hul kogan's 180G In-Wall Glass Reef [The Chronicles of Awesome]

[hul kogan]

Oh, thanks for bringing it up...another important aspect that I am looking for is energy efficiency. I am really not interested in any skimmer that's a power hog. I'm not entirely sure if any of them on my previously mentioned list would fall into that category or not...

So, I guess what I am after is...~$600 max, in-sump capable, energy efficient, that won't be maxed out on my 180.

So I just did some looking around for SWC skimmers. Looks like a decent price difference between cylinder and cone styles. You mentioned that you're interested in a cone style...what are advantages of that design in comparison to the cylinder design? I'm not as well versed in the skimmer realm, as you can probably tell, so any insight, opinions, or options that you want to throw my way are always appreciated. :spin3:

 

[Bax]

hul kogan

I posted this on another thread where it'll be a heavily stocked 350 g so these skimmers are larger than you need, but look at the low wattages!!!

"Skimmer Price Mfg Rating Dims Power Usage

SWC 250A1 Xtreme List $1365
Sale $780 Heavy 400g 18x15x24 <70watts

SWC 2502S Xtreme List $1005
Sale $748 Heavy 400g 11.5x16.5x240 50watts

ATB Econo 1050 List $1299
Sale $1050 480g 14x16.5x22 42watts

Vertex VX-PS A250 List $1199 450g 11.8x16.5x24.5 38watts

Vertex VX-PS A200 List $899 75-300g 13.75x8.75x23 38watts


Pound for pound these compact cones are all awesome skimmers. And you can't beat the power consumption to load rating. I oogled the ABT and Vertex modles at MACNA and they are really well built, beautiful workmanship. But budgets are budgets."

Do some research on the Sponsors section and compare the skimmers that interest you and if you can buy used! Many of the vendors have all the lines so you can compare easily. There are folks trading out of great skimmers to upgrade or downsize all the time, you just have to be patient, know what you're looking for and pull the trigger quick cause they go fast!

Back when I bought my MRC MR4R it was like new and a steel!

 

[110galreef]

bringing this back up!! Awesome build and stand looks great!:beer:

As for skimmer, if you haven't bought. The ASM are great skimmers for the money! However, a comparable Otopus is better built and seem to work a tad better and really are not any more expensive!

The Euro Reefs are great skimmers but a bit more money! As for the MSX they are awesome as well and i believe the sicce pump is a bit better and uses lower watts?? Don't recall for sure. So be sure to figure that in as it may save you more in the long run w/ efficient pumps!!
Also fellow TRAC'r here!

 

[110galreef]

Or the octopus extreme 200....has the sicce pump and is like $280

basically it the 200 w/ the sicce pump!

 

[fewskillz]

Or the octopus extreme 200....has the sicce pump and is like $280

This is the skimmer I went with for my 125 (160 total volume). I love it so far. It's been running for 3 weeks now.

I'm actually upgrading to a 180 in the next few weeks and will still be using the same skimmer. Every review that I've read says it's very conservatively rated at 200 gallons, so it should be fine on a moderately stocked 180+sump.

 

[Wilberheim]

I just purchased and started running a vertex alpha cone 200 on my system with roughly 280 gallons. (180 with a 90 sump) So far it is rocking the tank. Its empty and its pulling stuff out. If you can come across a vender who still has the alphas at the introductory price IMHO you cannot get a better bang for the buck.

 

[Chago09]

Thanks for following along everyone. I got the finished tank pics all set, so here they are.

BUILDING THE STAND - DAY TWO

The main goal for day two was to fully complete the stand. After getting in all the 45 degree supports, I decided to also add in all the horizontal supports. They weren't originally part of the plan, but I figured with a 4 foot tall stand a little bit extra surely wouldn't hurt. Here is what the front (wall side) looks like.

And here is the back side that is accessed from the tank room. You'll notice that it only has vertical supports on the ends. I wanted to leave this open to get the sump in/out. I am trying to determine if it will be alright to leave it like that, or if I need to have 'removable' vertical supports in the middle.

Even though the rest of the stand is built like a tank, I think that I still may need those vertical on the back side. What do you all think?

LOL not even hul kogan can break that stand. A little overkill but better safe than sorry I guess

 

[hul kogan]

bringing this back up!! Awesome build and stand looks great!:beer:

As for skimmer, if you haven't bought. The ASM are great skimmers for the money! However, a comparable Otopus is better built and seem to work a tad better and really are not any more expensive!

The Euro Reefs are great skimmers but a bit more money! As for the MSX they are awesome as well and i believe the sicce pump is a bit better and uses lower watts?? Don't recall for sure. So be sure to figure that in as it may save you more in the long run w/ efficient pumps!!
Also fellow TRAC'r here!

Thanks for the advice. Those Octopus skimmers are actually quite affordable...almost to the point that it makes me wonder what's wrong with them. I definitely want an energy efficient skimmer pump.

What is your s/n on TRAC? Glad to see another member checking in over here.

I'm actually upgrading to a 180 in the next few weeks and will still be using the same skimmer. Every review that I've read says it's very conservatively rated at 200 gallons, so it should be fine on a moderately stocked 180+sump.

Thanks for the input. It sounds like this may be a good option for me.

I just purchased and started running a vertex alpha cone 200 on my system with roughly 280 gallons.

I haven't seen this skimmer yet, I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

LOL not even hul kogan can break that stand. A little overkill but better safe than sorry I guess

Haha, truth. Well I wanted it to be extra sturdy since this stand is 4' tall, which is a decent bit higher than a normal stand.

 

[Wilberheim]

I have pictures of it in my build thread hul... "ians 180 sps dominant"

 

[110galreef]

Thanks for the advice. Those Octopus skimmers are actually quite affordable...almost to the point that it makes me wonder what's wrong with them. I definitely want an energy efficient skimmer pump.

What is your s/n on TRAC? Glad to see another member checking in over here.



Thanks for the input. It sounds like this may be a good option for me.



I haven't seen this skimmer yet, I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

reefin101....i for whatever reason created a different name there??? oh well. anyway the octopus skimmers are very well built and work great. And priced awesome. Nothing wrong at all. especially now that you can get a sicce pump!

 

[hul kogan]

Ahh, ok. I was saying to myself, 'He must have a different s/n over there, or I'm nuts.' Heh.

Anyway, I am really liking the Octopus Extreme 200. Looks like a nice skimmer for the money. I just have a few thoughts/concerns...

- I'm unsure that it will be sufficient on my 180. It won't be heavily stocked but I don't necessarily want a skimmer that is close to its limit. Stepping up to the 250 (and its larger footprint) means that I would have more trouble with a sump. At this point I was considering just using a 75, which the 200 would fit in but not the 250.

- Are these Sicce pumps the most energy efficient? I remember reading about another brands pumps that are supposed to be very good, but I can't recall the name.

- It seems like there are quite a few skimmers around $300 and then there are quite a few in the $650-800 range. When you get into that upper range, are you getting a superior skimmer or is it more of a name game?

 

[110galreef]

The 200 extreme should be plenty. I had an ASM G3 on a 110 plus sump fairly heavy load an it did fine. And the 200 extreme is a much bigger & better skimmer. The 250 would be a bit on the overkill side but, might be a better choice. If your keeping fish & softies & LPS mostly get the 200....if you plan SPS, go with the 250! may need to get a larger sump of squeeze it in there!!

As for the sicce pumps, they have some of the best air draws & use about the least amps!

 

[hul kogan]

The plan is a mixed reef, as of now. I am a big LFS fan so that will be dominant. I know I will have some SPS, though. Is this skimmer not the best option if I want to keep say 1/3-1/4 SPS of my total coral...?

Also, can anyone give me insight on this..."It seems like there are quite a few skimmers around $300 and then there are quite a few in the $650-800 range. When you get into that upper range, are you getting a superior skimmer or is it more of a name game?"

 

[110galreef]

The plan is a mixed reef, as of now. I am a big LFS fan so that will be dominant. I know I will have some SPS, though. Is this skimmer not the best option if I want to keep say 1/3-1/4 SPS of my total coral...?

Also, can anyone give me insight on this..."It seems like there are quite a few skimmers around $300 and then there are quite a few in the $650-800 range. When you get into that upper range, are you getting a superior skimmer or is it more of a name game?"

more of a name game i feel!

I'd say get the 250 if concerned & you can afford the extra $100. Or if you not the best at frequest WC's.

Or look into the 200 recirc model as it's a little bigger & should work fine as well and may fit your footprint better.

 

[110galreef]

Did you get your skimmer yet? If not i got some more info!:thumbsup:

 

[hul kogan]

Did you get your skimmer yet? If not i got some more info!:thumbsup:

Not yet. My other projects have pulled me away from this one for the last few weekends. What do you have for me?! :lol:

 

[110galreef]

Ok...so i am planning a moderatly stocked 160-200g display plus a sump.50-75g. so similiar to you.

I too have been looking at skimmers.....here is what i "think" i have narrowed down to! :lmao:

SRO (Super Reef Octopus) 3000I BB HY-3000 pump
or
SRO XP2000 cone BB HY-2000 pump

These are the Super Reef Octo's that use the buble blaster pumps! Very effecient & "designed" for skimmer use! They rock!. Both skimmers are right at $400. They both have 8" bodies, but the one is a cone shape. Not sure which one i prefer (SRO 3000 probably), but for the price & design & pump, i think they are the winners!

The next step up if you want to go crazy is the SRO 5000....it's a 10" body & the Hy-5000 pump! :-O but only an extra $100. :beer:

 

[hul kogan]

Ok, I just checked out both of those...and I want to know what the catch is! They seem to offer way too much on the good side to be that cheap. Low draw pump and rated for 300 gallons. One of these might be a winner.

My question is...what is the advantage to having a cone shape skimmer or a standard cylinder?

 

[110galreef]

I know.....that is what i think really makes these a WInner!
Price..Awesome.
Pump...sweet, effecient & designed for a skimmer, not a water pump modded for skimmer
Build...good....not best, not worst,but not a $1,000 skimmer

Reseach the BB pump is you want. there are the askoll pumps & red dragon pumps which may be a bit better but these pumps are found on $800+ skimmers.

The cone supposedly squeeze the DOC's at the top a bit for more uniform skimming.....not sure how much better. But that is why i am leaning to the SRO 3000, as it is a perfect size body & has the tad bigger pump over the XP 2000.

 

[110galreef]

Low draw pump and rated for 300 gallons. One of these might be a winner.

If you look at other skimmers rated around these200-300g, the body dimensions are about the same. 8"-10", body & 24-30" tall. Bubble plate yes/no....

Plus the Super Reef Octo has the BB pumps which are better than other skimmers under $600.

Also if you look at video of these pumps/skimmers they make crazy bubbles....