Skimmer upgrade help....please!!!

[hardimanm]

I currently have a Coralife super needle wheel skimmer that is rated for 65 gallons that was a hold over from when i have a 42 gallon reef tank. This little skimmer worked pretty good but it has always been too small. It did a good job even when the tank was heavily stocked. But now the pump appears to be going out and instead of shelling out $40 for a new pump i think im going to upgrade it. My only problem is my sump is a homemade sump. The area i currently have my sump is approx 6.75X11.75 inches. This really limits what i can put in there. I have found some nice ones on BRS and wanted some input from the group.

Here are 2 skimmers that will fit and seem pretty good....
Reef Octopus 4? Pinwheel In Sump Skimmer OCT-NWB110 - English ~$180.00
Reef Octopus 4? Recirculating Skimmer OCT-DNWB110 - English ~$200.00

Not sure how much better the recirculating skimmer is...maybe someone can help me on that

Also there is another skimmer that will fit but it is nearly 2X the price....Why?
Super Reef Octopus XP1000 Space Saver SRO-XP1000SSS - English ~$330.00
Is this that much better of a skimmer? Appear to be very similar to the above skimmers/

Or since i have had such good luck out of the coralife super skimmer should i just upgrade to one of the larger sized units?
Aquarium Protein Skimmers: Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer ~$180.00 to $230.00

Thanks for any help advance...and im glad to be back
Michael

[Retired Reefer]

What ever you do stay away from anything with a Sicce pump. They are garbage and no one will stand behind them. Reef octopus and SWC both have models with the sicce 2500 save yourself some money and stay clear.

[hardimanm]

sorry....just noticed that the links did not come through....ill post them again.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...p-skimmer.html

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...-skimmers.html

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...xp1000sss.html

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...LAID=525413458

[hardimanm]

Thanks Retired Reefer...that is something I did not know and the kind of info that will help greatly.

Im leaning towards upgrading to a bigger Coralife skimmer since i have have alot of luck with it once i moved it to my sump. But everyone local says the things are crap. Maybe i just dont know what a good skimmer looks like....

[tkeracer619]

NO please no. Stay away from the CSS.

I would get the XP-1000sss but I don't think its going to fit in your sump. There is a difference in the body and the pump but the pump is the major factor here. It produces smaller bubbles and has a 3 year warranty. It is essentially a copy of the Askoll pump in a smaller size. Very good pumps.

The NWB110 will fit in your sump and will be a huge improvement over your current skimmer or any CSS. And yes a CSS is crap. Pure crap. The NWB110 uses a pump that has been around for years. Has a 1 year warranty and produces a good skimmate. A very good entry level skimmer. Fwiw I like the body design better on it then on the XP1000 but both will be good performers for you.

[Essencereef]

Super Reef Octopus is the new crowned prince of my 180 sps system. It's been a while since i've seen this kind of performance