Wife gave me the Ok to buy a new skimmer.....now which on?

[The Grizz]

Holy HELLicopter batman!! Can I unsubscribe from this thread!!

I didn't ask for a debate on BUBBLE KING, VERTEX or DELTEC.

I will never pay what I think is a stupid amount of money for a BK. I had a friend of mines BK 250 for 9 months and could never get is set right. He used it for another 6 month and also could not get it right so he switch out to an old Reef Octopus & has never looked back.

I currently am running the Deltec 702A skimmer and my main dislike is the pumps are a bit noisier then I like as they are out in the open in my living room. That is why I would like to get something using the DC pumps as there are very silent running.

I have decided that the XS model is not an option now after doing some research on the Sicci pumps that are on it.

So I'm down to just 2, the Diablo or the Pro SSS. So if anyone has some GOOD INFO ON THESE 2 skimmers lets hear it & and if you don't take the debate else where.


Stay clear..... this Bear bites off limbs!!

[H2o2]

I have the Diablo and love it dead quite fully adjustable DC pump and easy to adjust outlet also the soft start after a power outage allows the main return pump to get most of the water out of the sump before it is up to full speed

[Jakegr]

I bought a Reef Octopus Diablo DC170 from Reef Supplies a couple of months ago. It is the best skimmer I have ever had! Admittedly my skimmer history isn't extensive... only Deltec MC600, SWC 160, and Vertex IN-80, but so far the DC170 blows them all away. I have never owned a BK so I'm not commenting at all on that brand.

1) It is quiet. I have mine on full blast and I can only hear the sound of it bubbling. If you listen inside the stand there is a slight humming sound. I do have my own silencer on the output... Reef Octopus skimmers tend to make splashing noises, but that is easy fixed.

2) It is my first "set and forget" skimmer. Very stable. It reliably skims all day without needing adjustments. Only the SWC 160 comes close in terms of consistency (in my experience).

3) Big skimmer cup.

4) The gate valve is so easy to adjust in small increments. The SWC's gate valve wasn't as easily adjustable (harder to turn)... and I won't even discuss how big of a pain it was to adjust the IN-80 and MC-600.

Hope that helps you make a decision. Personally I don't think the Reef Octopus POV skimmers are worth the extra money if space is not an issue.

I'll be the first to admit the controllability feature of the DC pump isn't highly useful however don't think I have touched the controller for weeks now.

[maron6977]

I vote for the xs350 - just cause it looks badass !!!

[The Grizz]

Thanks H2o2 & Jakegr that is the kind of info/experience I am talking about.

I'm really close to 500gal system but 90 gals of it will be mostly coral mainly Zoas. The main display of 300 gals is where the monsters from my 165 will be.