what model Octopus skimmer...

[new2saltyfish]

I recently converged my 75 and 30 gallon tanks into a 125 gallon and need a new skimmer asap. From what ive been told and read up on, the octopus skimmers are the best bang for your buck. Im interested in the octopus 150 model that says it's rated for tanks up to 150 gallons...my question is that i would like to have a full blown sps tank eventually along with mixed softies and lps and am wondering if it will be enough to handle a heavy bioload. The 150 is roughly $180 online so if a $40 dollar difference is going to make or brake a tank crash i'd rather know now before i buy a particular one. Any info or help/personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

[afboundguy]

Are you talking about the needlewheel octo skimmers? If so you should look at the octo extreme's. I have the 160 on my tank (rated for 160 gallons) and they are a much better skimmer than the needlewheels. For the size tank and reef style you want I'd say the 200 (http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protei...-Extreme-Skimmer-Series-200/product_info.html) It's only $20 more than the 160 and I think it would be perfect for your setup. (and that link is the cheapest I've looked everywhere when I was getting my 160 and it's free shipping and comes with free mesh and a second impeller if you want to do the mesh mod)

It's more money than the needlewheel skimmers but IMO/IME worth the money. They are modeled after the bubbleking skimmers and they're not too shabby

 

[Bobbofin]

Jay's has this one, the 150, at his shop for I think $229 and the 200 for $299. Both great skimmers, I have an Octopus. Good stuff for the buck!

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...uct_Code=CV-OCT-NWB-150&Category_Code=Octopus

 

[KSC]

I'd go with the cheapest option and save your money for some coral. Read this article and you might agree...
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/aafeature2#h8

 

[Joel A]

lol here we go again.... let's tell new people to go with the cheapest option from the get go...

 

[UncleJT]

let's tell new people to go with the cheapest option from the get go...

Seaclone baby! For the win!

(I'm joking for those who missed the sarcasm)

I say get the biggest one that fits comfortably in the space you have allotted and you can financially afford.

 

[KSC]

Well, you ran away last time but I guess it's tough to argue the "science", especially since the manufactureres of all those overpriced skimmers won't help you....

 

[Jocko]

I got the octo extreme 200 for my new 150, but haven't fired it up yet. It looks awesome though!

Given the 200 is only like $20 more than the 160, its kind of hard NOT to recommend the 200.

Again, haven't actually used it yet, but everything I've read says its definitely worth it to go with the extreme models over the originals. Among other things, the pump is supposed to be way better.

 

[JayM]

I was thrilled with my Generation I NW200 with a gate and mesh mod...I just outgrew it

 

[Arthur1]

the octo extreme 160 won't cut it, especially if you decide to go sps. I've sold set up and use them. The 200 is the smallest of the extremes I would go. The octos and msx are still right now the best bang for your buck imo and they're made well. If it was me I'd just get a cone so many choices lol

 

[new2saltyfish]

i just recently got an offer of a deltec 1250 turbo skimmer off of a member and from what it says on their website it is good for a heavily stocked 130 gallon...what does everyone else think?

 

[RayD]

I tried the Extreme 160 on my 120 and it didn't really cut it.

Euroreef is the way to go IMO. I've had nothing but excellent results with the ER skimmers.

 

[UncleJT]

I got a good deal on a used Gen I NW-200 and putting it on my new 40G I am setting up soon. It has the mesh mod done already and I'm going to add the gate valve mod.

 

[Arthur1]

IMO I'd stay away from that model deltec. I replaced one already on a take over account and wouldn't ever set one up myself. As far as euroreef goes, they work but there are other skimmers out there. And there is not one "best" skimmer either (sorry to say).

 

[Behrmon]

I ran the CRA 130 (Basically the same as the Octo, older style) on a 150 w/ a 30g sump with a moderate/heavy SPS load a decent bio-load - worked great. I did have the mesh-mod NW on it. This was underrated for the volume I had.

 

[Joel A]

newtosaltyfish- please be smart and realize how many people are telling you that a skimmer is VERY important for an SPS tank, and it really should be a good deal of the overall budget.... and you def. shouldn't run a tank without one.

KSC- you can say i ran away all you want... fact is i'm just going to put you on the ignore list from now on because arguing that skimmers don't do anything on an SPS tank is simply a waste of time.... oh yeah and i just had surgery that's why i "ran away".

 

[Joel A]

IMO I'd stay away from that model deltec. I replaced one already on a take over account and wouldn't ever set one up myself. As far as euroreef goes, they work but there are other skimmers out there. And there is not one "best" skimmer either (sorry to say).

I agree, they do work but seem to be an outdated skimmer now. You can only get so much out of a sedra pump and standard designed body.

 

[SharkLover]

I'm running the DNW-150 recirculating octopus and it works great on my 58gallon. Gonna use the same skimmer when I setup the 120g or upgrade if i feel i need too

 

[new2saltyfish]

i know a skimmer is important ive had saltwater tanks for about 4 years now and just recently put my 75 into this 125 and never had a lot of sps before so wasn't sure what ratings i should look for. I think this definetly helped though thanks a lot.

 

[delta]

Fact is if the skimmer does the Job, then it is a good skimmer.

Nothing wrong with getting the best bang for your buck nor is there anything wrong with
buying the latest greatest if that is how you like to spend your money. But tomorrow will come and there will be a better bang for your buck and the a new latest greatest.

In the end not knowing a skimmer makes it difficult to judge how it will perform on your system. The newer skimmers tend to have better rating on them. I try and base choices like skimmers on my setup, what my future plans are and what I find through research from people who own the skimmers I am looking at.

In the end I bought a used AquaC EV 240 like 5 years ago and have tried some of the latest greatest only to return to the AquaC. In the end it gets the Job done for me with low electrical usage.