Skimmer for 280+ System

[JCTewks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11434394#post11434394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by curthendrix
I would think the bubble plate combined with 1500 li/h air intake is going to make up for the short reaction chamber.

but is that really worth the cash????

the new Xtreme 250 has a bubbleplate and is at 2400+ lph....and it's less than $500

The reaction chamber is much taller too

 

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11432458#post11432458 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by viggen
After doing a little more research I need to retract my reeflo statement. Some state that the Dart actually is NOT a good NW pump & sometimes they can overheat enough to shut down. Also the amount of air they can pull some claim is worse then going with internal pumps.

Thus, I would personally skip the reeflo series & buy a skimmer that uses eheim or sicce & from what I have read the sicce pumps are better??

I would like to know were you are pulling this info from. The dart pulls massive air and it can easily handle it because of the valute size. There is no over heating of the dart pump ever reported. I have had my Reeflo 200 on my tank for 3 days and it has not made my tank temp go up 1 degree and it is cold to the touch. My Dart that runs my return is warm to the touch.

 

[robs fish]

I think I read that one Dart pump has failed with the needle wheel but this could happen just as easily with an impeller.This is all speculation at this point because the air disipates some of the water volume so it might cause it to heat up as there is not enough water to cool it.Untill we start reading about the pumps over heating and failing on a regular basis I would not believe it as some of the 250 Reefflo's have been running for some time now.

 

[luke33]

I haven't heard any complaints about the reeflo yet, seems to me like a monster at 90scfh. But the octo 250 extreme is suposet to pull over that.

 

[JCTewks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11435440#post11435440 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luke33
I haven't heard any complaints about the reeflo yet, seems to me like a monster at 90scfh. But the octo 250 extreme is suposet to pull over that.

And do it with fewer watts

Really, a Dart is NOT going to be the best NW pump out there....for the size of the volute on that it "should
be able to pull 150SCFH. A Laguna 2400 will pull more air for less watts than a dart...people just seem to find any old bandwagon to jump on...even skimmer mfr's! I think that most mfr's are just throwing new skimmers onto the market to meet the newest fad we've created without even putting much research into their designs these days.

 

[luke33]

I bet if someone actually modded a dart they could get much much more out of it. I've been around the reelfo's, BK, BM, top end Del, ER's....all of them. The reeflo is definately a cool skimmer but not the most efficient out there, but hey, here in IN 100w isn't a whole lot to worry about ; )

 

[JCTewks]

Awhile ago Spazz was messing with Dart NW's...120 was about the max He could get out of one (IIRC he could force feed 150 to it). THere was a Dart Meshwheel thread for awhile...but it has gone inactive...wonder what ever happened to that!

 

[luke33]

Yea, i was thinking 150 would be about it.....or maybe i saw that thread lol. Still, i hate the force feed method. I've never owned a air pump that didn't end up dying in the end.

 

[JCTewks]

Yeah, some air pumps are unreliable....but the Alita's are suppsed to be top notch...and rebuildable!

 

[luke33]

I hear ya, but then your spending a few hundred more on a air pump....

 

[Rick55555]

Re: Skimmer for 280+ System

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11336169#post11336169 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 90reefernyc
Any recommendations on a skimmer for a 280 gallon display tank plus sump? Here allot about different skimmers and the prices are up there so would like to make a good decision from the start. Also internal or external? pro's and con,s Thanks Jimmy

Jimmy, I think you should look into the AquaC line of skimmers. In my opinion, they're efficient and affordable.