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#126
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Quote:
One very minor thing to me is that the air line (more like a really thin rubber tube - almost like a REALLY thick latex) for the venturi kinks really easily. It had a few extra inches and that made it kink all on it's own. I trimmed the length down to fit and now it's fine. But I'm going to be running ozone through mine so I'll probably end up replacing it with an ozone-safe line anyways. For the money so far it LOOKS like it'll be a nice unit. I hope that's still the case once I get it dirty.
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Follow my 125g build here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1281873 |
#127
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IMO this skimmer design is more comparable to BK internal skimmer vs. ATI. And I know it could be argued either way, but some consider ATI a cheap knock-off of BK. The MSX series happens to use the mesh-modded Sicce pumps like ATI, but keep in mind that Tunze uses the same pumps (although they use a needlewheel). The Sicce pump is nothing "proprietary". Just like Deltec, H&S, etc. all using Aquabee, Eheim, etc.
Having owned Euro-reef, Deltec, H&S, etc. I was convinced my next skimmer would be BK. The Red Dragon pumps are incredibly energy efficient (low wattage yet lots of power) and the craftsmanship is second to none. That said, I decided to give this skimmer a try... how can I afford not to? Consider you could buy and trash 3 of these units for the price of a BK... although I do consider quality important. Well, today I received my MXS250 and although I won't have it hooked up for a while (new tank on the way), I can tell you the build quality is beyond expectation for the price The construction is heavy and solid, the seams are remarkably straight and clean (especially where the tapered neck meets the body). This skimmer looks and feels great. Only time will tell regarding performance but we know these pumps are capable of pulling 700-800 LPH of air at ~30 watts. The pumps do run hot but this is not as much of an issue with submerged, in-sump operation. If we get anything close to 1500 LPH of air at < 60 watts IMO this skimmer will be a clear winner in the VALUE and PRICE PERFORMANCE categories. Also, I have personal experience and frustration like many with the cost of replacement pumps on high-end skimmers. For me a pump failure was usually an excuse to rationalize a skimmer upgrade vs. shelling out for a replacement pump at $500. Another important point: these Sicce pumps are readily available and I've seen the mesh modded versions for < $100 new. |
#128
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It sounds like to me, that some people might be a bit mad that they could have actually paid too much for their skimmer!?!??!
How about instead of moanin and groanin, you guys with the DEEP pockets buy a MSX skimmer and put it up against your namebrand one then give us an opinion thats worth reading! |
#129
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Okay, here is a picture of my MSX250 recevied today:
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#130
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One thing I don't see on there website is the rating on these new skimmers, Without and with Bio Load.
By the way nice picture on the MSX250 now we need to see it in action. |
#131
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Whats soo good about this skimmer? Good price or new idea? What is the site were it was bought at?
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You know, DOTZ, like the candy you put in your mouth. |
#132
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Why are some of you guys jumping on luke? He been a great poster on this forums of years and shouldn't have to put up with this stuff.
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#133
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Some of you asked about the neck of the skimmer and how the cup attaches... in this close-up you can see the silicone ring that is recessed inside the neck. The inside tube of the cup extends slightly (1/2") and fits down inside the black ring. Its snug and I expect the silicone ring will need to be kept clean and and lubricated to make it easy to get the cup off when needed. The cup does have a built in drain. Note the thickness of the black ring and the quality of the routing and finish work. Very good IMO.
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#134
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One other nice feature, at least on the MSX250 (not sure about the smaller versions). The bubble plate is actually two pieces and I expect this helps prevent the plate from cracking if the thumb screw is overtightened. Nice touch but maybe ATI and others do this as well?
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#135
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One other note... the outlet pipe assembly is not glued so it can easily be swung 180 degrees or more allowing you to direct flow.
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#136
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DGill you take some awsome shots. Are you using a photobox?
__________________
180 Gal Reefready, 75 gal Sump/Fuge, Reeflo 200 skimmer, 3 250 Reeflux Bulbs in Lumen Bright reflectors powered by coralvue electronic ballasts, PM Kalk reactor, 2 Vortechs, Geo 618 calcium reactor |
#137
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JRaquatics - thanks! Believe it or not its just a white sheet tacked up on the wall and draped over a card table, but I have some really good photography lights with color temperature of 5500K and this helps.
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#138
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Quote:
Its a good idea though... this skimmer looks to be a well thought out design.
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"If at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it" -Al Einstein |
#139
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hahnmeister - you're absolutely right and I didn't even think of that at first. It would be impossible to remove the plate if it were one solid piece. This eliminates the need to make the bottom removable like we see on ATB, BK, etc.
BTW on the bubble plate they even routed out the top of one piece and bottom of the other along the center line allowing them to "seat" nicely and prevent a gap. Here is a picture of the BOTTOM of the bubble plate after being removed: Last edited by dgill; 01/06/2008 at 02:52 AM. |
#140
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That being said, you DO have the option to buy something else. Not everyone gets to drive a Ferrari. |
#141
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MrSquid, when you find a place to get the replacement tubing for the venturi, let me know. Mine keeps kinking too.
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#142
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[This space for rent] |
#143
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#144
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There's no such thing as a normal reef, there's just reef |
#145
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#146
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Rob |
#147
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Quote:
YzGyz
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YzGyz = Wise Guys ohhh and cows go MOOO!!! 2nd best way is to learn from ones own mistakes but the best way to learn is from others... thx to Randy and so many other for making reefing that much easier |
#148
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The more you look at these skimmers, the more you wonder or question the design. There are quite a few significantly different aspects between these skimmers and the ATI BM.
They both use the same pump, but as far as the chamber design, it's completely different. The BM's introduce the air water mix at the bottom of the chamber, into a significantly larger space than the Xtreme skimmers mixing chamber. After going through the bubble plate the air water mix is channeled up the body of the skimmer, almost to the beginning of the neck, via an internal tube. In the Xtreme's case after the air water mix clears the bubble plate it spreads out and fills the whole chamber. The exiting water in the BM flows down the outside of the inner tube and exits via the riser pipe arrangement. The exiting water on the extreme skimmer flows passed the internal injection chamber via some slotted openings and then exits the body again via a riser pipe arrangement. At first glance both seam workable designs. We know the BM design works, many skimmers have been tested and have been running for some time now with good results. My only concern with the Xtreme skimmers design would be too much turbulance in the body of the skimmer from the powerful pump and excessive micro bubbles being intrduced to the sump, an annoying problem. However, both these issues are pure conjecture on my part. The question ATI and the designers of the Xtreme skimmer both had to deal with was how to harness the powerful air water mix in the body of the skimmer in order to reduce turbulance and minimize exiting micro bubbles and at the same time maximize the skimming potential. Those are design problems that if achieved, result in one skimmer being more efficient than the other. I'm guessing it takes a lot of testing and more than a little design ingenuity in order to achieve the best results. If I was a betting man, Im guessing that ATI did a little more brain storming than the manufacturer in china, however I could be wrong, after all wasn't the US the first to put a man on the moon, ... Oh that's right they stole that technology from the Germans! |
#149
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MGB - agreed the design is not an exact copy of ATI and is much closer in design to the Bubble King Deluxe models. The BK 250 is 10" diameter and 25" tall and does not use an internal chamber. The MSX 250 is remarkably similar:
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#150
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The bubble king parts are red....
That might make a difference! |
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