Skimmer Pump Advice

[Reefer_Addickt]

Hi all,

I have this skimmer here : http://www.current-usa.com/recircskimmer.html

I wanted to try to make it skim better, so I was thinking of buying a sicce psk (http://www.saltycritter.com/pumps/sicce-pumps.htm) to replace the "paddlewheel" pump.

Any thoughts, comments would be appreciated.

 

[JRaquatics]

IMO the neck will be way too small for the amount of air a modded sicce can pull. Even the body is pushing it on both models. If you really wanted to try it you can try going for a smaller air pull # by only placing 1 layer of mesh and and a valve on the air line.

 

[Reefer_Addickt]

Thanks for the fast response.

If i leave the sicce unmodded, do you feel it will pull too much?


My other option now is to get a bm160 for 350, do you think that would be the better option?

My tank is heavily loaded.

 

[JRaquatics]

The sicce needs to be modded with mesh and venturi. They are only offering the powerhead at salty critter.

I would order the Octo extreme 200 over the BM. It is designed better and is much cheaper, even new. $339.95 + Free shipping

http://www.reefspecialty.com/bnewb-octopus-extreme-skimmer-series-p-289.html

 

[Reefer_Addickt]

Maybe I'll get the extreme 250, since it comes with two pumps.

 

[Reefer_Addickt]

Damn,

My sump has a 15 x 13 dimension, which puts all of the MSX/Octo extreme's out of the running except the 160, which is too small.

BM200 has a good foot print.

 

[JRaquatics]

What size tank are you putting this on? The MSX and Octo extreme 160s are the same if not better skimmer than the BM 160. They are based off of the same design just better constructed IMO.

 

[Reefer_Addickt]

I have a 100gal with a 50 gallon sump, with a heavy bioload.

Im opting for the BM200 not the Bm160 any longer