Octopus Extreme 200 Confusion?? HELP!!

[Xler8n]

I am looking to buy an Octopus Extreme 200 but im confused about the different manufacturers like the one at aquacave.com says it by coralvue but the one from reefspecialty.com says its not.. Whats the difference?? Why is the price so different?? Like the different pinwheel impellers and all that mumbo jumbo. Reefspecialty sells the ATB pinwheel for an extra $30. Im so confused

Aquacave:
http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus...lvue-2200.html

Reef Specialty:
http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protein...duct_info.html

What is the deal with this Purple ATB Pinwheel?? Is it really worth it for $30.. Also some of you guys were telling me to just get the 200.. I am planing on getting a larger tank.... SOMEDAY... Maybe a 125 or 150 but i dont want to have to buy another skimmer... Wouldnt the 200 be an OVERKILL on my 75 gallon tank. I would consider my bioload to be light having 5 small to med sized fish, 15 small frags of SPS, 7 SM. to MD. frags of LPS, some zoas and mushrooms... The bioload chart for these skimmers are as follows:

Bioload(Gal): Light Medium Heavy
Extreme 160 250 160 125
Extreme 200 350 230 175

Its only a $20 differnce between the two skimmers being $269.99 for the Octopus Extreme 160 and $289.99 for the Octopus Extreme 200. Also with the infamous ATB purple pinwheel its $299 for the 160 and $319.90 for the 200... Also what is the difference in the small pinwheel and the large one?? What would i need for my tank?? Sorry about all the questions but i come to u guys for everything and i want to do this right the first time around. Thanks in advance

[Hop]

They are the same. CoralVue is the manufacturer of the octopus, msx and swe skimmers. All the same, just different colors and a few tweaks here and there

Yes the large purple pinwheel is nice. It draws higher numbers that the stock PW, but not as high as a good mesh job. The mesh though needs replacing and adjustments as they get older and need replacing. So the large purple PW makes things easier and more consistent with decent numbers

I'm guessing the price difference between RS and AC is about the same one shipping gets added up.

[Loverotties]

+1

[Xler8n]

Shipping is free from reef specialty and Aquacave but aquacave charges a $10 heavy item fee. I was suprised when i saw it. Those prices above are the skimmers shipped....

Octopus Extreme 200

Aquacave: $332.45 (NO ATB Purple Pinwheel)
(includes 5% discount applied) $349.90 with out discount

Reef Speacialty: $319.90 (With ATB Purple Pinwheel)

So Reef specialty is $12.55 cheaper and it comes with the purple pinwheel for that price.. Even without the pinwheel its more than $50 cheaper... Thats why i was asking if there was a difference or is it just cheaper from reefspecialty??

[Neuticle]

I'd get the 160 if I could do it again, the 200 just has a bigger body diameter. Same pump and everything just the body dia.

I've got the 200 and it's pretty nice, I just use the stock needle wheel, I don't trust my mesh wheels yet.

The ATB is just an aftermarket impeller.

[Invader]

Is there a huge difference between the Extreme 160 and the non extreme series like the NWB-110. I think that they are the same except the Extreme uses a better pump. I guess my question is, are the standard Octopus skimmers good units.

[Neuticle]

They are good, but a great pump makes a huge difference. The regular Octopus pumps draw a ton of power compared to the Sicce pumps.

[Xler8n]

Plankton Im Tired Of You Hijacking My Threads!!! Start Your Own!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Xler8n]

Why would u get the 160?? Its $20 cheaoer than the 200 and the 200 can handle more bioload hence the larger diameter. Its a bit shorter than the 160 also. I plan on upgrading my tank soon and the 200 can handle a 230 gallon tank with average bioload as opposed to the 160s' 160 gallon. Same pump but larger diam which means more water and more skimming at once

[motorslave]

Originally Posted by Xler8n

Plankton Im Tired Of You Hijacking My Threads!!! Start Your Own!!!!!!!!!!!!

The question is related and not at all a hijack. Threads are for everyone to learn and get info on this hobby. Lets keep that in mind and help each other to learn. You never know when someone else may have an answer for you and we were all new at one time.

[Twitterbait]

Originally Posted by Xler8n

Plankton Im Tired Of You Hijacking My Threads!!! Start Your Own!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please don't flame. If you have a problem with something someone is doing please PM a moderator.

[daytonreefrob]

You can get the MSX200 for $289.99 shipped. Use the coupon code MSX. It includes the MSX pinwheel, better than the CoralVue pinwheel and just short of the ATB PPW.

[Invader]

Maybe you should be getting a Chiller instead of a skimmer since it seems as if you need to cool off. It has been said that the Extreme 160 is a more efficient unit due in large to pump size and unit volume. Have a nice day.

[harlequin29]

I'm in the same boat as far as the choice between the 160 and 200. seems the 200 may be overkill for a 75, but from all I have read there is not a definative answer for this question.

[harlequin29]

any update on this xler8n?