Vertex IN 280 or ASM G-4X?

[baldwinaquaman]

I'm looking to get a new skimmer, and wanted to have you opinions on which would be best, or is another one even better than these. I'm looking with the 400$ price range.

My total water volume is around 200gallons.
The ASM is rated for upto 450 gallons

The Vertex is rated for upto 280 gallons, but seems to be made better.

The are both right around 400$

opinions please.

 

[Orr2003]

look into the MSX 250A or 300A.

They are powered by the askoll pump(s). Just make sure you are looking at the new ones not the modified 250's or 300's. They are a little more than $400 but well worth the money IMO.

 

[jmccown]

Yeah neither of those, BAman. I run the MSX and it is hard to beat. You can get the 250 which is plenty for less than $400. I've had the ASM, Euroreef, MRC and a boat load more and I still can't believe the performance of the MSX. Best part about them is the extremely low power consumption. I think the pumps are between 19-24 watts. Only one I've had that was close was an MRC but it took a 300-400 watt pump to drive it sufficiently.

 

[baldwinaquaman]

alright guys thanks, someone else reccommended that same skimmer, so I will look into tht, wheres the best place to get one?

 

[Orr2003]

Marine Solutions

 

[baldwinaquaman]

the 250A is 550$, which from what i've read is worth it, just wondering if anyone knows of any good deals where I can get it cheaper?

 

[jmccown]

The "A" series skimmers are their cone versions. You want the standard series. Here is a link to their biggest one for less than $400. It is all you'll need man. Seriously.

http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/catalog/p147/MSX300/product_info.html

 

[Orr2003]

Jason

I have to disagree. You DO NOT want the skimmer with the Sicce Pumps. You want the askoll pump(s). I dont believe the standard skimmer comes with the the askoll pump just the "A" models. But I might be wrong, have been before. The Sicce pump are notorious for the impeller spinning the wrong direction after a power outage or if you unplug or turn the pump off. And you will never really know which way it is spinning unless you check the air draw with a meter. If the impeller is spinning in the wrong direction it will not perform like it should and not pull as much air. For this reason I suggest you go with the Askoll pump skimmer.

 

[jmccown]

Interesting Orr. I have the two sicce pumps and didn't know that. I just plug mine in and let it fly till it is full and the do it all over again. Ima look into the askoll pumps. Do they offer an upgrade to their askoll pumps if you have the sicce pumps?

 

[Orr2003]

Jason I will try to find the link to the Sicce pump problems and post it here so you can read about it. I am not sure if they offer an upgrade but I will look into that also.

 

[Orr2003]

Jason

I cant seem to find the exact thread I was refering to but the sicce pumps have some issues with not starting and then starting in the wrong direction.

If you do a search for sicce pump problems you will find all kinds of threads about it. The problem is the sicce pump is not a skimmer pump but a water pump that is modified by the manufacturer to be a skimmer pump which gives the pumps problems. For this I would stay away from them as a skimmer pump. Go with the Askoll pump for the skimmer you will be much more please.

Jason what skimmer do you have?

 

[jmccown]

I'm not sure if mine is the 250 or the 300. It has 2 sicce pumps.

 

[baldwinaquaman]

the 250A is def.a better skimmer according to everyone on my other post on the reef discussion forumEveryone reccommends the A, it is 150 dollars more, and reccommened for less TWV than the 300, but obviously their is a reason for the price gap, you get what you pay for I guess...