The LAST big upgrade

[michika]

Originally Posted by danny zubot

Man I've been out of the loop for a while, I didn't even know that you got a new place in Calgary. Where did you end up, and when did you decide to upgrade?

Yeah, we moved back in November of 2007, I finally got fed up waiting for my master program (Human Anatomy) to open at the UofA. Its STILL not open by the way. So we came home, rented this tiny condo with windows that wouldn't open. I got fed up with that and I decided we were going to buy a house, and we did in October of 2008. We're in the SW side of the city in a cute little 50's home. Amusingly enough our house was the first house we saw in our hunt, and we saw A LOT of houses.

We've always wanted a big tank, and when we went house shopping one of the big features we were looking for was somewhere to place a larger tank.


Does anyone know of a page that showcases all the Octopus and Hurricone skimmers? From what I've found, none of them are even close to being big enough for our needs.

Vertex doesn't seem to make anything big enough, and I'm not really sure if we're willing (space wise) to daisy chain a couple of any skimmer together. The closet Octopus looks like the Reef Octopus FDNW-400 Protein Skimmer, but even then it doesn't look like it will make it.

We need about 1500g worth of skimming capacity. I know the tank's final volume will probably be around 1000g, however I do plan to liberally stock this monster, so I might as well be prepared now, rather then having to upgrade again later.

[mseepman]

You mention above that you are looking at the BK Supermarine 250 but in looking at it's specs, it's only rated to 750G.

For some reason J&L shows up to 2500G at the top of their listing and then in the specs below they list what BK actually says it can do.

I just thought you should know, in case that's where you got the idea it could handle your tank.

[xtreme]

BK Deluxe 500
Rated up to 1300G
About 5 grand

That thing must be a monster.

[michika]

Originally Posted by xtreme

BK Deluxe 500
Rated up to 1300G
About 5 grand

That thing must be a monster.

I saw a picture shortly after I posted my original comments about skimmer choices...its huge, and beautiful...and really expensive. I'm just not so sure its worth all that money.

[Phanman]

another option is the I-tech skimmer, I have the 100 and think it works fantastic. Obviously you would need a 400 or a superbeast but they can make one for you.

http://www.i-techskimmers.com/forums/

Also there is a i-tech skimmer thread on RC if you need more info

[michika]

Originally Posted by mseepman

You mention above that you are looking at the BK Supermarine 250 but in looking at it's specs, it's only rated to 750G.

For some reason J&L shows up to 2500G at the top of their listing and then in the specs below they list what BK actually says it can do.

I just thought you should know, in case that's where you got the idea it could handle your tank.

Yup that was exactly where I originally got the BK idea. I did go on further to look at all the other options, the ones that will not only break the bank, but they'll steal your soul too!

*edit*
Because I just have to know, I did put in a call to inquire about a BK skimmer, the appropriate size, price, etc. I think I owe it to myself to at least fully research it before I saw no.

[mseepman]

Because you already have the Octo skimmer, I think you might be best served with dual skimmers combining to your recommended size so that if one goes down, you are not totally without skimming.

In that case, you have a lot more choices, like a smaller BK (still a little pricey) or maybe the CAT3 Hurricone.

Alternatively, people have been happy with their Aquamedic T5000's for a long time. Here's a link to the twin version for 1250G tanks. http://www.aquacave.com/turboflotor-...edic-1060.html

Aquacave ships to Canada happily and their customer service has been quite good for me.

*edit*
Here's a link for another company making big skimmers that I've heard okay things about. http://www.marinetechnical.com/page2.html

[michika]

So the quote on that BK 500 rivals the quote on the HVAC system. Kevin was unimpressed and I think he is leaning towards building his own skimmer now.

We don't have the space for two skimmers, I don't think, but I'm more then willing the measure it out and keep looking though. I just want to make sure that I don't have to go an upgrade again a year or two after I put whatever skimmer(s) on this system.

[michika]

I picked up some more rock for this tank, its cooking away now so really there isn't much to do with that.

We're preparing to blow out a wall in the basement just by the stairs to get the stand in its proper position, however we're waiting on a firm confirmation on when the stand will be ready before we do that.

Tibet is going to most likely have a custom built skimmer now that we've really looked into our options. We aren't big on daisy chaining two together, and I'm honestly not willing to pony up the cash for a Bubble King regardless of its reputation. I also looked at Octopus' new line of Hurricone Skimmers, and it doesn't look like any single one will handle the tanks needs. Well I can now cross it off my list and move it to the to-do side of things.

Next up:
- more demo (it never seems to end)
- painting the floor in the fishroom
- getting the stand in place
- getting the water change system up and running
- ordering the tank
- framing the stand and tank

[wickedfrags]

Outstanding skimmers, the current owner of Oakville Reef Gallery uses the 3000 on his 460G+/- display. I use the 1000 on my 270, very well constructed, but do take up alot of room and require a powerful pressure-rated pump. The BK's are great also and use little electricity, a buddy of mine bought one about 6 months back and could not be more happy with it.

Here's a link for another company making big skimmers that I've heard okay things about. http://www.marinetechnical.com/page2.html