Recommendation for Austin Oceans?

lest1966 · 09/27/2006, 01:57 PM

I am planning a major new tank upgrade for a reef 215 gallon tank with lots of SPS along with some nice fish and a couple of clams. I have settled on the tank. I will have 4 250w HQI pendants (Reef Optix 3) and a closed loop circulation system. I am still thinking about an Oceans Motion second closed loop to improve the randomness of the water flow. My question for all of you is on the protein skimmer. I have looked at all the possibilities out there and I think I will get the top performance from a beckett style downdraft skimmer. My current top candidate is a dual beckett skimmer from Austin Oceans (www.austinoceans.com). Does anyone have a recommendation on these skimmers? They say on their web site that it is the Barr Aquatic designs and they now have an exclusive license to manufacture and distribute these skimmers. Has anyone every heard of Barr Aquatic? Are these really top notch skimmers? I'm trying to put together the best system possible so I'm not looking for the cheapest or the lowest powered skimmer (I'm already using over 1000w on the lighting so I'm not going to pick a poorer performing skimmer just to save a 100 watts on electricity). Any advice on Austin Oceans or Barr Aquatic (experience good or bad) would be welcome.

Les

bskiba · 09/27/2006, 02:13 PM

Barr aquatics was good stuff. I would recomend for a big becket skimmer. They were is spokane WA I believe.

hawaiianwargod · 09/27/2006, 02:23 PM

lest1966

To Reef Central

HotHotHot · 09/27/2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bskiba
Barr aquatics was good stuff. I would recomend for a big becket skimmer. They were is spokane WA I believe.

I agree. I have a Barr SK1220 which would be the Foaminator 2000 I believe. It's a monster!

HTH
Ed

alwest45 · 09/30/2006, 12:22 AM

I've been researching skimmers and have not seen any bad comments on Barr Aquatics (now Austin Oceans) skimmers. They have a reputation for high performance and high quality. They aren't the cheapest but if you want the best they seem to be at the top of the heap.

jamesdawson · 10/03/2006, 02:14 PM

I just recieved my AO MoCalc 300 Calcium Reactor and I love it.

Barr's stuff is absolute top notch in both design and build quality IMHO.

James

alwest45 · 10/03/2006, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesdawson
I just recieved my AO MoCalc 300 Calcium Reactor and I love it.

Barr's stuff is absolute top notch in both design and build quality IMHO.

James

How were the Austin Oceans guys to deal with? Is their customer service ok?

jamesdawson · 10/04/2006, 10:24 AM

They were great!

James

09/27/2006, 01:57 PM	#1
lest1966 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 7	Recommendation for Austin Oceans? I am planning a major new tank upgrade for a reef 215 gallon tank with lots of SPS along with some nice fish and a couple of clams. I have settled on the tank. I will have 4 250w HQI pendants (Reef Optix 3) and a closed loop circulation system. I am still thinking about an Oceans Motion second closed loop to improve the randomness of the water flow. My question for all of you is on the protein skimmer. I have looked at all the possibilities out there and I think I will get the top performance from a beckett style downdraft skimmer. My current top candidate is a dual beckett skimmer from Austin Oceans (www.austinoceans.com). Does anyone have a recommendation on these skimmers? They say on their web site that it is the Barr Aquatic designs and they now have an exclusive license to manufacture and distribute these skimmers. Has anyone every heard of Barr Aquatic? Are these really top notch skimmers? I'm trying to put together the best system possible so I'm not looking for the cheapest or the lowest powered skimmer (I'm already using over 1000w on the lighting so I'm not going to pick a poorer performing skimmer just to save a 100 watts on electricity). Any advice on Austin Oceans or Barr Aquatic (experience good or bad) would be welcome. Les

09/27/2006, 02:13 PM	#2
bskiba Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: La Mesa Posts: 794	Barr aquatics was good stuff. I would recomend for a big becket skimmer. They were is spokane WA I believe. __________________ AKA: BRADREEF Current Tank Info: Started new cube 05-2012

09/27/2006, 02:23 PM	#3
hawaiianwargod Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 11 54' N, 121 55' E Posts: 1,836	lest1966 *To Reef Central* __________________ "To be a successful reefer, one must master the art of mimicry" ~Hawaiianwargod~ [E] levated [L] evel [O] f [S] weetness Current Tank Info: 210+ - "G" Elos 160XL [~]

10/03/2006, 02:14 PM	#6
jamesdawson Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: I AM THE SEA Posts: 1,303	I just recieved my AO MoCalc 300 Calcium Reactor and I love it. Barr's stuff is absolute top notch in both design and build quality IMHO. James __________________ Old Reefers Never Die, they just...join the crew! Current Tank Info: I'm expanding my reach

10/04/2006, 10:24 AM	#8
jamesdawson Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: I AM THE SEA Posts: 1,303	They were great! James __________________ Old Reefers Never Die, they just...join the crew! Current Tank Info: I'm expanding my reach

09/30/2006, 12:22 AM	#5
alwest45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Living in the USA Posts: 70	I've been researching skimmers and have not seen any bad comments on Barr Aquatics (now Austin Oceans) skimmers. They have a reputation for high performance and high quality. They aren't the cheapest but if you want the best they seem to be at the top of the heap.