Help me choose between these skimmers?

[koda_dad]

Hi all,

I am trying to decide between the Vertex IN-250 new and buying a used Bubble Magus 220 Cone skimmer.

Price is $400 CDN for the new vertex and $600 CDN for the used BM.

It is going on a 108 gallon with a 50 gallon sump.

This is going to be mainly a SPS tank. Currently, it will be a very light load as I just upgrading from a 33 gallon.

Thoughts? Too much of skimmer?

Thanks

[RotaryGeek]

I think i would go for the Vertex, just becuase its new and you have the warrenty should anything go wrong. When your talking about spending a couple hundred dollars, i would definetly want something standing behing the product. And the BM220 is probably more skimmer than you need. Once it skims everything out that it can, the foam head will callapse and it will have to rebuild it every time something needs skimmed out.

[reeftec]

+1,

[koda_dad]

I should mention that I was told the BM is 2 months old. Anyone know if I get his receipt would the warranty be transferable?

[koda_dad]

The person with the BM does have the receipt..

Any other opinions?

[Tripel_Hornet]

you dont need a huge skimmer because of the low bioload of your tank. i am a fn of the Octopus line or the vertex line of skimmers. very well built and decently priced. you could get away with a skimmer rated for 200 - 250g easily. the BM will be way over kill for you unless you bump up your bioload to actually use the BM to its potential.

[chatyak]

you could also look into a SWC 160 or a Vertex IN-180

[dots]

Have you read these? It may help in deciding:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/aafeature2
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/1/aafeature

[koda_dad]

Wow. Lots of info there...

But one thing really sticks out from reading that. None if the tested skimmers removed more than 30% of the organics.

I read that to say with any existing skimmers it would be impossible to over skim.

Am I missing something?

[dots]

30% of what is in there.....but at what level was 100%? Remember, this is one of the first attempts and a qualitative test....so tons of questions found rather than answered.

Personally, I don't subscribe to the this skimmer or that skimmer is better.....they are set usually for who knows what level, which like a broken clock may only read correct twice a day. That is unless we are speaking in regards to say a HOB versus a recirculating, etc....I think those classifications will fall into place easier for selection.

I thought those were interesting about how dynamic the optimum setting needs to be and.....the static settings we have.....are a best guess...(is that what they said? been a while)....anywhoo....I wouldn't freak out too much about one or the other, pick one and learn how to use it to it full potential.

[chefzif]

Both great skimmers! I am a octopus Fan! It is all personal choice! If you have them dialed in to skim you will be fine!

[Mounda]

The Vertex IN 250 is a very well built skimmer, I would chose it over the BM.

I am a Reef Octopus fan and would recommend you take a look at the Super Reef Octopus XP 2000 cone.

[grigsy]

If it was me, I would go with the vertex simply because it is new and for sure you would have a warranty. Both are good IMO.