View Full Version : Octo extreme 300 or Octo DDNW 250?
picassoman
08/07/2008, 11:12 PM
Wondering what you guys think of the two. I like the idea of not wasting all of my sump room with using the DDNW 250, but is this skimmer comparable from a perfomance aspect as the extreme 300's? Does anyone have any pics of the recirc model in action. Just don't know which one to get.
picassoman
08/08/2008, 08:31 AM
anyone? I know the 300's are pretty new.
JRaquatics
08/08/2008, 09:04 AM
It really is a debate on internal vs external. The Octo extreme using the mesh is a better performing skimmer but it comes with it's down falls. What size tank are you putting it on?
picassoman
08/08/2008, 10:12 AM
They both might be a tad overkill, but they will be going on a 120 w/40 breeder sump, but I might add a frag tank and refugium to the setup. (maybe 50-60g extra total) If I do add a refuge, I think the extreme might be the way to go (room in the sump) but if not the refuge would go in my 40 breeder sump, that's why I was leaning towards the external. Its a toss up.
picassoman
08/08/2008, 10:15 AM
Can most of the other pumps out there (Sicce, sedra, aquabees, etc.) make any difference in performance compared w/ the stock octo pumps that come with the DDNW 250? I've never seen a recirc skimmer in action, and don't really know what this one can handle.
romanr
08/08/2008, 11:26 AM
I'll take some photos of my 250 tonight. This skimmer is a solid and consistant performer. This is not the kind of skimmer that will require a lot of adjustments. Now, you will want to do a few mods, in order to get it to perform well. I would say that it should be fine in a 125, mine is in a 350 system and it does the job but I have done a few mods. Being external does give you some added flexibility but know that there is always the potential for a leak although they are usually very slow leaks.
romanr
08/08/2008, 02:47 PM
Here are some action shots.
http://home.att.net/~raul/100_1617.JPG
http://home.att.net/~raul/100_1619.JPG
http://home.att.net/~raul/100_1622.JPG
dj9264
08/08/2008, 03:30 PM
picassoman, so my sump is 46" x 14" and I think I'm going with the Octo Extreme 300. But your right; it is really a monster and I don't know what I'm going to do about a 'fuge. I like the internal because if something goes wrong (and it will because I'm careless;) it's contained within the sump. The Sicca come with both pinwheels and mesh now.
picassoman
08/08/2008, 08:46 PM
That's one of my concerns. I had and AquaC EV180 w/ a waste collector, and I have had some really nasty mishaps with the waste collector overflowing. I am jsut concerned about how touchy the DDNW 250 is. My old AquaC was REALLY touchy.
Romanr - Thanks for the advice and pics. Taht thing looks like a beast. How's the noise? Is tolerable in a living room? Did it come with the mufflers that come with the Extremes. I like the fact that it doesn't need many adjustments. Did you meshmod?
DJ - do they come with both sets of impellers, or do the companies give you the option?
romanr
08/09/2008, 05:56 AM
Meshmod and Venturi mods done. This thing is very loud without the mufflers but it's in an aquaculture room and noise is not a concern for me.
dj9264
08/09/2008, 04:27 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13118212#post13118212 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by picassoman
DJ - do they come with both sets of impellers, or do the companies give you the option?
They come with both. Kind of cool.
tkeracer619
08/09/2008, 06:24 PM
I have the 250..... I had lots of problems with crazing. The whole thing was replaced, then the cup again. So im on skimmer # 2, cup # 3. The thing is a beast after you mod it....gate valve, meshmod, and venturi. It's an old station wagon with wood paneling if left stock (Family Truckster style).
I get about a gallon of thick nasty skimmate per 3-4 days. Not to shabby. I like the skimmer, it's not loud at all. Just wish I didn't have to go through all the warranty stuff. The seller is in the same boat, he stopped selling the 250 bc of the problems I have had.
IMO get the extreme 300.
romanr, how does your neck look? Any crazing? I notice your collection cup has the crazing inside it from where the drain hose was packed with it. When did you buy it?
picassoman
08/09/2008, 08:50 PM
Wood paneling, LOL. Thanks for the advice. I think I sacrafice the room and get the 300
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