Cone or not Cone?

[mockery]

So I'm getting a new skimmer for my system because I'm adding a frag tank to the system soon. Getting one in the 200 gallon range and decided on the super reef octopus 2000 with the bubble blaster pump. They make this skimmer as either a cone or cylinder and can't decide which one to get. So any advice on these would be great.

Thanks,
Colin

 

[mockery]

They do look neat but going off the ratings it seems the SRO 2000 cone is rated for less. And is it worth the extra $$$ for something the is rated less.

Mufret was telling me that the cone cuts down on the turbulence inside the chamber, thus more efficient. Is that all the cone adds?

 

[johnr2604]

I'm assuming that the cone is probably less volume which makes it rated for less. I'm sure they will both work great. Having owned a few skimmers the Octo's are still my favorite.

 

[weaglereefer]

I got one...

If you run a cone "in sump" the base of the cone will be wider than than the area of the cone that is at the water level. As water flows through the sump (everone knows fluids move faster over a curved surface) the water at the bottom of the sump will be moving faster than the water at the top since there is more curvature along the base of the cone and the faster moving water will result in lower pressure, which will draw the water down and cause turbulance outside the skimmer body. This will help keep detrius in suspension better than a standard skimmer with no pressure differential and thus make it easier for DOC's to be skimmed out.

I'm surprised I haven't seen a skimmer company use that...yet...maybe I could be in advertising too, lol.

 

[skriz]

A cone will give you less volume (a smaller skimmer) ergo, the lower rating. The bubble plate takes care of the turbulance issue, so a cone isn't needed for that.

When it comes to skimmers, you want as much volume as possible, a good dwell time and a tall column with a good sized neck for the foam to rise and collect.

Imo, you're spending more for a cone for no good reason.

 

[jaustin]

if you can get the external SRO XP2K, I love mine! It's a beast and is rated for more load.

 

[acroholic]

My Vertex cone produces a steady amount of skimmate, and is basically set and forget. It requires less fiddlin' with than any other skimmer I have owned.

 

[mockery]

JAustin;488678 wrote: if you can get the external SRO XP2K, I love mine! It's a beast and is rated for more load.

That is a little to much for me at this point. But I did look into getting that one.

 

[jaustin]

sell some blood plasma and get that one! LOL, you can't go wrong with any of the SRO XP's, they are all great skimmers. Set it and forget it!

 

[llewella]

I have a reef octopus rated for 180 g. (My tank is 110). It has a cone and sits in the sump. It is a great skimmer in my opinion. I get at least a half a cup of nasty dark brown thick gunk everyday. I skim pretty dry so I feel like it's doing it's job.. Only problem I have is the fact that I need ATO so I dont have to fiddle with it as much..

 

[mockery]

llewella;488787 wrote: I have a reef octopus rated for 180 g. (My tank is 110). It has a cone and sits in the sump. It is a great skimmer in my opinion. I get at least a half a cup of nasty dark brown thick gunk everyday. I skim pretty dry so I feel like it's doing it's job.. Only problem I have is the fact that I need ATO so I dont have to fiddle with it as much..

Would you happen to know the model number?? Cause that is way I want mine to do!

 

[llewella]

Just looked at the box.. It says Item number NW-150-6530B I'm not sure if that is the model number or not.. That is all it says except 2010 which is I'm guessing this year..when it was made.. It was about $250 and worth every penny.. IMO

 

[drnecropolis]

Yeah, For some crazy reason the numbers are waaay off on some of the Octo's

A 150 is rated for a 180, I think a 110 is rated for about 140 or so..

I tend not to pay any attention to ratings..

 

[llewella]

well I just figured if I got one that is supposed to be rated WAY over what I actually have it would work well even if I get a big bio load eventually.. I didn't want to end up having to upgrade later so I went bigger.. works very well..

 

[enderg60]

No dont bother they are not worth the extra money. Spending more on a older style skimmer thats twice the size will get you better performance in most cases.

As long as its got a recirc pump on it then youre good to go.

 

[mockery]

EnderG60;488841 wrote: No dont bother they are not worth the extra money. Spending more on a older style skimmer thats twice the size will get you better performance in most cases.

As long as its got a recirc pump on it then youre good to go.

That is my other problem. Only the external cones are recircs. So that poses another problem.

 

[weaglereefer]

Mockery;489176 wrote: That is my other problem. Only the external cones are recircs. So that poses another problem.

Not sure what you mean, they have plenty of non-cone recirculating skimmers...

 

[jaustin]

stay away from the sicce pump.

 

[mockery]

au01st;489195 wrote: Not sure what you mean, they have plenty of non-cone recirculating skimmers...

http://www.aquacave.com/searchresult.aspx?CategoryID=630">http://www.aquacave.com/searchresult.aspx?CategoryID=630</a>[/QUOTE]

Sorry. I mean that they don't make a bubble blaster recirc unless it is cone.

[QUOTE=][B]JAustin;489199 wrote:[/B] stay away from the sicce pump.[/QUOTE]
Yeah I've read that they can have problems.

 

[jaustin]

only when mesh modded IMO, otherwise a good pump but compared to the Bubble Blaster it not worth it.