Differences between the Octopus Extreme and MSX Skimmers?

[JRaquatics]

Differences between the Octopus Extreme and MSX Skimmers?

This is one of the most common questions we are asked. These are close to the same skimmer with slight differences in the pumps parts. This is thread is not a push for either skimmer and I don’t tend this to be a “which one is better thread.” I put this together to give those that ask this question “What’s the Difference between the Octopus Extreme and MSX Skimmers?” I think is an easy and direct answer.

What is the same?
The body
The Sicce PSK-2500 pump

What is different?
Venturi: Octopus Extreme comes with a professionally machined venturi that is easily removed for cleaning
MSX has a hole drilled in the input on the pump were a nipple is inserted

Octopus Extreme Venturi:
Inside
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/xtreme_venturi.jpg

Outside
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/xtreme_venturi2.jpg

Showing how it clips on and closeness it is to the outer volute
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/xtreme_venturi3.jpg

The Pin wheel
The Octopus Extreme and the MSX are entirely different wheels
This is the Octopus Extreme flexible pin wheel:
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/Xreme_pinwheel.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/Xreme_pinwheel.jpg

The Mesh mod
Unless the skimmer is purchased by us (Reef Specialty) you will only get the parts to create a mesh wheel.
See how Reef Specialty Mesh-Mods a Octopus Extreme Sicce Impeller:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1529756

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/Meshmod_11.jpg

Reef Specialty Octopus Extreme skimmers do come with a pin wheel and a complete mesh wheel that is mounted with large game fishing line. We choose to use fishing line to reduce the overall drag and less chances of the wheel becoming unbalanced (causing unnecessary noise and added heat)

MSX comes standard with the mesh wheel with the mesh mounted with zip ties.


With these skimmers (both the Octopus Extreme and the MSX) you will find ways to increase and decrease air pull by the way you go about mesh modding the Sicce impeller disk. You will find that the more the mesh extends past the disk the more air the pump will pull. The down fall is that you may experience start up issues with power disruptions. There are many RC members on the MSX and Octo Extreme threads that can give their opinions of what works best for them and suggest you visit those forums if you are interested in running the mesh disk in the Sicce pump.

[JRaquatics]

Just so that it is clear that MSX and Reef Specialty skimmers both come with completed Mesh wheels and custom pin wheels.

[LuisC]

Jeremy Nice post I own both skimmers and they are awesome.

[Charlie Davidson]

;) someone forgot to trim mesh out of middle :eek2:

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14106149#post14106149 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Charlie Davidson
;) someone forgot to trim mesh out of middle :eek2:

:lol: Yea, I didn't even notice that. We did 200 wheels that day. Here is what the finished wheel looks like:
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/meshmod.jpg

Thanks for the comment LuisC.

[Emory Speight]

Hey Jeremy ,or if one of the octo-experienced guys on here can help with this, I am considering purchasing either the 200x or 250x for a 225g. predominately fish set-up that I will be doing soon, and was wondering is there a big difference in performance between these two skimmers? Or I guess the real question may be, are two pumps that much more productive than one? I plan to have at most a medium bioload. Thanks in advance for any info and suggestions.

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14106790#post14106790 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Emory Speight
Hey Jeremy ,or if one of the octo-experienced guys on here can help with this, I am considering purchasing either the 200x or 250x for a 225g. predominately fish set-up that I will be doing soon, and was wondering is there a big difference in performance between these two skimmers? Or I guess the real question may be, are two pumps that much more productive than one? I plan to have at most a medium bioload. Thanks in advance for any info and suggestions.

Most certainly yes, the addition of another pump will increase performance. You are also going from a 8" body (extreme 200) to a 10" body with the extreme 250. I would highly suggest going with the Extreme 250 for your setup.

[Charlie Davidson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14106790#post14106790 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Emory Speight
Hey Jeremy ,or if one of the octo-experienced guys on here can help with this, I am considering purchasing either the 200x or 250x for a 225g. predominately fish set-up that I will be doing soon, and was wondering is there a big difference in performance between these two skimmers? Or I guess the real question may be, are two pumps that much more productive than one? I plan to have at most a medium bioload. Thanks in advance for any info and suggestions.

250, would be best for your set-up..