I-Tech Vs. ATB

[luther1200]

I am looking to get a new skimmer at some point and I have narrowed it down to I-Tech and ATB brands, (for now).

First I-Tech. I can't find a whole lot of info on them. I have a 65 but will be upgrading to a 120-180 and want the skimmer to be able to handle a 180. So would I need the 100 or 200? And what kind of pump do they use? Can they be set up to be run externally? Also does anybody know the prices between the 2?


ATB.

What is the major difference between the ATB 840 and the ATB small? From what I can tell the small has an Ehiem and the 840 has a mini Airstar (which I was told is a Sicce) . That seems to be the main difference that I can see, if there is any more can someone please tell me. Because the small is a lot more expensive than the 840. So is the Ehiem that much better of a pump?


Thanks.

[Warner Marine]

http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/1974_eating_popcorn.gif

[GSMguy]

Small is gone, it has been replaced by the new 840.
the 840 is the same size and similar performance to the itech 200, the itech is a copy of the gen1 ATB small so it has a handmolded cone and the old neck/o ring
The sicce in the ATB only uses the motorblock from the sicce the rest is custom made it is near to silent and has a very nice stand with rubber feet. The itech uses a tunze pump.

[luther1200]

Oh, on the ATB site they still have both. Thanks for the info.

[luther1200]

One of my major concerns would be start ups. Do any of these or any other newer cones still have start up issues?

[GSMguy]

No neither the ATB or the itech have startup issues. The known starting issue with the sicce pump has been adressed by both companies.

[noboddi]

If the Sicce startup issues are fixed, which I had not heard, then the Otco or MSX Extremes are good skimmers to consider as well

[GSMguy]

No tunze and ATB fixed them sicce does not make skimmer pumps they make pond pumps, how each company chooses to change the design is up to them.

[moo0o]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15376288#post15376288 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Warner Marine
http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/1974_eating_popcorn.gif

haha, exactly what i was thinking :)

[tor101898]

here is a thread which can provide some info
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1536745

by the way after trying many skimmers I recently picked up an I-tech 400 for a new tank build.

[JNye]

My I-tech 200 uses a sicce with a purple pinwheel. I haven't been keeping up with the I-tech's evolution, but with what I have it works great.

[vanillagorila]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15376241#post15376241 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luther1200
want the skimmer to be able to handle a 180.

you should look at the WM K2 also. it can handle a 180g.

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15377155#post15377155 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poo-tang
My I-tech 200 uses a sicce with a purple pinwheel. I haven't been keeping up with the I-tech's evolution, but with what I have it works great.


thats a stock sicce they sold for a few months before the Tunze pumps were available.

I think the 2 skimmers you should look at for a 180g are the ATB 1050 v1.5 and the Itech 400. the 200 and 840 are at their upper limits on that size tank.

[Rwinfrey]

I say ATB but I always say ATB don't forget if you order from reef specialty you get a free shirt and both pin wheels cmon the free shirt is worth it all by itself:D

[sw500]

+1 wm k2

[nif]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15379183#post15379183 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sw500
+1 wm k2

Yea, what he said:D

[luther1200]

Thanks, does anybody have a rough price on the I-Tech skimmers?

[luther1200]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15376663#post15376663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by moo0o
haha, exactly what i was thinking :)


Sorry if I'm not a skimmer expert and have a few questions.

[celano]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15379426#post15379426 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luther1200
Thanks, does anybody have a rough price on the I-Tech skimmers?
Did you check the i-tech forums? They have up to date pricing and specs for their current line of skimmers.

[luther1200]

A little but I will look more in a little bit. I think I am sold on an I-Tech skimmer. I really like them. So now I just have to decide on which 1. And my main problem is that I wanted to use it on my 65 until I move and get a bigger tank. But if I can't do that I don't know if I should buy it now or wait. I was kind of all ready to get a new skimmer. The other problem is, there is no way I could fit 1 of these skimmers in my current sump. So I would have to set up a remote sump next to the tank for now. Which isn't really a big deal since it won't be there for to long.

[GSMguy]

If u get the ATB you will get the small and large pinwheel that way you can run the small now and the large when you upgrade. Just a thought. I think the price difference is less than 100 dollars.

That said if you decide on an itech get the 200 now it will perform fine on that size tank.

[luther1200]

What would you say the max size tank is for the I-Tech 200?

[luther1200]

Does WM have the K1 out yet, or just the K2? And does anybody think the K2 is to big or is it in the same range as the other 2?

[hankzilla]

Even thou I knew that the ATB was a great skimmer I paid just over $600 shipped for the I-Tech 200 w/Tunze a little over a month ago. After running it for a month I could not imagine spending more bucks for skimmate, so price wise the I-Tech is a great choice. I don't know which one is the best, but as long it delivers a good consistent dark chunky skimmate and the I-Tech does I'm happy.

[luther1200]

How is the Tunze pump on that? Does it run quiet?

[hankzilla]

I just turned off the return pump and turned off the tank pumps and it's not completely silent just a very small hum is heard once the doors are opened on the stand.

[luther1200]

Cool thanks.

[GrouperGenius]

The I-Tech 200 should be fine for you. I'm running one on my 225 and pulling out real nasty stuff. I still have the Sicce and will wait to get the Tunze till the Sicce burns up. The Tunzes are WAY better on there from what I have seen though.

Get ready for the stank.:lol: