Sump Equipment and Skimmer Questions

[Noober]

Ok, i'm going for the best bang for the buck here. I'm gonna have to buy this stuff soon. Here is what I have found for my 50 gallon:
Octopus Skimmer
Item #: OCT-NW-110
Popular design that works by a special wheel inside the skimmer pump which chops the air and water into fine micro bubbles.
Special needle wheel produces more micro bubbles which highly increases the skimming ability compared to our competitor's models.
Simple to use! Plug it in and set the water level using the telescoping riser tube. SPECS

For In-Sump use only
Recommended for tanks up to 75 gallons

Dimensions:
Overall Height: 22"
Cup Removal Clearance: 0.75"
Reactor Diameter: 4"
Needle Wheel Pump included (approx. 260 gph)
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Or should I use this octopus skimmer for a little more money:

Item #: OCT-DNW-110
Popular design that works by a special wheel inside the skimmer pump which chops the air and water into fine micro bubbles.
Special needle wheel produces more micro bubbles which highly increases the skimming ability compared to our competitor's models.
Recirculating design for maximum efficiency. (feed pump not included)

SPECS

For In-Sump or External use
Recommended for tanks up to 90 gallons

Dimensions:
Overall Height: 23.5"
Cup Removal Clearance: 0.75"
Reactor Diameter: 4"
Needle Wheel Recirculation Pump included (approx. 260 gph)
Footprint (including pump): 6" x 11"
Requires feed pump, approx 1.5 tank volume. (example 60 gallon tank, use 90gph feed pump)

Footprint (including pump): 7" x 9"

As far as I can tell the first version of it is for in sump only. The second has a bit more cleaning capabilities and can be used out of sump.

Now for the pumps. What do you guys think of mag drive? I can get some 250 gph pumps for a decent price, and with the second skimmer I can hit a total of approx 200 dollars before shipping. If the first skimmer would be just as good and make me use less plumbing then by all means I will go that route.

I have a hang on back overflow that I will need the second magdrive pump for. Would 250 gallons per hour work well with my 15 gallon refuge. I have a total of 65 gallons with the refuge and display tanks.

Please give me your honest opinions! Have a good day!

[coraline79]

The first one is all you need. The second requires an additional pump, and with a small sump, you would have to set it up with an external pump as well. Recirulating is great when noise/heat are a problem, as they can be setup remotely. I think they are a little better at the job too, but you aren't running a huge system, and it sounds like a little to much trouble.

[fishn]

Go for the bigest that you can aford. Just my 2 cents

[jrsatx20]

ive got the first one with no problems on a 75 gallon 2nd skimmer would need pump to deliver the water needed to work. more pumps = heat = high temps = death = more money