Octopus XP 2000 vs. Vertex Alpha 170

I thought you were a guru with skimmers . You know a lot more about em than I do.

Xp has never claimed to handle a 250. No where have I read this at least. I have read that it will safely handle a med bio load on a 180.

The bubble blaster pump when I had pulled it outta the box and read the numbers on the actual pump, was different than advertised. I recall that advertised was 1400 lph... pump read 1100 something @ 30 watts.

If there was something to complain about the xp is the low sump water level required to operate. That is the only thing that isnt so attractive on the XP.

To stay on topic with the thread..... what is gonna seperate the difference from a skimmer that more $$$

 

I got that rating off the Reef Specialty website. Most times it is just copied from manufacturer's literature. However, if that is not coming from Octo, then my bad.

If your literature is claiming 1100lph, that is about tops of what you would want on a 90g. That is a lot of air. However, that is probably the rating at 6" of water. That comes to 39 scfh. So 50 scfh is not out of the question in deeper water. But who know, perhaps Octo did reduce the outlet a bit. Restricted it a tad. Still not doing you any harm on your 90g. Certainly not ona 75g like Zach's.

Water pumps have a very exact pump curve. At so much head, it will flow so much water. Air draws on needle wheel pumps are very sensitive to water depth. (head pressure) So if manufactuterers are going to start giving air numbers on their pumps, then they need to start providing a pump curve as well. So much LPH at 6", so much air at 7", so much scfh at 8". That would be usefull info.

 

Well I noticed a difference in more numbers than just the lph. The footprint is smaller than advertised also.

I read the actual pump (had a silver sticker with ratings) and it read 1100 something or 1200 somethin. I can give exact numbers tommorow. It definitely was lower than 1400. I know Im off topic a lil bit but I tried ruling against the 6 inch water depth by having a 8 inch water depth and skimmer would overflow with valve completely open. So Im right at 6 at the moment. And the single sheet of paper that came with skimmer actually said do not operate above 150mm (5inches). But when I had spoken to coralvue they said 6 inches is acceptable.

 

Bump for the day crowd. I-Tech 100, or the Octopus XP 2000. I've eliminated the Vertex 170.

 

If your limited on space as well get the xp 2000SSS. Same price as the normal xp 2000 Super Reef Octopus XP 2000 SPACE SAVER In-Sump Cone Protein Skimmer by CoralVue* - AquaCave

 

Ordering the I-Tech 100 with Tunze Hydrofoamer 9410.04. Thanks all.

 

That's cool. For your tank it will be very good. You know you wanted it all along.;D

The I-tech...(as with the others)... will serve you well. You are going to be so happy with the set and forget of the needle wheel skimmer. The Collection cup is huge on my K2. I clean it once a week. I have not made a single adjustment since set up. Just found out I had salt in my line. Cleaned out the little bit in the venturi and that has been it. Solid consistent performance day in day out.

 

I hope so - and yes, I've wanted one for a while

John's already got mine packed and ready to ship out today. He drilled the collection cup and installed speed fittings and a valve for skimmate drain as well. Should have Wednesday / Thursday at the latest.

 

Very cool..... Cant wait to see pics. I wish I had a new skimmer coming to me again.... what a sweet feeling when its pulled outta the box

 

Just so I don't forget..... If the power goes out, you want the skimmer to come on 2 minutes after your return pump. Your flooded sump will overflow the collection cup. I just added a statement to my AC Jr. to wait 2 minutes after power 000. Don't know if the commands are the same for your Apex. Works like a champ.