Bubble king vs Recirculating reef Octo skimmer??

[m.kristoff]

I currently have a Bubble King double cone 200. the pump is having issues. Waiting for Royal exclusive tech support

I was think that if this is going to be returned, I should consider a re-circulating skimmer? Looking at the Regal EXT 8"

I don't know much about re-circulating skimmers and wonder if it can match or exceed my current bubble king

 

[AJsReef]

I currently have a Bubble King double cone 200. the pump is having issues. Waiting for Royal exclusive tech support

I was think that if this is going to be returned, I should consider a re-circulating skimmer? Looking at the Regal EXT 8"

I don't know much about re-circulating skimmers and wonder if it can match or exceed my current bubble king

Can your set up support a recirculating skimmer? Usually more space is required and second pump/manifold to feed it.

That said, I have had BK and Reef Octopus skimmers, neither were recirc but I strongly prefer the build quality of BK.

 

[biecacka]

i haven't owned a Reef Octopus, and I am sure you are aware of the build quality of BK, but as AJs stated "it is high"
While you wait for support, maybe you can hop over on reefcentral and go to their sponsor forum and post it there. Scott is awesome and is usually pretty quick with his response time.


corey

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

I’ve had the Bubble King in the past couldn’t stand it, way too finnecky. Ran it for about 5 years. On my 400g I decided to go back to an external SRO5000EXT. Been running for a year and no regrets. Super easy to dial in and never overflows.

 

[m.kristoff]

Can your set up support a recirculating skimmer?

Yes, I have a sump room!

build quality of BK, but as AJs stated "it is high"

Absolutely! this is my 2nd BK.. they very well built. They do skim like a beast. I am surprised that the pump is surging like it is. It is skimming on a new cycled tank and pulls gunk. I'm almost afraid to change it out because the tank is running so well

I just got back in the hobby after many years and bought the BK because of past experience. I have been reading more and more articles about re-circ's and feel that it is worth looking at. I am trying to determine if the Octo can do a better job. I think they are both well-built skimmers but use a different approach. Can a recirculation Octo do a better job??

While you wait for support

this is what I am afraid of, Top of the line stuff but support is really really slow! I am working with BRS and if I don't get a response, they will take it back

 

[biecacka]

Yes, I have a sump room!

Absolutely! this is my 2nd BK.. they very well built. They do skim like a beast. I am surprised that the pump is surging like it is. It is skimming on a new cycled tank and pulls gunk. I'm almost afraid to change it out because the tank is running so well

I just got back in the hobby after many years and bought the BK because of past experience. I have been reading more and more articles about re-circ's and feel that it is worth looking at. I am trying to determine if the Octo can do a better job. I think they are both well-built skimmers but use a different approach. Can a recirculation Octo do a better job??


this is what I am afraid of, Top of the line stuff but support is really really slow! I am working with BRS and if I don't get a response, they will take it back

Hop over on reefcentral and go to the Royal Exclusive forum. Scott who works for RE is on the threads pretty frequently


corey

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Wasn’t too happy with the build quality on my double cone 150, also if I looked at it wrong it overflowed

 

[m.kristoff]

In General, BK makes quality stuff. I think any skimmer in this style can overflow

 

[m.kristoff]

Hop over on reefcentral

ill hop over to reefcentral. last time i was on it, there was only a hand full of people on there

 

[m.kristoff]

I’ve had the Bubble King in the past couldn’t stand it, way too finnecky. Ran it for about 5 years. On my 400g I decided to go back to an external SRO5000EXT. Been running for a year and no regrets. Super easy to dial in and never overflows.

As far as the gunk it pulls out, when your BK was working correctly, does your recirc pull the same amount of gunk or more? I'm just trying to get an idea if Recirs can outperform what I have now. So, my question is more about the method than brand.
I mentioned my BK because better quality skimmers typically will outperform cheaper ones and since it is what i have, I'm trying to get a feel if the octo would be better

 

[ReefGeezer]

FWIW, I just replaced my old Reef Octo Recirculating skimmer. It worked great, was extremely stable, and would skim almost too well. It just took up too much valuable real estate. The second pump requirement also took up space, sucked additional power, and added heat. Unless you need to skim super efficiently, I'd go with an internal skimmer like the BK. I replaced mine with an inexpensive Bubble Magnus. It was a little finicky at first, but now is skimming well. I don't miss the old recirculating skimmer. I opted for a less expensive brand. I didn't think the BK "build quality" was a good enough reason to pay hundreds of dollars more for a skimmer of the same or similar design.

 

[m.kristoff]

FWIW, I just replaced my old Reef Octo Recirculating skimmer. It worked great, was extremely stable, and would skim almost too well. It just took up too much valuable real estate. The second pump requirement also took up space, sucked additional power, and added heat. Unless you need to skim super efficiently, I'd go with an internal skimmer like the BK. I replaced mine with an inexpensive Bubble Magnus. It was a little finicky at first, but now is skimming well. I don't miss the old recirculating skimmer. I opted for a less expensive brand. I didn't think the BK "build quality" was a good enough reason to pay hundreds of dollars more for a skimmer of the same or similar design.

All good points.. I do have space so no issue there. I think what sets BK apart is the pump. Great DC pumps. Most of todays skimmers have DC pumps now. Some pumps are better than others. Reds Dragons are known for quality. I'm a little surprised that my pump is having issues. I also have a Red Dragon 150 for a return. they are really quality

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

As far as the gunk it pulls out, when your BK was working correctly, does your recirc pull the same amount of gunk or more? I'm just trying to get an idea if Recirs can outperform what I have now. So, my question is more about the method than brand.
I mentioned my BK because better quality skimmers typically will outperform cheaper ones and since it is what i have, I'm trying to get a feel if the octo would be better

From my experience the recirc pulls more gunk with more consistency. Like I said, I ran the BK for about 5 years, was constantly having to tune it to try to get it pulling how I wanted.

 

[ReefGeezer]

All good points.. I do have space so no issue there. I think what sets BK apart is the pump. Great DC pumps. Most of todays skimmers have DC pumps now. Some pumps are better than others. Reds Dragons are known for quality. I'm a little surprised that my pump is having issues. I also have a Red Dragon 150 for a return. they are really quality

I hear ya on pump quality. I just can't get past what BK's go for. I'm not suggesting you step down to a Bubble Magnus. Reef Octo also makes some decent non-recirculating skimmers.

 

[Big Smelly fish]

I am running reef octopus Diablo 10” which I think is the same as regal 250ext 10 , I love the skimmer pretty much set and forget and silent. Just two big for my stand and is on outside. I never used a BK to compare

 

[TX_Punisher]

BK overcharges for what you get. Jmo

All my RO stuff has been great. I have the 200 elite. Set and forget.

 

[m.kristoff]

I ended up getting an Octo 200EXT. Best decision! have 2 weeks of running it and its pulling way more gunk than what my Bubble king did. I believe that it is a apples to oranges comparison considering that my new skimmer is external recirculating, but the performance is undeniable and works best for my setup

 

[Siasl]

I ended up getting an Octo 200EXT. Best decision! have 2 weeks of running it and its pulling way more gunk than what my Bubble king did. I believe that it is a apples to oranges comparison considering that my new skimmer is external recirculating, but the performance is undeniable and works best for my setup

Congrats on the Octo - I am actually looking at switching from an internal BK to either an external (recirculating) BK or the MRC Orca Pro 2.

Quick ? for you - in the picture with the Octo plumbed, is that an air vent line plumbed out of the T before the 90 turn down into (what I imagine to be) the sump? If so - what was your thinking / learnings here? I have tried to learn about the need or not for an air vent, as I too plan on plumbing my external skimmer on higher level than the sump...?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rmckoy]

I’ve tried multiple in sump skimmers over the years and disliked every one .
Constantly adjusting , emptying collection cups , every time they’re cleaned it takes a few days to dial in again .

my first external recirculating skimmer was a reef octopus .
other than needing a second pump to supply the skimmer it worked great .
The issue with reef octopus I could not find parts once the union started leaking .
the pvc used is a weird size not available here .

I switched to a Mrc recirculating skimmer .
Requires a large pump to supply a lot of water ( jeabo dc 9000) but it skims like a beast !
Parts are affordable and Not too hard to find .
( made in USA )

 

[Rmckoy]

I’ve tried multiple in sump skimmers over the years and disliked every one .
Constantly adjusting , emptying collection cups , every time they’re cleaned it takes a few days to dial in again .

my first external recirculating skimmer was a reef octopus .
other than needing a second pump to supply the skimmer it worked great .
The issue with reef octopus I could not find parts once the union started leaking .
the pvc used is a weird size not available here .

I switched to a Mrc recirculating skimmer .
Requires a large pump to supply a lot of water ( jeabo dc 9000) but it skims like a beast !
Parts are affordable and Not too hard to find .
( made in USA )

I have 1 internal skimmer bubble Magnus .
curve 5
I hate it !!!
Still in the box and only used for about a month .