~ __________________ Mojo~

09/15/2009, 11:39 AM	#13
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	I need to get a skimmer and I am really torn between the MSX160 and the Vertex In 180. I have about 100 gallons net water between the DT and sump after deducting sand and rock. I won't have a really heavy bio load. Can someone help me decide? __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

09/15/2009, 11:47 AM	#14
gary504504 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: metairie, louisiana Posts: 206	octopus,das and deltec are all good skimmers __________________ life is a fish tank,so swim and enjoy Current Tank Info: 130 gal sps tank

08/14/2009, 09:22 PM	#2
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	There is a new line of NW Octo skimmers that are pretty popular and there is a new fan club on them I believe. Or you could go with a I-Tech small with a choice of pumps. It will skim the heck out of your 75 gallon tank.

08/14/2009, 10:08 PM	#3
KevinYates Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 194	<--- euro-reef man

08/14/2009, 11:44 PM	#6
YogiBoo Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Jose , CA Posts: 63	The MSX Skimmers... very cheap and has a good bubble plate and all.

08/15/2009, 07:32 AM	#9
gsxunv04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 874	are the new nw-150's a pinwheel impeller? do you think if i added this to my current pump, itd make a difference? http://www.aquacave.com/pin-wheel-im...pump-2427.html

08/15/2009, 02:28 PM	#12
gsxunv04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 874	hmm. I think I may get the pinwheel impeller and see if that improves anything. I accidentally lost the tiny plastic washer from my imprller shaft last time I was cleaning it, can I get a similar one from lowes, or is it ok to go without one? Would the new impeller assembly come with the washers? In the description it says no rubber endcaps or shaft, but nothing about the washers. Thanks for all the advice!

09/15/2009, 01:19 PM	#16
Ken_wied Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Appleton, WI Posts: 311	FWIW, I bought a new ReefOcto DNW 150 Recirc skimmer. After 3 weeks of inconsistent, if any skimmate, I sent an email to AC to see if I could exchange it. The next day, wham, it started pulling like a champ. I had also thought about getting the pinwheel for it. Now, I just did a water change yesterday, and cleaned the skimmer cup, and it's already half full of dark, thick nasty smelling skimmate. I guess it just needed a longer break-in period. __________________ Ken 90gal RR 1-Yellow Tang, Blue Hippo and Kole 1-Watchman Goby 1-True Perc Clown w/Sebae Anem Host 3-Small Chromis Numerous SPS and Soft Corals Crocea Clam Sea Apple CoCo Worm 2 Cleaner Shrimp, 2 Peps Reef Octo DNW 150 Recirc Skimmer Odyssea Dual 250w MH with 96w CP Actinic 1.025 / 78.8 / pH 8.2 / Rates 0.0 / Rites 0.0 / Ammonia 0.0 dKH 8.0 / Calc 450 / Mg 1350