Running an MRC Orca Pro II with washdown. I love it because the washdown is my auto water change straight into the floor drain. The Reeflo pump does require some seal maintenance, but Chris at Reeflo is very helpful.
The problem is getting readily available replacement parts.
I cannot find the current version of the reef octopus RODC2500s any WHERE in retail channels. Getting support through coravue is a pita and since the pump costs what a new skimmer costs almost...not worth it. Even BRS sales couldnt figure it out
You can get vertex pumps, unless you go through vertex.
No...no and no.
Aquamaxx skimmers use the shark pumps by sicce which are not only high quality, replacements are available at black friday prices.
The Cone S skimmers look like the only aquamaxx skimmers still in retail channels (by that i mean available readily at one of my preferred vendors) = repair parts easier to get.
Likewise, BRS does the warranty work and has parts for all the skimz skimmers readily available.
They (BRS) even carry replacements hydrofoam pumps for tunze skimmers.
Another mark against Reef Octopus and sadly (to a lesser extent)...vertex.
I wont ever buy a skimmer again unless i can readily buy the pump thats in it (just picked up a backup shark 3 for nice pre-black friday price for my Cone-S C03).
A skimmer is a skimmer at the end of the day and although i never would have considered a skimz....BRS being a parts holder and warranty service center changes the game a bit...
Bubble King 300 EXT, bought in 2006. Never have to adjust it. In 11 years I had to replace the impeller two years ago. I clean the pump every 12 months. It was very expensive back in 2006, but was in a class of its own. It still performs great and is very quiet.
Hydor slim nano on BC 32. It is what it is..wet skimming over year
Skimz SN 143 on 60 gal dis. Had to replace pump in the first four months. Been working great ever since for over year. Dry skim and semi quite
Regal 300s on 180 gal dis. Works great so far on 63 gal sump with 20 fish and heavy feeding. Running ~ six months
Lifereef vs3-60 on my 310gallon system. Picked it up used after I broke my euroreef cs12-2 which had been used for 10years and this thing is by far the best skimmer I have ever owned!
Aqua excel and loving it upgraded from reef octopus because pump went out and replacing it with the same was as much as a new unit so I️ went with an aqua excel AE-EC5 Protein Skimmer with DC pump (EC05) and love it
I’m running a deltec 1351 on my reefer 250 and must say I couldn’t be happier with it, so consistent never need to mess with it and I don’t even know it’s on. My tank is in my front room and the tank is silent