Skimmer recommendation - Octopus, Skimz..?

Chihuahua6

Chihuahua6

Premium Member
I am in the process of setting my 150 gal up after a move. The sump will hold approx 75 gals packed with live rock. I will have a decent amount of fish that I feed heavily.

I have had several Octopus skimmers over the years and one SWC and happy with them all. I don't see Octopus skimmers being talked about much lately and I was wondering why.

I am considering a new Octopus skimmer. I'm not sure about their newer pumps so I was considering one of the models with the Bubble Blaster pump since it's what I'm familiar with. I have been hearing a lot about the Skimz pumps and now I'm confused.

Any suggestions? Thanks.
 
Right off the bat, if I was getting a new skimmer, it would have to be with a DC pump. The difference in the amount of air draw is just ridiculous.

If you're still sticking with older pumps and you are looking at Skimz then you are looking at the AC Eden pumps. I'd suggest something with an Eden 5000. I like the recirculating skimmers and went with the SK222 many years ago, still run it and love it. At the time, even though I thought Reef Octopus did a better job of bubble production/stability I went with Skimz because I think the acrylic on Reef Octopus is rather light and I am rather hard on my skimmers and want them to last even if I accidentally drop them. The Skimz line are built like tanks and they perform great. BRS just put the SM202 on their new build tank earlier this year.

If you are going with a DC pump, external Reef Octopus would be the Regal. I don't see any recirculating Skimz with DC pumps at BRS, but not sure if they are available somewhere else. Check the manufacturers website first. A good DC external equivalent would be RLSS.

I just don't personally like a skimmer that has the pump inside the body. Then if I want to mess with the pump, I have to take the whole thing out of my sump. Also internal pumps take up space in the skimmer column where bubbles should be rising and collecting dirt.
 
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I have a new reef octopus with a DC pump and love it. Was shocked that it was skimming within an hour of setting it up. Zero break in and the pump is whisper quiet. Having the flexibility to adjust the pump speed really allows you to dial in the swimming as well. Highly recommended.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
 
Great, thank you both for the info. It does bring up a few more questions if you don't mind.

-Is the VarioS DC pump superior to the Bubble Blaster? (The pinwheel impeller only has a one year warranty)

-Skimmer Sizing: Would the Regal 250INT 10" be too large for my system? (well stocked, heavily fed 150 display, 200 gal total volume)
I felt like I was pushing the limits with my last skimmer. (Last skimmer was Octopus Diablo recommended for up to 250 gal.) I emptied thick, dark skimmate twice a week with only a small amount of fish (frequent feedings). Now I plan to have more fish so I can't imagine that going up one size would be too large but I always read people telling others not to oversize too much.
 
i Have a skimz sm201 it has a ac eden 5000 pump and has been running well over a year.

I Do not think you need a dc pump on a skimmer.. If the skimmer pump is balanced right for the skimmer you do not need to be able to adjust its speed. I have replied in many threads to people with dc pump skimmers having issues adjusting the skimmer properly.. 99% OF THEM put the dc pump running ant like 40% then adjust the skimmer as you normally do by adjusting water height with the output valve then foam height /consistency with the Air intake valve

Of Course DC Pumps usually use less power but also fail sooner...

Just my opinion of course....I would not buy a skimmer just to get a name...
Check out BRS and there reviews and videos on different skimmer lines...

i will recommend skimz again and again mine performs as well as any other i have had and cost much less then any other skimmer i have bought..

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR Choice...
Erica Renee
 
Thank you Erica Renee, fellow lady reefer. Yes the BRS reviews are very helpful. Are you using the sm201 on your 240?
 
I just found a used sm203 with DC pump that I am considering. It's half the price of new so I might give it a try.
 
Chihuahua6 said:
I just found a used sm203 with DC pump that I am considering. It's half the price of new so I might give it a try.
Click to expand...

That is a good deal for sure.. the only thing that can happen to them is either pump or crack a crack is very easily fixed the pump is not super expensive. and is usually Controller on dc equipment that is the weak link.

I have been thinking of changing my return pumps to DC Pumps to save on electric.
 
If your not worried about DC pumps .... Coralvues website has the Reef Octopus Prime 200 which was discontinued for the D.C. Pumps, basically identically other than that from what I was told.

They were $429. They have one or two left for only $200 !!

.... I picked one up for my 150 build yesterday.
 
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So exactly where is the skimmer made, including the pump?
Any recommendations for a 120? I want to go oversized.
Thank you in advance. They are on sale at BRS btw.
 
Mike de Leon said:
So exactly where is the skimmer made, including the pump?
Any recommendations for a 120? I want to go oversized.
Thank you in advance. They are on sale at BRS btw.
Click to expand...

i have a much larger system near 400 gallons in various tanks on the display system and I still use the sm201 and stand by my post above..


now i might consider the dc version... which is 203 i think .. if your 120 has a huge sump and is very heavily stocked it should work. if not then the next one down i think its 163 model.. if you way over size the skim will be inconstant from what i have read.. i have no for sure proof of this


you do have a return period if you buy the bigger one and it does not work . I think anyway ..
 
ericarenee said:
i have a much larger system near 400 gallons in various tanks on the display system and I still use the sm201 and stand by my post above..


now i might consider the dc version... which is 203 i think .. if your 120 has a huge sump and is very heavily stocked it should work. if not then the next one down i think its 163 model.. if you way over size the skim will be inconstant from what i have read.. i have no for sure proof of this


you do have a return period if you buy the bigger one and it does not work . I think anyway ..
Click to expand...

Thank you. So where are Skimz made? I did some research and the pumps are German?
 
ericarenee said:
i Have a skimz sm201 it has a ac eden 5000 pump and has been running well over a year.

I Do not think you need a dc pump on a skimmer.. If the skimmer pump is balanced right for the skimmer you do not need to be able to adjust its speed. I have replied in many threads to people with dc pump skimmers having issues adjusting the skimmer properly.. 99% OF THEM put the dc pump running ant like 40% then adjust the skimmer as you normally do by adjusting water height with the output valve then foam height /consistency with the Air intake valve

Of Course DC Pumps usually use less power but also fail sooner...

Just my opinion of course....I would not buy a skimmer just to get a name...
Check out BRS and there reviews and videos on different skimmer lines...

i will recommend skimz again and again mine performs as well as any other i have had and cost much less then any other skimmer i have bought..

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR Choice...
Erica Renee
Click to expand...

My thinking as well, another electronic device/controller that stands chance of failure, especially as they try to keep it inexpensive and often that means a compromise on feed pumps, and I also don't like the failure rate on those jebao's

There are a lot of good skimmers out there now days, and reefoctopus has been around long enough that there are a lot of used ones floating around if budget is an issue.
When my budget allows I've been eye balling that NYOS, saw it at macna and looks like a nice quality build.
 
I have a SRO-2000 INT and I am very pleased with the build quality and amount of air it pumps in there. The amount of bubbles is ridiculous. It is oversized on my 100g but still works great. Just putting it out there since you wanted feedback on RO.
 
Mike de Leon said:
The oval one has a dc pump. Wondering if all will be an issue down the road
Click to expand...

Nobody can answer that Honestly... Thou same will say they are crap because its not there Fav brand or they seen a post about someone who had a issue


We often only see failures of a product on here and never know about how many are still working after years.. Its just how the internet works.
 
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