My final Skimmer list. Vertex, RLSS, CSC

Lt Nos · Feb 10, 2013

I feel confident of narrowing down what might be ok skimmers given all the reviews and recommends I've found in older posts. Buying a skimmer is like buying a mattress though I swear. So stressful.

Vertex Omega 150 379.00 Syncra SK 500 (Vertex pump?)

RLSS R6 349.00 Waveline DC pump

CSC 150 399.00 w/ Sicce pump

I was originally pointed towards the Diablo 160 but have since read that they are a bit loud so nogo on that one.

Going on a 40 breeder with a 40 breeder sump.

oh:Thoughts?

oh:

Best dog in the fight?

specvjeff · Feb 10, 2013

Just a note on the Reef Octopus. The Super Reef Octopus are worth a look. I have one love it, and it's super quiet.

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Lt Nos · Feb 10, 2013

Wanted to get a step up from the standard Reef Octo line. That's what I thought these three represented.

specvjeff · Feb 12, 2013

The SRO is a step up.

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bigfoot86 · Feb 12, 2013

I too have the super reef octopus with the bubble master pump and I couldn't happier with the quality and performance of their product.

Lt Nos · Feb 12, 2013

Whats so "super" about the SRO?

palvyre · Feb 12, 2013

I have the the RLSS 8-E and its awesome.

CMP · Feb 12, 2013

+1 on the RLSS 8 the best skimmer I have ever had

specvjeff · Feb 13, 2013

Lt Nos said:
Whats so "super" about the SRO?

The primary upgrade is the pump they use. The Bubble Blaster has been flawless so far. No start up issues and very very quiet. The pump has a 3 year warranty which is pretty nice too. I was so satisfied with the skimmer pump after 6 months I bought the return pump version and it has also be flawless. Been very happy with it. Wouldn't recommend it otherwise.

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ParkerB · Feb 13, 2013

the pump on the vertex above is a sicce pump as well just called that. Idk why.

Also I agree with the comments above. Personally it's all about the pump and what SRO gives you for price is amazing.

Or the vertex "alpha" line I believe it's called. All I know is they are more spendy but well worth it I think they are built by royal exclusive and have a red dragon pump on em. Could be wrong tho.

GL on skimmer choice tho.

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Lt Nos · Feb 13, 2013

It just seems as if everyone only likes Reef Octo stuff..... in every post..... Then theres the Skimz guy who posts every time. I'm looking for the step above. Differentiation seems so difficult. So if its a SRO 1000 or a RLSS R6-I6, then they are effectively the same? Ford 150 vs Chevy Silverado?

ParkerB · Feb 13, 2013

Lt Nos said:
It just seems as if everyone only likes Reef Octo stuff..... in every post..... Then theres the Skimz guy who posts every time. I'm looking for the step above. Differentiation seems so difficult. So if its a SRO 1000 or a RLSS R6-I6, then they are effectively the same? Ford 150 vs Chevy Silverado?

If everyone is picking one thing and saying from experience why not trust em? I've never read or took time to really chek with te RLSS R6-I6, but the SRO is a great skimmer with a great pump. That's really all that needs to be said.

Either or I'm sure you'll pick a good skimmer and be happy with your results. I'm on the hunt for an SRO at the moment.

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LILBUDDHA · Feb 13, 2013

palvyre said:
I have the the RLSS 8-E and its awesome.

CMP said:
+1 on the RLSS 8 the best skimmer I have ever had

I vote for the RLSS 6 i . It was top on my list . I won't go into detail's . I am pretty happy with my CS 180 S / Bubble magus 180 S hero .
As far you two please post some pic's n your thoughts . All I get is pic's from my buddy that has R 8 I . I have owned two Skimz units n they were pretty good .The CSC/Skimz is like my CS 180 S .Both run the sicce psk-1000 pump .
One thing 2 note is the CS180s / Hero is the exact same body as the RLSS except for the DC pump ...

Lt Nos · Feb 13, 2013

Ok, So lets say the final decision is noise. Which is most quiet?

palvyre · Feb 13, 2013

Mine is pretty much dead silent.

palvyre · Feb 13, 2013

Skimmate pics.

LILBUDDHA · Feb 14, 2013

palvyre said:
Skimmate pics.

Yikes .
I don't even want to know the smell of that stuff. LOL
What setting are you on ? I am scratching my head on water height adjustment with an external unit .Do u slow down the feed pump to get a dryer skim ? My bud cannot get past 3 in 9 inches ? of water . It starts wet skimming .

specvjeff · Feb 14, 2013

Lt Nos said:
Ok, So lets say the final decision is noise. Which is most quiet?

I will take a video in a bit with every off but the skimmer so you can see how quiet it is

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MadCityReefer · Feb 14, 2013

I have both the Super Reef Octopus with bubble blaster pump and the new Vertex Omega 150 both on a 58gal tank. The SRO works well but is loader then the Vertex. The Vertex Omega 150 is easier to dial in, quiter, and way nicer quility. Octopus skimmers have gone up in price recently so the extra $60 or so for the Vertex is well worth it!

palvyre · Feb 14, 2013

LILBUDDHA said:
Yikes .
I don't even want to know the smell of that stuff. LOL
What setting are you on ? I am scratching my head on water height adjustment with an external unit .Do u slow down the feed pump to get a dryer skim ? My bud cannot get past 3 in 9 inches ? of water . It starts wet skimming .

That's part of the advantage of it, the adjustability. I run it at 3 and then adjust the wedge pipe so that the column of bubbles is right at the top of the neck.

That was only 3 days of skimmate, I clean it every 3 days. I also run EcoBak which contributes to some nasty skimmate.