Skimmer Q&A Thread

[rguyler]

And I agree...the MSX owners have nearly nothing but good to say about them. The one gotcha I run into in the complaint department is what Mojo pointed out...the pump with the mesh mod. Those Sicce pumps just seem to be a bit cranky at times. I've been pretty much set on getting the MSX but still wanted to compare the two since the price point on both is as good as it gets.

Thanks for voicing your experience Harry.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14875578#post14875578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kv2wr1
Can you reccomend me a skimmer for my 24 gallon Aquapod HQI?

I'm debating between a Tunze 9002 nano doc and a saphire ap24 skimmer.

If you can recommend one of these over the other or tell me about another skimmer to try, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric

I have not run the Tunze myself but a friend has and It is a nicer unit in m opinion over the saphire. The saphire skimmer isnt bad by anymeans but just not in the same league as the Tunze I dont think. If I had to pick one. THe Tunze would be my first choice. Now the saphire isnt bad. The only one I really didnt like was the cpr sr3. noisey and well a waste of time for me.
Mojo~

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14889172#post14889172 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rguyler
Mojo, do you have any experience with the Vertex IN-280? I'm trying to choose between it and an MSX-250 but finding it difficult to get much info on the Vertex pump and pinwheel combo they provide.

The dual-pump MSX looks like the better producer of the two on the surface but that could be deceiving. Thoughts?

BTW - Thanks for being such a fantastic resource on RC! We all appreciate your time, effort and financial contributions so we can make better buying decisions for ourselves.

You know they are both great choices. Its a matter of prefference really. only larger pump or two smaller ones. The resun pumps are basically ssedra knockoffs in my opinion. They work well. THey had some issues on some in hte beginning but mostly on the 100's. This has been taken care of as far as I know. THe 280 is simply a beast of a skimmer. If you get the msx 250 I would run the pinwheels. They are both really nice skimmers for the money. You would be happy with either one. I do like the longer neck on the Vertex over teh msx. But the MSX uses a better know sicce pump that has more options for upgrades. Both great products. Everyday I grow more and more a fan of vertex items. I have a Vertex RO unit Ill post some pics of here really soon too. But I have also owned a couple msx and octo X skimmers. And I wwould not hesitate putting one on my system at all. Good bang for the buck.

 

[rguyler]

Thanks for your input Mojo. I also like the fact with the MSX that if one of the pumps go out then maybe the skimmer could at least limp by until the other was fixed or replaced. Plus I live 30 minutes away from Marine Solutions. ;-)

 

[mojo~]

30 min away would be a desciding factor for me as well. If you can get great service in person then I am sure I would get the same one. THey are great guys there. I have talked to them many times. Mostly before they were sponsor here on RC. Never less they always took care of any issues I had.

 

[sjm817]

rguyler
I've worked quite a bit with Jeff and Rob over at Marine Solutions (over the phone) and they are great. Great support, and nice friendly people. If they are local to you, that is a real plus. The MSX250 with the supplied pinwheels works very well. You dont need to mess with the mesh unless you want to.

 

[mojo~]

I agree

 

[joncat24]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14891972#post14891972 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rguyler
Thanks for your input Mojo. I also like the fact with the MSX that if one of the pumps go out then maybe the skimmer could at least limp by until the other was fixed or replaced. Plus I live 30 minutes away from Marine Solutions. ;-)

They are open from noon to 5 on Saturdays....trip up there and toalk to Joe and Jeff and they will hook you right up. Great guys to work with. I was up there tonight and Rob was there.....another great guy......they will take care of ya.

 

[gooyferret]

I have seen nothing but good things about the MSX skimmers! in alot of forums and other places i think that will be the skimmer i go with unless something better comes out in the same price range. I have heard that ASM's are also pretty good but some mods are necessary. Are the MSX a somewhat "upgrade" to them?

 

[mojo~]

I would get a warner marine over a ASM any day. price isnt that much more and the skimmer is built much better and skims the pants off a asm. Same with a MSX. MSX is far above the asm in regards to performance as well.

 

[Nap]

Thanks for all the effort Mojo. There really hasn't been enough done with skimmers (especially considering how important they are to our tanks).

I am running a heavily stocked 120 with a 30g sump (sps,lps, and softies). I am ashamed to admit I am still runnning a 6 year old euroreef that hasn't even been mesh-modded. I know I need a new skimmer but I have been unsure of which to go with. Assuming I had more to spend than $300 but I didn't want to go as high as $700 is there something that is better than the msx200/vertex IN180/Octo extreme?

Thanks

-Ian

 

[tdawgnjlo]

Mojo,

In prior response, what model of Warner Marine Skimmer are you suggesting, AS200?

I gather from reading this thread that you are very high on recommending MSX. If I have an opportunity to pick up a used AS200 Warner Marine skimmer for a 180 gallon tank, is that considered a good option, or would you opt for ATB, Bubble Kind, MSX, Octo to ensure good foundation for 180 gallon tank with heavy fish load and SPS?

 

[mojo~]

The AS 200 in my opinion is a better skimmer for than the msx 200. It cycles way more water is is built like a tank. The AS 200 is one of the better skimmers on the market. It just doest get the hype as it falls between the price range of the High end skimmers and hte lower end items.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14912459#post14912459 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nap
Thanks for all the effort Mojo. There really hasn't been enough done with skimmers (especially considering how important they are to our tanks).

I am running a heavily stocked 120 with a 30g sump (sps,lps, and softies). I am ashamed to admit I am still runnning a 6 year old euroreef that hasn't even been mesh-modded. I know I need a new skimmer but I have been unsure of which to go with. Assuming I had more to spend than $300 but I didn't want to go as high as $700 is there something that is better than the msx200/vertex IN180/Octo extreme?

Thanks

-Ian

Nothing wrong with your euroreef. Not sure what size ou have. With your budget my first choice would be a Warner MArine AS200. It uses a sedra 9000HO pump moves a good amount over water and pulls about 1000lph of air.
2nd would be the Vertex IN 180 then the MSX 200.
IS the WM worth the extra $$ over the other two. Well To be honest. For the service I get with Jon Warner himself. I would pick up the AS200 If I could swing the extra $$ . The other two will skim very well for you also but dont have a few option I like in the WM line. The twist lock neck is a nice feature as well as it comes with a gate valve and thicker acylic. The Sedra pump does a great job and is a beast of a skimmer.
Mojo~

 

[Nap]

My euroreef is an old 8-2 and is still running on the original pump! After all these years it just can't handle the system (was originally bought for my old 100g system). It takes a couple of weeks before I come close to filling the cup and I think it just needs to be put out to pasture.

My sump has 12x17 of room which is cutting it close for the Warner. I could probably do it if that AS200 is worth it. Otherwise it sounds like the IN180 would be a better choice. Is the Vertex anywhere near as quiet as the AS200? Does it come close on the water/air moved?

-Ian

 

[mojo~]

THe vertex would be a good choice as well. But Long term I know I would prefer the AS 200. The vertex in 180 is a really nice unit as well. Its not quite the skimmer the AS 200 is but it is a solid performer. Its a euroreef with a bubble plate.lol. So you would be buying a new version of what you aleady have. The 180 will pull about 700 lph of air and less water compaired to the 1000lph of air and more water in the WM skimmer. Both would be good but if you want a upgrade go with the WM. The IN 180 will be an upgrade but as much I dont think. But if you only have $300 to play with the 180 or msx 200 would be the way to go.

 

[gooyferret]

So Mojo is the Vertex or the MSX better in your opinion?

 

[mojo~]

Well, I Like the msx but I have had the sicce pumps start up backwards before and want to overflow the cup. On a pinwheel I have found it to start backwards about 20% of the time. and since i shut it off twice a day to feed Its 20% more than I like. However teh msx 200 pulls more air and you might see a little better performance. The Vertex uses a nice gentle trasition to the neck. For me this allows one to skim more how they want. Wet or dry.
If I had to buy one off the 2 for my system right now. I would most likely get the vertex in 180.

Mojo~

 

[gooyferret]

Is there any mods that need to be done to make it perform better or is it good to go out of the box? Also does it matter if I would buy the Vertex 250 instead of the 180 even though my tank is 125 with 40gal sump?

 

[mojo~]

the 250 is way taller skimmer. I would just get the 180 and plug it in.