Recommended skimmer for 450+ reef?
- Thread starter Pike614
- Start date
Your basic choices in no order of preference assuming 1 skimmer:
Volcano
Deltec 902 or larger
Bubble King 300 or larger
ATB Cone Large or XL
There are other choices, but these seem to be current favorites on the board. If it matters at all for my 600 display/1000 system I just ordered a ATB XL Cone.
Volcano
Deltec 902 or larger
Bubble King 300 or larger
ATB Cone Large or XL
There are other choices, but these seem to be current favorites on the board. If it matters at all for my 600 display/1000 system I just ordered a ATB XL Cone.
Untamed12
New member
Well the argument goes that you can purchase 3 or 4 G6's for the price of the others mentioned above.
I use an unmodified G6 on my 400. It seems to be working fine because the tank is quite healthy and has no troubles. I went through a spell where I thought for sure I would need to replace it, but things settled down. It was probably just new tank growing pains.
The G6 is really poorly built....but 3 NW pumps, 5 feet high chamber...the specs are hard to beat for the $.
You have to consider that the G6 is quite tall and has to be in a sump. That makes it difficult for most people to fit into their systems unless you plan for it.
I use an unmodified G6 on my 400. It seems to be working fine because the tank is quite healthy and has no troubles. I went through a spell where I thought for sure I would need to replace it, but things settled down. It was probably just new tank growing pains.
The G6 is really poorly built....but 3 NW pumps, 5 feet high chamber...the specs are hard to beat for the $.
You have to consider that the G6 is quite tall and has to be in a sump. That makes it difficult for most people to fit into their systems unless you plan for it.
An equivalent Octopus skimmer to the ones stated above would be more along the lines of the FDNW-400. Even there the ones I mentioned would out skim it.
Its not that the Octopus skimmers are bad, its just that their designs are not as efficient as the ones above so you need a much larger size octopus for the same size tank.
If you had a lightly or medium stocked tank I'd put a Reeflo 250 pro on it (instead of the octopus, same price range) as the Reeflo is a better design that the octopus, but less money that the ones I listed above.
However I'd look hard at an ATB large. Its not that much more than a reeflo, can be used internally, and will outskim a reeflo.
It really depends on your price range. At this level you can't buy a bad skimmer. You are merely buying ones that are more efficient.
Its not that the Octopus skimmers are bad, its just that their designs are not as efficient as the ones above so you need a much larger size octopus for the same size tank.
If you had a lightly or medium stocked tank I'd put a Reeflo 250 pro on it (instead of the octopus, same price range) as the Reeflo is a better design that the octopus, but less money that the ones I listed above.
However I'd look hard at an ATB large. Its not that much more than a reeflo, can be used internally, and will outskim a reeflo.
It really depends on your price range. At this level you can't buy a bad skimmer. You are merely buying ones that are more efficient.
reeflo orcao 250 pro kit
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...&Product_Code=SQ-OCT-PK&Category_Code=reefflo
Octopus dnw400
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ct_Code=CV-OCT-FDNW-400&Category_Code=Octopus
Thats what Id choose, since I personally cant afford a $4000 bubble king deluxe 400 internal skimmer. If I could though, thatd be the clear choice.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...&Product_Code=SQ-OCT-PK&Category_Code=reefflo
Octopus dnw400
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ct_Code=CV-OCT-FDNW-400&Category_Code=Octopus
Thats what Id choose, since I personally cant afford a $4000 bubble king deluxe 400 internal skimmer. If I could though, thatd be the clear choice.
I've been throwing around this same questin when I get my tank build completed, around 600 gallons total. I'm wanting to use an insump style just incase I have any problems the water shouldn't make it's way out onto my floor.
I'm assuming the reefflo is gravity fed from an overflow ? and the Octopus is in sump?
Will the water temp run hotter if the pump is internal or external for the skimmer?
skyhigh222
New member
If you go with the Octo then you can run it both in sump or out of sump.
tom obrecht
Active member
They are made to order. You will need to call to get a quote. Here is the site.
http://www.aquaticacrylics.com/
