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

I am definitely liking the 3000, too. It seems a bit more capable with the bigger pump and all.

I know I was kind of shocked to see a BB pump on a skimmer in this range. Up to this point, I have only seen them on more expensive skimmers that I have stumbled across during my research.
 
yeah I was stoked when I stumbled on these pumps & skimmer bodies. I was looking for a 8" body, 24-30" tall & one good pump around $400! These were it exactly. Plus a bit more capable tjan the 200 extreme & not a lot more $$$
 
Yes, these are a great option. Before seeing these I'd say the 200 Extreme was my top pick...but it just got bumped, heh.

Thanks for sharing. Are you buying one soon and where do you think you're going to get it? Maybe we could get a better deal by purchasing two at once...? Always worth a shot.
 
a little more digging & info on these skimmers....."for us!" lol I asked a seller his input on these for a 180g display and 60g sump w/ mixed reef & moderate bio load. Here were the comments:

Ques (simplified):
"so which one makes more sense XP 2000 or SRO 3000 given the difference in pumps & the cone vs. traditional shaped/hybrid

Ans:
The cone allows for more variance in bioload range than the traditional body and even the hybrid like the SRO. The difference may be marginal to absolute difference and may depend on the user and/or the system. I personally like the full cone over the other options as I have ran many different bodies and skimmer designs. I find the cone body to make a difference in performance. Your system is in the cross hairs of both skimmers. The XP2000 can handle it but leaves you with few options in future upgrades to your system. But unless you really stock your 180 the 3000 may be hit or miss in performance

Followup Quest:
"you feel that the XP 2000 cone design & a bit smaller pump than that of the SRO 3000 should yeild a tad better performance?

If for some reason i opted for the SRO 5000 on the 180g display & 60g sump, would you say it's overkill??"

Ans:
The smaller skimmer with the smaller neck is more suitable to your type of display and size. The SRO 3000 is a larger skimmer with a larger neck size that in order for it to skim consistently then there must be enough organics within that skimmer to keep a structured head of foam and crown over into the cup. I can defiantly say that the SRO with its 6" neck is too big for your system. I have a considerably heavy load in my 180gal mixed reef display and IMO the SRO 5000ext is too large and is why I am replacing it with the XP3000ext. If you plan on stocking the tank with some decent size fish then go with the SRO/XP-3000 model but if you plan on keeping the levels low in a mixed reef, I would suggest the XP-2000 as it will skim steady and offer you more control. Like I said you are right in that margin where both model skimmers will work, it is just deciding what is best for you and your system
 
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Hmm, very interesting. I can see where he is coming from and it sounds like he has some experience with other skimmers in the SRO line. Thanks for sharing this info.

It sounds like I need to do some thinking in regards to the end goal for my system. As of now I plan to run a 75 gallon sump. The tank will be a mixed reef with a variety of fish. No tank busters and certainly not stocked to capacity. Largest fish would be a few tangs and maybe a few other possibilities that get a bit 'larger'.

I think the 3000 would allow for a bit more leniency in water changes, but I'd really like to get my changes automated on this setup anyway, which would make it easier to do more often. I want to say the XP2000 would be the better choice (at least to begin with) because it isn't like I am going to cycle and then throw in a full bioload right away, it will be gradual as I find what I want. So, I could see needing the 3000 down the road but likely it wouldn't be fully utilized right away. Hmm, this is tough...
 
Yeah i know! tough call. I think we may both be OVER :lol2: analyzing this. If you look at how these skimmers perform it is awesome! I think with either of these we can't go wrong.

Also if you compare either of these to the skimmers we originally planned they will kick their butts!

The stats on the XP 2000 SRO 3000I are ideally what i was looking for 8" body ~ 24" tall and a sweet pump! The concept of the cone is starting to make more sense......The XP 2000 is what i will probably do for my setup. Probably will only be a 165g display & 50g sump.

For you either will rock, but if you really are concerned & may add heavy load go the SRO 3000. Even at the start i am sure it will skim just fine and leave a bit more in it for you as you have about 45 more gals to filter & room to grow if you stock failry heavy!
 
Thanks for keeping me on my toes, jose!

UPDATE...PAINTING, UGH
Haven't made a ton of progress the last few weekends due to another project of mine that has been stealing all my time. I did manage to sneak out and head up to a frag swap last weekend with a few buddies from TRAC. Mostly looked but I did bring home a few nice Acan frags. I have also been doing a lot of research/thinking on equipment.

Anyway, I decided to buckle down yesterday afternoon/evening and get the stand painted. I wasn't too interested in the Super Bowl anyway, aside from commercials, so it made for some good 'painting entertainment'. It took awhile, as I expected, and I was too high from paint fumes to be playing with a camera until I got to the final product. So here is how it looks now...
tank23.jpg


I hopefully have a 75g lined up from one of the locals for the sump, but if that falls through I should be able to stir another one up. Aside from that I think the next step will be getting the stand into place, then throwing the tank up there. That will allow me to get measurements for the header wall. I have a few ideas in mind for that.

Hey 101galreef, did you ever end up buying a SRO 3000 or XP 2000...or finding any other possibilities?
 
Stand looks like a fortress! Lots O' braces!!:dance:

As far as skimmer i haven't grabbed one yet. I have to get a tank I have, finished and decide whether or not i am going to keep that one or have a different made. It will either be a 175/200g corner or about a 165g rectangle.

As far as skimmers I am either going with the SRO 3000, or XP 2000 or even the XP 3000. However i have at least narrowed down to this line. The only thing that influences one over the other is budget at the time & overall size of the tank. The only reason i'd go with the 3000 XP is if I end up w/ the 200g corner and a pretty big sump.

All being said about these skimmers....I think for you if Budget isn't a "huge" issue and you plan to run SPS & moderateto heavy stock....I'd get the XP 3000. It will skim awesome and provide better control for your size setup. The other 2 (SRO 3000, & XP 2000) I think will work fine as well, just the XP 3000 will definitly allow for heavy stocking, yet still yield excellent control and results if you only have moderate stocking.
 
Indeed, I hear you there. Sounds like you have some good possibilities on the horizon. What tank are you finishing now? You should have come out to the meet last Friday! The date for the March meeting is up already, if you're interested.

I am liking the SRO 3000 currently. Mainly due to my 180 display, 75 sump, and possible 30ish frag. I might look into that XP 3000, though. I'm in the same boat as you at this point, I don't need to purchase yet so I can keep changing my mind until then. Heh.
 
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Well I currently have a 200g corner tank that needs a Top & bottom put on it! It will be 30" tall and is really taller than i want. If i cut 6" off (24"Tall), then it will end up being 175g corner tank. Once finished i will put it in the location and see how it looks. If i don't like it, i will sell it and then just build a traditional rectangle that is about 165g. something like 66" x 24(T) x 28(d)"

I came across the tank a little bit back for a great deal so i picked it up...in case!:thumbsup:
 
Ahh, very nice! I wouldn't be too keen on a 30" tank either. I like shallower tanks. Heck in the future I'd like to do a custom shallow tank. But the 180g will do for now. :lmao:
 
Yeah, i contemplated on making the rectangle tank only 22" tall. I don't want to go any less than that, but i think those few extra inches will make it so much easier to maintain. Last setup was a 110g flat back hex 60 x 24(t) x 18(d)

The tank will be custom made so i may do it? 66 x 22 x 30. Would make for a sweet display as deep tank look so more natural, because you can aquascape cool caves & canyon fading to the back.

That too is why i may just stick w/ the corner tank as it will be over 48" front to back in much of the tank!

Who knows.....I waffle more than Brett Farvre! :lol:
 
LIGHTING TALK

I was pretty much decided on going with the Aquactinics 72" Constellation fixture, I really liked the idea of all T5 (from a energy savings and cooling running aspect). I've been kinda watching for a nice used one to put up in my area since I didn't need one right this second.

Well, about 2 weeks ago I started having doubts and began considering MH/T5 again. Unfortunately with the height at which the tank will sit my headroom for lighting is limited to about 9 or so inches in the middle 2 feet of the tank. So, that knocked out the Lumenmax Elite reflectors that I really wanted.

I started looking for alternatives and landed on a MH/T5 combo fixture. They are lower profile and take care of the MH and supplements all in one shot. Hell, some even have integrated moonlights which aren't necessary but would be an added bonus. So, these seem like a pretty decent option...not as good as individual reflectors, but still good nonetheless.

Possibilities that I have found so far include:
1. Hamilton Technology Belize Sun
2. Current Outer Orbit
3. Aqua Medic Ocean Light
4. Sunlight Supply Maristar

I started a conversation about this topic in the lighting area of the forum, if you'd like to join in with info or opinions.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1792094
 
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