Skimmer (upgrade) question

[gig]

I have a PM bullet 1 for my 180 reef, looking to upgrade as it's only rated for 150G and using a Mag24 to power it uses alot of wattage.

Thinking about going with a needlewheel design to take advantage of the lower power consumption, plus I could cut into one of my return pipes to get better skimmed water from the top of the tank (right now it's getting water that's been thru the fuge and then already pre-filtered via filtersocks).

So if I am looking to spend $300-500 (preferably on the low side, if used), what's a good recommendation?

anyone selling a decent skimmer?

 

[badazztealcobra]

MSX250 / Octo Xtreme 250....

/thread.

 

[larder]

ASM G-4XX. Easiest to maintain, most consistent at price point. ASMs skim dark soupy liquid, much darker than other skimmers, and you can leave the pump on w/o cleaning for literally months. Only drawback is you have to have the space in your sump.

 

[Whaledriver]

The one with the largest volume of water in the skimmer is generally better than less water. This really is the most important thing. The type of plastic isnt that important

Recirculating is better than not.

Don't skimp on cheap needlewheels. This is where quality pays over time. I have an Eheim that has lasted longer than 3 cheap pumps on my other skimmer. # to 1 and going. There are other brands that are good but watch out for the knock offs that don't have a history.

 

[buddah001]

I am going to be ordering a MSX300A. Check it out! There are some good threads in the Sponsor forums and they are Marine Solutions

 

[gig]

oh yeah, I wanted to go out of sump with this one as well...My current bullet is outside the sump on a platform off to the side, so the height isn't much of an issue...

thanks for the answers so far guys!

 

[gig]

but I could go in sump if necessary...

 

[buddah001]

Really check out MSX (Marine Solutions) They have always gotten excellent reviews here on RC. I am making the plunge in 2 days. Cant wait!!!!

 

[SlowCobra]

Larder many people will agree that the ASM's are no longer a good choice. They use to be a good bang for the buck but they were knocked off their podium a few years ago with the release of the Octopus line. Now add the MSX series to that and the ASM's aren't even a consideration given their price and build quality.

 

[cet98]

FWIW, you may want to check out the Generation 2 Vertex IN-250 skimmers...
I've read a number of favorable posts in the Equipment forums...

good luck

 

[ostrow]

That's a beckett skimmer you have, no? Me, I'll never get any needlewheel/meshwheel again after seeing how the downdraft/beckett design so dramatically surpasses them in efficiency.

IME/IMO you are taking a serious step backwards in terms of skimming performance (and your ORP levels will drop too).

 

[larder]

SlowCobra: Yeah, I took a look at the Octopus, and it seems like they copied the Bubble King design, which probably means you get that thick sludge coming out of it. Good price too. I'll be looking into them next time I upgrade.

ASMs are still a solid skimmer, though, if Gig happens to come across one used or something.

 

[badazztealcobra]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15359165#post15359165 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ostrow
That's a beckett skimmer you have, no? Me, I'll never get any needlewheel/meshwheel again after seeing how the downdraft/beckett design so dramatically surpasses them in efficiency.

IME/IMO you are taking a serious step backwards in terms of skimming performance (and your ORP levels will drop too).

Can you explain this some Joel ??? If he's running a MAG24 for the skimmer and that uses 250+w to power the skimmer, how is it more efficient than a skimmer running (2) sicce's ???

Just trying to understand it incase I'm missing something ?!?!

You had a great skimmer before and changed, just seeing your logic behind it. My MSX250 has the Sicces running at 24 & 25 watts and each is meshed and running mid 40's SCFH.... When I measure off the air silencer for both pumps Im getting 76 SCFH for 49 watts.

Pretty darn efficient I would think, but maybe you can shed some light on it ???

 

[ostrow]

Mag wouldn't be my choice for a skimmer, no. True.

But I had 3 sicces on my skimmer ... 98 watts on average 24/7. Now I am using more watts on my ETSS ... around 200. And getting 3 times the skimmer. Much more consistent, and constitently dark, and more skimmate. Higher ORP. I'll never go back.

 

[badazztealcobra]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15359431#post15359431 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ostrow
Mag wouldn't be my choice for a skimmer, no. True.

But I had 3 sicces on my skimmer ... 98 watts on average 24/7. Now I am using more watts on my ETSS ... around 200. And getting 3 times the skimmer. Much more consistent, and constitently dark, and more skimmate. Higher ORP. I'll never go back.

Gotcha, youre saying that you feel even though it uses more wattage youre getting better skimmate in your application.... Got it.

I got confused for a minute. :lol:

Heres my average haul every 8 or 9 days with my MSX250...

 

[audiophile42]

+1 on the MSX series. I have a MSX200 on my 90g and it is awesome, no regrets.

 

[ostrow]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15359498#post15359498 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by badazztealcobra
Gotcha, youre saying that you feel even though it uses more wattage youre getting better skimmate in your application.... Got it.

I got confused for a minute. :lol:

Heres my average haul every 8 or 9 days with my MSX250...

[/QUOTE

I get that daily. And never have to tweak a thing.

 

[gig]

ostrow, my one issue is the skimmer is rated for a 150G, I have a 180G (around 240-ish total volume)...I have 3 med tangs and dottyback, so the bioload is not much, I dont have tons of coral, because they aren't thriving and I've held off until I see change.

What pump would you use? preferably a submersible...

 

[JNye]

Cone market is about to go down in price again soon IMO. Might wanna wait it out 3-6 months. If you can't then the extreme 250 is what you'll want. I-tech 200 is great(what I run now) but that'll come in around $450. For the extra hondo it does run one less pump and seriously performs.

 

[ostrow]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15360395#post15360395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gig
ostrow, my one issue is the skimmer is rated for a 150G, I have a 180G (around 240-ish total volume)...I have 3 med tangs and dottyback, so the bioload is not much, I dont have tons of coral, because they aren't thriving and I've held off until I see change.

What pump would you use? preferably a submersible...

Your last three words are what do you in, as I am sure you know. A pressure rated pump will do you much better. An Iwaki 30 or Panworld/Blueline equivalent will use much less power than you are using now. 90 watts vs the Mag 24 (not recommended pump for that skimmer, btw) at 260 watts.

You don't have options that I know of though if using a submersible pump.