Best skimmer on market? (aka Octopus NW200 vs ASM G-3)

[stubbsz]

When I was looking around, I was put off the octopus because I read about the high heat output of the chinese-made pump on it. Heat is a pain in San Jose... maybe not such a big deal in Seattle.

I ended up with a ATI BM160. Great skimmer and really small footprint that I could get in my sump.

-Adrian

 

[bleedingthought]

One more vote for the G3.

I can't get over how nice Rich's tank looks, btw!

 

[Anonymous]

IMO octopus are better made. I have a G3 on my 125 and it skimms very well. I do wish that Octopus was around when I was buying though. The craftsmanship is far superior IMO.

Get a new Octopus for the same price as the G3, that's my suggestion.

how are they better made? the plastic is thicker? the pump is different? what component would decide your purchase?

The plastic is cell cast acrylic and not PVC. Plus the cone is attached unlike the ASM. The union on the neck is also a plus. It doesn't leak like the ASM does.

The pump I am not too sure about though.

 

[mr_X]

mine doesn't leak. why would you need a union on the neck? i think you guys put too much stock in trivial differences.

 

[bleedingthought]

mine doesn't leak. why would you need a union on the neck? i think you guys put too much stock in trivial differences.

My G3 does leak at the neck a little. Sometimes, depending on what day it is, it doesn't. A union would be nice and make things a little easier.

And I agree that the acrylic is a little better on the ASM rather than the Octopus. But still, the acrylic on the EuroReef is better than the ASM.

 

[mr_X]

what would you use a union for? to remove the collection cup?

 

[metalac]

what would you use a union for? to remove the collection cup?

that's what it's used for on octopus apparently. This way you don't need a lot of clearance to remove the cup. I will be picking mine up on Saturday, so I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

[mr_X]

hmm..i don't need alot of clearance to remove the cup either. just a short twist, and off it comes. i still don't get what all the hype is about.

 

[Nemo2007]

I have had no experience with either skimmer and decided on a Euroreef myself. However, I looked into the two brands as the Octopus models were recommended on this web site and I had found the ASM models on my own. From my limted point of view which consisted mostly of asking around, including at the LFS's in my area, it was the Octopus models that were described to be more cheaply made.

My model is an in sump model which does require adjustment every now and again. Would not a recirc model need less adjustment because they are gravity fed and accordingly would have a realitvely constant flow?

 

[LA-Lawman]

The skimmer man is here!

I would probably go with the G3. the octos are a pain to mod. the G3 works on a proven design and you can get parts when you need them.

both skimmers were designed to undercut ER. so knowing this. ASM has been doing it longer.

G3 or get a BM250 like trido did.... you wont look back!

 

[metalac]

Well I got me an octopus NW200 . This thing is HUGEEEE. I just hope it fits in my sump .

 

[trido]

I just thought I'd chime in about this thread and now that metalac has purchased his skimmer. I didnt want to badger him into buying my skimmer and felt he needed to get honest opinions and do what he felt was right without my interfering.

Ive always thought the general concesus was "Buy the best skimmer you can afford". Apparently that isnt the case anymore?

A couple people gave opinions regarding over skimming.
Is there such a thing? You could always skim drier or feed heavier rather than have cyano because you wanted to save $50.
The mention of skimmer size was brough up in favor of the octopus. Actually the ASM has a smaller footprint.
The mention of excessive electricity was brought up if the ASM was to be ran over the octopus.
Actually the ASM uses less electircity. It would cost over $1.30 a month more to run the octopus rahter than the ASM.

Did anyone actually look into either of these skimmer before they posted? Did you know they are nearly the same skimmer

Here is what I found

Octopus NW-200
Body Width: 8 inches
Height: 24 inches
Footprint 10.5 inches x 15 inches
Included Pump: Octopus Turbine 3000 (draws only 65 watts)
Our Tank Rating: 200 gallons


ASM G-3
Comes with one sedra 5000 pump
* Footprint : 11" x 12"
* Height : 25"
* Body Diameter : 6.5"
* For up to 250 Gallons tank.
The Sedra 5000 only draws 50 watts


After a week and rereading this thread I'm really annoyed about this and just wanted to share. Please, know what you are talking about rather than giving false facts. .


FWIW. I'm over skimming my 120 with a skimmer rated for a 500 tank and my corals are loving it. Within 24hrs the water was more clear and after two weeks my some of my brown corals are starting to show a bit color. The skimmate has been consistantly flowing and Im sure when the water is at its cleanest the skimmer wont skim someone day and none the next because here will always be organics in the tank. IMO there will always be consistant skimmate. Maybe there wont be alot of it.

Just thought Id share my thoughts too. Have a happy holiday season

 

[metalac]

so the guy I got the Octopus skimmer said that I might be overskimming my 55 gallon with this tank and said I might want to run it on a timer. What do you guys think? He said that softies like somewhat of a dirty water (more stuff for them to eat i guess).

Trido do you have any softies in your 120 tank? are they doing ok?

 

[trido]

so the guy I got the Octopus skimmer said that I might be overskimming my 55 gallon with this tank and said I might want to run it on a timer. What do you guys think? He said that softies like somewhat of a dirty water (more stuff for them to eat i guess).

Trido do you have any softies in your 120 tank? are they doing ok?

First, I would never run any skimmer on a timer. Just skim drier and leave it on to airate the water and keep the PH up.
He is right. Softies do like the water dirtier. When I had a 30 softy tank last winter the skimmer I used was junk. The softies seemed to grow faster than in my other tank.

With that said. Yes, I do have softies in my SPS tank. I have three kinds of leathers, ricordias, rhodactis, hairy mushrooms, xenia (which grows like a weed), GSP, and five kinds of Zoas. My softies have great color polyp extention and grow just fine.