Which one is better, protein skimmers that is?

[wellcraft]

I would like to place an order on a new skimmer today and need help on making the right decision.
I'm between this 2 protein skimmers, which you think is the best choice?

Reef Octopus Super Reef 1000 Internal Skimmer $319 rated for 125gal
Reef Octopus NWB-200 8" $280 rated for 250gal

I can't understand why the price difference when the cheaper one has a higher rating capacity. The only difference I see is that the pump has a 3 year warranty on the super reef and the other one has only 1 year.

What's the best choice between the 2?

This will be for a 120 gal tank with lots of corals and about 10 fishes.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ripped tide]

The super reef octo comes with the bubble blaster pump. The NWB comes with the OTP pump... Huge difference in performance.

I would suggest looking into the SRO SSS1000xp

 

[ff337]

Go with the 2000

 

[ichthyoid]

Just how is 'huge difference in performance' quantified?

I'm just curious.

 

[ripped tide]

I've owned the 110 NWB and the 1000xp, and the XP pulls more, smellier, thicker sludge out than the OTP did. Also, my water seems to be more clear, and the pH stabilized. This could be a result of higher dissolved oxygen from a more effective skimmer.

Also, the bubble blaster is a lot more quiet.


No, Bill, I've not done extensive research. I only have visual and some chemical results that coincidentally changed when I switched skimmers

 

[ichthyoid]

The pH stabilizing is likely due to CO2 exchange (getting it out of the water) as it tends to pull pH down. That's a good thing.

Observation is ok. It's a human's most powerful tool. We only get into trouble when we allow ourselves to reach invalid conclusions based on our interpretation of what we observe (what it means).

I'm also curious about two things:

1) how both the chamber diameters of the two compare.

2) how the ratio of water to air flow compare, that is, one skimmers ratio vs the others.

Here the NWB-200's specs.

 

[nassar0505]

I swapped my otp pump out on my dnwb-150 for the bubble blaster and yes OBSERVED, far better results as far as smellier, thicker sludge.

 

[ichthyoid]

That's ^ a better basis.

Same skimmer, before and after changing pumps.

But then again, I would be curious how the pump spec's compared too.

 

[ichthyoid]

My premise (for a very long time) is, that the pump is responsible for the vast majority of a given skimmers performance.

I have researched it, and bubble size improves adhesion ratio (extraction) but also increases water content (wetter skimmate).

You guys are saying the skimmate tends to be 'thicker' with the BB pumps. I am assuming 'thicker' here means less water. (?)

That is intriguing to me. It flies in the face of theory.

 

[nassar0505]

ichthyoid;836748 wrote: That's ^ a better basis.

Same skimmer, before and after changing pumps.

But then again, I would be curious how the pump spec's compared too.

I wish I did a little better documenting on the two, but I went from the <span style="color: #000000">

OTP-2000SL</span>
Max flow: 190gph
Wattage: 21 watts power consumption
Dimensions: 6&#8243; x 4&#8243; x 4&#8243;

to a

<span style="color: #000000">Item #: HY-3000S</span>
<span style="color: #000000"> Bubble Blaster 3000 Pinwheel Pump</span>
Voltage: 120v/60Hz
Wattage: 40w
Air draw: 1100 L/H (39 SCFH)*
GPH: 425*
Footprint: 205 x 155 x 125mm
Outlet Size: 1&#8243;
Efficiency: 90%

This also included 2'' neck extension.

So there are a few variables to the increase in production other than doing a straight swap over.

 

[ichthyoid]

Ahh, thats more like it.

More than double the flow with the new pump!

This matters because you are processing more than twice the water in the same amount of time. Think that might give you more skimmate?

A longer riser tube (your neck extension) would yield lower water content also.

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

wellcraft;836726 wrote: I would like to place an order on a new skimmer today and need help on making the right decision.
I'm between this 2 protein skimmers, which you think is the best choice?

Reef Octopus Super Reef 1000 Internal Skimmer $319 rated for 125gal
Reef Octopus NWB-200 8" $280 rated for 250gal

I can't understand why the price difference when the cheaper one has a higher rating capacity. The only difference I see is that the pump has a 3 year warranty on the super reef and the other one has only 1 year.

What's the best choice between the 2?

This will be for a 120 gal tank with lots of corals and about 10 fishes.

Thanks in advance.

PM Sent...

 

[ichthyoid]

Well I looked up both skimmer's pumps on the Coralvue website. Here is a summary:

The OTP-3000* pump:
-draws 40 watts
-pumps 258 gph of water
-draws 720 L/H (25.2 scfh)
(* - with the 'new design pinwheel)

The Bubbleblaster HY-1000S pump
-draws 20 watts
-pumps 170 gph (or 150 per website)
-draws 540 L/H (19.5 scfh)

So it looks like the older OTP-3000 pump design with the 'new impeller' outperforms the Bubbleblaster, with one slight exception. The BB draws half the wattage.

All other things being equal, it appears that the NWB-200 skimmer would be a better choice.

Because of your question, I will be upgrading my DDNW-250 pumps with the new needle wheels. So, thx

Good luck!

 

[mph84]

I have the nwb-200 on my 210 with the new impeller and a neck extension and the stuff its pulling out of a pretty clean sps tank is unreal. Very thick and very smelly!! Its actually hard to work around it when its close to full. I had this same skimmer on my 120 and it worked great. I had planned on upgrading for the new tank but it seems to be hanging in there. I definitely suggest the riser if it'll fit. It made a world of difference with mine.