Help me decide between these skimmers, please :-)

[32flavors]

Hi all!

After months of mind numbing research, based on the following:

my budget for this purchase (up to $400);

my system size (140 gallons water vol after displacement);

stocking and bioload demands (heavy and heavy--I like to feed everything--sps, lps and softies, as well as large and small fishies--a lot);

technology preferences (mesh imp and prefer recirc);

other (large diam / overall cubic inches of reactor chamber);



I have narrowed my choices to the following (yes, I know not all of these skimmers EXACTLY match the above, but for one reason or another, they made the cut):

Reef Octopus Extreme 200

MSX 200 or 250

Hydor 600


I'd like feedback from folks who have used these skimmers, especially photos, if you have any, of their performance in action--show me the dark, nasty stuff!

Also, any issues you regularly experienced--and overall feedback. I'll be upgrading from a Super Skimmer, so I'm REALLY excited about it and just want to finally make a decision.

I'd love an Orca or a Cone--obviously--but I can't afford those bad boys right now.

THANKS!

Cheree

 

[svb57]

I was running my 700g system (330g/125g show tanks) with a modified ASM G3 for 2 years with very good results. I changed to a Orca Reeflo 250 Pro and have seen no change. So I have to say the ASM G3 is great for the money. You should be able to find a used one in good shape!

 

[32flavors]

Wow. I know one of the online stores (can't remember which at the moment) uses the ASM skimmer on the coral system but I had excluded it because the chamber is just so much smaller than the others I am looking at. What was your bioload density? How dark and dense was the gunk it collected?

Thanks,
Cheree

 

[THE ROOK]

MSX 200 with ATB pinwheel. It's a beast. The 250 would be awesome.

 

[32flavors]

Did you ever run the mesh on it?

 

[celano]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14958382#post14958382 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by svb57
I was running my 700g system (330g/125g show tanks) with a modified ASM G3 for 2 years with very good results. I changed to a Orca Reeflo 250 Pro and have seen no change. So I have to say the ASM G3 is great for the money. You should be able to find a used one in good shape!

Seriously? An ASM...? After all these years of pump technology getting better and body designs getting smarter your gonna recommend the ER knockoff?
I'd say the MSX/Octo is the proven winner in your line up. The Hydor just never gained any popularity over here to warrant the price. Not to say they are bad skimmers but theres better options for the money.

 

[32flavors]

celano--which one IYE between the MSX and the Octo, or do you think they're pretty even? This is my dilemma--I only recently added the hydor (like its energy efficiency), but mainly I'm trying to decide between the MSX and the Octo.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Look Into I-Tech Skimmers b4 you jump Into the same old thing, These are cone Skimmers for very good prices. And they are American made and high quality best new skimmer around. They have a long thread on RC.

 

[poolkeeper1]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1536745
Here's the thread, you wont be sorry!

 

[THE ROOK]

I've run the mesh & it worked decent but the new large purple pinwheel (PPW) sold my Reef Specialty is awesome. I have no interest is messing with mesh & flow meters anymore. I haven't even adjusted the skimmer in weeks.

As far as efficient, it doesn't get much better than the Extreme 200's. They only pull around 25 watts.

The MSX comes with a better stock pinwheel than the Octo. This is negated if you purchase the PPW. Both Marine Solutions & Reef Specialty have great reps & you would be happy with either, i'm sure.

 

[synofreak]

Thumbs up for the MSX 200. I run the mesh, have cleaned the pump 1x since 09/08, just trimming rogue strands and using a lighter to mend the edges(+ cleaning the pump and skimmer). Never changed the original(broke in) setting. Love it.

 

[sminker]

could possibly look at the Modded NW200 with the sicce pump. Could save some dough to buy more corals or buy more lighting.

Mine should be here friday. I was looking at the next level up ($300-400) originally then after some research i came across the this one.

I bought a Purple Tang and a bucket of salt and still have some money left over.

 

[THE ROOK]

How much does that cost? It's got to be close to a Extreme 200 as it goes for about $220 with the stock pump.

 

[sminker]

I paid $230 shipped.

 

[sminker]

heres a link to a post that Marine Solutions talks about it.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1578860

 

[32flavors]

I looked into that one. It's an in sump model and that pump will generate a lot of heat. :-(

 

[sminker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14959576#post14959576 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 32flavors
I looked into that one. It's an in sump model and that pump will generate a lot of heat. :-(

Less heat than my current POS! Red Sea skimmer.

 

[32flavors]

Yeah, but as I said in my original post..... I'm really looking for feedback on the MSX and the Octo.

 

[32flavors]

.....been driving myself mad over this for about a year now.... time to wrap it up.

 

[sjm817]

That skimmer that sminker posted uses the same Sicce pump as the MSX and Octo

You dont need to drive yourself crazy. The MSX and Octo are essentially the same skimmer.