Upgrading to a 265 Need Skimmer Feedback

Hi All - After being back in the hobby just shy of 10 months I find myself upgrade my 90 to a 265 tank. Total water volume 300g.

I've been looking at different skimmers options and I would like you feedback on the models listed below.

Option 1
SWC 300 - $480. Rated for LB-690, MB-475, HB-365 operates 3 Sicce PSK-2500's
Option 2
AquaMaxx Cone 5 - $700. Rated for up to 550 Gallons operates a Modified Sicce 5.0
Option 3
Octopus Diablo DC 250 Skimmer - $586. Rated for up to 400 Gallons Operates pinwheel (not sure which) controllable pump?? (Any benfit to this?)
Option 4
Reef Octopus Extreme XS350 - $800. Rated for up to 400 Gallons Operates Sicce PSK-1000

I know we have monster size tank owners on here, so let me know your preferences and if you've had any problems or bad experiences with any of these pumps.

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Here is my breakdown:

Option 1
SWC 300 - $480. Rated for LB-690, MB-475, HB-365 operates 3 Sicce PSK-2500's
I would rank this tied for #3 overall
Skimming ability: tied for #1 (est 2400 lph of air)
Maintenance: tied for #3 (3 pumps)
Build Quality: Tied for #2
Sicce PSK 2500’s are capable of massive air but are prone to start-up issues. Pump is modified water flow pump. Keep in mind that you will have 3 separate pumps to maintain. Consider the SWC 300a with the Askoll pump and this skimmer leaps to the front of the pack.

Option 2
AquaMaxx Cone 5 - $700. Rated for up to 550 Gallons operates a Modified Sicce 5.0
I would rank this tied for #4 overall
Skimming ability: tied for #4 (est 1500 lph of air)
Maintenance: tied for #1 (single pump)
Build Quality: #1
IMO, this has by far the best build quality of the group. It’s also the smallest skimmer of the bunch (along with the Octopus Diablo 250). In the long run it might be too small if you plan a heavy bio load.

Option 3
Octopus Diablo DC 250 Skimmer - $586. Rated for up to 400 Gallons Operates pinwheel (not sure which) controllable pump?? (Any benfit to this?)
I would rank this tied for #1 overall
Skimming ability: #3 (est 1800 - 2200 lph of air)
Maintenance: tied for #1 (single pump)
Build Quality: Tied for #2
Basically this is the Waveline DC pump that many other skimmer manufacturers are also beginning to utilize. The DC Pump does not really benefit you but allows a manufacturer to cut it’s manufacturing costs because designers can use the same pump across their entire skimmer line-up. So far the pumps have not had issues but they have only been around a bit more than a year.

Option 4
Reef Octopus Extreme XS350 - $800. Rated for up to 400 Gallons Operates Sicce PSK-1000
I would rank this tied for #1 overall
Skimming ability: tied for #1 (est 2400 lph of air)
Maintenance: tied for #3
Build Quality: Tied for #2
Worry free pumps. New purpose built factory designed skimmer pumps by Sicce. Not modified flow pumps. Keep in mind that you will have 3 separate pumps to maintain.

 

Greg thanks for the feedback. I will plan on eventually having a heavy bio load so if the aquamaxx and diablo 250 will be too small then it looks like I'm looking at the extreme 350. Do you have any other recommendations as far as other skimmers. I will also be running a LCE400 wet dry filter.

 

A wet-dry filter?

Maybe Greg will have some feed back here also. My humble, 125 mixed reef experience says, don't do it!! I could be wrong however

 

Todd what should I know about the wet dry. Are the bio balls not the same as live rock?

 

My bit of research has found that virtually no one uses a wet-dry filter anymore.
I'm sure there are many here who are still using one, but the current trends seem to be LR, PS, and a sump and or fuge of some sort.
MOst seem to be going away from deep sand beds- DSB also.

I'm no real authority, I'm sure others will chime in.

 

Wet Dry Systems. This is gonna be a great discussion. Personally I have contemplated setting up a reef tank with one. I think it can be done!

 

I think I'm going to give it a try. I'll be getting my new toy delivered tomorrow, so I'm going to take a good look at the wet dry. I may end up modifying it a bit. I think of adding another compartment (sump) area before the bio ball and have that as the intake for the over flow and have my skimmer first before the bio balls. Think this will help? I'll post a sketch tomorrow.

 

Do you know the up sides and down sides of a wet dry filter?

 

If you don't, you definitely won't know how to avoid the pitfalls that await and will most likely find out why people suggest removal of wet dry systems.