skimmer for a 180g, sro5000 vs bm curve 9

ReefPharmer · 04/17/2013, 08:38 PM

hey guys, I am looking at upgrading my skimmer.
My options are Super Reef Space Saver Octopus 5000SSS Internal Protein Skimmer vs BM Curve 9.

Granted SRO is a more "household" of the two and has a better pump.

The price is 260 for the Curve 9 NEW vs 425 for the 5000sss that is approx 2 years old.

My tank has a 40 breeder for a sump and i have 5 tangs in it. I will be transitioning into an SPS / slightly mixed reef.

As a point of reference, I currently have a SWC extreme 200 with askoll 1500 modded into it.

Thanks!

sandwi54 · 04/17/2013, 08:46 PM

The sro-5000 is too big for a 180g, unless your bio load is crazy heavy (5 tangs is not) The 3000 is the right size.

I use the 5000 ext on my 500g system and I have 8 large fish (most around 8-12"), including 2 full sized puffers that just eat and poop. It's working "just fine."

Your swc 200 with askoll should handle your bio load. Why do you want to change it?

ReefPharmer · 04/17/2013, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandwi54

Your swc 200 with askoll should handle your bio load. Why do you want to change it?

I am bored? I think the askoll is a bit too large for this body. Its 8 inches and when I clean it, it gets overpowered by bubbles even when fully open. I even have the neck extender. Basically I have to wait for it to get "dirty" in the neck area to be able to actually skim

sandwi54 · 04/17/2013, 09:00 PM

Yeah that makes sense. Askoll draws a lot of air.

I wouldn't put a sro-5000 on anything less than a 300g heavily loaded. Otherwise it'll skim inconsistently and you won't get any benefits. How about the 3000?

ReefPharmer · 04/17/2013, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandwi54

Yeah that makes sense. Askoll draws a lot of air.

I wouldn't put a sro-5000 on anything less than a 300g heavily loaded. Otherwise it'll skim inconsistently and you won't get any benefits. How about the 3000?

Thats also an idea. Those do not come on sale all that often and for some reason, people ask 75-85% of the used price. I have been looking for a used one but not at the cost of 80% of new.

nikon187 · 04/17/2013, 10:26 PM

I have a modded swc 250 with a bubble blaster 5000 ( same as a SRO 5000 except its a 10 inch body with a 5.5 inch neck vs 12 inches and 6 with the SRO ) it skims like a BEAST on my 210. I would try a bubble blaster 3000 on your 200 extreme body, less air than the askol and a direct replacement for for the original sicce pump.

04/17/2013, 08:38 PM	#1
ReefPharmer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: los angeles Posts: 1,836	skimmer for a 180g, sro5000 vs bm curve 9 hey guys, I am looking at upgrading my skimmer. My options are Super Reef Space Saver Octopus 5000SSS Internal Protein Skimmer vs BM Curve 9. Granted SRO is a more "household" of the two and has a better pump. The price is 260 for the Curve 9 NEW vs 425 for the 5000sss that is approx 2 years old. My tank has a 40 breeder for a sump and i have 5 tangs in it. I will be transitioning into an SPS / slightly mixed reef. As a point of reference, I currently have a SWC extreme 200 with askoll 1500 modded into it. Thanks!

04/17/2013, 08:46 PM	#2
sandwi54 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 2,332	The sro-5000 is too big for a 180g, unless your bio load is crazy heavy (5 tangs is not) The 3000 is the right size. I use the 5000 ext on my 500g system and I have 8 large fish (most around 8-12"), including 2 full sized puffers that just eat and poop. It's working "just fine." Your swc 200 with askoll should handle your bio load. Why do you want to change it? __________________ 375g Envision FOWLR + 125g sump 40g Reef Current Tank Info: 375g FOWLR, 40g Reef

04/17/2013, 09:00 PM	#4
sandwi54 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 2,332	Yeah that makes sense. Askoll draws a lot of air. I wouldn't put a sro-5000 on anything less than a 300g heavily loaded. Otherwise it'll skim inconsistently and you won't get any benefits. How about the 3000? __________________ 375g Envision FOWLR + 125g sump 40g Reef Current Tank Info: 375g FOWLR, 40g Reef

04/17/2013, 10:26 PM	#6
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	I have a modded swc 250 with a bubble blaster 5000 ( same as a SRO 5000 except its a 10 inch body with a 5.5 inch neck vs 12 inches and 6 with the SRO ) it skims like a BEAST on my 210. I would try a bubble blaster 3000 on your 200 extreme body, less air than the askol and a direct replacement for for the original sicce pump. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.