Reef Octopus - Glowing review.

[RichConley]

Well, I just bought a new skimmer. It just came in yesterday.

I bought a Reef Octopus NW200(PS3000 is the same) from custom aquatic for $219. (2 days later found out you could get it for $189 at OctopusSkimmer.com, an ASMskimmer.com affilliate)

Anyways, for short cash, you get a 8" tubed, 24" tall skimmer(rated for 400 gallons). This thing is a MONSTER. (same size as a Euro 8-2/Asm G4).

My experience with Euroreef has been playing with someone else's 5-2. This thing is built so much better than the euro. Its heavier acrylic, cleaner lines, etc. Its just a better built product. Plus it has a cool scary looking Kraken/octopus type thing engraved on the top.

I have no experience with ASM skimmers.

The pump on this is a Hailea OTP 3000 (company that makes the Ocean runner needlewheel pumps.) Its slightly smaller than an OR3700, but pulls basically the same amount of air. Bubbles are tiny, and it had pulled about a half inch of crap out when i got up this morning (its an 8" cup, so a 1/2 inch is probably more than my old skimmer could hold), which is pretty impressive because its not broken in yet, and still smells plasticy.


I'll post some picture when I can, but for those of you looking for skimmers, I think these things are BY FAR, the best deal out there.

 

[mloebl]

Thanks for the info! Trying to find sizes for that one, as well as as the smaller Octopus Needlewheel 110 for my other tank. I like my AquaC, but now that I am adding a large sump, as well as a fuge, I don't think it will be able to handle it.

-Mike

 

[RichConley]

Okay, figured I'd finally get some pics up.
This is, for the record, a $220 skimmer.

Body: Notice coke bottle for comparison.

 

[RichConley]

pump

 

[RichConley]

impellar

 

[RichConley]

pump to body (union, and internal piece)

 

[RichConley]

Specifics: PCI PS-3000
8" tube, 24" tall. OTP 3000 NW pump. (Same OEM as Ocean runner)

Bubbles are tiny, chamber is completely full. I keep trying to take pictures, but it just looks like the body is white.

 

[B.rian]

i wondered if you could give me an update on the octopus skimmer? do you still feel that is pulls a good amount of skimmate out of the tank? what size tank are you using it on? i am thinking about purchasing one and i am trying to get an idea of its skimming capabilities. thanks.

 

[PenMan]

It will be interesting to see how well the needle wheels hold up. The Euro-Reef has pins on a solid disk and they have a problem breaking. The arms on the wheel look like them might be fragile. Watch out for the snails!

 

[delta]

Could this be the answer to HOB needle wheel
Single 75 gal rating

double 120 Gal rating

 

[marco67]

I've got one of those HOBs running on one of the via aqua 21g like the "edgar" tank at the store it's ....mmmm errrrrrrr.... alright.
I also have a couple of the insumps running ...Very Impressive for the $ !

 

[delta]

I've got one of those HOBs running on one of the via aqua 21g like the "edgar" tank at the store it's ....mmmm errrrrrrr.... alright.
I also have a couple of the insumps running ...Very Impressive for the $ !

Maybe they need a surface skimming mod?

 

[B.rian]

marco, so the HOB ones are alright, but the Octopus Needlewheel 200 are well worth the money? has anyone tried the recirculating skimmers?

 

[marco67]

HOB I'm not sure I'd buy again (or sell), the NW200, anyday of the week and look you in the eye doing it.

 

[Zackb911]

For the money I am definitiy thinking of getting one of the NW150's anyone know what the pumps consume for power? My MR-1 with Mag12 consumes ~100+watts I think, plus I want something new

 

[marco67]

Maybe they need a surface skimming mod?

That would help I'm sure, BBL difuser wouldn't hurt either. But hey on the bright side it dosn't need to be cleanned very often

 

[RichConley]

It will be interesting to see how well the needle wheels hold up. The Euro-Reef has pins on a solid disk and they have a problem breaking. The arms on the wheel look like them might be fragile. Watch out for the snails!

Paul, the needlewheel in these is exactly the same design that the ocean runner needlewheel pumps use (and the same that the aquamedic turboflotors use, as well as the resun pumps that Jeremy uses on his skimmers.. I think.. I know the standalone pumps he sells has them....). I've had an ocean runner running a year+ and no problems with the wheel, so I think its a fine design.

As far as mine goes, its a NW200 (8" by 24") running on my 58. Zen, you saw my tank when you traded fish with Abbey. The corals didnt look great at the time, but there certainly wasnt any algae. This is entirely WAY too much skimmer for this tank. I feed 4-5 times a day, and still think my SPS arent getting enough food.

There is one minor drawback that handycaps this skimmer (the NW200) that is easily remedied with some minor DIY. The elbow between the pump and the body is metric, and is about 1/2" pipe. I cut it out and replaced it with 3/4", and the thing is sucking probably 40% more air (not tht it wasnt working well to start with)

As to wattage, the pump is marked 60w (for the biggest model), but I think thats the rating for it without the needlewheel, and without air, so I'd say we're most likely around 40w.

As to the "would I buy it again?," I'd respond the same way Marc did.

 

[B.rian]

i am glad to hear that they are monster skimmer. how much height do you need between the skimmer and the tank so that you can empty the skimmate (height of skimmer - height in stand)? i am trying to figure out what will fit in my sump. i think if i bought this skimmer which measures 24" high, i would have about 3" to remove the cup and clean it. would this be enough? also, how high of water level do you keep with this skimmer also (how high up the skimmer does the water come?

 

[RichConley]

Skimmer is 24.5" tall, and the cup is on a union. It can be slid off in a completely horizontal manner. If you've got 27", you'll be fine, the skimmer will fit.

Its just going to be tight in there if you want to work on anything with the skimmer in there.

 

[B.rian]

EXCELLENT. that is just what i was hoping to hear.