What skimmer to get?

[alexshefchik]

I am setting up a 85 gallon system and I have the option to buy these two skimmers for the same price. Which one should I get?

SWC 120 Skimmer
or
Reef Octopus Extreme 250


I would like to get the reef octopus but do i have to worry about overskimming? Any input would be helpful or personal reviews.
Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Akwarius]

If you are set on getting a reef octopus then I would get a cone with a bubble blaster pump, such as the SRO 1000. It's also cheaper. Otherwise the SWC would be perfect for that size tank.

 

[alexshefchik]

I am not set on either, I can just get both for the same price! So i just do not know which one to get!

 

[xmetalfan99]

I am setting up a 85 gallon system and I have the option to buy these two skimmers for the same price. Which one should I get?

SWC 120 Skimmer
or
Reef Octopus Extreme 250


I would like to get the reef octopus but do i have to worry about overskimming? Any input would be helpful or personal reviews.
Thanks for the help guys!

The SWC 120 will not be enough for your tank. If you want an SWC cone go with the 160. You want a skimmer that is rated for double your water volume. I love my 160 cone, quiet, effective, cheap. I have never used a reef octo so I cannot comment on how well they work.

 

[Akwarius]

The atman pumps are comparable to the bubble blasters, so if you go with an octo then I would make it a SRO. I dont think the swc 120 would be too small. Luke33 suggested my running a 160 on my 185g setup.

 

[xmetalfan99]

The atman pumps are comparable to the bubble blasters, so if you go with an octo then I would make it a SRO. I dont think the swc 120 would be too small. Luke33 suggested my running a 160 on my 185g setup.

The atman pumps are not comparable. The Reef Octo bubble blasters are actually being attached to many swc skimmers to replace the atman pumps. The Bubble blaster pumps are a higher quality than the atmans. That is how the SWC skimmers can be so competively priced.

 

[alexshefchik]

Ok well I can only choose between these two skimmers! So which one....lol

 

[luke33]

Alex, neither of those skimmers are a good fit. The 120 cone is to small and the 250 octo is to large.

xmetal, the bubble blaster pumps are replacing sicce's, not atman's.

 

[xmetalfan99]

Alex, neither of those skimmers are a good fit. The 120 cone is to small and the 250 octo is to large.

xmetal, the bubble blaster pumps are replacing sicce's, not atman's.

I've seen the BB1000 used to replace a few atmans, but yes mainly sicces.

BTW, I am loving the impeller. I keep meaning to add photos of the skimmate and what not to your thread.

 

[Akwarius]

Luke, wouldnt you agree that the swc160 would be a good fit for the 85 gallon system?

 

[drainbamage]

folks- lets stay on topic-

TS- not sure personally, do either of them have percs for you in terms of size/footprint/etc?

Or are you just trying to figure out if one is a better skimmer than the other? Anything particularly important to your decision? Like pump wattage, total skimming ability, etc? Are you doing an SPS dominant tank or mixed reef? Heavy bio-load planned?

 

[swannyson7]

I'd say that the Octo Extreme 250 is a better skimmer, but way oversized for your system. The SWC 120 is undersized, but might be a better fit for your system if you're going with a low bioload and more nutrient tolerant corals such as LPS & polyps.

 

[nixer]

Luke, wouldnt you agree that the swc160 would be a good fit for the 85 gallon system?

i have one on my 75 gallon and it works great. i need to hit luke up for that larger cup and the new impeller though :D

 

[alexshefchik]

Thanks guys. My tank is going to be a mixed reef, the main tank will be a 65 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump. I am making the sump customizable to the skimmer so size does not really matter. From what you guys are saying I should just skip on the SWC120 since it will not be enough skimming. So I think I will go with the reef octopus extreme 2500. I know it may be a little overdoing it but for the same price I would rather over skim than under skim correct?

 

[xmetalfan99]

Thanks guys. My tank is going to be a mixed reef, the main tank will be a 65 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump. I am making the sump customizable to the skimmer so size does not really matter. From what you guys are saying I should just skip on the SWC120 since it will not be enough skimming. So I think I will go with the reef octopus extreme 2500. I know it may be a little overdoing it but for the same price I would rather over skim than under skim correct?

Plus, you won't need a new skimmer if you decide to upgrade tanks in the future. Even though the skimmer is oversized for your tank, it will only remove as much waste your water has in it.

 

[drainbamage]

yup- you can always turn down a skimmer, but it's tough to turn up a skimmer past it's ability. Worst case if you somehow have managed to overskim (which is ridiculously hard to do in actuality) it's very easy to fix by just dropping some extra food into the tank.

 

[dougers31]

Buy the 250 extreme and trade for either an sro 1000/2000 or a 160(octo or swc). There, problem solved;)

 

[alexshefchik]

Lol if only it was that easy there are not alot of reefers around by me! But thanks alot guys for all the help I will just get the Reef Octopus 2500 :-)

 

[xmetalfan99]

Lol if only it was that easy there are not alot of reefers around by me! But thanks alot guys for all the help I will just get the Reef Octopus 2500 :-)

+1, not worth the hassle of trying to find someone to trade with either. Buy the 250 and enjoy it.

 

[alexshefchik]

Thanks man I will :wink: