More money, more better?

[LbulletM]

Alright, I'm looking to upgrade tanks. A big jump from a 29 box to a reef ready 150 with 75 sump. I'm currently looking at the Nyos Quantum skimmers for the new setup.

My main question is, throughout this entire hobby (and pretty much everywhere else in life), things that cost more are perceived as better. Grocery stores put more expensive, name brand products at eye level and we're happy to buy them. My Corvette is faster than most Porsches, yet costs half the price. Wal-Mart jackets protect you from the rain just as well as a North Face, but people buy the North Face because it's more expensive and thus "higher quality".

Now, I am the first to admit that in some cases "you get what you pay for" and "buy once, cry once" are perfectly valid. But, am I falling into the trap of premium pricing = premium brand with the Quantum skimmers? They are gorgeous and I've never seen a negative review, but still need to do my due-diligence.

 

[rtparty]

It all depends on your budget. I wouldn't spend a lot on a "premium" skimmer and then skimp on say a return pump or controller or lights or fill in the blank.

No matter the brand of skimmer, they can only do so much. I find paying a little more can get you a quieter pump or a little better construction or maybe slightly better level adjustment. Other times you're simply paying for a name aka Porsche in your scenario.

By all means, if the Porsche is in your budget and the car you're going to love then get it. But if you'll love the Corvette (what crazy person wouldn't? Lol) just as much and spend less, isn't that the "smarter" buy?

 

[blkhwkz]

I recently switched to a Nyos 160 from a Reef Octopus Classic 202-S. Honestly performance is pretty much the same for me and the Nyos is silent where the RO wasn't. Other than the silence I see nothing justifying the price difference. It looks nice, but I am not staring at it in my sump every day.

Waiting on a replacement pump for the Nyos too. Since they day I got it the 18w pump has been running at 54w. First call to Ecotech, when I had them replace another part, they said they would talk to the engineers in Germany and get back to me and never did. Called again yesterday and they are shipping a new pump and I have to return this one to them within 30 days. I've had decent customer service with both Reef Octopus and Ecotech.

 

[LbulletM]

It all depends on your budget. I wouldn't spend a lot on a "premium" skimmer and then skimp on say a return pump or controller or lights or fill in the blank.

No matter the brand of skimmer, they can only do so much. I find paying a little more can get you a quieter pump or a little better construction or maybe slightly better level adjustment. Other times you're simply paying for a name aka Porsche in your scenario.

By all means, if the Porsche is in your budget and the car you're going to love then get it. But if you'll love the Corvette (what crazy person wouldn't? Lol) just as much and spend less, isn't that the "smarter" buy?

Oh, I'm ready to completely blow any budgets on this build. It's going to be a built-in behind a false wall in my soon-to-be bar room in the basement, so may as well do it right the first time! I'll pay $$$ for quiet.

I recently switched to a Nyos 160 from a Reef Octopus Classic 202-S. Honestly performance is pretty much the same for me and the Nyos is silent where the RO wasn't. Other than the silence I see nothing justifying the price difference. It looks nice, but I am not staring at it in my sump every day.

Waiting on a replacement pump for the Nyos too. Since they day I got it the 18w pump has been running at 54w. First call to Ecotech, when I had them replace another part, they said they would talk to the engineers in Germany and get back to me and never did. Called again yesterday and they are shipping a new pump and I have to return this one to them within 30 days. I've had decent customer service with both Reef Octopus and Ecotech.

Good to know! Thanks for the input! Like I said above, I'll pay $$$ for quiet, so I think I'm still leaning towards the Quantum unless I can find something not as pretty for less money that is still as quiet and performs as well.

 

[rtparty]

Oh, I'm ready to completely blow any budgets on this build. It's going to be a built-in behind a false wall in my soon-to-be bar room in the basement, so may as well do it right the first time! I'll pay $$$ for quiet.



Good to know! Thanks for the input! Like I said above, I'll pay $$$ for quiet, so I think I'm still leaning towards the Quantum unless I can find something not as pretty for less money that is still as quiet and performs as well.

Almost any DC pump skimmer will be silent. Just stick to the brand names. My Skimz is super quiet and didn't break the bank at all. Not to mention I have BRS's amazing customer service if ever needed. My only complaint is the micro bubbles but I guess that's normal for the smaller skimmer I got. A better designed sump would eliminate them before the return pump.

 

[Greybeard]

I used to run an SRO on my cube. It was inexpensive, and effective, if a bit loud. Today, I'm running a Vertex 180i. At least as effective as the SRO, easier to clean and maintain, stays 'dialed in' better than the SRO did, and it's a bit quieter. I like the Vertex, very high quality build. I helped a good friend set up a DC Skimz a while back. I don't know that it's any more effective than the SRO or Vertex, but it sure as heck is quieter.

 

[RobertP]

I also toyed with getting a higher end skimmer but if it pulls out the funk who cares. I tossed around a few different skimmers and ended up getting a Lifereef. Best part is that it will take any pump and you can buy it with a pump or buy your own pump. No broken needle wheels or dealing with proprietary pumps that only works with the one skimmer. Very simple to get it dialed in and drain the cup weekly. I clean the cup out about once a month only because it has funk all over it. I am no expert but it works perfectly since day 1. When I upgrade I will be getting another one!

 

[beaslbob]

Alright, I'm looking to upgrade tanks. A big jump from a 29 box to a reef ready 150 with 75 sump. I'm currently looking at the Nyos Quantum skimmers for the new setup.

My main question is, throughout this entire hobby (and pretty much everywhere else in life), things that cost more are perceived as better. Grocery stores put more expensive, name brand products at eye level and we're happy to buy them. My Corvette is faster than most Porsches, yet costs half the price. Wal-Mart jackets protect you from the rain just as well as a North Face, but people buy the North Face because it's more expensive and thus "higher quality".

Now, I am the first to admit that in some cases "you get what you pay for" and "buy once, cry once" are perfectly valid. But, am I falling into the trap of premium pricing = premium brand with the Quantum skimmers? They are gorgeous and I've never seen a negative review, but still need to do my due-diligence.

This hobby is even worst than most on premium pricing. Sure you need a jacket to keep warm in winter. BUT

Skimmers are not required to maintain reef tanks.

And that is the difference.

which as usual is just my .02

 

[tripdad]

I won't recommend a brand here but just say to take a look at how easy whatever you buy breaks apart for servicing. It really sucks if you cant get your hand into a spot to clean/remove unwanted life from a skimmer. For me, that over rules all else. It has to be easy to maintain.

 

[Shon]

I cant offer an opinion on aquria gear but I get what you are saying.

Comparing an Ozark Trail mug to a Yeti mug. 7$ vs 35$ and they perform the same.

Also there are those who buy cheap stuff and dump the money on diy'n it into a unique piece.

Like putting a 350 engine in a Geo Metro ("General Wee" for example).

 

[Gablami]

More expensive is often better but not always. Nobody will argue that a jebao powerhead is better than an mp40, and even my vectra m1 just died at about a year, when a red dragon might have lasted much longer.

I think the more expensive you get, it's more about branding and you get diminishing returns on your investment.

A good example of where more expensive is not better would be geo carx.

 

[SnowDog]

One of the main things I look for and consider when choosing between "budget brands " & "premium brands" is the direct/indirect cost of the product failing. For example, electrical components may not be UL certified and could potentially pose a fire risk, or the part stops working while I am away and could impact my livestock quickly. Ultimately it's about the level of risk you are willing to take. But it is also the case that some brands simply have a premium price due to the brand name. Do your homework reading reviews and technical spec details before you choose what is the best investment for your specific needs and acceptable level of risk.

 

[jda]

I think that you choose a good place to have concerns about spending a top. I have had skimmers from venturi through red-dragon powered high end Euro Stuff. In the end, the LifeReef venturi skimmers still outperform everything else. For needlewheels, the Bubble King was better than anything else that I had by 10-20% (it is so hard to tell), but a pair of 10 year old ASM skimmers with Sedra Pumps would destroy it.

I currently run two skimmers - older, nice ones. If you have room, consider the same. I have a ASM with Sedra and a RO with Sicce pump (this is WAY better than the newer models where the NW pumps are not as good). I would put both of these $100 skimmers up against any single skimmer on the planet. If I only had room for a single skimmer, it would be LifeReef.

It is unfortunate that it takes years and years to get good, solid opinions on new equipment and that the manufacturers have their own interests at heart and the early adopters mostly have not had enough time to fully observe stuff in action.

 

[HippieSmell]

Ignore price and perceived performance. Focus on ease of maintenance, dependability, and repairability. They all perform about the same, save for differences in size (big skimmer will handle more throughput).

For these reasons, I have an MRC Orca Pro II with washdown. It cleans itself and is actually how I do automatic water changes. The pumps are Reeflo, which means they're almost indefinitely repairable. And, it's external, which makes maintenance easier because it's physically accessible. I hate working in sumps under cramped stands, but I realize that's necessary for some.

 

[LbulletM]

I cant offer an opinion on aquria gear but I get what you are saying.

Comparing an Ozark Trail mug to a Yeti mug. 7$ vs 35$ and they perform the same.

Also there are those who buy cheap stuff and dump the money on diy'n it into a unique piece.

Like putting a 350 engine in a Geo Metro ("General Wee" for example).

Alright, looking up General Wee as soon as I get a chance haha

I'll make sure safe search is on......

Do your homework reading reviews and technical spec details before you choose what is the best investment for your specific needs and acceptable level of risk.

How do you think we got here?

I hate working in sumps under cramped stands, but I realize that's necessary for some.

Fortunately, I shouldn't be too cramped with my design! I haven't really looked into external skimmers though. Maybe I should...

 

[Grey Guy]

IMHO. The price of a skimmer is minor in comparison to the several thousands of dollars you must spend to stock the tank with enough livestock to utilize a quality, size rated skimmer.

 

[LbulletM]

IMHO. The price of a skimmer is minor in comparison to the several thousands of dollars you must spend to stock the tank with enough livestock to utilize a quality, size rated skimmer.

No arguments here, which is why the Quantum is on my list in the first place. But if I'm paying for looks or a luxury price tag for something that performs equal to something half the price (noise, efficiency, effectiveness), then that's just another fish/coral worth of monies to put in my upsized tank!

 

[Gablami]

I think the OP is not debating whether a quality appropriate skimmer is needed. He is asking whether there is a difference between a 400$ skimmer and a $1100 skimmer. I've got a bubble magus D9 and a BK mini 180 with identical neck diameter. And while I love my BK mini, I can't say definitively that it's better than the bubble magus.

 

[LbulletM]

I think the OP is not debating whether a quality appropriate skimmer is needed. He is asking whether there is a difference between a 400$ skimmer and a $1100 skimmer. I've got a bubble magus D9 and a BK mini 180 with identical neck diameter. And while I love my BK mini, I can't say definitively that it's better than the bubble magus.

More-or-less. I'm sure skimmers at those super high ends of the spectrum have marginal increases in SOMETHING, but I'm more wondering about all of these mid-range options and specifically the Quantum. Is there a point when you're paying for looks on a piece of equipment you have to go out of your way to see? So more $400 skimmer and a $500 skimmer.

But yea, you get me.

 

[HippieSmell]

IMHO. The price of a skimmer is minor in comparison to the several thousands of dollars you must spend to stock the tank with enough livestock to utilize a quality, size rated skimmer.

Sometimes. Some skimmers are thousands of dollars and I don't typically buy expensive stock.