Skimmer Recommendations/Refugium Ques

[Suomi411]

I am going to try going BB for my new 90g and I am looking at an Octopus NW 200; any advice on whether this will be efficient enough for a 90g BB? If not, any recommendations? My only concern is that I'd like to stay under $300. My second question; are refugiums unneccesary/harmful on a BB?

[gwaco]

can't help you on the skimmer , but as far as the refugium is concerned , i only here of a few that use them , but not the majority . think of it this way ! the idea behind b.b. is to get as much of the unwanted stuff out of your system as quick as you can , so why add something that will just slow this process down ? b.b. is mostly concentrated on keeping sps corals that need high flow , less nutrients , ( though softies will due fine in b.b. ) so there is no need for creatures or plants ( algae ) in this type of set up . but this is only one opinion , so wait till you hear from others before you make your decision .

[REEF-DADDY]

I've heard really good things about the octo's. No fuge. Someone once told me "You have to put mud in the to work"

[Suomi411]

Thanks for the info, I will definately skip the fuge. Any more recommendations on a skimmer?

[Suomi411]

so..will the Octo NW 200 be efficient enough for the bioload in 90 BB or do I need to look to a different model/brand?

[hng]

I'm planning on the exact same thing - 90 gall BB reef. The recommendations that I've heard so far include the octo NW200, ASM G3, and Euroreef 80. All seem to be well made and highly respected. You can also do mods on them - meshwheel, and gate valve. I haven't decided what I'm gonna use yet, probably the G3 since I plan on an sps tank and lots of fish. HTH

[Suomi411]

hng - whats your reasoning behind choosing the G3 over the octo NW 200?

[giants4pc]

I have a 90 BB with a fuge on the right section of my sump. I only put chaeto in there and some small pieces of rock...no sand or mud. I just upgraded my skimmer from an Aqua C EV 120 to a Euroreef RS 135. I like the Euro so much more already. My decision was between this Euro and The Octo 200 as well. My friend just got the oct. It's less money. The Euro was 320 but I wanted something a little more since my reef is heavily stocked with fish and coral. I see no reason to take out my fuge.

[King-Kong]

I have an ASM G-2 on my 90g and it wasnt cutting it.

I have an ATI BM250 en route to me now. Go big or go home!

[hng]

Change in plans - I'll be ordering the Octopus NW200 today instead of the G3. I have heard too many good things about the octo. Seems like the only drawback is it's large footprint - 10 X 15 inches.

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by King-Kong

I have an ASM G-2 on my 90g and it wasnt cutting it.

I have an ATI BM250 en route to me now. Go big or go home!

I installed a BM-250 on my 225 a few weeks ago. This skimmer kicks so much arse its not even funny.

I use a ER RS180 on my 90, and it does a great job, but Im considering replacing it with a BM-160. From what I have read and understand how these ATI's work, you dont want to oversize it so much. The guy I bought my BM-250 from strongly persuaded me against even a BM-200 for the 90 gallon tank as it is simply too much skimmer. Note this is a couple hundred dollars less of a sale for him to make this recommendation.

Hng, if you havent ordered it yet, and can spend a little more money. I would suggest looking into the ATI BM-160. 13.5 x 9 x 21.5 footprint. It will skim circles around anything else on your list.

Either way...even if you dont, picking the Octo over the ASM is a good call. The ER RS-135 or even better the 180 like i use would be better yet. But you are looking at $450 for the ER rs180......only $360 for the BM 160.

[hng]

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

Hng, if you havent ordered it yet, and can spend a little more money. I would suggest looking into the ATI BM-160. 13.5 x 9 x 21.5 footprint. It will skim circles around anything else on your list.

Too late Fly Guy, just ordered it this morning. On a positive note - it was on sale for only $179 . I'm not too familiar with the ATI's, I'll have to look them up out of curiosity.

[Fly Guy]

King Kong........Nevermind my statement as to your skimmer being too big for your tank........I just read your other thread over at you know where.......it appears youve been over this already

Do post back as to how it ends up working for you. Im curious. I am not going to replace my ER anytime too soon. I really want to get some other guinea pigs to test drive the new BM 160 for me, as well as want to hear some more input on people using the BM 250's or even 200's on tanks 100 g or so for an extended period of time.

[King-Kong]

Will do Fly.

As said on that 'other' place, after the first 24hrs with my BM250, it skimmed out as much as my ASM G-2 in 4-5 days. (The BM250 was only rinsed in tap water before I threw it in).

So far, I've been impressed with it's ability to remove heavy particles from the water. The G-2 just didnt have the strength to keep those particles lifted out.

One issue, however, is the BM250 is sensitive to water height, and I've already had it flood on me twice. I will say, my ASM G-2 was SOLID on being consistant with water levels. It never flooded on me when I'd shut down the sump pump, but I have to be very careful w/ the 250.

Then again, I havent even owned the 250 for a full week yet, so I need more time to snuggle with it.

Also, yeah; I realize I have a low fish load for it, so itll be interesting to see what happens in the future. My LFS has 7 threadfin cardinals on order for me, so that should help my current level of 11 "medium" fish.

[tperk9784]

Has the BM 160 been released yet? This is what I am looking at as a future upgrade for my tank.