Skimmer Q&A Thread

[rroselavy]

I would go ocean force 100 nice little units

Mojo-

Have you used an Ocean Force skimmer or seen one in action? I have not seen a single user review on these skimmers except for (a prototype) at the atlanta reef club over two years ago. I assume that anything MRC makes is quality, but I am still interested in finding some sort of feedback in those.

 

[KafudaFish]

Mojo:
Thanks for the reply. I finally found a sponsor selling them.

 

[mojo~]

Hi Mojo,
I hope you can lend a helping hand. I believe I am having skimmer troubles, or better I think my skimmer is underpowered for my system.
I have a 1 year old 180g SPS dominated system with a 60g sump and I think I got carried away and stocked too many fish:
1 x Sohal Tang 9"
1 x Naso Tang 9"
3 x Yellow Tangs 3.5-4"
1 x Kole Tang 4"
1 x Sailfin Tang 4"
1 x Powder Blue Tang 4"
2 x Perculas 2-3"
1 x Diamond Goby 3"
1 x McKosker Wrasse 2"
1 x Scott's Wrasse 4"
1 x 6 line Wrassw 2"
1 x Mandarin Goby 2"
1 x Scooter Blenny 2"
1 x Copperband Butterfly 3.5"
5 x Green Cromis 1.5"

The tank has been doing very well for the past year, however on the past month I lost 2 acroporas from RTN and coral coloration is fading. I am starting to see some cyano, not much but I have not had any since so it is worrisome. I cannot measure any phosphate by photometer and ammonia, nitrite, notrates are all 0 by salifert kits. Chaetomorpha however is growing faster so I believe I have some po4 and nitrates that my system is handling in some way. Also the sand that used to be white and pristine, is now accumulating some gunk.

My skimmer is an Euroreef RS-250 (8" dia x 30" tall) that is constantly producing quite dark skimmate, about 1/2 cup daily and goes non stop, I have never seen it idleing.

I have a strong feeling that the current bioload has overwhelmed the skimmer. What do you think?

I bought a used euroreef rc-250 (recirculating) and I was thinking to run 2 skimmers, one internal and one external. The rc-250 however came in broken but I may be able to save the pump (I have to buy it for $75) and modify my skimmer into a recirculating one. Do you think this mod may be enough?

Other option would be to return the pump and go for a new skimmer altogether. I was looking at the Octopus SRO 6000 SSS that would fit in my sump nicely.

What would you suggest?

PS I would like to keep my current fish and exert some restraint and dont buy anymore.

I would say the 5000 sss would be big enough. the 5000 and the 6000 use the same pump. THe skimmer you have isnt bad but the SRO will pull more air. Another good option would be the MSX 250A or the hurricone cat 1. they use the askol pump rather than the bubble blaster. Both are good just giving u another option.
Thanks

 

[mojo~]

Working on a 265g with a sump and fugue of about 100g more for a total of about 400 gallons. I plan on a having a modest amount of fish and eventually corals..soft at first and maybe sps as I get better. Any recommendations?

MSX 250a
SRO 5000 int
hurricone cat 1

 

[mojo~]

Mojo-

Have you used an Ocean Force skimmer or seen one in action? I have not seen a single user review on these skimmers except for (a prototype) at the atlanta reef club over two years ago. I assume that anything MRC makes is quality, but I am still interested in finding some sort of feedback in those.

I was actually going to order one after seeing one in action. Built well. Not a ton of air but pretty well balanced. Great for tight little places.

Mojo~

 

[jjstecchino]

Also what do you think of the Octopus XP 5000 internal (cone design) vs the SRO?

Would the xp 6000 be overkill compared to the xp 3000?

What would be the downside of going with the bigger skimmer? They are both priced very competitively. I was reading on the octopus xp thread and one person strongly discouraged going with the xp 5000 on a 180g tank. What is your opinion?

Do you think my fish bioload is really really excessive?

Thanks

 

[jjstecchino]

OOps the quote did not show up.
Mojo please refer to my last post on the previous page

Thanks again

 

[lotusstar]

Well the xp 2000 and atb are really similar in size. you will get better material from the ATB and the new sicce syncra pump with the aTB 840 v2. Its a great skimmer and well balanced.
the xp with the bubble blaster is good but does require even more shallow water as it pulls a little more air. But will also have a slight hum.

The int model uses same bb pump and is a good unit too.

The deal is. If you buy any of them I am sure you will be happy. if you plan on keeping one for a long time the ATB would be worth the extra $$ it will skim great but they have the best customer service. Its just my opinion.

But if you look back it took a long time for me to like the ATB cone. I just didnt see it. Until I owned one. THen I bought another !

If you can only buy one skimmer and you know u will have it a while. Get one that you KNOW you will be Happy with.

Those 3 will all work.

Mojo~

Mojo,

Thanks a lot for your feedback. Looks like I will be working a couple extra overtime shifts so I can spend the few extra bucks for the ATB 840 v2. Will it be more silent in operation than other skimmers also?

 

[mojo~]

Also what do you think of the Octopus XP 5000 internal (cone design) vs the SRO?

Would the xp 6000 be overkill compared to the xp 3000?

What would be the downside of going with the bigger skimmer? They are both priced very competitively. I was reading on the octopus xp thread and one person strongly discouraged going with the xp 5000 on a 180g tank. What is your opinion?

Do you think my fish bioload is really really excessive?

Thanks

well the neck on the 5000 is really big. If it was my $$ I would get the 3000 cone. Its pretty comparable to the atb 1050a . I think the 5000 would be pushing it. it would work great for a week maybe then it will start to shut down. The load is pretty big. so it may work. but you will be happy with the 3000. I would get the cone as it will have a little bigger neck and be better fit for you.

mojo~

Mojo~

 

[mojo~]

Mojo,

Thanks a lot for your feedback. Looks like I will be working a couple extra overtime shifts so I can spend the few extra bucks for the ATB 840 v2. Will it be more silent in operation than other skimmers also?

the new sicce syncra is really quiet. plus the atb adds a stand with rubber feet helping more. And with the hose connecting the pump to the hosing. it is more quiet than a rigid connection. very quiet skimmer

 

[KRASHPD]

For the same price, do you think the Octopus Extreme 160 with the new Sicce Psk-600 is a better skimmer for a 70g total water volume or the Octopus XP-1000SSS Cone with the Bubble Blaster hy-1000s?

I would like a skimmer that can work well with an elos sump and empty into the filter sock. The Extreme 160 would fin and work well but I'm not sure if the 1000SSS would work with the filter sock. However, if the 1000sss is a better skimmer I'd rather go with that and figure out a different way to use the sock.

 

[jjstecchino]

well the neck on the 5000 is really big. If it was my $$ I would get the 3000 cone. Its pretty comparable to the atb 1050a . I think the 5000 would be pushing it. it would work great for a week maybe then it will start to shut down. The load is pretty big. so it may work. but you will be happy with the 3000. I would get the cone as it will have a little bigger neck and be better fit for you.

mojo~

Mojo~

Thanks Mojo. I thonk my next skimmer is going to be the xp 3000. The ATB looks nice but is definitely more expensive. Is it worth the extra money?

 

[KafudaFish]

I was actually going to order one after seeing one in action. Built well. Not a ton of air but pretty well balanced. Great for tight little places.

Mojo~

Ok that is good to know.

When you sell it dibs? :wavehand:

 

[kmu]

I have a 67g reef tank at home with a 20g sump and have Reef octopus extreme 200 with a sicce 2500 pump, well the performance is very very poor maybe oversize by a lot.

Im currently building in my office a 240g reef cube with a 50g sump for softies, rbta and lps with just a few sps, would the octopus extreme 200 work on my new system or would I need a larger skimmer?

I was at first gonna buy a new skimmer for the 240g system but if the octopus extreme would work for the new set up I might get instead a smaller skimmer for my home reef tank.

 

[geaux xman]

Ok, now i'm looking at 180g DT + 40g sump for a FOWLR.

which Reef Octopus should i be looking at? i want to try and keep this skimmer under $400.

1)Reef Octopus XP2000i Bubble Blaster 2000 pump $400
2)Octopus 3000i Blaster 3000 pump $400
3)???

any suggestions? other brands?

 

[spslove]

Trying to decide what is the best skimmer for my new SPS setup. DT is 200g, frag tank 45g, sump 90g, fuge 60g. Total actual water volume should be around 300g to 350g.

I want the best skimmer possible for my setup

Trying to decide between deltec tc or dc 2060, deltec tc or dc 2560, bubble king deluxe 250 external or internal, bubble king SM 250, or vertex alpha 250.

How do the deltecs compare to the others? What is the best out of the bunch? or is there a better skimmer not mentioned?

 

[PurdueMAN_08]

Vertex in 180
Octo X XS 200
CS 200 cone
BM NAC 9

So is the vortex 180 really that good. I have about 120 gallons total system volume with sps, softies, tang,clown,ray, andCoral beauty but would love to add some schooling fish. Will the vortex be a good. Choice?

 

[PurdueMAN_08]

It also appears that you feel the vortex 180 is better than the swc160 cone. Is this correct? They cost about the same...

 

[mojo~]

the vertex is a pretty good unit. The 180 i feel is the best of the bunch. (vertex line )

 

[oscarslr]

Setting up a 270 gal SPS/Medium stock with 125 gal sump total water volume talking displacement is 325 gal. Currently have H&S 200 with one eheim 1262. Looking to get the best performing skimmer, no limitation in size. Was looking into a BK, Octopus, Alpha cone, ATB. Open to any brand just looking for the best performance. Thanks. Awesome thread!!!