Skimmer Q&A Thread

Mojo -

I've done this on another thread and was told my sicce shouldn't sound like this. Can you look at the two videos I've posted and confirm that something doesn't sound right with my Octo Extreme 200? The quiet video is just with my return pump running as well as water draining into the sump from my overflow. The next one is with the octo plugged in.

It's in my room and I can't deal with it. I need to figure out if the sicce is quieter when it operates correctly or if I need to get a different pump.

sump no octo

sump with octo
 
Mojo -

The Warner Marine 150 with the sedra 7000 pulls 500l/h of air which converts to 18 scfh.

The Octo Extreme 200 (Same as MSX) I have is pulling 35-40 scfh with a mesh wheel that has no start issues. With the new purple pinwheel that came out in the last week or so you can get 30 scfh.

I would go with the Octo if the noise issue I'm having is not normal.
 
thanks mojo, I'm not sure if the Tunze is what I want, I just liked that it seemed more compact but I'm not sure if that means it won't do the job. I also looked at the Octo extreme.
 
It's good to hear it works well, I never hear anyone talking about Tunze and have been concerned if i have might the right choice or not. I looked up the price of the Tunze Master 9460, quite a price jump. Not sure what corals I want to to yet, would it work it I stick to soft?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14599867#post14599867 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefKeeperRob
Mojo -

The Warner Marine 150 with the sedra 7000 pulls 500l/h of air which converts to 18 scfh.

The Octo Extreme 200 (Same as MSX) I have is pulling 35-40 scfh with a mesh wheel that has no start issues. With the new purple pinwheel that came out in the last week or so you can get 30 scfh.

I would go with the Octo if the noise issue I'm having is not normal.

The 500lph is pretty modest. In reality it will pull about 20 to 24 scfh. But everyone forgets about the water that is pulled in as well as the design of the skimmer. THe 150 uses a longer transition cone top piece.
If we go by air draw alone you would say that the msx 200 is better than a bubble king mini. And I can say for a fact that this is not the case.
Sounds like your mesh is too big or not balanced. you may have worn your shaft and or worn out the pump. The sicce pump will pull massive air but it will wear out the pumps alot faster. And hte MSX over the octo X . THe octo X has a different reducer venturi assembly on the sicce than the MSX otherwise the same. You need to pull your pump apart and find out what is up with it. It should not be that noisey. They arent the quietest pumps but they are not that loud.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14604167#post14604167 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tracey2
thanks mojo, I'm not sure if the Tunze is what I want, I just liked that it seemed more compact but I'm not sure if that means it won't do the job. I also looked at the Octo extreme.
Warner MArine and ATB are both coming out with mini cone skimmers as well as the swc brand. Might want to give them both a look. The will be compact as well.
 
Tracey -

The Tunze 9460 is rated to FIFTEEN HUNDREED gallons! Just a tad overkill if you ask me :)

I would get the Reef Octopus Huricone Category 1 skimmer. I would say the Octo Extreme 200 but I'm unhappy with the noise of the sicce pump on mine. I haven't personally listened to an Askoll pump but I'm guessing it has to be quieter that the siccce. Can anyone verify that?

edit:
Hopefully it's not improper for me to give my .02 cents. Just sharing my little bit of experience. If mojo's supposed to be answering all the questions I'll stay out of it :thumbsup:
 
Just thought I would post this here for those that are following the skimmer Q&A thread will see and and maybe help or even be informed.

I have a 65gal that I plan to make a FOWLR. I will stock on the conservative side. I have a 26 gal sump that I will be using to house the skimmer, return pump and fuge. I can design this sump anyway I want, it's empty. I don't have a stand built so skimmer height is not a problem. My price range is around $300 or less maybe a little more.

Any suggestions?
 
for that price range I would say the msx 160 or 200 with the pinwheel. if you wanted to go cheaper you can go with the Vertex IN 100.
 
120g system, mixed reef, lots of small fish, fairly heavy feedings. Price and size aren't an issue (except that I don't want a HUGE skimmer), but ease of use and quiet are important.

ATB Small Cone vs. BK Mini 160 ? Or something else entirely?
 
Bk mini Gen 2 180 would be a great fit. Small and it will move more water and be a perfect fit for your tank. IT would be my top pick for sure. The 160 will work but the 18o will be a better fit.
 
I have a 75 gallon display and a 30 gallon frag tank that will go into a 40 gallon sump about half full. I need a skimmer for around 300 bucks with the 40 gallon sump footprint shouldn't be an issue.
 
msx/OctoX 200 will fit you fine. Get the new Large atb pinwheel and you will be set dialed in. You dont need the pinwheel but it is better than the stock ones. Good luck

Mojo~
 
For my 65 gal FOWLR light load with sump

Marineland Advanced In-Sump Protein Skimmer 100 Gal

$160 shipped

p-34168-44875-fish-supply.jpg




Or

Bubble-Magus BM100 v2 Skimmer $145 shipped

886.jpg
 
Just to let you know I'm replacing that marineland skimmer now.
It doesn't pull much crap out and it has a nasty habit of going crazy and overflowing. I have had nothing but trouble with it on my 75 gallon reef.
 
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