Any info on PM Bullet XL-2?

[TampaReefer79]

I'm purchasing a tank that comes with a PM Bullet XL-2 and I have no clue about this skimmer. All I know is that it's big and is external. It will be skimming a 600 gallon tank...only thing is, I've never owned or used an external skimmer before. Is this a quality skimmer? How exactly does this thing work? By that I'm wondering how you feed water to it?

Thanks!!!

PJ

I'd also like to add that I just purchased a MSX-300A with the askoll pump...is this enough skimmer on the 600 gallon tank? If so, I can save myself the $$ on the PM. I just didn't think it would handle the tank well enough.

[Av8bluewater]

PM skimmers are solid. Heavy well made materials. In my opinion these type of becket skimmers are obsolete though. I have a Bullet 2 and it uses enough water ... That XL2 is 38" tall and needs a huge pump burning a lot of wattage. I would look into another pinwheel-venturi skimmer. Much smaller footprint way way less electricity.

[r-balljunkie]

PM skimmers are solid. Heavy well made materials. In my opinion these type of becket skimmers are obsolete though. I have a Bullet 2 and it uses enough water ... That XL2 is 38" tall and needs a huge pump burning a lot of wattage. I would look into another pinwheel-venturi skimmer. Much smaller footprint way way less electricity.

+1
you need to look at cost of ownership and payback. sometimes, better off going more efficient, especially for a 24/7 365 item

[TampaReefer79]

So that brings me to the next question, is the MSX-300A with the new ASKOLL pump big enough for this tank?? Any opinion is great!

Thanks.

[mr. pluto]

i don't think so, imo a beckett on a big tank is the way to go. especially a big pm XL-2.
you already own it, so no use dropping another grand or so on a needlewheel skimmer
(opps got it backwards you own the needlewheel) you might still need another skimmer in tandum with the msx.

[extreme5450]

the 300A should be able to handle that size tank

[stanlalee]

becketts and downdrafts are far from obsolete when your talking about 600g tanks. At some point the comparative turnover (amount of water skimmed per hour) has to be considered and not just how much energy can be saved.600g is definately at that point. well designed models of both types can bring the noise when it comes to skimming so it becomes a matter if you want 1500gph of tank water skimmed vs 500gph or a smaller electric bill. when it comes to 600g tanks I dont assume the owner would be overly concerned about cost to run. I do think the larger the tank the more they shouldn't be ruled out and the smaller the tank the more they should be ruled out. the XL2 is far more suitable for a 600g than a 300Askoll

[TampaReefer79]

What pump runs the XL-2??

[stanlalee]

What pump runs the XL-2??

Iwaki MD70RLT or GenX PCX70 high pressure: in other words a pressure rated 1500gph @ the skimmer.

[TampaReefer79]

And so it is the general consensus that the XL-2 with a big Iwaki pump would be better suited for the 600 gallon tank with LOTS of fish rather than the SWC-300A right? P.S. Is the XL-2 worth $500 without a pump??

[TampaReefer79]

bump

[TampaReefer79]

:dance:

[TampaReefer79]

And so it is the general consensus that the XL-2 with a big Iwaki pump would be better suited for the 600 gallon tank with LOTS of fish rather than the SWC-300A right? P.S. Is the XL-2 worth $500 without a pump??

:bounce3:

[Av8bluewater]

Don't go with the smaller recommended pumps. PM recommends those but the Panworld 200PS is at the higher end for performance. These skimmers work better with more water going through them.
The Panworlds are very noisy and so are the GenX.
http://www.precisionmarine.com/assets/applets/Bullet_XL_Series_LoRes.pdf
I'm assuming for a tank that big you have a fish room so noise may not be a big deal.

Not sure about the amount of water going through it necessarily being better than a pinwheel/venturi. I think it's quality vs. quantity myself. My observation is you get more/finer bubbles in the better cones than these becket skimmers.