help choosing skimmer

[illal]

im looking to get a new skimmer before the year is up my current tank has been up since july with no skimmer but i had other issues such as lighting that had to get taken care of.... my only problem is the way i have my sump setup.. the section i made for the skimmer is 12"x13" and the water level is 15" .. i kno the water level is way too high but im kinda stuck with it now.. the stand leaves me 28" to the very top so ill have to build a stand out of egg crate or sumthing to lift the skimmer up and im tryin to figure out what will fit (wich is where i need help) this is what im looking at and im wondering what u guys think of it plus any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[ReefWreak]

That link doesn't work.

If you're on a budget the Octopus needlewheels are nice. Recirc is better, especially for a tank >90g

 

[ReefWreak]

Oh and your best friend is the used equipment selling forums here on RC

 

[illal]

i actually tried that approach and got burned ... i paid $115 thru paypal for a 250w mh that i never got back in august so unless its from someone local its not goin down...btw try the link now (thats pretty much the most i can spend)

 

[Ding2daDong]

DAS EX-1 or EX-2. I am considering one of these for my 75g reef.

I am in the same boat as you, I looked at ati bubble master 160 but for the price and how good it skims, it isn't worth the money imo. I have seen a few in action and they don't seem to out perform my old octopus200.

Deltec is always nice but they are expensive. I heard some good ratings for the bermuda skimmers that use a venturi rather than needle wheel.

HTH

what is your price range so we can better help you?

-Matthew

 

[cubano2480]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11106275#post11106275 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by illal
i actually tried that approach and got burned ... i paid $115 thru paypal for a 250w mh that i never got back in august so unless its from someone local its not goin down...btw try the link now (thats pretty much the most i can spend)

try ebay just reed the feedback...............

 

[ReefWreak]

I've seen a lot of people having success with the DAS, and it's catching on much like the Octopus got popular and then caught on. I would still get a used ER if it were up to me, because that's where i see the biggest value. Deltec is great but expensive as heck.

That Tunze has always gotten positive things to say about it, never heard something negative about them. I've just never heard that they were spectacular either, so who knows?

BTW Illal, I know what you're talking about with getting burned, but did you ever get your ballast or your money back? My friend Ionredline did and he was in the same situation with that same person.

 

[gasman059]

Here's my take on skimmers HTH

Here's my take on skimmers HTH

Hope this helps in making your decision.-this is my saved doc on the subject.


In many ways, protein skimmers are a lot like automobiles. Some people lust after a two door sportscar, while others might desire a four-wheel drive truck. Although neither automobile is quantitatively better than the other, each fills the needs of a different type of driver best. The fact is, there simply is no such thing as a "best" skimmer.
Protein skimmers benefit water quality by facilitating two major processes - gas exchange and export of organic wastes.

In short, the four main factors which govern a protein skimmer's effectiveness are…

1. Bubble size

2. Bubble quantity

3. Overall flow-thru rate

4. Quality of contact time

First two simple
Last two not so simple.

The overall flow-thru rate and quality of contact time are not as clear cut as the previous two measures. Some have reported that high flow-thru rates (several hundred gallons per hour) yield the best results. Others argue that a slow, leisurely flow-thru rate facilitates the best skimming. Most likely, both schools of thought are correct in their own way. The actual chemistry behind the mechanism of protein skimming tells us that, in order to remove the maximum amount of waste possible per bubble, we want a very, very slow flow-thru rate. This makes perfect sense… If the flow-thru rate is slow, each individual air bubble can react with the water for a longer period of time. Air bubbles, after all, don't become saturated with proteins immediately.


The better needle-wheel skimmers on the market are notorious for building a dense, milky froth. This makes for efficient skimming in a relatively compact package. As a result, this type of skimmer is extremely popular, with new designs popping up every month or two. Although the air and water flow rates in these skimmers are high, they still fall short of the air-induction style skimmer
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 a short amount of time.Although this design works well, it is not without its disadvantages. These skimmers are notorious for being large… many models stand several feet tall. They also require a very strong pump to run correctly, in many cases a pump which is expensive and energy-thirsty.
:wavehand:

 

[Flamehawk]

With that high of a water level, i would get a MIDIFloter. Yes, the airdriven RedSea protein skimmer. Get a decent air pump which will still consume much less watts and stick (2) limewood airstone. It will be milky white with bubbles! Pretty cheap too.

A Lee's or Sanders would also work, but the MIDI has a much fatter reaction chamber. The holding bracket is way nicer as well.

The airput is comsumes 10watts!

JOHNNY

 

[illal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11106492#post11106492 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefWreak
I

BTW Illal, I know what you're talking about with getting burned, but did you ever get your ballast or your money back? My friend Ionredline did and he was in the same situation with that same person.

never got my money back or the lights....me and your friend both paid for the same light but he ended up sendiing it to your friend not me

what is your price range so we can better help you?

im looking to spend around $300

 

[nyvp]

what about the bermuda skimmers?

 

[illal]

so far im looking at both the "tunze DOC 9010" and the "AquaC-EV180" because of the fact they can be run in deeper volumes of water and arnt all that tall but ill look into the bermuda skimmers aswell and let me know if u think of any others that may suite my needs

 

[Husky_1]

I have the tunze doc 9010 on my 92 and love it, but I do not have something that is similar to compare it to. The thing is really quiet, and you will only need to put a 4-6" stand in your tank if the water height is 15". I usually have to empty the skimmer about every 2 days, but I wet skim.

 

[pedromatic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11109154#post11109154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by illal
so far im looking at both the "tunze DOC 9010" and the "AquaC-EV180" because of the fact they can be run in deeper volumes of water and arnt all that tall but ill look into the bermuda skimmers aswell and let me know if u think of any others that may suite my needs

The Bermuda on my 90 does a great job and very low maintenance, just clean out the collection cup and waste container. There's no needle wheel to clog up.

The AquaC-EV180 on my 55 (got it used here on RC) also does a great job, but cleaning it is a pain. The foam tower gets covered in skimmate goo and you've got to reach in and clean it out occasionally. Sometimes you'll get a big gob of it on a paper towel or scraper and it will fall down into the body (and back into your system). Aside from that it works very well.

Both of these are mounted outside the sump, but can be mounted in-sump as well.

 

[lpsluver]

I don't think you can go wrong with the Tunze but fo rthat kind of money you could look at a Deltec or soemthing along those lines. The equipment forum has all sorts of useful info on this subject, you should look there.

BTW...I just put an Octopus NW-110 on my RedSeaMax and it is working great after only 10 days. Octos are decent quality knockoffs of Euroreefs but cost a lot less.

 

[illal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11110521#post11110521 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lpsluver
I don't think you can go wrong with the Tunze but fo rthat kind of money you could look at a Deltec or soemthing along those lines.

if you know where i can get a deltec for the price of the tunze let me kno...again im looking for something that will work with the depth of water that i have to deal with but still fit within my stand after being lifted a bit to be at the right water level so far the two i listed seem to be the best for the circumstances/price

 

[pedromatic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11111007#post11111007 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by illal
...again im looking for something that will work with the depth of water that i have to deal with but still fit within my stand after being lifted a bit to be at the right water level so far the two i listed seem to be the best for the circumstances/price

The AquaC EV-180 is only 20" high and can sit in 9 inches of water.

I got lucky and found one used on RC. Look around, you may get a deal. Otherwise, do you have room outside your sump or maybe next to the tank for a bigger skimmer?

 

[jman77]

"DAS EX-1 or EX-2."

I have a EX-2 .... my vote is for the EX-1 ...good skimmers

 

[jman77]

shots of the EX-2 ...water in the skimmer wasn't even at full SG !