Need help picking out a skimmer

dviper150 · 03/19/2010, 02:12 PM

I need to buy a new skimmer and will be ordering one by the end of this month. I just can't narrow the choices down so I coming here for help. I am doing a poll on the skimmers that I want to choose from. I need a skimmer that will be able to handle a heavy bioload on 125 or 150 gallon tank.

Any experiences with any of these skimmers would be helpful too and what size tank they are on with the kind of bioload. Thanks!!

Jacob Sellers · 03/19/2010, 02:14 PM

What skimmers are you considering? I just purchased an Octopus 6000 external and so far (about 2 months) I am very happy with it.

dviper150 · 03/19/2010, 02:15 PM

Just put the poll up.

Jacob Sellers · 03/19/2010, 02:15 PM

sorry just saw the poll.

dviper150 · 03/19/2010, 02:17 PM

What is the difference between the octopus internal and external?

Jacob Sellers · 03/19/2010, 02:29 PM

the external sits outside of the sump and is not dependent on the water level inside the sump. It is nice if you have the room.

Mounda · 03/19/2010, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacob Sellers

the external sits outside of the sump and is not dependent on the water level inside the sump. It is nice if you have the room.

Yeah that the only difference, not water dependent and since it uses an external pump it doesn't heat the water.

Vertex 280: same price as the SR0 XP2000 $400
MSX and Octopus extreme are the same, Sicce PSK 2500 pump. Sufficient for your system, good if you are looking to save some cash but not the best $280
Octopus NW: uses the older OTP NW pump
SRO 3000 would be perfect for a 200g system with a heavy bioload. $400

SWC cone 160, a cone with an Atman pump $250

Judging from the options you've listed above your ceiling is around $400 for a skimmer, so the best skimmer for the money would be the Super reef octopus XP 2000 internal cone skimmer. Cone, bubble blaster 2000 pump and rated up to 200 gallons.

Johnny C · 03/19/2010, 04:07 PM

I would consider the Octpus XP2000 Cone, it seems to be the perfect candidate.

dviper150 · 03/19/2010, 04:11 PM

anyone have any experience with the octopus xp2000 cone? It says it can handle up to 200 gallons with an average bioload. How much can it handle for a heavy bioload?

Mounda · 03/19/2010, 07:11 PM

My guess would be:

250g Low bioload
200g Medium bioload
150g Heavy bioload

The SWC XTREME Cone Protein Skimmer Mini S is quite similar to the XP2000 in size but it comes with the Sicce PSK2500 which is not as powerful as the BB2000 and its rated for 200,180 and 150 respectively so rough estimates about the XP2000 should be more or less within the actual range. You can seek more information regarding the cone skimmer in the reef specialty sponsor section, there's a massive cone skimmer thread going on over there.

dviper150 · 03/19/2010, 09:35 PM

I don't if its possible to add to the poll once its made but I just wanted to add the new Super Reef Octopus XP-2000 Cone Skimmer to the choices

. From what I have read on RC, it is pretty good and capable of handling a heavy bioload of up to 180 gallons.

tkeracer619 · 03/19/2010, 10:08 PM

For your size tank I think the xp2000 is a great choice.

dviper150 · 03/20/2010, 10:21 PM

anymore votes? I'm going to order hopefully by the end of this month. The Super Reef Octopus XP-2000 Cone Skimmer is also in the poll, Just couldn't go back and add it. Thanks for all the help.

Rhizo · 03/21/2010, 01:04 AM

Voted for the 300 model. However, I would go for the 5000 model. It's a small chunk of change, but the skimmer pump is so worth it.

maynardjames · 03/21/2010, 01:10 AM

i voted for the extreme. have a 200 & love it. ones with the new bubbleblaster pumps should really rock. don`t have any experience with the cones

dviper150 · 03/21/2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maynardjames

i voted for the extreme. have a 200 & love it. ones with the new bubbleblaster pumps should really rock. don`t have any experience with the cones

How big is your bioload on the tank? I was thinking of getting an extreme 250 but don't want to overkill.

pbnj · 03/21/2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhizo

Voted for the 300 model. However, I would go for the 5000 model. It's a small chunk of change, but the skimmer pump is so worth it.

Read the Reef Specialty thread on SRO cones. The xp-5000 model would be way overkill for that size tank. I'm getting the 5000 for my 240g and they said to make sure I keep a heavy bioload to make sure the skimmer performs effectively.

tkeracer619 · 03/21/2010, 10:43 AM

I would steer away from the sicce powered skimmers. The bubble blaster pumps are far superior.

dviper150 · 03/21/2010, 10:46 AM

what is wrong w/ the sicce powered skimmers? Just curious. Do they produce less bubbles compared to the bubble blaster pumps?

Mounda · 03/21/2010, 12:08 PM

The psk2500 pulls less air than the BB and they sometimes have issues starting after a power failure. The BB has a 3 year warranty.

As mentioned before, the SRO5000 is too big for your system and the extreme 250 would probably be as well. Extreme 250 is 2 sicce pumps so there's an increase in wattage too.

stanlalee · 03/21/2010, 02:24 PM

all you'll need to know about XP2000

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1739640

several more threads in the reef specialty sponsor forum
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=581

dviper150 · 03/24/2010, 11:01 PM

Thanks, I went skimmed through those links and found out that the xp2000 is good for my system. Anymore input anyone? I was leaning towards the msx200 but I have heard that they aren't as great as people think they are. Not really sure because I haven't had any experience with any one of the skimmers listed in the poll.

alcove · 03/25/2010, 01:49 AM

I-tech, usa made and not terrible on the wallet

View Poll Results: Which skimmer would be able to handle a heavy bioload on a 125 to 150 gallon tank?
Reef Octopus Extreme 8 Inch (200 Gallon) In Sump Protein Skimmer	4	15.38%
Reef Octopus 8 (250 Gallon) In Sump Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer w/Bubble Plate	1	3.85%
Vertex IN-280 Skimmer	5	19.23%
MSX200	5	19.23%
Super Reef Octopus 3000 Internal (SRO-3000INT)	11	42.31%
Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll

03/19/2010, 02:12 PM	#1
dviper150 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,799	Need help picking out a skimmer I need to buy a new skimmer and will be ordering one by the end of this month. I just can't narrow the choices down so I coming here for help. I am doing a poll on the skimmers that I want to choose from. I need a skimmer that will be able to handle a heavy bioload on 125 or 150 gallon tank. Any experiences with any of these skimmers would be helpful too and what size tank they are on with the kind of bioload. Thanks!! __________________ When in doubt, always have a way out.

03/19/2010, 02:15 PM	#3
dviper150 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,799	Just put the poll up. __________________ When in doubt, always have a way out.

03/19/2010, 02:17 PM	#5
dviper150 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,799	What is the difference between the octopus internal and external? __________________ When in doubt, always have a way out.

03/19/2010, 04:07 PM	#8
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	I would consider the Octpus XP2000 Cone, it seems to be the perfect candidate. __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau

03/19/2010, 02:14 PM	#2
Jacob Sellers Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Plymouth, Minnesota Posts: 182	What skimmers are you considering? I just purchased an Octopus 6000 external and so far (about 2 months) I am very happy with it.

03/19/2010, 02:29 PM	#6
Jacob Sellers Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Plymouth, Minnesota Posts: 182	the external sits outside of the sump and is not dependent on the water level inside the sump. It is nice if you have the room.

03/19/2010, 04:11 PM	#9
dviper150 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,799	anyone have any experience with the octopus xp2000 cone? It says it can handle up to 200 gallons with an average bioload. How much can it handle for a heavy bioload? __________________ When in doubt, always have a way out.

03/19/2010, 07:11 PM	#10
Mounda Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 452	My guess would be: 250g Low bioload 200g Medium bioload 150g Heavy bioload The SWC XTREME Cone Protein Skimmer Mini S is quite similar to the XP2000 in size but it comes with the Sicce PSK2500 which is not as powerful as the BB2000 and its rated for 200,180 and 150 respectively so rough estimates about the XP2000 should be more or less within the actual range. You can seek more information regarding the cone skimmer in the reef specialty sponsor section, there's a massive cone skimmer thread going on over there.

03/19/2010, 09:35 PM	#11
dviper150 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,799	I don't if its possible to add to the poll once its made but I just wanted to add the new Super Reef Octopus XP-2000 Cone Skimmer to the choices . From what I have read on RC, it is pretty good and capable of handling a heavy bioload of up to 180 gallons. __________________ When in doubt, always have a way out. Last edited by dviper150; 03/19/2010 at 09:46 PM.

03/19/2010, 10:08 PM	#12
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	For your size tank I think the xp2000 is a great choice. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

03/20/2010, 10:21 PM	#13
dviper150 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,799	anymore votes? I'm going to order hopefully by the end of this month. The Super Reef Octopus XP-2000 Cone Skimmer is also in the poll, Just couldn't go back and add it. Thanks for all the help. __________________ When in doubt, always have a way out.

03/21/2010, 01:04 AM	#14
Rhizo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SoCal / Chicago Posts: 839	Voted for the 300 model. However, I would go for the 5000 model. It's a small chunk of change, but the skimmer pump is so worth it.

03/21/2010, 01:10 AM	#15
maynardjames Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: west tennessee Posts: 1,600	i voted for the extreme. have a 200 & love it. ones with the new bubbleblaster pumps should really rock. don`t have any experience with the cones __________________ if your 555 Current Tank Info: 120 rr dual overflows, solarflare t5 fixture,octo extreme 200,vortech mp40w esx2. brs reactor for carbon, brs reactor for gfo, 40 gal breeder sump

03/21/2010, 10:43 AM	#18
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I would steer away from the sicce powered skimmers. The bubble blaster pumps are far superior. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

03/21/2010, 10:46 AM	#19
dviper150 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,799	what is wrong w/ the sicce powered skimmers? Just curious. Do they produce less bubbles compared to the bubble blaster pumps? __________________ When in doubt, always have a way out.

03/21/2010, 12:08 PM	#20
Mounda Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 452	The psk2500 pulls less air than the BB and they sometimes have issues starting after a power failure. The BB has a 3 year warranty. As mentioned before, the SRO5000 is too big for your system and the extreme 250 would probably be as well. Extreme 250 is 2 sicce pumps so there's an increase in wattage too.

03/21/2010, 02:24 PM	#21
stanlalee Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hampton roads, va Posts: 1,799	all you'll need to know about XP2000 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1739640 several more threads in the reef specialty sponsor forum http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=581

03/24/2010, 11:01 PM	#22
dviper150 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,799	Thanks, I went skimmed through those links and found out that the xp2000 is good for my system. Anymore input anyone? I was leaning towards the msx200 but I have heard that they aren't as great as people think they are. Not really sure because I haven't had any experience with any one of the skimmers listed in the poll. __________________ When in doubt, always have a way out.

03/25/2010, 01:49 AM	#23
alcove Moved On Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Jax beach ,FL Posts: 80	I-tech, usa made and not terrible on the wallet