Cone skimmers: does the performance justify the extra cost?

[Hal]

Well, Cone skimmers have been out long enough that there should be real world experience with just how good/great they are. I thought I'd re-ask the question: does the performance justify the extra cost?

To select two examples, with the cone and traditional model both made by the same company so as to have apples to apples:

SWC 300A for $600 rated for 300-550 gal tank, depending on bioload.
SWC1A Cone for $750 rated for 400-700 gal tank

Vertex Alpha 170 for $780 rated for 200 gal tank
Vertex IN-250 for $320 rated for 150-250 gal tank

 

[nanojg]

For some yes, for some no. You will get strong arguments both ways, its up to you, that is way to subjective of a question.

 

[rbnice1]

Well as you can see the SWC300A and the SWC1A cone are both almost identical same pumps almost the same size and the cone is rated for a much larger system so not only is it more efficient, the cost isnt really more, its designed for a larger system.

You cant really compare the 2 vertex. One you would really have to compare the In180 vs the Alpha 170 and 2 the pump on the In costs about 20 bucks. The pump on the Alpha costs about 400 bucks. The alpha isnt just a cone it has a re dragon pump on it.

A better example would be a octo cone vs a octo super reef cyclinder with the same pump and those costs are very close.

 

[slief]

I am in a similar boat.To cone or not to cone...

I am trying to decide between a Royal Excluse Alpha 300 Cone skimmer and the Reef Octopus TDNW-300 or FDNW 400 recirculating skimmers. If any of you have any feedback on any of the above, I would love to hear it. I am looking to replace a Barr Aquatic SK5020 beckett skimmer that works great. I am looking to go more efficient as I am in the process of building new larger and improved sumps.

 

[rbnice1]

After having my alpha200 I would never buy a octo that doesn't have at least the bubble blaster or sicce pump. The laguna motor block is really nice. That said the guys I have heard of that have gotten the 300, really really like it. I have not seen them in action with my own 2 eye tho.

 

[slief]

After having my alpha200 I would never buy a octo that doesn't have at least the bubble blaster or sicce pump. The laguna motor block is really nice.

Are you saying the Octopus pumps are no good even with a mesh mod??

That said the guys I have heard of that have gotten the 300, really really like it. I have not seen them in action with my own 2 eye tho.

Are you talking about the Royal Exclusive Alpha 300 or the octo TDNW 300?

 

[rbnice1]

I dont like the octo pumps. I would never use anything that uses mesh mods to make it work. There is to much maintenance involved IMO. I like pinwheels. Its a personal thing tho. Im sure there are thousands of people out there that will say the opposite or what I am saying.


I was talking about the alpha. The amount of air draw that skimmer has with the watts its uses is amazing. My only complaint about my alpha200 is it skimmers wet, but I am getting about 1/2 to 3/4 a gallon of the nastiest smelling stuff I have ever had a week on a 155gallon tank.

 

[cwegescheide]

I've probably had atleast 6 skimmers since I've been keeping reef tanks.

First Aquamedic Turbofloater 1000, Euroreef RS-80, ASM G3, ATB small, I-Tech-100 and I-Tech-200.

The Aquamedic did ok.. The EuroReef a little better.. ASM G3 better than the EuroReef, the ATB (for what I paid for it) was a disapointment and the I-Tech is a great skimmer. I'm very happy with it. Puts all the skimmers I've had in the past to shame. I don't have any experience with the skimmers you mentioned but I really like my I-Tech cone skimmer.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[slief]

I dont like the octo pumps. I would never use anything that uses mesh mods to make it work. There is to much maintenance involved IMO. I like pinwheels. Its a personal thing tho. Im sure there are thousands of people out there that will say the opposite or what I am saying.


I was talking about the alpha. The amount of air draw that skimmer has with the watts its uses is amazing. My only complaint about my alpha200 is it skimmers wet, but I am getting about 1/2 to 3/4 a gallon of the nastiest smelling stuff I have ever had a week on a 155gallon tank.

Its looking like my Barr will get replaced by an Royal Exclusive Alpha 300. I hope I am not making a mistake. My barr beckett skimmer is the best skimmer I have ever owned. I kills me to swap it out after only using it for a couple months but I need to get more efficient and I have a very large sump upgrade that I about to go into the works. The cone will free up much needed space and hopefully will produce equally good results when compared to my beckett setup.

I am excited but reluctant. I need to make my decision in a hurry as I can have the new skimmer here tomorrow.. Decisions decisions. Anybody have any thoughts??

 

[rkaires]

I waited for about a year and read how cone skimmers were working for everyone else. When I finally purchased my ATB 840 I was very happy with it's performance compared to other skimmers I used.

 

[thi7b]

You should ask Mojo. He went thru several skimmer just for the review. I have read alot of people like the ATB skimmer over the Alpha cone.

 

[rbnice1]

You should ask Mojo. He went thru several skimmer just for the review. I have read alot of people like the ATB skimmer over the Alpha cone.

Wrong........

A lot of people like the ATB840 over the Alpha170. Mojo also reviewed the alpha170 before they reworked the pinwheel and the volute. With the new stuff the 170 and the 840 will be very close in performance. They both have almost the same motor and the 170 is just a little bigger. Love the 840. I would have used it over the alpha200 on my system but it is a bit to small for my system.

ATB does not make a skimmer big enough for his system. Not even close. If they did It would have been on my recommendation list.


Also you will prob not see much improvement from the alpha300 over your becket. Maybe a little more production, but it will be using about half the watts.

 

[luther1200]

1 reason most cones cost more because they use top of the line pumps, or have custom volutes, or something like that. Another is that IMO its a better design, and harder to produce.

 

[Wilberheim]

After having owned a PM bullet 1 and then switching to a alpha cone 200 I will NEVER go back to somthing less than alpha cone. The build quality of the skimer is incredible, to pump is silent, no startup problems, amazing foam, produces skimmate that is dark nasty and smelly in an empty tank and the best part is I cannot even tell the skimmer is running its so quiet. The PM on the other hand was just the opposite. I posted some pictures of my alpha on my build thread in the large tanks forum check em out, theres a picture of it 15 minutes after plugging it in with great foam (no vinegar bath etc)

 

[slief]

Wrong........


Also you will prob not see much improvement from the alpha300 over your becket. Maybe a little more production, but it will be using about half the watts.

This decision is killing me. In the end, I wont be saving much if anyting on watts. I am currently runing a reeflo Marlin which drive my skimmer and my chiller. My chiller is 40' away in my garage. I would eliminate the Marlin but I would still need a pump such as an Iwaki 55RLT to drive my chiller.

The advantage of the in sump will be the space savings. I could use the space where my Barr skimmer is for an RODI as well as top off system. I could also relocate my pumps to that space cleaning up the underside of my tank.

After having owned a PM bullet 1 and then switching to a alpha cone 200 I will NEVER go back to somthing less than alpha cone. The build quality of the skimer is incredible, to pump is silent, no startup problems, amazing foam, produces skimmate that is dark nasty and smelly in an empty tank and the best part is I cannot even tell the skimmer is running its so quiet. The PM on the other hand was just the opposite. I posted some pictures of my alpha on my build thread in the large tanks forum check em out, theres a picture of it 15 minutes after plugging it in with great foam (no vinegar bath etc)

That is reassuring.
My concern is that the Alpha 300 cone wont produce the same skimming results as my barr. These in sump cone skimmers are a completely new animal to me. Becketts were as well for me a couple months ago but this skimmer has really impressed me. The idea of replacing it with something I am unfamiliar with makes me reluctant.

 

[rbnice1]

After having owned a PM bullet 1 and then switching to a alpha cone 200 I will NEVER go back to somthing less than alpha cone. The build quality of the skimer is incredible, to pump is silent, no startup problems, amazing foam, produces skimmate that is dark nasty and smelly in an empty tank and the best part is I cannot even tell the skimmer is running its so quiet. The PM on the other hand was just the opposite. I posted some pictures of my alpha on my build thread in the large tanks forum check em out, theres a picture of it 15 minutes after plugging it in with great foam (no vinegar bath etc)

You have a pm.. Need some pics and info.

 

[Wilberheim]

sleif- My cone needlewheel is outproducing my beckett by leaps and bounds. But the best part for me is its queit. Like don't know its there quiet. I don't have a fish room so it's very important to me.

 

[SnowManSnow]

Let's compare skimmers in the same ball park though.. really.. a bullet vs a Alpha? Of course you'll like it better. the Alpha is just a better skimmer, pump, design, everything.

Let's compare something like a Bubble King Deluxe 200 with a Royal Exclusive Alpha 250.

B

 

[Wilberheim]

Let's compare skimmers in the same ball park though.. really.. a bullet vs a Alpha? Of course you'll like it better. the Alpha is just a better skimmer, pump, design, everything.

Let's compare something like a Bubble King Deluxe 200 with a Royal Exclusive Alpha 250.

B

It's the same boat the OP is in, he has a beckett now and is considering going to a needle wheel skimmer.. No need to compare a BK to a RE alpha.

He would like to know if they will be satisfied with the performance and I was and will never go back.. Maybe im bitter towards becketts I dunno.

 

[rbnice1]

Let's compare skimmers in the same ball park though.. really.. a bullet vs a Alpha? Of course you'll like it better. the Alpha is just a better skimmer, pump, design, everything.

Let's compare something like a Bubble King Deluxe 200 with a Royal Exclusive Alpha 250.

B

Im not sure what you are tring to compare. Neither is large enough for his system. The deluxe 200 is a lot more then the alpha, but it is also rated for a larger system.