Anyone use ETSS skimmers?
- Thread starter ®eefer
- Start date
skairik
New member
I'm using the ETSS 2000 on my 580g FOWLR and it does an excellent job. It pulls out lots of thick brown gunk effortlessly and the foam it produces is impressive. The only drawback is that it requires a pressure rated pump (Iwaki 100) and unfortunately that particular pump uses 380 watts. The ETSS 750 obviously doesn't need a pump that large so no worries there. The ETSS skimmers are also "downdraft" so you might want to weigh your pro's and con's about that before deciding. No regrets here though.
skairik
New member
I don't think there's anything negative about downdraft skimmers given the proven performance of mine. In this hobby there's alot of innovation and many different ways to achieve the same result. What about the people who don't use skimmers at all? You just have to do your homework and decide how you're most likely to succeed. With that said, there are five basic types of protein skimmer designs:
1) Air-driven Protein Skimmers
Air-driven protein skimmers are a high "protein removed per bubble" ratio counter current skimmers that utilizes a wooden or glass airstone to produce bubbles in a column of water. A standard air pump pushes air through a porous block (either made of wood, glass, or ceramic material) which produces fine bubbles. A separate water pump is normally required to provide flow through the skimmer and back to the aquarium or sump. Though the main advantages of the air-driven skimmer are low initial cost and quality of contact time, one has to replace the airstone or block and adjust these skimmers frequently. Also, the fact remains that, though these skimmers have a slow rate of contact time, they often lack the ability to produce enough BUBBLE COUNT to make this type of skimmer a good buy.
***NOTE: NOT RECOMMENDED BY REEF SHOW FOR SYSTEMS 55 gallon and above. And never for SPS tanks if possible. If used for ip to 100 gallon systems, you require a SUPER HEAVY DUTY air pump!
2) Venturi Protein Skimmers
The "venturi skimmer" is a general term covering a broad class of different designs. Most skimmers on the market today utilize the venturi effect in some form or another. In actuality, a VENTURI is a special-shaped tube which draws in air through suction. A good venturi (BECKETT) Skimmer introduces fairly large amounts of air and, combined with high flow-thru rates, and proper design, are the best bang for the buck. On the other hand, some Venturi protein skimmers, such as the Red Sea Protein Skimmers, use a simple venturi valve to produce a mix of water and fine bubbles and provide "Turbo Pumps that have a unique impeller wheel designed to produce finer bubble. Some Venturi protein skimmers are even designed to create a **spinning vortex of water and air inside the **protein skimmer to maximize contact time between the air and water without the necessity of a tall column. The small size of retail venturi skimmers mean that the venturi protein skimmer can easily be hidden underneath the tank and will leave more room in the cabinet for other equipment. Venturi designs require less regular maintenance over the air-driven design. The BEST all-around skimmer remain those utilizing the BECKETT HEAD venturi. In fact, the best skimmer on the market for all around 6 point performance are the MRC BECKETT Venturi skimmers. They are high performance models made with only the best materials and design available. The problem with many of the mass produced venturi skimmers is by and large they fail to do the job. Cleaning and re-adjusting of this unit is a must every several weeks.
3) Needle Wheel Protein Skimmers
This skimmer is a hybrid of the venturi based technology, it uses a unique *skimmer pump needle wheel impeller to "chop up" the air pulled in from the venturi; once air is injected into the skimmer, it is drawn through a water pump with this special impeller designed to chop the incoming bubbles into a finer mist. Quality needle-wheel skimmers on the market are known for producing a dense, milky froth. This makes for efficient skimming in a relatively small, compact package. As a result, this type of skimmer is popular. There are even needle wheel replacement impellers that state one can alter their old plain venturi pump with to an advanced needle wheel typy by replecing the impeller or changing their old skimmer water pump. Though air and water flow rates in these skimmers are high, they still fall short of the air-induction style skimmers on the market today. This is a great technology for smaller reefs and those with limited cash flow.
4) Downdraft Protein Skimmers
Downdraft skimmers feature high flow-thru rates. They also inject large amounts of air into the water. A typical downdraft skimmer can cycle the entire volume of a 100 gallon system several times an hour. This makes for excellent oxygenation and ensures that all of the water is treated in the shortest amount of time. The downdraft patented design operates by using a high pressure stream of water injected downward into a column of plastic media, like bio balls, to suck air into the water stream and break the air up into tiny bubbles. Their are several design knock-offs of the Down-draft protein skimmer. A typical downdraft skimmer can cycle the entire volume of a 100 gallon system several times an hour. These skimmers are usually large and they require a very strong pump to run correctly. The problem is that, though this may be a good skimmer, the fact is the design is patented leaving one with paying higher price and the knock-offs are less in quality.
5) Spray Injection Skimming
Spray Induction skimmers use some of the Downdraft processes yet use a spray bar to disperse the air to water ratio. The stated information by the holder of the patent for downdraft skimmers states that their design "seems to" inject the largest amount of air for a given pump size" -- "is extremely short and compact" -- "there are virtually no maintenance requirements or parts to replace" -- and "once broken in, this type of skimmer is truly a "set and forget" piece of equipment".
As I said in the beginning, there are many ways to achieve the same thing. However, the in-tank skimmers are the least expensive but offer the fewest feature options. The in sump models offer the most features, but are among the most expensive. Consider the following to help you decide:
a) performance
b) initial cost
c) ongoing cost
d) maintenance requirement
e) size
f) ease of use.
I have a 225g reef that has a knock-off Euro-reef skimmer in sump. The equivilent would be the Euro-reef CS8-2. It utilizes the Sedra 5000 pump and it does a great job of keeping my water clean. Good luck.
1) Air-driven Protein Skimmers
Air-driven protein skimmers are a high "protein removed per bubble" ratio counter current skimmers that utilizes a wooden or glass airstone to produce bubbles in a column of water. A standard air pump pushes air through a porous block (either made of wood, glass, or ceramic material) which produces fine bubbles. A separate water pump is normally required to provide flow through the skimmer and back to the aquarium or sump. Though the main advantages of the air-driven skimmer are low initial cost and quality of contact time, one has to replace the airstone or block and adjust these skimmers frequently. Also, the fact remains that, though these skimmers have a slow rate of contact time, they often lack the ability to produce enough BUBBLE COUNT to make this type of skimmer a good buy.
***NOTE: NOT RECOMMENDED BY REEF SHOW FOR SYSTEMS 55 gallon and above. And never for SPS tanks if possible. If used for ip to 100 gallon systems, you require a SUPER HEAVY DUTY air pump!
2) Venturi Protein Skimmers
The "venturi skimmer" is a general term covering a broad class of different designs. Most skimmers on the market today utilize the venturi effect in some form or another. In actuality, a VENTURI is a special-shaped tube which draws in air through suction. A good venturi (BECKETT) Skimmer introduces fairly large amounts of air and, combined with high flow-thru rates, and proper design, are the best bang for the buck. On the other hand, some Venturi protein skimmers, such as the Red Sea Protein Skimmers, use a simple venturi valve to produce a mix of water and fine bubbles and provide "Turbo Pumps that have a unique impeller wheel designed to produce finer bubble. Some Venturi protein skimmers are even designed to create a **spinning vortex of water and air inside the **protein skimmer to maximize contact time between the air and water without the necessity of a tall column. The small size of retail venturi skimmers mean that the venturi protein skimmer can easily be hidden underneath the tank and will leave more room in the cabinet for other equipment. Venturi designs require less regular maintenance over the air-driven design. The BEST all-around skimmer remain those utilizing the BECKETT HEAD venturi. In fact, the best skimmer on the market for all around 6 point performance are the MRC BECKETT Venturi skimmers. They are high performance models made with only the best materials and design available. The problem with many of the mass produced venturi skimmers is by and large they fail to do the job. Cleaning and re-adjusting of this unit is a must every several weeks.
3) Needle Wheel Protein Skimmers
This skimmer is a hybrid of the venturi based technology, it uses a unique *skimmer pump needle wheel impeller to "chop up" the air pulled in from the venturi; once air is injected into the skimmer, it is drawn through a water pump with this special impeller designed to chop the incoming bubbles into a finer mist. Quality needle-wheel skimmers on the market are known for producing a dense, milky froth. This makes for efficient skimming in a relatively small, compact package. As a result, this type of skimmer is popular. There are even needle wheel replacement impellers that state one can alter their old plain venturi pump with to an advanced needle wheel typy by replecing the impeller or changing their old skimmer water pump. Though air and water flow rates in these skimmers are high, they still fall short of the air-induction style skimmers on the market today. This is a great technology for smaller reefs and those with limited cash flow.
4) Downdraft Protein Skimmers
Downdraft skimmers feature high flow-thru rates. They also inject large amounts of air into the water. A typical downdraft skimmer can cycle the entire volume of a 100 gallon system several times an hour. This makes for excellent oxygenation and ensures that all of the water is treated in the shortest amount of time. The downdraft patented design operates by using a high pressure stream of water injected downward into a column of plastic media, like bio balls, to suck air into the water stream and break the air up into tiny bubbles. Their are several design knock-offs of the Down-draft protein skimmer. A typical downdraft skimmer can cycle the entire volume of a 100 gallon system several times an hour. These skimmers are usually large and they require a very strong pump to run correctly. The problem is that, though this may be a good skimmer, the fact is the design is patented leaving one with paying higher price and the knock-offs are less in quality.
5) Spray Injection Skimming
Spray Induction skimmers use some of the Downdraft processes yet use a spray bar to disperse the air to water ratio. The stated information by the holder of the patent for downdraft skimmers states that their design "seems to" inject the largest amount of air for a given pump size" -- "is extremely short and compact" -- "there are virtually no maintenance requirements or parts to replace" -- and "once broken in, this type of skimmer is truly a "set and forget" piece of equipment".
As I said in the beginning, there are many ways to achieve the same thing. However, the in-tank skimmers are the least expensive but offer the fewest feature options. The in sump models offer the most features, but are among the most expensive. Consider the following to help you decide:
a) performance
b) initial cost
c) ongoing cost
d) maintenance requirement
e) size
f) ease of use.
I have a 225g reef that has a knock-off Euro-reef skimmer in sump. The equivilent would be the Euro-reef CS8-2. It utilizes the Sedra 5000 pump and it does a great job of keeping my water clean. Good luck.
ScallopKing
New member
I've had my ETSS800 since I started my tank. I run an iwaki 55 pressure pump on it and the skimmer works great. It takes a little tinkering with during break in and I've had two times where it seemed to break in again and foamed very wierdly. I am very happy with what it produces...serious amount of gunk and dark, stinky skimmate. If I had a choice I would go ETSS again and go with the commercial model next. HTH.
F35-Joint Strike Fighter
New member
here was my ETSS800
