Which Skimmer

[Mr. Plant]

Going to up grade my Skimmer. Which one would you choose and why ?

( I can't make up my mind ...) All of them will work on my set up.

1. Vertex Alpha 200

2. Bubble King Double Cone 200 W/ Speedy Pump

3. Reef Octopus POV DC2

Thanks

 

[El Dude]

Get the Alpha 200. I just got one. They are DEAD SILENT and mine pulls the nastiest skimmate out of my tank even though it looks crystal clear with 0.06 phosphate and 0.01 nitrate. The only downside is the price and the break in period was about 2 weeks for me. They are built like a tank though, solid cast acrylic. Come over and check mine out if you want!

Edit: The Red Dragon pump is a BEAST! I think bubble kings have the same pump.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Look into the super reef models. I know they're probably a bit cheaper.

 

[Mr. Plant]

Get the Alpha 200. I just got one. They are DEAD SILENT and mine pulls the nastiest skimmate out of my tank even though it looks crystal clear with 0.06 phosphate and 0.01 nitrate. The only downside is the price and the break in period was about 2 weeks for me. They are built like a tank though, solid cast acrylic. Come over and check mine out if you want!

Hey Al, You got one huh I am a little concerned with it having a 5" neck and 10" body. Thought it might me a little to big... Don't you have a 150 gal ? How is your bio load ???

 

[Mr. Plant]

Look into the super reef models. I know they're probably a bit cheaper.

Hey Nick, Which skimmer do you have ? Still running with out a sock ???

 

[El Dude]

Hey Al, You got one huh I am a little concerned with it having a 5" neck and 10" body. Thought it might me a little to big... Don't you have a 150 gal ? How is your bio load ???

It needs the 5" neck because of the sheer amount of microbubbles it produces. I do have a 150: 3 clowns, a goby and 4 tangs. I almost feel it's too much skimmer so I'm thinking of adding another fish... or 10. Lol

 

[SchnitzelReef]

SRO XP-3000. I really like my skimmer. It may not be as nice as a BK skimmer, but for the price it's probably the best. It pulls out really nasty gunk. I mean like thick sludge. Not just brown water

 

[SchnitzelReef]

It needs the 5" neck because of the sheer amount of microbubbles it produces. I do have a 150: 3 clowns, a goby and 4 tangs. I almost feel it's too much skimmer so I'm thinking of adding another fish... or 10. Lol

Put ur skimmer on a timer. Shut off for a few hours at night.

 

[Mr. Plant]

It needs the 5" neck because of the sheer amount of microbubbles it produces. I do have a 150: 3 clowns, a goby and 4 tangs. I almost feel it's too much skimmer so I'm thinking of adding another fish... or 10. Lol

Gee Al, is that all...I have about 20.... Time to buy more fish

 

[pgr11]

If I could have afforded the BK I would have gone that route. With that said I got the SRO 5000INT with the Bubble Blaster pump. Very impressed with the skimmer. It does pull some thick nasty gunk out. It is sensitive about water depth, but once you find it it works great. I have no experience with the alpha.

 

[DETANE]

The larger the surface area for bubble contact, the better the skimmer will function. Also consider the pumps flow-rate and electrical consumption. Those two things are what should be considered in performance and efficiency of any pump when comparing products. Some go for looks are what tendy.

Cone Skimmers have little contact surface, but look cool.

 

[Mr. Plant]

Good points ....Chris and Detane, Thanks for the info...

 

[robert_ellis]

I got the nac9 and the **** it pulls out is nasty. The smell of it almost makes me vomit and my house smells for an hour after I clean the cup. I have not 1 complaint about the skimmer.

 

[pgr11]

The larger the surface area for bubble contact, the better the skimmer will function. Also consider the pumps flow-rate and electrical consumption. Those two things are what should be considered in performance and efficiency of any pump when comparing products. Some go for looks are what tendy.

Cone Skimmers have little contact surface, but look cool.

This is one big reason I chose the SRO skimmer the BB pump. Low wattage with almost the same water and air draw as the BK skimmer had.

 

[Mr. Plant]

I got the nac9 and the **** it pulls out is nasty. The smell of it almost makes me vomit and my house smells for an hour after I clean the cup. I have not 1 complaint about the skimmer.

Robert, Do you run a filter sock ???

 

[Spinner]

The new Aquamax looks nice also check with Tony he had 1 left at $ 180.00 if you didn't see that one.

 

[robert_ellis]

I did up until about a week ago when I took it out. I was lazy and just never cleaned the socks so now they are soaking in bleach. But it does also pull out a lot of stuff that the sock would probably catch. I noticed a lot of stuff in it.

 

[pgr11]

45w
2100 lph
480 gph

 

[Mr. Plant]

45w
2100 lph
480 gph

One of the reasons I like the alpha 200.... 28w, 1700 - 2000 LPH. The BK runs up to 50 watts...

 

[pgr11]

One of the reasons I like the alpha 200.... 28w, 1700 - 2000 LPH. The BK runs up to 50 watts...

Very nice. I honestly think its a bit of a toss up.