Reeflo ORCA 250 vs Alpha Cone 300

roberto_lopes · 07/18/2011, 01:47 PM

Well I/m using the ORCA for about 1,5 years now and I have to say, it's a hell of a skimmer.

Recently a friend of mine bring an Alpha Cone 300 (with two red dragons) and give me NEW for almost nothing. (about 200USD).

What you guys think about this. Change or not to change ?

My tank is a 345GAL 99% SPS tank with lots of fish (10 big tangs) and other small fishes.

On the specs the ORCA has 1.950 liters of air per hour and is for 528 to 845 gal.

The alpha on the other hand, pumps 3.600-4.000 lt of air per hour but on specs it's made for 300 to 600 gal.

The question is: How can a skimmer that is capable of put 3.600 lt/h of air is dimensioned to a smaller tank ?

Should I go for the alpha or stay with my reeflo ORCA 250?

Thanks in advance guys

roni · 07/18/2011, 01:58 PM

Sort of hard to argue with success

Your tank looks great. Even though the alpha cone 300 is a great skimmer, I'm not sure I'd mess with anything. You do get a decrease in operating cost since the RD pumps are a little more efficient.

714albert · 07/18/2011, 02:00 PM

run both

roberto_lopes · 07/18/2011, 02:08 PM

I don't have enough space to run both.

So i have to decide. Sell de Alpha or Sell the ORCA !!!

1950 lt/air - ORCA
3600 lt/air - Alpha

I'm going crazy !!!!!

roni · 07/18/2011, 02:29 PM

sell me the alpha

The alpha is probably the better skimmer but your tank looks amazing. I doubt you need to switch skimmers other then if you just want to shake things up.

solitude127 · 07/18/2011, 03:30 PM

Can you run the Alpha for a while and see how it does? Then decide which skimmer you'll keep?

rkaires · 07/18/2011, 05:18 PM

I agree. Run the cone for a comparison.

raffy026 · 07/18/2011, 06:19 PM

I also agree. run it from some time. I have to make the decision my self between the Reeflo Orca 200 VS the Alfa Cone 250. I think electrical cost will make this decision.

roberto_lopes · 07/18/2011, 07:38 PM

Yeah, I'll run the alpha for one or two months to see how it works. Then I'll decide.

But from the specs, wich one is better ?

roberto_lopes · 07/19/2011, 08:04 PM

Well the alpha is installed. I have to say. The product is really state of the art.

Only for 30 minutes of work and I already can see bubbles with crap on the neck of the collection cup.

Really nice looking and NO SOUND at all.

solitude127 · 07/19/2011, 10:39 PM

Where are the pics?

roberto_lopes · 07/20/2011, 08:26 AM

Pics on the way...hehehe

Later today

07/18/2011, 01:47 PM	#1
roberto_lopes Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brazil Posts: 332	Reeflo ORCA 250 vs Alpha Cone 300 Well I/m using the ORCA for about 1,5 years now and I have to say, it's a hell of a skimmer. Recently a friend of mine bring an Alpha Cone 300 (with two red dragons) and give me NEW for almost nothing. (about 200USD). What you guys think about this. Change or not to change ? My tank is a 345GAL 99% SPS tank with lots of fish (10 big tangs) and other small fishes. On the specs the ORCA has 1.950 liters of air per hour and is for 528 to 845 gal. The alpha on the other hand, pumps 3.600-4.000 lt of air per hour but on specs it's made for 300 to 600 gal. The question is: How can a skimmer that is capable of put 3.600 lt/h of air is dimensioned to a smaller tank ? Should I go for the alpha or stay with my reeflo ORCA 250? Thanks in advance guys __________________ 720gal acrylic SPS dominant FULL LEDs 19 AI Hydra52, BBK Supermarin 300 RDIII skimmer. Visit my New Tank 2014: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=22557157

07/18/2011, 02:00 PM	#3
714albert Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: near my home Posts: 54	run both __________________ 120 mix Current Tank Info: 120 rimless, lovely softies, ATB large 1260 white skimmer

07/18/2011, 02:08 PM	#4
roberto_lopes Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brazil Posts: 332	I don't have enough space to run both. So i have to decide. Sell de Alpha or Sell the ORCA !!! 1950 lt/air - ORCA 3600 lt/air - Alpha I'm going crazy !!!!! __________________ 720gal acrylic SPS dominant FULL LEDs 19 AI Hydra52, BBK Supermarin 300 RDIII skimmer. Visit my New Tank 2014: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=22557157

07/18/2011, 03:30 PM	#6
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	Can you run the Alpha for a while and see how it does? Then decide which skimmer you'll keep? __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

07/18/2011, 05:18 PM	#7
rkaires Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dingmans Ferry, PA Posts: 1,083	I agree. Run the cone for a comparison. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 200gal system, 150gal & 58gal reef, ATI Powermodule & Sunpower , ATB Deluxe skimmer, KZ zeo reactor, Geo 618, FX1500 return, Tunze 7095, Tunze Streams.

07/18/2011, 01:58 PM	#2
roni Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: stafford, va Posts: 513	Sort of hard to argue with success Your tank looks great. Even though the alpha cone 300 is a great skimmer, I'm not sure I'd mess with anything. You do get a decrease in operating cost since the RD pumps are a little more efficient.

07/18/2011, 02:29 PM	#5
roni Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: stafford, va Posts: 513	sell me the alpha The alpha is probably the better skimmer but your tank looks amazing. I doubt you need to switch skimmers other then if you just want to shake things up.

07/18/2011, 06:19 PM	#8
raffy026 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 19	I also agree. run it from some time. I have to make the decision my self between the Reeflo Orca 200 VS the Alfa Cone 250. I think electrical cost will make this decision.

07/18/2011, 07:38 PM	#9
roberto_lopes Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brazil Posts: 332	Yeah, I'll run the alpha for one or two months to see how it works. Then I'll decide. But from the specs, wich one is better ? __________________ 720gal acrylic SPS dominant FULL LEDs 19 AI Hydra52, BBK Supermarin 300 RDIII skimmer. Visit my New Tank 2014: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=22557157

07/19/2011, 08:04 PM	#10
roberto_lopes Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brazil Posts: 332	Well the alpha is installed. I have to say. The product is really state of the art. Only for 30 minutes of work and I already can see bubbles with crap on the neck of the collection cup. Really nice looking and NO SOUND at all. __________________ 720gal acrylic SPS dominant FULL LEDs 19 AI Hydra52, BBK Supermarin 300 RDIII skimmer. Visit my New Tank 2014: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=22557157

07/19/2011, 10:39 PM	#11
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	Where are the pics? __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

07/20/2011, 08:26 AM	#12
roberto_lopes Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brazil Posts: 332	Pics on the way...hehehe Later today __________________ 720gal acrylic SPS dominant FULL LEDs 19 AI Hydra52, BBK Supermarin 300 RDIII skimmer. Visit my New Tank 2014: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=22557157

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