Skimmer Q&A Thread

[Dave's Reef]

Alpha 250?

Alpha 250?

Hey Mojo,

I was just curious to know what kind of experience that you had with the Alpha 250? I had read some things you mentioned about it but couldn't find anything you mentioned on your own personal experience with it?

I'm purely curious and just wondering how it went for you when you tested it out, what kind of bioload you've got, how long you ran it on your system for, what air tube you used, water depth you had it at, that sort of thing... no biggy, LOL.

I've been using mine for some time now with pretty good results. However, I realize some have had good and some not as good as they may have hoped for results.

I know those first few of us to get them had some kinks to work out but I suppose that's pretty true of anything "new" and such.

Could you let me know when you get a chance?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[mightyevil]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15242476#post15242476 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
Well their are several nice ones to choose from. I would look at the following.
The ATB 1050
BK mini gen 2 200
Warner Marine as 200
MSX 250A
hurricone Cat 1
And the Vertex in 280 <--- This skimmer would be my budget pick.
THe hurricone and max with the askol pump would be a really ice skimmer for your tank and if you can swing the extra money I think it would be worth it long term. However what do you plan on keeping? you might be able to go a little smaller depending on what you stock list will be

Mojo~

I plan on keeping mostly small fish (if compatible) I still need to research a bit more but thinking about royal gramma, lawnmower blenny, some anthias, maybe some green/blue chromis, other blennies, mandarin gobies...I like the colorful little fish. As far as medium and big fish I plan on Yellow Tang, Purple tang, hippo tang, flame angel...still need to do some research but those are the main ones I want. Coral, mostly softies to begin with but I would like a few SPS if possible. I have to put my skills to the test before I have my tank this stocked. One more thing, I dont plan on fully stocking my tank with live rock, I want to aqua scape it a certain way.

 

[mightyevil]

Wow, these things are expensive...

I really do not want to take my filtration lightly, the less water changes for me the better. I think I am gonna go with one of these two models but if you can just explain to me the long term benefit briefly...the price is not too off between these two, given that I looked up the correct ones...

Vertex 280 $397.99

MSX 250? Is this the right one?

 

[mojo~]

You would want the MSX with the askol pump. Not the one with dual sicce's. The MSX 250 is a good skimmer with the sicce's but the stock volute covers all for a performance change if running the opposite direction. the MSX 250 with the askoll is about $550 ish I believe.
THe vertex in 280 would work well for what you are keeping I would say. If you were going more hard sps corals I would suggest one of the other skimmers.

You will be pleased with the vertex I am sure.
Mojo~

 

[mightyevil]

Mojo, I have been trying to find the MSX 250A skimmer online but no luck, is this a mod? would you be kind enough to share a site? Thanks, you have been very helpful!

 

[mojo~]

you have to buy the 250 wit hno pump and then buy the pump with it from the site. Just call Rob or Joe from MArine solutions for it. They will get you all set up. Great guys to talk to. They know their equipment too.
Mojo~

 

[rguyler]

According to Marine Solutions, there is soon to be a new MSX300A (version 2) skimmer coming out soon and should be priced around the $600 mark.

Here is the link for the 250A:

http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/c...kimmers/c22_48/p337/MSX250A/product_info.html

 

[rguyler]

There are plenty of folks talking about getting 80-90SCFH out of this pump setup. You would have to remove the Sicce adapter and drill out the skimmer intake to handle the bigger size of the Askoll output. I don't know if this would be too much for the 250 or not but it's the recommended mod for the 300 when adding an Askoll to it in place of the Sicces. Hopefully the new 300A will already be setup this way and would pull more air out of the box.

 

[rguyler]

BTW - both of these are monsters. It's hard to appreciate how big they are until you see them in person. Are you planning to keep your sump under the stand or remotely locate it? I just replaced my 75g sump (a regular 48"x18" tank) with a 100g Rubbermaid stock tank. My MSX300 barely fit in the 75. My sump is my basement and I would have hated to try to cram it under a stand in that size. Not saying you can't do it but measure everything out carefully before you commit yourself one way or the other.

 

[mightyevil]

Wow, so it is a mod to the skimmer. I think it is very expensive @ $600 but then again I am new to this so I wouldn't know much about skimmers. Thanks Rik

What about the Hurricone Cat 1 vs. the Vertex? Which is better?

 

[mightyevil]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15245583#post15245583 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rguyler
BTW - both of these are monsters. It's hard to appreciate how big they are until you see them in person. Are you planning to keep your sump under the stand or remotely locate it? I just replaced my 75g sump (a regular 48"x18" tank) with a 100g Rubbermaid stock tank. My MSX300 barely fit in the 75. My sump is my basement and I would have hated to try to cram it under a stand in that size. Not saying you can't do it but measure everything out carefully before you commit yourself one way or the other.

I dont know yet, I am in the process of building the stand, it is pretty tall and I have not made compartments in it yet, so I have some room to play with. If need to, I will isolate the the sump with skimmer, the sump too might have to be DIY if I want it under the stand. I guess its all going to depend on the skimmer for now.

Here are a couple of pictures...

 

[mojo~]

The vertex IN series is probably one of the bet bang for buck units around. When you jump up to a askoll pump skimmer you are getting a better pump and tahts why you are paying more money.

 

[rguyler]

I would go with as big of a sump as possible. Can't have too much water really.

Mojo knows his stuff so I would at the minimum seriuosly consider whatever he tells you. I went with the MSX based on his advice, although I upsized to the 300 knowing I was going to go with an Askoll upgrade. Really, to skim a tank that size, $600 isn't too bad. You can easily spend 2 or 3 times that. Also know that the internal skimmers are cheaper than the external ones so keeping it in the sump will save money versus buying one to go outside the sump.

 

[mightyevil]

Oh, trust me, I am considering. It is a good thread and I am happy to have found it. I really appreciate the help you guys are giving me. I still have a long ways to figure out what I want to buy, definitely going to buy one of the skimmers mentioned, I just gotta make up my mind on which one.

 

[mojo~]

on most skimmers it is ok to oversize. And with the msx it is ok as well. With the askoll upgrade it makes for one heck of a skimmer. The cat 1 is about the same thing and well the vertex in 280 would work well but it pull as hard as a askoll powered skimmer.

Now if I could get the fancy rating stars on this thread. lol

 

[volcom69]

Hey guys looking for some advice here i have a 70 gal tank, with a 20 some gal sump, but not alot of room for a big skimmer. This tank is sps dominant and right now i only have the asm g1 skimmer which is working pulling out stuff, but im not a big fan of it. As my corals are now growing very fast i need some imput on some good skimmers to look into. Im looking at the new Vertex alphacone 170 thats soon coming out which has a pretty small footprint which will fit in my sump. Any other suggestions or would you wait for this skimmer to come out.
I was also looking at the BK 160 model but not sure of the footprint on this. Thanks for the help

 

[rguyler]

Mojo, you're a star in my book.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15246019#post15246019 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by volcom69
Hey guys looking for some advice here i have a 70 gal tank, with a 20 some gal sump, but not alot of room for a big skimmer. This tank is sps dominant and right now i only have the asm g1 skimmer which is working pulling out stuff, but im not a big fan of it. As my corals are now growing very fast i need some imput on some good skimmers to look into. Im looking at the new Vertex alphacone 170 thats soon coming out which has a pretty small footprint which will fit in my sump. Any other suggestions or would you wait for this skimmer to come out.
I was also looking at the BK 160 model but not sure of the footprint on this. Thanks for the help

The bk mini is about 8 by 9.5 I would have to look back at the pics for exact measurements of the one i had. It would be an awesome skimmer for you. It is pricey though. Very easy to maintain. Skims well and is built like a tank.
I would wait until they get the bugs out of the alpha skimmers I think it has too big of a neck for such a small body. Just not quite balnced out right. They are good skimmers without a doubt. But not quite the same as a BK. Royal Exclusive makes them but the cone body is not as nice as per say the new atb cone body. When I say as nice, I am just talking about material.

The 170, well I ll have to wait and see for sure. you will have a ton a people that get it and because they own it, it will be the best skimmer in the world. But compare it to others like the k2, atb, BK series, and other cones on the market. Its not a BK, its a vertex skimmer who is owned by proline. RE is the manufacture.

So give it some time. I am not sure I would be spending money on getting one so fast. After getting the 250 and running it on a couple systems. it just didnt have the wow factor I was expecting. Nice skimmer yes. $1000 skimmer. well not sure of that.

Sorry to ramble off topic, but Look at the bk mini, the atb 840 v1.5, the warner marine as 150, and maybe the alpha 170.

All would be great units and a big step up from your asm.

Mojo~

 

[volcom69]

Thanks for the response, i see you talking about the msx skimmers im not to familar with these can you tell me alittle about them. I guess it would be the model 160 im just curious and seeing all my options. Thanks again

 

[143gadgets]

I'm currently using the ATB 840. It works VERY well, but I really like the look and quality of my friend's Alpha 250. I'm getting a ton of micro bubbles in the display and its getting annoying. The Alpha is also much quieter. I have about 100g total water volume with a high fish and coral load. I was thinking of getting the 250, but it may be a little too much. So I may get the 200. Any thoughts? I may upgrade later so I don't wanna short myself. I was also thinking about the new 1050.