Octopus Extreme 200 vs. AquaC EV-120

I currently have a 120 gallon mixed reef and a 30 gallon DIY refugium/sump. My current protein skimmer is an AquaC EV-120 and I'm considering purchasing the Octopus Extreme 200 but don't know if this would be a worthy upgrade from the AquaC EV-120. I have 13 fish and lots of corals and only get 3-4 ounces of skimmate per day. I was hoping to get twice that amount with the Octopus Extreme 200. If anyone can advise me to stick with what I have or switch to the Extreme and a explanation on why to switch I would greatly appreciate it.

This is how dark my current skimmate is, this was 6 hours worth.


FTS

 

My skim looks the same and I run a PS75. I bought mine for 40 bucks, I honestly dont see how a more expensive skimmer would make a world of difference. If it is pulling nasties out of your tank leave it alone IMO.

I r a noob though

 

That dosn't make me feel good. I just purchased a 120 for my 135. I was hoping it was the answer to all. There was a guy on here who did a big tank build. After one week he had a 10 gallon tank full of skimate so dark it looked like malasses. I was expecting the 120 to have skimate popping the lid off like popcorn. As it always given 6 ounces a day? What pump do you have going to it?

 

Check this out

Take a look at this video. This is what i was expecting this skimmer to do. It dosn't say what size pump this guy is using but his skim is poppin!
YouTube - Sump in 125 galons reef Aquac ev-120 #4

 

I have a 90g reef and just replaced my EV-120. Your tank is quite advanced, and you obviously have good water quality. So the EV-120 is removing plenty. It can only remove what the bio load produces.

Now what may be saving you is your large fuge. If you get a bigger skimmer, it might pull out more, but at the expense of growth in the fuge. Honestly, I can't believe you have that size tank doing so well on a EV-120.

Many many people love the Octos. I went to a needle wheel after my 120. I can't say my new skimmer kicks it's butt, but I never thought my old skimmer was under rated to begin with. I don't think my new skimmer is even breaking a sweat.

 

They do run better with a bigger pump than what it calls for, but look at the skim-mate in the video, its real watery and clear.

 

The skimmer is running way too wet, that's probably why he got 10 gallons of skimmate.

 

No, when I first got it it would collect around 8-10 ounces a day but I also had more fish then. I noticed there is a crack near the air valve, maybe this is causing a problem?

 

Buy an I-Tech skimmer. They're awesome