Skimmer Q&A Thread

KRASHPD said:
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.
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I would use the new 160 xs. I will work great for your tank.
 
kmu said:
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.
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you will want something that moves more water. Something like a hurricone cat 1, or the sro 3000
 
geaux xman said:
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?
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The 3000 int is a beast. You will be very pleased with this model. Better than the 2000 for your setup
 
oscarslr said:
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!!!
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Th at would be a great choice for sure. I dont know about the large. it would work well. but another choice might be the atb 1050 deluxe. kinda splitting hairs. The large is a beast for sure. both are great units.
 
spslove said:
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?
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Mojo any suggestions for me?

Also, why do you prefer atb 1050a over the vertex alpha 250. The alpha uses less power and pulls more air. It also looks to be slightly better built. Other then that they are really similar. I also like the 1050 v1.5. It has seamless cone. I like the all white also but it still uses more power and pulls less air. I understand ATB has great customer service and do make really nice skimmers but when comparing an atb1050a to an alpha 250 the vertex just looks like a slightly better product out of the box.
 
Last edited:
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!!!


mojo~ said:
Th at would be a great choice for sure. I dont know about the large. it would work well. but another choice might be the atb 1050 deluxe. kinda splitting hairs. The large is a beast for sure. both are great units.
Click to expand...

How does the ATB Deluxe 850 compare to the 1050 deluxe for this system. Is there a huge difference from the standard 1050 ATB cone from the deluxe? Seems like ATB will be my choice just want to weigh out the options they offer. Thanks
 
spslove said:
Mojo any suggestions for me?

Also, why do you prefer atb 1050a over the vertex alpha 250. The alpha uses less power and pulls more air. It also looks to be slightly better built. Other then that they are really similar. I also like the 1050 v1.5. It has seamless cone. I like the all white also but it still uses more power and pulls less air. I understand ATB has great customer service and do make really nice skimmers but when comparing an atb1050a to an alpha 250 the vertex just looks like a slightly better product out of the box.
Click to expand...

The reason i like the 1050A better is as follows
I dont care for a screw on collection cup the alpha uses.
The neck is huge. it may pull more air than the 1050a but is not as well balanced as the 1050a. The air draw on the alpha 250 is better than when I first had one. But I still believe the skimmer body itself just isnt balanced all that well. The Alpha 200 and 300 are probably the best of the alpha series IMO,
Customer service..... Try to get a hold of proline to get parts or service. Many horror stories for sure.
I have been over the whole alpha thing many times. bottom line I just didnt think the R&d went into this line like it should have. They are not built the same a BK either. I had the alpha 250 and bk mini 180 side by side and its hard to believe the bk mini still had thicker material. Not a big deal. But they are vertex skimmers made by royal exclusive.
 
mojo~ said:
The 3000 int is a beast. You will be very pleased with this model. Better than the 2000 for your setup
Click to expand...

Hey Mojo,

So what would you recommend for the return pump?

180g FOWLR +40g breeder sump
1.5"drain, 1" return

and i plan on in the future adding a reactor or two.

1)HY-7000 (1800gph w/o headloss)
2)HY -5000 (1300gph)
3)Eheim 1262 (900gph)

not sure if i want internal(additioinal heat)or external(addional noise) return pump.

Thanks!
 
oscarslr said:
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!!!




How does the ATB Deluxe 850 compare to the 1050 deluxe for this system. Is there a huge difference from the standard 1050 ATB cone from the deluxe? Seems like ATB will be my choice just want to weigh out the options they offer. Thanks
Click to expand...

If I had the $$ to spend I would look at teh BK Super MArine 250. Great design and performance. Then the ATB 1050 deluxe.

Now others that would work great would be the SRO 5000 series. or even the MSX 250 A. any of those would be great fits for your tank and you would be happy. The SRO 5000 is my top choice if on a budget. lol if you can call that a budget. lol.
 
I have a 90gal with 30gal sump FOWL (heavy bio-load) and am looking at these options:

SWC Xtreme 160 (non-cone)
SWC Xtreme 200 " "
SWC Xteme 160 Cone
Bubble Magus NAC-7
ASM G2

Which would you recommend?
 
edsreef said:
I have a 90gal with 30gal sump FOWL (heavy bio-load) and am looking at these options:

SWC Xtreme 160 (non-cone)
SWC Xtreme 200 " "
SWC Xteme 160 Cone
Bubble Magus NAC-7
ASM G2

Which would you recommend?
Click to expand...

Well the NAC 7 would be ok. The swc doesnt make a xtreme line. But if you need a small footprint check out the OCTO Xtreme xs 160 with the new sicce syncra pump. Nice unit, small footprint and same price range.

Mojo
 
mojo~ said:
The reason i like the 1050A better is as follows
I dont care for a screw on collection cup the alpha uses.
The neck is huge. it may pull more air than the 1050a but is not as well balanced as the 1050a. The air draw on the alpha 250 is better than when I first had one. But I still believe the skimmer body itself just isnt balanced all that well. The Alpha 200 and 300 are probably the best of the alpha series IMO,
Customer service..... Try to get a hold of proline to get parts or service. Many horror stories for sure.
I have been over the whole alpha thing many times. bottom line I just didnt think the R&d went into this line like it should have. They are not built the same a BK either. I had the alpha 250 and bk mini 180 side by side and its hard to believe the bk mini still had thicker material. Not a big deal. But they are vertex skimmers made by royal exclusive.
Click to expand...

Thank you for that explanation.

So what skimmer would you recommend between the atb 1050 deluxe, BK SM 250, BK 250 deluxe and deltec tc or dc 2560 for my 200g reef w/ 45g frag tank & 150g sump/fuge?

I see you recommended the BK SM 250 to oscar with similar setup. Same for me? Why BK SM 250 over the 250/300 deluxe? I read the deluxe pulls darker skimmate.

Sorry to pick your brain, iv been trying to make this decision for a while and the time has come. I really want to make the right decision and not look back.
 
the color of the skimmate has a lot to do with what is in your tank and how long it sits in the collection cup between emptying it. The SM has a better transition than the deluxe's . At least thats my opinion. The Deltecs are great skimmers too. But always had a hard time getting parts for deltecs and DAS skimmers.
 
Hi Mojo,
I am new to this forum, but have been a hobbyist of 30 years. I have just finished up a new family room and will be setting up a 80 gallon, 30 inch tall bow front SPS tank.
The tank will be ran w/ Vodka, just as my small 34 gallon SPS tank is.
I am looking for a good skimmer and have narrowed it down to two units:
If I decide to go cheap, the new Gen 3 Vertex IN100. I find this skimmer hard to beat for the price! What is your opinion on it.
Second unit, BK 160 or 180 mini! I know these are extremes price wise, but I know you own a bubble King and it sounds like you have owned the Vertex IN series.
I am all ears and any help will be GREATLY appreciated!
I got to see a BK mini in person. WOW!!! What a work of art!!!!
Thank you!
 
well the in 100 is a good skimmer for the price but I wish it pulled just a little more air. The mini is amazing and works very well.

If you want something with a small footprint you could try the octoxtreme XS series 160 with the sicce syncra pump. The sro 2000 int would be a good choice too.
I am running a bk mini 160 on my tank right now. great units. easy to clean.

mojo~
 
Mojo,
Thank you for the quick reply! What are the water/air intake differences between the BK 160 and the IN 100 Vertex?
Just curious. I am even considering a Precision Marine Bullet one. I have always loved beckett/downdraft skimmers. Seems I could get by with this one using a REASONABLE pump in terms of electricity consumption.
I am sure I could mesh mod the Vertex as well and get those numbers up. I have a few Dwyer air meters to help me.........

Thank you Mojo
 
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