Skimmer Crossroads...

So I currently have a Euro-Reef rs135 which I have been pretty happy with. I have it on my 125g mixed reef with a decent bioload. Total water volume is roughly 160-170g with fuge and sump. Recently I have been debating upgrading the skimmer and came across the bubble magus skimmers. I have done some research on them. From what I can tell everyone is happy with theirs and say they perform great. The model I am looking at is the bm200p and was wondering what people thought about it in comparison to my rs135.

Specs wise the 135 has a 6in body, uses a modified sedra5000, and pulls in 660lph of air. The bm200p uses a sicce psk2500 pump, pulls in 900lph while using needlewheel and 1200lph using mesh wheel, and has an 8in body. Just some simple specs. So, what does everyone think? Is the 200 an upgrade or downgrade?

 

I would have to say, and I hate to, it would be an upgrade.

The RS is a fantastic skimmer, but you are just about maxing it out on a 125. The BM with pinwheel should do very well.

No personal experience with BM though, just a lot of good reading.

 

Now someone had me looking at the swc extreme 200 or 250. The 200 uses the same pump as the bm. The 250 uses two of the sicce pumps. I think the 250 will be a little much. The 200 seems about right though. What do you think between the two?

 

Honestly, I haven't researched the SWCs at all.

I think ColoradoReef is a dealer on here. Let me check.......runs off

Yup, here is his website

http://www.swcskimmers.com/

I'm sure he can answer more questions on the SWC line than anyone else on here.

 

Here is a review that Powerman wrote on the 200
If you have any questions just PM me, Powerman or MikeJrice
BTW free shipping ends Friday

http://www.3reef.com/forums/protein-skimmers/swc-200-skimmer-review-81516.html

 

Thanks. I will pm you as I do have a question.

 

A Sicce powered skimmer will be good for what you have. The Bubble Magnus have been very good bargins. They work well. I think the SWCs are a little nicer. A 200 is all you need. If you wanted to go with "more than enough", running a 250A would not be crazy. The Askoll pump is very nice. With your total volume, you are right at that point between the two. Either will work for you.

The ER were pretty good actually. Lots of companies copied them. Now adays better air draws and bubble plates are an improvement. The Sedras are good pumps, but a Sicce has a better air/water ratio. So yes, it is an improvement... and the skimmer you have is a little underrated. I would not use it on anything over 90g... comparing to what I have had before. So a bit ov an improvement, and a bigger skimmer. Yes

 

Thanks a lot powerman. Your post has been very helpful. I think I am still a little stuck between going ahead with the 200 or saving and getting the 250a. Obviously the 250a is a much better skimmer, and I have heard great things about the askoll pumps but I am not sure...hmmm

 

Here is a little more back round on the tank as well. 125g display, 75g sump, 20g tall fuge. Stock wise right now I have a 6in yellow belly pacific blue tang, 8in blonde naso, 3 bartletts anthias (will be adding 3 more most likely),scooter blenny, mandarin, 4in mystery wrasse, and 2 picasso clowns.I would like to add a few more fish as well.