Ati powercone 250i, what's wrong w them?

Reefpharmer · Aug 22, 2014

A friend who's opinion I respect recommended a ATI powercone 250 I skimmer for our 300 display.

Not much in the form of feedback on these ati skimmers. It has a funky impeller design. Anyone have any feedback on these or thoughts? It would go on a 300g sps display which currently had aquamaxx coneS co3 and we are looking to upgrade.
Is it a worthwhile upgrade?
ATI powercone T5 High Output Fixture. Saltwater and Freshwater Aquarium lighting from ATI North America.

Reefpharmer · Aug 23, 2014

Bump, anyone ? I like the body design, not familiar w the pump

HumanMachine · Aug 23, 2014

IME. When you buy a skimmer, the concept of foam fractionation is rather simple and very old. Again, when you buy a skimmer, you're buying the line's pump quality, sound dampening, and durability, and warranty. Understand that salt water is a really harsh form of water that tends to wear things like seams and plastic welds and that when you purchase a high quality skimmer, you purchase whatever comes with that package. Build quality, longevity, strength, etc. The design of each skimmer is questionably more efficient than the next and matters little in terms of overall performance as long as you get something that can keep up with the demands of your system.

From the short amount of research and some of the proposals at MACNA, I don't see a problem with this skimmer. With an unfamiliar pump, that might be a problem getting warranty/replacement. Impellers have a tendency to be all over the place with their universality. I would suggest calling the manufacturer and getting some answers from them as well. It can't hurt.

NeverlosT · Feb 17, 2015

I have an ATI skimmer. IT had an old style pump which failed and they replaced that pump with their new style DC pump. It is an awesome skimmer, ATI has good customer service, and it costs a lot less than comparable options.

The gridwheel is a dream. It stays clean, produces AMAZING amounts of tiny bubbles, air draw is far above any other skimmer that I have seen.

Honestly, I have no idea why more people do not use these. For the price of a vertex you get 2x the skimmer.