Got a skimmer you're not using?

[Engloid]

I'm shopping around for a skimmer for my 220g. I'm currently using a dual pump HOB Reef Octopus and it is pulling some nice skimmate. I've also got the ASM miniG in the sump. It's pulling some nice goop out too, but it seems a bit sensitive to the water height now that it's in this setup. I'd rather just get one good skimmer to replace the two of these. I will likely need an external style.

Anybody here use the AquaC skimmers? They need to be placed above the sump if I'm not mistaken...which makes me worry if I will have room under my stand.

Any other advice or suggestions, as well as experiences, will be appreciated.

 

[modifyd]

My AquaC is in sump and works fine.

 

[Engloid]

My AquaC is in sump and works fine.

I looked into it a bit more and saw some people just use PVC and egg crate to hold them up at the right level. That would be great, but for a 220g tank, the skimmer footprint gets too large to fit into my sump, based on the dividers. It seems there's not much of a good way to put them outside of the sump unless you use gravity to feed water out and into the sump...which means raising the skimmer above the sump and then I will have height issues. You got any ideas?

Pretty happy with the AquaC? Do you have to adjust it often or anything? What other skimmers have you had, and how would you compare it to them?

 

[modifyd]

I have to clean it alot to keep it skimming good but no adjustments, it's not as good as the euroreef I had but much better than the coral life or ASM I had.

 

[Engloid]

I have to clean it alot to keep it skimming good but no adjustments, it's not as good as the euroreef I had but much better than the coral life or ASM I had.

I don't think Coralife makes any good skimmers, do they?

Which ASM did you have?

 

[modifyd]

Same one you have

 

[cee]

For that sized tank I would look for something with a Red Dragon, Askoll 1500, or Bubble Blaster pump. Some of the venturi skimmers would also work but typically require a large pump to inject sufficient air into the water column to be effective. I run a Octopus Pro 300 with the Askoll and it is a monster of a skimmer. Through my ordeal I've been dumping 1-2 cups of coral tissue skimmate once or twice a day. The quality of a skimmer really boils down to the pump IME. I've also got a DAS EX-3 enroute that has 3 Aquabee pumps and runs externally in recirculating mode. Also a nice skimmer from the reviews I've read.

Bad news is all of these skimmers new will set you back around $500+. You can find them used for less than 1/2 that cost but all the SPS-afficinados are also looking for these deals so you've gotta be quick and monitor the sales threads often.

 

[Engloid]

For that sized tank I would look for something with a Red Dragon, Askoll 1500, or Bubble Blaster pump.

I will keep that in mind.

Some of the venturi skimmers would also work but typically require a large pump to inject sufficient air into the water column to be effective. I run a Octopus Pro 300 with the Askoll and it is a monster of a skimmer. Through my ordeal I've been dumping 1-2 cups of coral tissue skimmate once or twice a day. The quality of a skimmer really boils down to the pump IME. I've also got a DAS EX-3 enroute that has 3 Aquabee pumps and runs externally in recirculating mode. Also a nice skimmer from the reviews I've read.

If you decide to get rid of either, let me know. The pump on this ASM miniG puts out a ton of bubbles, but I suspect it's a flow rate thing that keeps it from working better....and it would take a bigger skimmer body to handle more flow rate.

Bad news is all of these skimmers new will set you back around $500+. You can find them used for less than 1/2 that cost but all the SPS-afficinados are also looking for these deals so you've gotta be quick and monitor the sales threads often.

I have been watching quite a bit lately, but haven't found anything that strikes me as a good deal and a good skimmer. If you see anything, let me know. It would be great to find something really nice for about $200-250.

 

[dantj99]

What about a hang-on skimmer? What would you recommend for that?
Thanks,
Dan

 

[rickyfins]

I would go with an ETSS 600 or 800 depending on bioload. Once it is tuned in, you don't have to fiddle with it (if its setup properly), and key is water level in the sump. You need an area that is a constant 6-6.5 inches deep to make sure this baby gets settled right. If you follow the directions and use the properly sized pump(must use an external for optimum performance) you will never regret it.

Yes its big, yes its bulky, and yes it takes a power hungry pump to operate, but it will be the last skimmer you ever buy. LOL

I have never looked back at any of the newer style skimmers, mods, or hype given to other devices claiming to be skimmers. LOL This truely is a beast and in a class of its own IMO.

The only other thing on the market that compares are really good(highend) beckett style skimmers. The difference between beckett and this downdraft is you don't have to clean the injector assembly nearly as often as you have to clean the beckett injector.

The ETSS skimmers tend to be less work and maintenance as well. The only thing you need to do to keep this puppy going is change the bioballs in the tower every 6 months.

I hope this was helpful to some degree... LOL

 

[cee]

rickyfins, I respect your opinion but feel it is difficult to form an accurate comparison if you've never evaluated other skimmers. I'm not going to get into an arguement and have no "horse in this race" but will point out my observations: I have run Beckett systems and used to swear by them but I actually find the new pumps with bubble plates 1) inject more air of smaller bubble size 2) create less turbulence in the column 3) consume significantly less electricity 4) run much quieter and 5) require no more maintenance than other skimmers. I would avoid a meshwheel design for the maintenance issues but not a Beckett design because of maintenance. All skimmers require at least weekly cleaning. Size is not necessarily the determining factor here either. Bottom line is with proper selection, any type of skimmer will work for his application so the choice boils down to budget, availability, other features, annual power consumption, and personal choice.

 

[cee]

What about a hang-on skimmer? What would you recommend for that?
Thanks,
Dan

Never used one and likely never will. I'm old school, I strongly believe in the need for a sump for many reasons.

 

[rickyfins]

rickyfins, I respect your opinion but feel it is difficult to form an accurate comparison if you've never evaluated other skimmers. I'm not going to get into an arguement and have no "horse in this race" but will point out my observations: I have run Beckett systems and used to swear by them but I actually find the new pumps with bubble plates 1) inject more air of smaller bubble size 2) create less turbulence in the column 3) consume significantly less electricity 4) run much quieter and 5) require no more maintenance than other skimmers. I would avoid a meshwheel design for the maintenance issues but not a Beckett design because of maintenance. All skimmers require at least weekly cleaning. Size is not necessarily the determining factor here either. Bottom line is with proper selection, any type of skimmer will work for his application so the choice boils down to budget, availability, other features, annual power consumption, and personal choice.

I did go through skimmer after skimmer until I found the ETSS... I just wasn't happy until I found it. With that said, I do run another skimmer on another system; an aqua C remora Pro on my 40g breeder. I upsized the pump a bit but it runs great. Also with that the technology is similar to the ETSS as far as how the air/water mixes and is injected.

Any type will work, I do agree with you there, just my opinion is that I wasn't happy with other skimmers and have no desire to try some of the newer ones on the market due to my satisfaction.

 

[Engloid]

What about a hang-on skimmer? What would you recommend for that?
Thanks,
Dan

The Reef Octopus I have works surprisingly well, especially for a hang on style. I've had some troubles finding it on the internet, but it's basically like two skimmers that share a common exit pipe. There are two completely separate pumps and chambers, both flow into a third that really cuts way back on any bubbles entering the tank. I guess it pulls about a cup of skimmate a day out, depending on how dark or light I want it. Both pumps are needle wheels.

I have run Beckett systems and used to swear by them but I actually find the new pumps with bubble plates 1) inject more air of smaller bubble size 2) create less turbulence in the column 3) consume significantly less electricity 4) run much quieter and 5) require no more maintenance than other skimmers.

Less turbulence? I thought more turbulence meant more contact time in the water and would increase performance. no?

Size is not necessarily the determining factor here either. Bottom line is with proper selection, any type of skimmer will work for his application so the choice boils down to budget, availability, other features, annual power consumption, and personal choice.

Is there any way of knowing if I am fine using what I have, or if there will be an improvement in coral/fish health and growth with another model? In other words, maybe I should just keep what I have.

 

[macclellan]

Is there any way of knowing if I am fine using what I have, or if there will be an improvement in coral/fish health and growth with another model? In other words, maybe I should just keep what I have.

That was my only thought; what problem are you having that getting a new skimmer would correct? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[cee]

Less turbulence? I thought more turbulence meant more contact time in the water and would increase performance. no?

Turbulence at the point where it transitions from water/air to bubbles is not good as it doesn't allow the foam to build properly and usually displaces the bubbles that have reacted with the "proteins" and puts them back into the reaction chamber, hence reducing the efficiency. As far as knowing whether or not it is sufficient for your tank that is highly variable and depends on tank volume, bioload, types of corals you are keeping, system "goals" (ULNS, for example), etc. There is no "one" answer. Joel pegged it, if it is working for you now and your corals look healthy and you don't have algae, diatom, or cyano blooms, it is probably fine for now...

 

[Engloid]

That was my only thought; what problem are you having that getting a new skimmer would correct? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

It's cleaning...but so was the Seaclone when I had it. Something tells me that it wasn't doing really good. I guess you don't really have any measure of how good your skimmer is doing. Perhaps checking with a TDS meter?

Turbulence at the point where it transitions from water/air to bubbles is not good as it doesn't allow the foam to build properly and usually displaces the bubbles that have reacted with the "proteins" and puts them back into the reaction chamber, hence reducing the efficiency. As far as knowing whether or not it is sufficient for your tank that is highly variable and depends on tank volume, bioload, types of corals you are keeping, system "goals" (ULNS, for example), etc. There is no "one" answer. Joel pegged it, if it is working for you now and your corals look healthy and you don't have algae, diatom, or cyano blooms, it is probably fine for now...

Now I understand. thanks

 

[seased]

where is a good place to get bubble blaster pumps?

 

[cee]

If you're interested I'll offer the DAS EX-3 I recently purchased used for the price I paid, $250. This is a large skimmer, too large to fit in my sump and hence I'm offering it. It appears to have a small leak around the fitting where the water comes out and was repaired by the previous owner but it looks like the leak can be further repaired with some silicone. It would not be an issue if run in-sump. Here's what I can find on it:

The Owner of Deltec is 'buddy' w/ the owner of D.A.S.
Deltec licenses the plans for their older models to D.A.S.
Recirc Pumps are the Deltec US model Pump w/ Deltec Euro Model Needle Wheel
Pumps are 2000/1 model (110v)
Models are EX-# ... where # = recirc pumps ... EX-1 (1 recird pump) EX-3 (3 recirc pumps)

Below are the specs on the EX-3, which retails for PRICE: $699.99 direct from D.A.S./Petorama:
Specs from Petorama's site:
Three Pump for aquariums up to 250+ gallons.
Skimmer dimensions: 17.75"x15"x28"
Mixing tube diameter: 8"
Collection neck diameter: 5"

Thanks.

Dave

 

[Engloid]

If I had my setup plumbed up with a sump in the basement already, I'd be able to use it. The more I look at skimmers, it seems that anything rated big enough for this tank needs to be ran in the sump and is too big to fit in mine. I may wind up having to wait until I can change my sump setup before I can upgrade my skimmer.

But maybe this winter, while hiding from the cold weather, I can get it done....but that entails buying a big plastic livestock tub, and a pump....right around Christmas time.