So my skimmer caused a small flood for the second time (admitidly the first one was my fault). I didn't do anything to the tank, besides clean the filter media, and feed. Not sure which one made the skimmer go nuts but I'm guessing feeding. It did that with flake food too. Either way this skimmer is starting to annoy me. It is a Coralife Super Skimmer 125, and is way to sensitive, every time I add top off/do a water change it doesn't skim for hours, and it seems certain foods make it go nuts, that or somehow cleaning the filter media did it(but that doesn't make sense) Im lucky I caught this one B4 it started another fire. I just can't trust this skimmer any more, and am looking for another, and suggestions? It is a 55G tank, and im looking to keep in the same price range $150ish. Im tempted to get a Prizm even though I've heard bad things, my friend has had one on his 55 for almost 3 years, and it seems to work for him. I had on on my old 39 and it was OK. So anyway what would you recommend? I ws thnking a Remora, but It's hard to tell, some people love them some hate them, what about a bac-pak? Sorry to ramble. So what would be the best skimmer in the $150ish range?
Another flood! I need a new skimmer help!
- Thread starter todd2000
- Start date
RichConley
New member
Is the skimmer in an area where the water level is constant?
If its not, it doesnt matter what skimmer you have, you'll have floods.
If its not, it doesnt matter what skimmer you have, you'll have floods.
It's hanging on the back of my tank, the watr level doesn't fluctuate that much, mabye 1/4 inch B4 I top off, my old Prizm didn't care about water level (I admit it was my first tank, and I didn't top off as much as I should have) Wouldn't a lower water level cause less skimming anyway?
rjwilson37
New member
I would by far go with a remora over a prizm, you hear way more good about remora than a primz. The same goes for bad things, you hear way more bad things about a prizm than a remora, so your odds are much better going with the remora over the prizm.
Make sure you pay the little extra and get the remora with the maxijet pump.
Make sure you pay the little extra and get the remora with the maxijet pump.
RichConley
New member
Turboflotor 1000. MUCH BETTER than a remora.
This hobbys too complicated, I should have stayed with Fresh Water. Im just starting to get frustrated, I never had a Diatom or Algae bloom in any of my freshwater tanks, a few algae eaters and they were fine, didn't have to buy all this equipment, Im seriously considering ditching this thing. If I didn't have $300+ of live rock a $200 light, etc..etc... I think im just gonna get a Prizm, my friend has had his for 2 years and his tank is a little overstocked, and has no problems.
physicslord
New member
Almost any skimmer can flood. That's why they are adjustable.
Just remember the things that make it go nuts: water changes, algae scraping, addition of new live rock, changing of filter floss (big time!).
When you do one of these things turn it down for a day or two so it doesn't flood.
Simple as that.
Just remember the things that make it go nuts: water changes, algae scraping, addition of new live rock, changing of filter floss (big time!).
When you do one of these things turn it down for a day or two so it doesn't flood.
Simple as that.
crny1
Premium Member
Quick question.....i have the same skimmer on my 55. Have you done the output tube mod to it? Mine use to do the same thing till I did the mod and now it is very consistent. It takes about $4 and 5 minutes to do and the results make it a good skimmer. Mine has never overflowed since! PM me if you dont know what the mod is and would like to do it as i can explain it to you. Trust me you will be happy you did.
Wes
Wes
physicslord
New member
Okay, here's your answer.
Well skimmers work by taking out sulfactants which are hydrophobic protein molecules. Those organic molecules serve as the catalyst shall we say for holding the bubbles together.
But other things will work as catalysts for bubble formation too.
Changing the filter floss seems to be a big problem because it is made of polyester or something like that. The point is it has petrolium products in it. The new floss has a fine coat of chemicals left over from the manufacturing process. Those get released into the water and cause more skimmate to be formed.
When I change the water I always end up stirring up some junk that has settled into the bottom of my tank and in my rocks. This junk is now in the water column and innevitably it leads to more skimmate being produced. (don't jump all over me, this is just my experience. I noticed the same thing when I scrub a live rock.)
Now, if you have strong enough bubbles any skimmer will just be overwhelmed and can flood unless you have a really big one. Even those with drains can be overwhelmed in my experience.
Well skimmers work by taking out sulfactants which are hydrophobic protein molecules. Those organic molecules serve as the catalyst shall we say for holding the bubbles together.
But other things will work as catalysts for bubble formation too.
Changing the filter floss seems to be a big problem because it is made of polyester or something like that. The point is it has petrolium products in it. The new floss has a fine coat of chemicals left over from the manufacturing process. Those get released into the water and cause more skimmate to be formed.
When I change the water I always end up stirring up some junk that has settled into the bottom of my tank and in my rocks. This junk is now in the water column and innevitably it leads to more skimmate being produced. (don't jump all over me, this is just my experience. I noticed the same thing when I scrub a live rock.)
Now, if you have strong enough bubbles any skimmer will just be overwhelmed and can flood unless you have a really big one. Even those with drains can be overwhelmed in my experience.
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I had good luck with my prizm,but I had my skimmer cup to close to the lighting system and the cup cracked and with many trys to locate one(red sea co. local pet store)I have'nt been able to get an replacement.you may want to make sure that replacement parts can be had for what ever model you deside on.
