LF - skimmer that actually works!
- Thread starter khanb31
- Start date
khanb31
SLim Jim
hmm, well it looks like getting something that actually works well (the whole point of the post), and keeping up the maintenance seem like a win win situation. Thanks for the detailed info on your system badazztealcobra.
However, There are ALOT of skimmers out there. I have my limitations on space and therefore a good idea on what I can and cannot fit....But this still leaves a lot unsaid about what type of design and brand. I do not have a problem saving up money to get a nicer skimmer....however $400 seems like the limit for a skimmer atm.
I have at least decided that I am looking at Octo's, Warner marine, and ASM.
If youve had any experience with any one of these brands, please chime in!
Ive also seen that bubble plates really tend to help with a skimmers performance. Anyone agree and can attest to the performance difference?
on a side note......I have been really eyeing this http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1870965 but i must admit it is expensive. It would fit the space like a glove too....
hmmm
However, There are ALOT of skimmers out there. I have my limitations on space and therefore a good idea on what I can and cannot fit....But this still leaves a lot unsaid about what type of design and brand. I do not have a problem saving up money to get a nicer skimmer....however $400 seems like the limit for a skimmer atm.
I have at least decided that I am looking at Octo's, Warner marine, and ASM.
If youve had any experience with any one of these brands, please chime in!
Ive also seen that bubble plates really tend to help with a skimmers performance. Anyone agree and can attest to the performance difference?
on a side note......I have been really eyeing this http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1870965 but i must admit it is expensive. It would fit the space like a glove too....
hmmm
badazztealcobra
New member
ASM skimmers are outdated like the euro reef. They worked good for their time, but there are much better options for the money now IMO. We had a euro-reef on my brothers tank with a Sedra 3500 running it and swapped it out for a SWC160 cone and the difference in what they pull out of the tank is night and day.
I ran a SWC250 on my old 180g setup, it was a GREAT skimmer. If I still had the 180 I'd still be using it. It's the same as the octo extremes, so I know the Extreme lines are nice. The problem is if you don't like to tinker you'll be using the pinwheels on the pumps, and to me they didnt give me enough. When you meshed them they were unbelievable.
The WM skimmers are good skimmers from what I can tell..... That K2 that Rizup is selling is a workhorse from what I've read about them.... Should be comparable to an Alpha 200. It uses a Sicce 2500 pump on it so you know thats a proven performer as well.....
khanb31
SLim Jim
Thankyou for being so engaging on this topic badazTC! Ive been getting a really good feel for the market and it seems that the sicce pumps are a good way to go. Ive seen them on many high end and popular brands. Red dragons hold the same reputation.
I will narrow my search down to a bubble plated skimmer with a sicce pump on it (or better). Honestly im thinking about just making my own out of PVC and acrylic since I just got myself a CNC mill.....but Im not so sure on that yet.
ostrow
It's Dr. Goodluck Himself
The Sicce pumps are unbelievable -- I'm still with Mavgi on this one that for needlewheel/meshwheel they are the best.
But they require someone prepared to tinker. If you don't want to tinker get a Laguna-based pump (Askoll, Laguna, Airstar -- they are all the same pump).
But they require someone prepared to tinker. If you don't want to tinker get a Laguna-based pump (Askoll, Laguna, Airstar -- they are all the same pump).
badazztealcobra
New member
Couldnt have said it better myself. :beer:
hounddog01
Active member
The octo extreme line is good with the sicce pump but you need the red devil pinwheel. This is just about as good as mesh with out all the startup issues. I have each of my pumps pulling almost 40 scfh each. One is just slightly higher than the other.
If I did not get that so cheap I was buying a super reef octopus 3000 for my 180. This is what you need for space and performance. Save your money and buy this one so you will not read this thread later and be in the same position with 300.00 less in your pocket m
badazztealcobra
New member
Buy them directly from the company... www.saltwaterconnection.com
If you're looking for one of the basic extreme models, the Octo Extremes are identical and you can get them locally.... probably be cheaper that way too. :beer:
I cant wait to see what they power their SWC Cone 600 with... it's a 24" base cone skimmer. :lmao:
ostrow
It's Dr. Goodluck Himself
My guess is a Laguna 2400, unless they do something like a dart needlewheel, but that is not the most efficient way to go....
ostrow
It's Dr. Goodluck Himself
My guess is a Laguna 2400 (or larger if they have a larger one lol), unless they do something like a dart needlewheel, but that is not the most efficient way to go....
khanb31
SLim Jim
well I guess that begs the question of what "tinker" means? Are we talking once a day? once an hour? once a week?
Rizup
New member
I am curious on this as well. I am assuming the "startup" issues some of these pumps have had
If this is the case, I can say that depending on what brand of skimmer you buy, there shouldn't be much if any tinkering needed. Several companies have made custom venturi/volutes for these skimmers that ensure they start in the correct direction each time but at the cost of somewhat reduced performance. The K2 skimmer I had was known to have the pump "occasionally" start in reverse but this allowed it to pull more when it was running in the right direction. Coupled with their Red Demon pinwheel, I don't know if I ever had it start in reverse and I pretty much shut mine off at least once a night when I fed the tank. Not to mention people are getting up to and more than 40 scfh with that pinwheel on the Sicce PSK-2500!
I agree though that with a Laguna based pump there shouldn't be any issues, and if I had a tank his size I would probably look at a skimmer that used that pump, be it a Red Dragon, Airstar, etc. However, unless buying used, the pump alone is going to eat up the whole $300 budget
ostrow
It's Dr. Goodluck Himself
There are people having startup issues with the Sicce on various pinwheels. The 40scfh is about 30% less what one gets with a good meshwheel. The mesh gets one tinkering -- well if you want to really push it.
If you leave it alone and are happy with 45 scfh then it's good until you have to replace the mesh.
But there are wide reports of non-starting even with the pinwheels. If you sit the skimmer in shallow enough water -- measuring 6" from the center of the volute rather than from the top of the pump which is a common mistake people make -- then it should be fine.
If you leave it alone and are happy with 45 scfh then it's good until you have to replace the mesh.
But there are wide reports of non-starting even with the pinwheels. If you sit the skimmer in shallow enough water -- measuring 6" from the center of the volute rather than from the top of the pump which is a common mistake people make -- then it should be fine.
