Suggestions please Extreme 160 vs 200

[re_vogel]

Ok heres the deal. I have a 75 gal with a sump (probable 20 gal). Moderately stocked. I am not plannng on upgrading (at least not anytime soon) but will be working on building a nice mixed reef. I have some softy's, LPS and a few Hardy SPS. Is the 160 a good skimmer for this setup. If I go to the 200 I will need to buy another sump to accomodate the footprint. I like the 160 but would rather spend the extra on the 200 and sump ?IF it will produce a difference in water quality over the 160. What do you think?

 

[BigJay]

Buy the 200 if you have the space in your sump. It's a little more stable and easier to dial in.

If you don't have the space, buy the 160.

PS: A bigger sump is better for your system overall in general anyways, if you have the money, time, and motivation then do it. Otherwise, buy the 160, it will work just fine for you. It's just a little more "finicky" for my preference.

 

[re_vogel]

Finicky, in what way?

 

[BigJay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14831897#post14831897 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by re_vogel
Finicky, in what way?

The skimmer is harder to dial in, probably due to the high flow of the sicce pump and the smaller skimmer body size. It causes a lot of turbulence with all of the bubbles in a smaller reaction chamber.

The effect? You'll get inconsistent water level in the skimmer, it skims fine one minute, quits the next, and then it overflows an hour later. That's with a mesh-mod impeller though, the problem isn't nearly as bad using a pinwheel. Most 160 guys use the pinwheel and it works out just fine.

I will say this though: The guys who buy the 200 almost never complain about the skimmer being finicky.

 

[GT3000XX]

I have the 160 and after initial breakin it performs great. As long as it sits in a constant 8" of water it should not fluctuate.

 

[re_vogel]

GT3000 what size tank do you have and do you think a larger skimmer would do a better job or do you think the 160 removes as much as possibly could be removed from the water?

 

[GT3000XX]

It's on the 120. I have a heavy stocked and fed tank. I get a half to 3/4 cup of dark skimate every week. A larger skimmer will work better I can't tell you if it does 10% or 50% better though. I have not run a 200 to compare. I too went with the 160 because of the room I had in my sump.

 

[BigJay]

The price difference is only $20 bucks or so I think, so it's not enough of a difference in price to worry about.

The only question is whether the OP wants to upgrade his sump or not.

PS: You're using the pinwheel aren't you? Which one? (MSX, Octo, etc)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14832130#post14832130 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GT3000XX
It's on the 120. I have a heavy stocked and fed tank. I get a half to 3/4 cup of dark skimate every week. A larger skimmer will work better I can't tell you if it does 10% or 50% better though. I have not run a 200 to compare. I too went with the 160 because of the room I had in my sump.

 

[GT3000XX]

I am using the MSX pinwheel. Been thinking about the PPW but from what I have seen there is not enough difference to switch out.