Octopus Downdraft Skimmer...

Fat Tony · 12-13-2007, 07:23 PM

ok... what is it... how does it work...similar to a Beckett? Anyone have one?

http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=494

Is it worth the money... my skimmer doesn't work too well in the sump (only pulling a cup or 2 of dark skimmate a week) so i am looking for an economical skimmer that will handle a 135 gal tank (future upgrade) all input appreciated!

hng · 12-13-2007, 07:29 PM

I've never seen that one before. As far as I knew, all of the Octopus brand skimmers were needlewheels. It does appear to be a Beckett skimmer like the MRC skimmers. I don't know if it's any better than a a regular Octopus NW200, but it costs about the same.

Fat Tony · 12-13-2007, 11:34 PM

ok.. did some more research... similar in function as a Beckett is, but also very different.. apparently the Downdraft style skimmer has been out for quite some time, and so of you seasoned aquarists may know how functional they truly are.. are they better than a Needlewheel skimmer? if so... alot better or just marginally. is it worth the hassle of extra maintenance or is it better to get a Needlewheel and call it a day? either way, a new skimmer means i have to get a new stand, because no in sump skimmer will fit under mine...

hng · 12-14-2007, 09:21 AM

Ahh, it's a downdraft. I would say that downdrafts definitely went out of style a while back. Basically you shoot a stream of water under pressure into a column of what basically looks like bioballs and this creates the bubbles. The problem is that detritus and gunk tends to get stuck in the prongs of the bioballs and then it's a pain in the rear to clean. I also don't think it's as efficient as a beckett or needlewheel, but maybe someone with more experience can help out. All skimmers need to be cleaned regularly to work properly, a downdraft seems like it would just take more time to do so.