Interested in an MSX for a 275g setup.

[ekrunch]

I'm currently building a 275g system. (Build thread here (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1500171)) Total system volume will be around 350g and the bio-load will probably be medium to heavy. I'm not planning on running a ton of fish but I do like to feed quite a bit. :D I'm considering an MSX250 unless there is a better choice.

Also, can you talk about the upgrade options that are available for the skimmer you recommend? I saw that there's a silencer available for the MSX250 and i'm definitely interested in that if it's not part of the initial package.

Thank you for your time and you can thank Doug (badazztealcobra) for posting picture after picture of how well his MSX is working in his 180. :)
Ed Presutti

[joncat24]

for that size system I would go with a MSX 300. I have the 250 myself, and they are awesome skimmers. Best skimmer for the money, without a doubt.
The silencer comes with the skimmer as do the pinwheels and mesh for mesh modding it.
Just my .02

[MSX-Rob]

Ed-

Thanks for the post. I think that either the MSX250 or the MSX300 will meet your needs. The only upgrade that is currently available for them is the extended neck collection cup. This is not a necessary item as they are very impressive right out of the box. All of the skimmers come with the air silencers, no need to purchase one separately.

[ekrunch]

Would there be any advantage/disadvantage to going with the new Cone skimmers or is it just personal preference?

[MSX-Rob]

Personal preference and how big your credit card is!

We are still breaking in a cone in our shop, it looks great, we will know more about the performance in a couple of weeks.

[ekrunch]

Keep us posted! I'm definitely interested in the MSX and may step up to the cone depending on the test results. If there's a definitive reason (less electricity, only needing one pump instead of two, etc) then i'm usually the type to go ahead and get the bigger model. If it's just a preference thing or it's not a huge difference then i'll have to defer to the "bang for the buck" model. ;)

BTW, you might want to make your product postings Sticky so they stay at the top of your forum!

[MSX-Jeff]

When the cone has broken in it will give us a good idea of "how much better" they perform...the system that the MSX1A is on has an MSX 250 running in it as well. It is our SPS/LPS propagating system and has plenty of bio load to keep both skimmers "well fed" :lol:

[MSX-Jeff]

Ed,

I am getting the competition started.

I put a 1A askoll cone and a 2S dual Sicce cone onto the same system that is already running an MSX 250. I'll give it a few days for everything to settle in and then clean all 3 cups and start the comparison.

A little pre-test info. The system is roughly 1000g, it has a high bio-load, it is our SPS/LPS prop system, there are about 10 4-5" tangs, and 15-20 damsels/chromis between the 2 raceways that share a common sump.
The MSX250 has been running in that system for aprox 6 months (so it is good and broken in). The 1A has been running for 1.5 weeks, and the 2S has been running for less than a week (both cones are not fully broken in. the Sicce's on all skimmers are running PW's so that it is an even test.

I'll keep you posted how it's going. The test should begin Thursday!

[ekrunch]

Fantastic! Thank you Jeff!

I'm excited to see the results as i'm going to be making a skimmer purchase shortly after Christmas. The stand/canopy/sidecar setup for my 275g is on the way so all I have left is plumbing, salt, and a skimmer! Please do keep us posted.

Although it might be worth it to get a cone just so I can call Doug and brag. :lol:

[static69static]

How is the test coming along? Any results to provide?

[MSX-Jeff]

I'm not ready to declare a winner yet...but both of the cones are outperforming the MSX 250. The cones are removing about 40-50%more skimate from the system than the MSX 250, I'm going to give it another 2 weeks to publish the results of the tests.

So far, I'm VERY impressed with the complete lack of turbulence in the cone body.

[static69static]

Thanks for the quick feedback. I've been following a few threads as I'm in the market for a skimmer for my Oceanic 180. One of the local reefers recommended the MSX250 as she is running it on her system and I came across the cones when I was surfing the website. Trying to come to a conclusion if the benefits outweigh the increased cost for the cone. The comments thus far look promising.