EuroReef Club

[Jim_S]

ER is not known for their speedy customer service. In fact, its quite the opposite. If you bought it at a LFS, then that's where you should take it. If there is nothing impeding the return, I must go with my intial feeling that there is something wrong with the pump. If you do a water change, It will lower your skimmate production. Beaware of this. If it's not skimming much now, you can bet it's not gonna skim anything after a WC. Fix the pump issue, then you will be golden. Jim

 

[skyfireblaze]

Okay, I'm trying to decide on a skimmer for my tank.

I was all set to go with ER, but to be honest, I've been a bit turned off by the recent events here on the web and their customer service (which really now is about the same as most aquarium related companies so I'm not complaining that much ...). It seems like the nice, cozy feeling about ER that abounded here on RC has somewhat gone away IMO since their forum was closed. Anyways, I've considered skimmers from ER, Deltec, and H&S for my little 37g tank.

So far, the price aspect has kept ER in the running. It seems like any skimmer from any of the companies I named above would "overskim" my tank. All the talk about new impellers and beta pumps doesn't make a difference to me since I'd be looking at a smaller skimmer (CS5-3 or CS6-2). So I think it's coming down to a combination of price, noise, and power.

Can anyone compare the aquabee pumps found on the Deltec skimmers with ER's sedras in terms of noise and power? I haven't really been able to find much info on ER's pumps, but I'm sure I'm just looking in the wrong places. What's the water and air flow rates as well as power consumption with these pumps running in "skimmer-mode" (with both air and water flowing through the pump?

Thanks all for the help!

 

[cozmo1]

for specs, i would post this same question with doug over in the deltec forum. he usally responds pretty quick.

 

[Dr]

Two things that I would consider is the avalibility of spare parts and warranty repairs.

I think that all the parts for Deltec and H&S are not readily available,(not many stocking retailers in the US or the ability to handle repairs in the US) were as with ER you can get parts in a day (if overnighted) from many online retailers and ER is here in the US.

 

[tangwang]

I guess I'm an official member now.... I broke down and bought a CS8-2 a couple of weeks ago to replace my ASM G2. BIG difference between the tw, lol... Especially construction wise. The ER is much better built, and I'm very happy with it....Here is a comparison between the two:

And here is the ER in its new resting spot:

 

[phishlet]

WOW that is quite a difference.

 

[tangwang]

Tell me about it... I had to break out a baffle in the sump to fit the skimmer in, lol....


matt

 

[Gatorfan]

Just got my new(used) ES5-2 in the mail today!

 

[tangwang]

Very sweet... Is this going on the new tank?


matt

 

[Gatorfan]

Yup

 

[Lunchbucket]

i LOVED my 5-2...great little skimmer...NOTHIN in that size and price range compares.

pics of it up and running yet?

Lunchbucket

 

[Codeman00]

I can't wait to get my ES5-2 running. I've got the gate valve mod on it and the orifice drilled out...its in the sump and its still dry. After 3 months of wait, my stand will be here tomorrow..then the fun will begin. I'll post pics as soon as I start bubbling up scum!

 

[Gatorfan]

Nope, not running yet. Tank's still in the 'buying a couple parts at a time as I can afford it' phase The new tank won't be up until after I move at the end of July(much easier to move the contents of a sumpless 10g than a full ~26 gallon system).

 

[Antman]

Just cleaned out the cup after first week & the wife almost kicked me out of the house. DAM that stuff STUNK!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[phishlet]

Ok. So my 8-2 has been running for about 6 days now and it seems to be breaking in now. I have collected a bit over 1/4 collection cup worth of dark stinky skimmate. I think the water level issue is under control finally. Not sure what the problem was but here is a pic of where I have the water level adjusted to sit. It doesn't seem to rise and fall (surge) anymore. I just cleaned out the cup this am so I could take this pic. Is this about the level where you all run the water line?

Here's a short video clip. It looks to me like it is staying stable now. Before it would rise up and down on the tube an inch or more.

http://home.comcast.net/~ctromp/misc/euroreef82.MOV

 

[jnb]

congrats on your skimmer getting on track problem-wise - that level is perfect - a little more conservative than towards wet skimming - if the skim build up gets thicker at the top of the neck quicker you may even tune it higher which will make wetter skimming which some people like - then there is wet and wetter

Ok. So my 8-2 has been running for about 6 days now and it seems to be breaking in now. I have collected a bit over 1/4 collection cup worth of dark stinky skimmate. I think the water level issue is under control finally. Not sure what the problem was but here is a pic of where I have the water level adjusted to sit. It doesn't seem to rise and fall (surge) anymore. I just cleaned out the cup this am so I could take this pic. Is this about the level where you all run the water line?

Here's a short video clip. It looks to me like it is staying stable now. Before it would rise up and down on the tube an inch or more.

http://home.comcast.net/~ctromp/misc/euroreef82.MOV

 

[phishlet]

Thanks. The riser tube is almost all the way up already. I didn't think I would need to run the riser up so high since the skimmer is sitting in 12 inches of water.

 

[Jim_S]

I run my water level a bit lower, but I like to dry skim. Here is 5 days (2 days after break in) on my CS8-2RC Beta. Unfortunately I'm now adding supplements to the tank, so I disconnected the skimmer until Saturday.

 

[albfelix]

phishlet, based on your video, the water level is a little to high. on the video from time to time i see the border of water and bubbles rising in the neck? what's your salnity?

here is mine ER CS6-2+ Sedra 5000 pump

 

[whaase]

I'm now a official member

Ok, just a couple of pics.

Fresh water:

Saltwater - 2 minutes after installing. I'm amazed at the density of the bubbles....

Walter