Reef Octopus Extreme or SWC 300A???

I have 400 gallon system that I am working on and my next step is upgrading my skimmer. I need help chosing between the reef octopus extreme 12 in. in sump skimmer or the SWC 300A skimmer? I have heard that the askoll pumps are way better than the sicce pumps but other than that I don't no much difference between the two. It seems that both are rated for around 400 gallons and both seem to be around the $600-$700 mark. Which do you think?

Reef Octopus Extreme In Sump Protein Skimmer

Original Xtreme Skimmers

 

The stats on them do look very similar. The biggest difference I see between the two is size. The SWC is taller overall and doesn't sit in an elevated base. It's footprint is also considerably larger. May I ask why you are leaning toward the 300a? Have you looked at the 350?

Xtreme 350 Protein Skimmer

Three pumps and it's rated to easily handle your tank size for about the same price.

 

Never mind the size difference. I was looking at the wrong octo model.

 

I was looking at the 300A over the 350 just because I have heard from a couple of people that it is better to go with the askoll pump. The 350 only had the sicce pump. I have no clue if it is better or not just going off what I have heard from others.

 

I would take the Askoll hands down. It will get 90-100 scfh. Sicce pumps are getting 38-40 on a Red Demon wheel. The only way to get 45-50 scfh out of a Sicce is to mesh mod it. So Sicce pumps are very good at what they do and the ranges they are for, but the Askoll will do more and is a very good quality pump. It is Laguna based same as Red Dragon fro Bubble King and Air Star by ATB.

 

Since the Octopus Extreme as well as the swc 350 has 3 of the sicce pumps would they combine to out perform the one askoll pump on the swc 300A model....or with 3 pumps is there just more to go wrong?

 

No, I was just talking about 2 Sicce or one Askoll if you were stuck on doing the 300. 3 Scicce will give you more. The way I like to think about it is skimmer ratings are based on bio load, but we always end up heavy. So the 300 could do you, but really you need to be looking at the 350 for what you have. 3 pumps are not "more" trouble. Even better, if one pump does godown, you still have 2/3 of your skimmer working.

You will want to do the optional pin wheel though. ATB has the purple wheel and Warner Marine has the red wheel. The purple is bigger around with short pins and has had a few starting problems. Still though, plenty in use with no problems. The WM red wheel is smaller diameter and longer pins with zero starting issues. They both do about the same, but I like the WM wheel. Mesh moding does work and will pull more air, but the mat does wear out and it is just one more maintenance item. So for me personally I have no desire to mesh mod my stuff.

You could even get a spare Sicce and be all set for spare parts. Certainly keep a spare shaft on hand. Air meters are very usefull for troubleshooting. Pick one of those up at some point. They go for about $40.

And there are a ton of Sicce pumps out there anf they are very good in this application. Very reliable so don't worry about "if they break down".