Need help on deciding a skimmer

[bk_market]

Tank is 90g with 10g fuge and ~15g of sump water. This tank is heavy stock and a lot of fish. Available sump area 18x14 and the total height for skimmer can not be more than 25" assume that it take no more than 1" clearance to take out the cup. My budget is ~400$

Here is what im narrowing down to

MSX250 380$
MSX300 400$
Octopus Extreme 250 420$
i-tech 100 with AquaBee pump ~500$

Now my problem is that from what Im reading MSX and Octopus Extreme is the same skimmer.
The MSX 250 show that it has 12x14" foot print but the Octopus extreme show that it has 16x16 foot print. All other models of MSX and Octopus Extreme are the same size and footprint. Also since they are running same pump Sicce can I buy the new purple wheel for the MSX too?

My current skimmer is Octopus NW200 mesh mod which running fine but Im afraid Im pushing it to its limit. So what u guys think? Will it be a good upgrade from my current skimmer to any of the above? Are these skimmer too much for my tank? What the down side to having a oversize skimmer?

 

[moondoggy4]

I-Tech 100 is my vote I believe that the other three are over kill.

 

[TROYREEFER]

Go with a msx300. You know your always going to upgrade. good luck

 

[nikon187]

MSX 250 would be my choice, I fit mine in a 13" X 18" area. ( Barely)

 

[bk_market]

So the MSX 250 is not the same as the Octopus Extreme 250 or the website have wrong infomation because if it is 16x16 like the website say then it not possible to fit in 13x18 right?

 

[THE ROOK]

From what i've read over in the Octo/MSX club threads over the last few months, I believe the 250 is a better skimmer than the 300. The 250's 10" body seems better suited for the two sicce pumps than the 12"


MSX/Octo - Same body & pumps. Slightly different volutes. MSX has the better stock pinwheel & the meshwheel is built. That's why I went MSX.

 

[mojo~]

Those are all overkill. well besides the itech 100 I believe is too small. I have a 90g as well. THe msx and octo are the same. MSX has a better stock pinwheel. If you go too big it will skim for a while then stop. Here is the deal the msx's with dual pumps will pull around 1700 lph of air and move a good amount of water. Not to mention the physical size is way too big for you are doing.
The itech with the aquabee pump will pull about 400 lph of air and well is a bit under rated in my opinion. So what do you choose? TAke a look at The MSX 200 with a single sicce pump. This will be more than enough skimmer and allows you some room to upgrade this will pull about 700 to 800 lph of air on there pinhwheel.
The vertex IN 180 is another great choice and pulls 700 to 800 lph of air and uses the euroreef design that everyone grew to love in the past. Nice skimmer too that falls in your budget.
Two more options a little above your budget would be the Warner marine as 150. retails for $459 i believe. it uses a sedra 7000 pump and will pull around 700 lph but runs a nice steady consistant foam head. And last but not least would be the ATB 840 skimmer. They hae dropped the price to $665 with both pinwheels. Run the small one in your 90 gallon and it will pull about 700 lph of air and run flawlessly. Put in the larger pinwheel and it will run about 900 to 950 lph of air and will handle a well stocked tank up to about 150 gallon in my opinion. After about 150g I would consider something that moved more water. That holds true to all the skimmers mentioned. But you kinda chose to opposite ends of the spectrum. from way to big to something that just doesnt move enough water nor pull enough air to keep up on your tank. I hope this is helpful. I have owned and reviewed all but the itech mention above. But have owned the pump it uses. Again good luck and I hae a skimmer Q&A forum I check daily if you have any other questions.

Mojo~

 

[bk_market]

Thanx so much for the info guys.

Im thinking of going with the MSX200 as it's only 300$.

Question is how much different will I be able to see from a Octopus NW200 to a MSX200? Is it even worth upgrade at all or I better off use the money for something else?

 

[GSMguy]

Msx200 good choice

 

[THE ROOK]

I really like my MSX & the service was great from Marine Solutions. But... If I were to buy another today, I'd order the 200 from Reef Specialty & grab the ATB large purple pinwheel. It's worth the $30 & you'll get free shipping on both, I believe.

 

[atblj5]

I run the MSX200 and love it, works great and no problems.