Reef Octopus Skimmer

[reefcrazed]

I have a 210 g reef tank with a 40g sump. I'm thinking about purchasing a Super Reef Octopus skimmer. I would like opinions here, should I go internal (sump) or external, and do I need more than the 3000 skimmer?

RC

 

[thanh386]

I would get the 5000

 

[rskillz]

SRO-3000int would be perfect. I find in-sump skimmers to be lower maintenance and less worries. The Super Reef Octopus w/bubble blaster pumps are by far the best deal on the market right now.

-Ryan

 

[acroholic]

I have a SRO1000sss (internal) on my 100 gallon reef, and it beats the tar out of the BK Mini 160 Gen 2 I used to own.

 

[seth the wine guy]

What bioload and type of corals you plan on keeping?

 

[realfish]

SRO 3000int

 

[ff337]

I love my 3000int. It is a monster.

 

[jeffmuse]

I have a Super Reef Octopus 3000 Internal on my 180 Gallon System and I love this skimmer. The bubble blaster pump is amazing, and it pulles an insane amount of skimate out of system. I have used a couple of other skimmers in the past, and you just cannot go wrong with the Super Reef Octopus.

As for the Internal/ External question, there are pluses and minuses to both.

Internal
- Positive: Works great, if it overflows who cares? - its in the sump
- Negative: If you do not use an auto top off, it is harder to dial in

External
- Positive: Again, works great - water level in the sump is not a big deal
- Negative: If for some reason it does overflow, then you have a flood

 

[acroholic]

Internal sumps can be a PIA in the case of an overflow as well as an external, but not as big a PIA. I had a couple times when my Vertex Alpha overflowed and spit out mist all over the place through the vent holes in the lid, coating my RKE, drywall, etc with salt spray.

A remedy for an overflowing skimmer cup (internal or external skimmer) is to install a float switch in the skimmer lid so the skimmer motor turns off if the cup gets filled to the top. I did this on mine and it works like a charm. Float switch hooks up to an SL1 or SL2 on a RKE or RKL.

 

[gnashty]

Will the SRO 3000 not work with a Waste Collector? Doesnt it have an overflow hose fitting from the collection cup that can be plumbed to another container?

 

[bruce 1]

Yes it will and they make a Waste collector for them.