PDA

View Full Version : What skimmer would you pick for a 90gal reef?


Flobajob
07/10/2006, 09:21 AM
I was pretty sure that I was going to get a Deltec MC500 protein skimmer for the 60gal tank that I was going to buy, but then I found a deal on a 90gal tank and so have ordered that one instead :D . However, now I'm not sure if the MC500 is going to be good enough, so I have been looking at the Ap600 (I can pick one up second hand for £120).
But I have just come across this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Reef-Octopus-DNW-150-Protein-Skimmer_W0QQitemZ200005306481QQihZ010QQcategoryZ46313QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) skimmer (one of the octopus ones), which is very reasonably priced, and so I was wondering what would be better for me to get (bearing price in mind) - I would rather get the cheaper (and unused) octopus, but if there is a big difference in performance then I will get the Deltec ap600. Unless of course the mc500 will do (I can get one new for £145).
Can someone help me out? I don't know which one to get.

Thanks for your help,

Flobajob.

RichConley
07/10/2006, 10:13 AM
They should be pretty similar in peformance. (the Octopus has a bigger body, but the deltec has a better pump)

That being said, you could always go up to the NW200 for about the same price($189 us), and that will smoke both of them, but will be total overkill for that system.

I'd stay away from the MC skimmers, theyre not very good.

trmiv
07/10/2006, 10:30 AM
I've owned both skimmers you are thinking about. I'm currently using the Deltec. The Deltec is a much better skimmer. I have no idea where the auction on that Octopus is going to end up, but the price on the used Deltec is a steal (well, for us it is, I'm sure they are much cheaper in England than they are here to begin with).

For the price though, the Octopus is a great skimmer. It skimmed my tank well, but it was too tall. The Deltec actually works out much better for me because it actually fits in my stand. I had to have the Octopus next to my tank, which looked bad. So keep that in mind if you want the skimmer under your stand.

Flobajob
07/10/2006, 11:35 AM
Thanks for the feedback.

RichConley, I would have though that a recirc skimmer (the one in the link I posted) would outperform a non-recirc skimmer. Basically I can't understand why the NW200 would 'smoke' the other Octopus.

I'm still uncertain as to which to get - you seem to disagree on which one I should get.

If I did get the Octopus NW200 (which is about the same height as the ap600) I should be able to fit it under my stand. Which of these ones should I get then?

trmiv
07/10/2006, 11:42 AM
Depends if you want an in-sump skimmer (NW200) or an external skimmer (Deltec). I prefer an external skimmer so I can have more sump room.

RichConley
07/10/2006, 11:44 AM
Basically, the bigger a skimmer is, the better. Its also pretty easy to Recirc a skimmer. (look at ASMskimmer.com's mod page)

Look at ER, or H&S pages and compare the gallon ratings for recirc vs non recirc skimmers at the same size. Its usually about 20% difference. So the recirc works better, but its still not going to handle what the next size up is going to.

So a 6" recirc will outskim a 6" non recirc, but an 8" non recirc will outskim both of them, only to be outskimmed by the 8" recirc.

The issue is that recirc skimmers are very "in" right now, so you're getting a HUGE markup on them. Theyre marked up to the point where the 6" recirc is like $275 and the 8" non recirc is only like $185.

I was looking at the same thing you are 2 months ago, only without the $220 deltec option. I figured the NW200 was the best deal outhere, and I figured if I go to a 200+ gallon tank, I'll just mod it so its recirculating.

I think you'll be happy with either of the 3 skimmers mentioned on that tank.

Flobajob
07/10/2006, 11:45 AM
Sump room isn't an issue, as the cabinet that is coming with the tank will have more than enough room for a large sump.

Which skimmer will perform better and be best suited to my tank?

anthworks
07/10/2006, 01:36 PM
Do you have a link for the NW200?

Flobajob
07/10/2006, 02:02 PM
Here ya go:

http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/subsubcategorypage.asp?subcatindexID=ps-std-md

Flobajob
07/10/2006, 02:20 PM
By the way, how much room do you need to remove the skimmer collection cup?

Serioussnaps
07/10/2006, 04:22 PM
ASM G4x

Flobajob
07/10/2006, 04:27 PM
The asm g4x is a lot more expensive than the others though...

RichConley
07/10/2006, 04:48 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7715983#post7715983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Serioussnaps
ASM G4x

Serious, the Recirc200 Octopus will outskim a G4x, is better made, and is cheaper.

Flobajob
07/10/2006, 04:53 PM
So if you were in my position, would you get the deltec ap600 second hand or the nw200 reef octopus (non-recirc, as my cabinet when it arrives will only have 640mm of room vertically and so the recirc won't fit)

Flobajob
07/10/2006, 04:53 PM
So if you were in my position, would you get the deltec ap600 second hand or the nw200 reef octopus (non-recirc, as my cabinet when it arrives will only have 640mm of room vertically and so the recirc won't fit)?