Reef Octopus 110SSS vs NAC 3.5 vs CAD PLS-100

[jgaepi]

I tried posting this within my own tank thread but I got no love. So I am taking this question to the big time. 27g display tank with roughly 10g more in the sump. Lots of corals and I intend to have about 5-7 fish.

 

Thank you for your input.

[MikeTR]

The 110sss is grossly overrated for what you need, so is the PLS-100.

[bdevillier19]

I have a pls-100 and it is OK if you have it in 6" of water. It is very finicky when it comes to adjustment and is a pain in the ass to adjust. My advice if you have the room is go with the bm NAC 3.5 or curve 5. Just do yourself the favor and avoid the pls. It does skim good but its not user friendly.

[jgaepi]

The 110sss is grossly overrated for what you need, so is the PLS-100.

You mean oversized for what I need? Or overrated in poor quality and I need something better? What would you recommend?

 

I have a pls-100 and it is OK if you have it in 6" of water. It is very finicky when it comes to adjustment and is a pain in the ass to adjust. My advice if you have the room is go with the bm NAC 3.5 or curve 5. Just do yourself the favor and avoid the pls. It does skim good but its not user friendly.

Good to know. I have a BAO sump on order, which can take a large footprint and has an adjustable baffle for skimmer depth. PS, are you in the larger skimmer camp or regular size?

[bdevillier19]

I run the pls-100 on a ~65 gallon system. I ran the pls-100 before I got my current tank running. I think having a large skimmer is good cause I like lots of fish and corals.

[jgaepi]

I run the pls-100 on a ~65 gallon system. I ran the pls-100 before I got my current tank running. I think having a large skimmer is good cause I like lots of fish and corals.

If you don't like the Cadlights skimmer, why not upgrade?

[bdevillier19]

I will. Going for the BM curve 5. But I have a new light in the works so it'll have to wait. It works well enough that I can deal with it till I can get a new one.

[MikeTR]

Yeah, i meant oversized. Reef octopus skimmers are very good in general.

[jgaepi]

I will. Going for the BM curve 5. But I have a new light in the works so it'll have to wait. It works well enough that I can deal with it till I can get a new one.

For nearly 40g total water volume, the curve 5 is prob too big. Maybe I should go with the NAC 3.5?

 

Yeah, i meant oversized. Reef octopus skimmers are very good in general.

The NAC 3.5 is prob more right sized for my 40g over the reef octopus 110.

[bdevillier19]

The 3.5 will probably work just fine. Any of the bm skimmers seem to get good reviews.

[jgaepi]

 

will probably work

Oy, I read that and then start second guessing :-)

[bdevillier19]

ok give me a second to look up the specs on the nac 3.5.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. says its rated 25-80 gallons, so 25 gallons heavy load to 80 gallons light load im assuming. so for a approxiamate 40 gallon system with a decent load i'd go bigger if it were me. it all depends on your bio load. my pls-100 on my 20 long with a 10g sump and 4 fish with a decent amount of coral pulled skim just fine (other than be an overly sensitive pain in the ass).

 

the nac 5.5 is $20 more and is rated for 80-135g so it would be better suited for a heavy load in a 40 gallon system. or go with a tried and true beast and get the curve 5. i've seen people use the curve 5 on a 50 gallon system with no problems, especially with a decent bio load and regular feedings.

 

if you dont want to go with the BM skimmers get the RO classic 110 for close to the same performace (based on specs) as the curve 5.

 

 

hope that helps you second guessing , just dont buy the pls-100 and youre good to go

[disaster999]

ill pick the RO 110SSS.

 

7 fish and lots of coral...ill take all the skimming action i can get.

[tony2u]

i recently purchased the Reef Octopus Classic 110.. its in a 10 gal 2 chamber sump that has a 4" sock and live rock.. going back to a 35 gal display tank. In my opinion you can't over skim, i had a ESShoppes and wasn't happy with the quality or ease of adjustment. i plan to add corals soon and overstock a little so I'm prepared. I also like that the water level requirement for the RO 110 is low.. less than 6 inches. I'm using a Hydor ATO

[ItsOnlyThai]

Have you thought about the SCA 301?

[jgaepi]

Have you thought about the SCA 301?

No, I will look it up. What are your thoughts on the SCA301?

[bdevillier19]

I've seen mixed reviews on the sca line of skimmers. Some say they are junk and some love them. I've seen better reviews for the 302 than the 301 but havent owned either.

[jgaepi]

I am leaning more towards the Bubble Magus Curve 5.

 

New question I have running out there is a dual use pump for running a JBJ 1/15hp chiller and a Blue Life USA Resinator. Chiller requires about 150 gph and the Resinator has no requirement but the recommended pump is a Cobalt 600 (rated at 160 gph). Add roughly an 18" rise before the split. I am considering a Sicce 1.0 (251 gph) or a Sicce 1.5 (357 gph).

[disaster999]

The curve 5 is a nice skimmer. I would take its rating with a grain of salt and cut it in half tho.

 

I would go for a bigger pump, you need to account for the friction loss within the tubing and the pressure head as well. Are you planning on using the pump as a return? sump --> resinator --> chiller --> display tank?

 

What exactly does the resinator do anyways?

[jestep]

I've seen mixed reviews on the sca line of skimmers. Some say they are junk and some love them. I've seen better reviews for the 302 than the 301 but havent owned either.

 

302 is significantly better than the 301. Both use Atman pumps though which don't have the best record for reliability but should still last a few years under normal usage.

 

I've been using the 302 for something like 2 years now, previously on my 50 and now on my 90 w/20 gallon sump. It keeps up no problem. I haven't had any problem with the pump. Would definitely recommend it, I was able to find mine for about $100 on ebay.

 

The 301 is almost identical to the 3.5 and is quite a bit cheaper. Same pumps, same design, basically clones.

[ItsOnlyThai]

Did you ever feel like the 302 was too big for your 50g or did it skim well?

[jgaepi]

I would go for a bigger pump, you need to account for the friction loss within the tubing and the pressure head as well. Are you planning on using the pump as a return? sump --> resinator --> chiller --> display tank?

 

What exactly does the resinator do anyways?

The pump is not for the display. I have a sicce 2.0 for that. Resinator is essentially a media reactor.

[jestep]

Did you ever feel like the 302 was too big for your 50g or did it skim well?

 

Was great. I think the rating they state on the site is overly generous. I don't think I would use it on a bigger tank than a 90 with a sump. But no problems in either the 50 or 90 so far.