[Chin_Lee]

Wow I wish I saw this earlier, I could have probably changed your mind. First off the BK SM 300 is newer and I've got one sitting on my work bench ready for an install for a customer.

But being newer really doesn't really equate to anything. It may be the most recent design but the fact its newer doesn't necessary mean better.

That makes me one of the few to actually see this skimmer. It has two pumps but one is much smaller than the other one, it's a little bigger than the 250 but really it's basically the same so I would say go with the 250 over the 300 unless you want to run ozone since the 300 has ozone ports. I could have even taking pictures for you.

that was my thing with the 250 over the 300. I was paying an extra 400 for a smaller pump. Probably because two bigger pumps would have probably been too much for the size of the skimmer but still a lot of money for a pump. Also I do run Ozone which was another factor.

Also I can't believe someone would actually want one of those Orcas, seriously bad idea.

Have you owned one to be able to corroborate this statement?

It uses an external dart pump in a way I would almost guarantee you'll get a seal and bearing failure after about a year or so. Plus the pump uses around 150W compared to less than 50, and the thing is oversized putting more into height than width which makes very little sense. Plus have fun takign that collection cup off with all the plastic screws that will eventually were out, and that plastic looks pretty thin. Not solid construction at all, very similar to a Life-Reef which may have been good at the time but ask anyone that still has one what they think of it.

Actually the pump max is 120W and is actually slightly lower with more air mixture. Compared to the 300 which is 80 watts combined for the two pumps, a difference of 40 watts was insignificant considering the price difference. I think it will take me 15 years to make up the difference for $1000 at 40 watts.
I did some research on the collection cup and noted that its keyholed meaning I only have to loosen slightly, twist and the cup comes off. I've PM about 6-7 owners of the ORCA 250 and they all do not have any issues with the removal of the collection cup. In my situation, the skimmer will be right beside the sink beside the sump and I have a garden hose attachment to the faucet. So I don't even have to remove the collection cup. I will install a hose from the drain into the sink and when I need to, I'll be hosing the inside of the collection cup to clean it.
Most plastics look thin in pictures but a little research goes a long way rather than making misleading assumptions. The entire skimmer is made of 1/4" cast acrylic - not thin at all in my standards and my experience with making skimmers.

For the extra $400 you could have gotten the BK 250, what a shame. The 250 would have lasted you forever and you would have always been happy with it.

Well a big factor in my case is the external skimmer factor. I do keep breeding fish and smaller animals in my sump which I didn't want to get sucked into any skimmers. I've already lost a couple of bangaii's who perished due me test-driving some skimmers in my sump. I have seen some BK from local reefers and I do admit they are good construction. In this case though, the Orca is pushing 2545 liters per hour of air with one pump and BK300 is pushing 3000-3600 liters per hour with two pumps. Maybe I should modifiy it for two reeflo pumps for 5000 lph on my new skimmer
Also I like the bigger body size of the orca and I don't see the size as anything detrimental in my case. The body is 12" diameter and its about 32 high - lots of volume and height for bubble-protein contact.

I have heard about the seals giving on the external reeflo pumps but there is a lifetime warranty on these pumps and Reeflo assured me that the Gold reeflo Orca NW's have all the seals and fittings for 24/7/365 skimming. If anything goes, they will replace for free.

I know opinions of skimmers will vary from owner to owner but I have yet to find a dissatisfied owner of an Orca. None of them have every expressed any regret which was another big factor for me. It should be noted that none of them had their pumps' seal leak either but its only been a year since these skimmers came out so time will tell.