Which Reef Octopus Skimmer for my 180?

[mario8402]

I have been searching high and low for a good skimmer for my standard 180 and I think I have settled on Reef Octopus since it seems like you get more bang for the buck.

Which one of these would you pick??

Reef Octopus DDNW-150


Reef Octopus DNWB 200


Reef Octopus Extreme 250



Anyone have experience with any of them? What are you using on your 180?? Any reason why I should not be looking at Reef Octopus? why?
Thanks for any and all help

[reefer96]

my vote is the Extreme 250. those 2 sicce pumps are going to pull a high amount of air and are really effecient IME.

I run the ATI BM 250 with 2 sicce pumps on my system (200g approx) granted the body is slightly different but the same pumps.

Good luck

[cveverly]

The Extreme 250. Better pump than the other two you have listed.

There is no reason not to consider the Reef Octopus line. However, you may want to look at the MSX line. I understand the impeller is just a little different (better) and the price can be a little lower.

I have a 160 display and a 55 sump and use the Grey Seas GS2 cone skimmer. I run the same pump as the Extreme 250.

[mario8402]

thanks for the tips, i appreciate it.
if anyone has anything to add its apprecaited too

Also,
when I was searching for the MSX line I found this :

Reef Octopus Super XP 2000


Pretty decent price for a Cone skimmer, but I havent heard anything about it so ..

[mario8402]

well crap, I suck at searching lol.
is MSX made by reef octopus or someone else? SWc?

I found a SWC Extreme 250 that looks very similiar to the reef octopus extreme 250 and is the same price... is it a knock off or is one better than the other?

[BFG]

I think it's the new 2009 model for Reef Octopus.

[BigJay]

Originally posted by mario8402
well crap, I suck at searching lol.
is MSX made by reef octopus or someone else? SWc?

I found a SWC Extreme 250 that looks very similiar to the reef octopus extreme 250 and is the same price... is it a knock off or is one better than the other?

MSX and the reef octopus extreme lines are the same exact skimmers. Same chinese-made parts, two different brand stickers. Head to www.marinesolutionsinc.com for the MSX line.

To be honest if I had to buy a new skimmer for a 180, I would look into the MSX250A with the askoll pump.

If you don't have the room like me, look into the Octo Extreme 200, with the new super-xp 2000 pump on it that they are selling at Reef Specialty.

[addicted2reefin]

^^^
i would go with the cone myself. or the swc cone with an askoll for 799
the swc can be used external

the bodys for msx,swc and reef octo are made by the same company they just utilize different pumps

[mario8402]

so why would someone pick a SWC extreme 250 over a Ocotopus Extreme 250 or vice versa?

also, although I do appreicate the recommendations, I am on a budget of no more than 400 so that sort of eliminates some of the more preferred skimmers

[skimmy]

Originally posted by BigJay
MSX and the reef octopus extreme lines are the same exact skimmers. Same chinese-made parts, two different brand stickers. Head to www.marinesolutionsinc.com for the MSX line.

To be honest if I had to buy a new skimmer for a 180, I would look into the MSX250A with the askoll pump.

If you don't have the room like me, look into the Octo Extreme 200, with the new super-xp 2000 pump on it that they are selling at Reef Specialty.

this is totally not true!!!
they are NOT the same skimmer, and SWC/MSX skimmers are NOT made at honya shenizen like the octopus skimmers are.
CV cant mod the sicce to save their life, I would NOT buy the octopus knock off version of this skimmer.
SWC used to manufacture the older black versions of this skimmer at honya shenizen, (that's when CV/octo stole this design) but that was over a year ago. There is now a new, better quality chinese manufacturer that they use(better quality acrylic and slightly thicker, white pvc).
Also, SWC is the only company to get 2400lph of air out of the askoll/laguna 1500 motor block, they had to tune it down to 2100 to fit their skimmer bodies.
You definately want the innovator's version of the extreme 250, not the lesser quality copy cat.
And people dont have the sicce issues with the SWC versions of this skimmer because SWC knows how to mod a pump.

[skimmy]

In octo/CV's defense though, that cone skimmer they are going to release does look very interesting.
That is actually the older ATB econo 840 body that they licensed CV/octo to reproduce under the octopus brand, with their new bubble blaster (askoll/laguna knock off) pump.
If CV can actually offer decent customer service for the 3 yr. pump warranty then it might be a really good deal.
the 50scfh is at the maximum that neck can handle and is more air than ATB designed that skimmer for, but it still should be pretty decent control.

[octavioromo]

Ive got the Octo Extreme 200 on myy 120g + about a 40g sump and it does its job great. The 250 sounds about right for a 180. The cone skimmers are newer but havent heard any word on them yet. But dont be afraid to oversize just a bit.

[gmneil]

i have an octo extreme 200 on my 125 and i love it

[Rwinfrey]

skimmy I am sorry but you are dead wrong about cv using atb old econo bodies and please since you seem to know all this info about cv and msx what is the name of the other chinese manufature please stop spreading rumors get the facts first please maybee Rob will chime in so this can be clarify what has been done.

[mario8402]

I wish I could find some close-up pics of the octo extreme 250 and the swx extreme 250... nto saying that anyone here is wrong or anything, but its hard to imagine that these are exactly the same at the same price point... how to tell which one is better?

[mario8402]

so far I have gathered that the only difference between the Octo Extreme 250 and MSX Extreme 250 is the modifications they make to the pumps? is this correct?
also, Reef Octopus, MSX, and SWC are all different companies but make the exact same product??

[BigJay]

Originally posted by mario8402
so far I have gathered that the only difference between the Octo Extreme 250 and MSX Extreme 250 is the modifications they make to the pumps? is this correct?
also, Reef Octopus, MSX, and SWC are all different companies but make the exact same product??

Apparently they were the same over a year ago when I bought mine. (Anyone else remember getting on a waiting list to buy an MSX skimmer? Those were the days.) Since then MSX/SWC has apparently moved on to another manufacturer. Good for them (and us).

I wouldn't buy either of the sicce-powered MSX or Octo 250's. I'd buy the MSX250A that works with the Askoll pump. That thing is a monster: low watt consumption, high flow and excellent air draw.

As for who to buy from, decide that for yourself. I'm a big fan of capitalism. Competition puts a big cap on how much MSX and CV will charge for their skimmers, and we win in the end. I'm curious to see if the (higher priced) MSX cone skimmers drop in price to compete with the new CV octo cones with bubble blaster pumps. My guess is that they will.

I'm also curious to see how the new bubble blaster pumps work on the MSX200/250 bodies. If they really have a 3 year warranty, good service, and perform as well as an askoll - I'll probably pick one up for my skimmer.

[jwilliams860]

my vote is definately the extreme, or the cone, that cone is getting some great reviews, go to reefspecialtys forum they havea thread on it already and the new CV pump.I had an octo 200 on my 120 and it worked like a champ and the new versions have a cone neck with a longer transition

[MSX-Rob]

Mods: I was requested to post in this thread to provide some insight, hope I do not overstep here.



Here is a little clarification:

The Octopus Extreme, the SWC, and the MSX are all made in China at Honya - this is true for the 160, 200, 250 and 300 models. This does NOT include the other Coral Vue models listed above.

All of these skimmers use the Sicce pump, this pump does NOT come from Honya, they are imported separately - made in Italy. The modifications are different between the two lines (Coral Vue and SWC/MSX) because they are done here in the US by the importer, not the manufacturer. The warranty terms and providers are different as well based on who you are purchasing your unit through.

Someone mentioned cones up there earlier. I have some insight into this as well, but I am not sure it is my place to say.

[Slayer311]

I am currently using the swc extreme 200 on my 180 and it is working great. I upgraded to the purple pin wheel opposed to having to constantly mod the mesh mod option. The air draw on the purple pin wheel was a large upgrade to the stock pin wheel offered on the sicce pump. The only problem I have had is I have to clean the collection cup neck every 2 days or the neck begins to sludge up and slow down on skimmate production; it could be a lot worse . I do agree that if you were able I would look into either the huricone with askoll pump or the swc 250a or the new octo cone. The askoll pump is capable of handling just as much air/water mixture as the 2 sicce pumps on the octo extreme 250 with less wattage draw and less points of possible failure. The I-tech cones have also been receiving great reviews in the cone department and price comparisons to its competitors. Good luck in your decision and don't worry too much about the pump mods to the swc / octto sicce pumps, they both work well and its not that huge of a differance.

[skimmy]

Originally posted by Rwinfrey
skimmy I am sorry but you are dead wrong about cv using atb old econo bodies and please since you seem to know all this info about cv and msx what is the name of the other chinese manufature please stop spreading rumors get the facts first please maybee Rob will chime in so this can be clarify what has been done.

lol...i never said octo is using old ecnono bodies...
i said ATB LICENCED octo to reproduce the design.
octo im pretty sure manufactures them at honya shenizen, and modifies the design slightly to accomodate the BB pump.
I have heard this from a couple different skimmer people now who would know because they work in the industry.

[skimmy]

Originally posted by MSX-Rob
Mods: I was requested to post in this thread to provide some insight, hope I do not overstep here.



Here is a little clarification:

The Octopus Extreme, the SWC, and the MSX are all made in China at Honya - this is true for the 160, 200, 250 and 300 models. This does NOT include the other Coral Vue models listed above.

All of these skimmers use the Sicce pump, this pump does NOT come from Honya, they are imported separately - made in Italy. The modifications are different between the two lines (Coral Vue and SWC/MSX) because they are done here in the US by the importer, not the manufacturer. The warranty terms and providers are different as well based on who you are purchasing your unit through.

Someone mentioned cones up there earlier. I have some insight into this as well, but I am not sure it is my place to say.

rob, the last time i talked to jason from SWC on the phone he is the one who mentioned the white bodied SWC skimmers arent made at honya... the older black SWC extremes that you rebrand were made at honya shenizen...NOT the new white ones. still made in china yes, but not by honya...
so if MSX still sells the black bodied SWC extreme skimmers then yes, made at honya shenizen. I thought you guys were selling the white ones now?

[skimmy]

double post...sorry

[mario8402]

< - double confused lol

so I guess the question isnt which skimmer is better but which one has the better mod to the pump

[JRechcygl]

Originally posted by skimmy
lol...i never said octo is using old ecnono bodies...
i said ATB LICENCED octo to reproduce the design.
octo im pretty sure manufactures them at honya shenizen, and modifies the design slightly to accomodate the BB pump.
I have heard this from a couple different skimmer people now who would know because they work in the industry.

Interesting, as I have heard contradictory information... Also from heavy hitters in the biz...

What would ATB gain from licensing the old econo bodies to Coralvue. Yeah, they get to make some $$ of the licence but then when CV ends up putting out a nice cone skimmer for a fraction of the price wouldn't that come back to bite ATB in the rear? From all the folks I talked to, they all agreed it wouldn't really be in ATB's best interest to do so, even with the financial gain.