Which skimmer?

[BL1]

I'm trying to decide which skimmer to get but, I can't tell if there's really a difference between these.

http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus-extremebr-sx-160-protein-skimmer-brby-coralvue-3146.html
http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus-super-brsro-2000int-in-sump-br-protein-skimmer-2997.html
http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus-dnwb-150-br-recirculating-protein-br-skimmer-2591.html
http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus-extreme-160-br-protein-skimmer-br-by-coralvue-2199.html

I'm pretty limited by space in my sump but, if there are other good options please let me know.

 

[evsalty]

Of those the SRO is a higher end Reef Octo skimmer. The SRO line uses Bubble Blaster pumps and gatevalves insted of Sicce PSK pumps and wedge pipes.

 

[sneaton]

swc 160 cone:celeb1:

 

[BL1]

That SWC doesn't seem to be able to handle as high a volume as the RO skimmers though. I have read some good reviews about it though.

 

[E.intheC]

The SWC also comes with an Atman pump. I've heard lots of bad things about them. The SRO line would be my choice out of the above picks.

 

[NyReefNoob]

how about the size of your tank

 

[BL1]

how about the size of your tank

I guess that would have been helpful ... I've got a heavily stocked 75 with 20g sump. I'm limited with space in my sump, I've only got about 8.5"x12" to work with. I'm also looking to upgrade to between a 125-210 in the next year so I'd like to be able to use this skimmer and not have to upgrade so soon.

 

[a.browning]

I'm running an SRO, definitely an awesome skimmer. With reef octopus, I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[NyReefNoob]

ok, dont buy a skimmer for a future upgrade, as any skimmer you get now with intentions of being able to use it for that much of a differance in upgrade wouldnt be wise, too big of a skimmer will cause the skimmer to not perform proper nor keep a good foam head, one you really could look into is the Skimz E-Series SK181 which personally i think is better then any of the skimmers you've mentions, and being able to dial the air back will help in keeping it for your current tank of pending how big of a upgrade you do and still be able to use that skimmer

 

[z3r0ko0l]

I was in your same boat, with similar tank size/sump (see sig) and looking to upgrade to a 120 in the future. I wanted a Reef Octopus Extreme XS 200 Protein Skimmer but after going to look at em in a local shop I realized they where just too big for my sumps skimmer section without things being really tight. After a few posts on RC I found the SWC line and even considered the Avast line. Needless to say the SWC has really been great. The foot print of the SWC is really what drew me to it but the preformance just keeps amazing me. I have 7 (good size) fish and a bunch of coral (SPS, LPS, zoos...etc) and consider my tank pretty heavily stocked. I also feed my fish 3 times a day. With my sump fan on I can smell the skimmer just by opening the cabinet doors. It pulls thick gunk. The only other skimmer I was considering was the Super Reef XP2000Space Saver SRO-XP2000SSS but I just couldnt justify the $100 price bump over the SWC180 that I got. The SWC160 from what Ive read is just as good, but the SWC180 should give me more then enough room to heavily stock a 120 when I upgrade. If my tank was lightly stocked I dont think it would perform as well and would have gone with the 160. Hope that helps.

 

[BL1]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I never realized that the skimmer could be too big for the tank.

 

[dustinc]

ok, dont buy a skimmer for a future upgrade, as any skimmer you get now with intentions of being able to use it for that much of a differance in upgrade wouldnt be wise, too big of a skimmer will cause the skimmer to not perform proper nor keep a good foam head, one you really could look into is the Skimz E-Series SK181 which personally i think is better then any of the skimmers you've mentions, and being able to dial the air back will help in keeping it for your current tank of pending how big of a upgrade you do and still be able to use that skimmer

+1

I have the SK-181 and it's a beast. I like it a lot better than I like my Reef Octopus.

 

[BL1]

Thanks for all the great help and suggestions everyone. Do to a lot of luck, and poor shipping I ended up getting the Skimz SK181 for only $189. Not a bad deal for a 3 week wait.

 

[Kerreefer]

had to post other. my octos where used when i got them and they hve nothing stating there M# :headwallblue:

lol misread... thought was a poll on what octos people use... not what was better! DOH my bad....now where's my glasses!