The DAS outperformed the RX-150, used less wattage and was quieter. One AB pulls just over 500lph ~20 SCFH and the other just under 500. (The venturis to clog frequently, be sure that there is no salt built up etc.)

The biggest flaw on the EX-2 is the neck length and reducer. The neck is too short for 1000lph @ the set water level & the reducer is very drastic and causes turbulence in the neck. I would attempt to fix those two things before attempting a bubble plate.

HTH.

Do you think the Ex-2 would benefit from the bubble plate? I run the ex-2 and see lots of turbulence in the skimmer. I’m thinking up ways of putting some of the ideas off this skimmer into my Das.

How much air does your aquabee pumps pull per pump? I have never had a opportunity to measure mine.

We switched back to our DAS EX-2, it is quieter, can be fed direct from the overflow, and draws more air at fewer watts.

I am not sure what skimmer we will be adding in the future. Conical designs are continually modified and changed, once some established external designs come out I’ll evaluate then. A few laguna based designs are definitely on the radar as of now.

As for Jake’s question, I didn’t see any harm in it. I actually think your response adds some context to the review, as some of us are not fully aware of the details that you seem to have stated as a given. Personally, I find too many skimmer threads rife with rah-rah brand cheerleading to be of much practical use. A little discussion about how this product stacks up against the different approaches found in similar competing equipment is, IMO, a great addition to the review.

Regardless, thanks again.

The “review” is just to share with others, I was actually testing this new model for WM and they received the info long ago. This is not a full review but a follow up to other posts and private e-mail discussions with aquarists.

Some random points in regard to your comment:

Bubble size on needlewheels varies very little and has more to do with the water than the actual design of the skimmer and pump. Until mesh and higher RPMs are used the bubble size is pretty much moot when dealing NW to NW.

Air water ratio on a recirculating skimmer that recirculates within the bubble chamber is also of very little use. Water throughput is key and up to the user.

Raw performance data for skimmers does not exist and unfortunately will not for some time. Until a true standard and controlled test is done and we analyze what is removed, it is all subjective. Finally people in the industry are realizing there is more to skimmers than air draw…. a # I purposely left out and will be revisited in the future when compared with others.

And FWIW, wattage is listed 38-40w