skimmers

[KBennett]

Hey.

I'm going to buy a skimmer in the new year.  Having trouble deciding.  I'd like to keep it close to $300, up to $400 maybe...
I was going to get a reef octopus nwb 200. 
I think my favourite so far is the jns cones co2 or co3.
Then I saw on fish street that they have the bubble magus nac9 for 210! And the curve 9 for 280.  Are these knock offs?

what does everyone think?  Which one from that list do you like the most?  Any other suggestions under $400 for a 220 and 75 gallon sump?

Thanks for you help.

 

[theyangman]

Whatever skimmer you decide on, don't cheap out on this part man, you will regret it later.

Get the best skimmer you can possibly afford.

 

[KBennett]

I don't think the best skimmer I can afford is necessarily the most expensive one... I don't believe that a $1000 skimmer rated for 200 gallons is better for my tank than a $400 one rated for a 500 gallon tank... Though I guess there is no question that I should go with the bigger jns if I go that route.

 

[theyangman]

I don't think the best skimmer I can afford is necessarily the most expensive one... I don't believe that a $1000 skimmer rated for 200 gallons is better for my tank than a $400 one rated for a 500 gallon tank... Though I guess there is no question that I should go with the bigger jns if I go that route.

I agree, not the most expensive, but the best that you can afford.

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

my total is 95 gallons    i got this skimmer…..http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-diablo-dcs200-in-sump-protein-skimmer.html

 

[Neopimp]

Super reef octo xp3000 cone


I got the 2000 and its been great.  3 yr warranty on pump. 

 

[KBennett]

Super reef octo xp3000 cone


I got the 2000 and its been great.  3 yr warranty on pump. 

$699 at BRS.... and only rated 300 gallons.
What makes it worth over twice what the JNS CO2 is worth?  I doubt it will take out twice as much.  No doubt that it is a quality piece of equipment, but I can't justify spending an extra $380 for an incremental gain (if there even is one).

 

[Neopimp]

Lol didn't think 3000 was that much.  I got the 2000 and am happy with it. 

 

[theyangman]

I have the Super Reef Octopus 3000 INT. I love it!

 

[KBennett]

I have the Super Reef Octopus 3000 INT. I love it!

I hear that people with that skimmer tend to brown their corals though....





Just kidding.

 

[spyd]

This is a nice skimmer and DC pump for $550.

http://www.goreef.com/Reef-Octopus-Diablo-8-w-DC-Pump-200int-300gal.html

A little pricey, yes. But solid build quality and up to a whopping 2400 lph of air. You need find something with an absolute minimum of 1000lph of air in take IMO to pull out the gunk properly.

The one thing I dont like about the Bubble Magus is that the pump is built into the unit. It just makes it a big PITA to clean because you have to take the skimmer a part to clean it.

Also, check out lots of online reviews to make a smart decision on the skimmer you choose. Forums like Reef Central would have tons of reviews to find out what people like and dislike about your options.

 

[Neopimp]

Nope but neither is most if the stuff jokes are based on.  I'm sure there was no ill intent.

 

[KBennett]

Anybody have any comments on the skimmers I listed?

 

[Neopimp]

I haven't used any of them personally.

But I totally agree with your thought pattern.  Just remember that a skimmer rated too large will not function properly either.  But I am talking way over sized.

 

[dale]

i was told to not only look at how many gallons its rated for but also how many lph of air it inducts.. some skimmers are rated for a higher g of tank you can use it for but proceses less air than a more expensive one rated for a smaller tank

 

[Neopimp]

Those jns cones look interesting, but I have no idea about quality of pump or build.  Info likes that the pump is external to the body and it comes apart for cleaning, but if the bail quality is crap the fact it comes apart may not be a good thing.  Never heard of the pump.  Warranty? Support? But definitely something interesting.

Don't like the BM since the pump is in the skimmer body.

I has dealt with coralvue about the reef octopus line of skimmers and Incan say that they stand behind their stuff.  Had a pump that went a little flaky and they sent me a brand new 200 dollar pump no questions asked. If they built the nwb200 the same as the xp cones then you are golden as far as quality. My set doesn't comes apart to clean the inside chamber but in three years I have rinsed it out a couple times and that works well enough.

 

[KBennett]

I agree with not wanting the pump underneath.  Eats up 4" of dwell time.

I have not seen a single bad review of the JNS and the youtube videos all seem to show it working really well. 

Honestly Reef Octopus has so many models it gets confusing.  There are probably a half dozen models in the 300 gallon rated range, NWB, SRO SSRO, Diablo, etc.  They all look the same to me and I don't understand why they are priced so differently. (I know it is mostly to do with the pumps, but can't wrap my head around the price differences).
I also worry that Reef Octopus is so common that brand loyalty gets in the way sometimes. 

Here's an example - RO NWB200 - less than $300 bucks, rated for a 250 gallon tank
SRO 2000 $500, rated for 180 gallon tank.  WTF?  is the pump really worth $200 more?

If they had an NWB 300 I'd be all over that!

 

[Duke]

what do you have for a skimmer currently?

 

[KBennett]

what do you have for a skimmer currently?

A coralife super skimmer 220.  I bought it used.  It was always my plan to upgrade around this time (started the tank in January).  To make things worse, the impeller shaft broke and it doesn't do much any more.

With my light bioload and DSB, it isn't too bad,  I can run without it and still have zero nitrates, but I want to start trying harder SPS.

 

[Jewel]

I think the ones that you mentioned are under size for your tank and I do think they are Knock offs. I think you'll have to spend a bit more for what size your tank is, That one that Peter meantioned would be good or the one Derek mentioned.