Octo XP2000 or Grey Seas GS1?

NauticaC4 · Nov 9, 2009

Like the title says. Trying to get the best skimmer for my 175 gallon cube. Clams and LPS with about 12 small fish. Dont wanna spend more than $400 and has to be under 24" tall. Any other suggestions welcomed.

amay121 · Nov 9, 2009

I'd go with the GS2 if you don't need the 2nd pump just yet.

luke33 · Nov 9, 2009

I'd take the xp2000 myself just because the pump is pretty nice. And you can get it from aquacave at 10% off right now. So 360bux and free shipping too.

NauticaC4 · Nov 9, 2009

Can't do the GS2 too tall.

Luke I just looked on Aquacave and its $399 is there a coupon code or something?

kelleyga36 · Nov 9, 2009

cs200 cone skimmer

gilmour01 · Nov 9, 2009

i know the height of the GSA skimmers has the space needed to remove the cup included in the listed height. dont know if thats any help at all. also GSA includes shipping in the price. i almost bought one last month, but it was a little to tall so i went with the SWC mini cone skimmer....which isnt that mini for the record.

luke33 · Nov 9, 2009

NauticaC4 said:
Can't do the GS2 too tall.

Luke I just looked on Aquacave and its $399 is there a coupon code or something?

Sorry, coupon code is XP10

If you shoot me your email i'll fw the coupons from there.

NauticaC4 · Nov 10, 2009

I looked at the CS200 and the Quiet One pump scares me. Seems to basically be a modded like something I could do on my own.

I have an NW200 on the tank now that I have modded the living daylights out of thanks to an old thread I found from Luke and its gotten to the point I have to tinker with it all the time because the mesh needs to be redone and the motor is about shot anyway. I want something I can drop in the sump and run great outta the box.

Luke shot u a PM!

NauticaC4 · Nov 10, 2009

Well I ordered the GS1 skimmer. It was $40 cheaper with a sicce pump than the octopus skimmer. A also emailed back and forth with Dan the owner and he put my mind at ease and I like the fact I can get an easy response if needed.

The "new" bubble blaster pump also scares me a bit on the octo.

I did order a Purple Pinwheel for the Sicce to up the performance a bit more as well if needed.

luke33 · Nov 10, 2009

Should be interesting to see how you like it. Seems like a nice design. I'm sure it'll work well.

NauticaC4 · Nov 10, 2009

I have more faith in the Sicce pump was the main reason behind my choice. In the grand scheme of things the money wasn't that big of a difference. I have my fingers crossed and will do a review once I get it cranked up and running.

NauticaC4 · Nov 16, 2009

Well. Received the skimmer on Saturday and was quite impressed the seams are clean and the skimmer looks nice.

The sicce pump that came with the GS1 is mesh modded and for the life of me I couldn't get the mesh to startup. The one time I did it was so loud I could hear it outside on my back porch. I placed a PPW in the sicce and it is still making a little bit of noise but its better than the mesh.

Can anyone point me in the direction of how a meshmod should look with this pump?
Also where should I adjust the water line in a cone skimmer?

luke33 · Nov 16, 2009

I would keep the water line at the bottom of the neck, then adjust as it breaks in. As far as a meshmod goes just make sure they mesh isn't more than a mm or two past the yellow disk. And make sure the mesh isn't rubbing on the volute cover or sides. Mesh will eventually burn up the pump if its not done properly. Even done correctly it will cause the pump to not start up easily after time. Its just a bad idea with the sicce imo. As far as noise goes just let it run for a couple weeks, then see if it is still making the noise. It should be a low hum.