HOB Skimmer Help

Cutiewitbooty

Cutiewitbooty

New member
I have a skimmer, but it fills my tank full of micro bubbles and i'm sick of it. I want to get a HOB skimmer because i want to keep my sump from being over crowded and i have the extra room behind my tank. I think the most important thing is that no bubbles come out of the return lol I have around a $200, give or take $50, budget for a skimmer and they whole system is about 40gal. Im thinking that the AquaC is the best as far as HOB skimmers go, so that one seems like it's an option. I did find this skimmer though on marinedepot, i haven't heard much about it though and was wondering if it good. The thing i like about it is that it has a UV sterelizer built in it. Anyone got any info on this skimmer, it is a little cheap though, only 119, so i'm not sure. Well give me any info you guys can, thanks!!


ViaAqua Multi-Skimmer Deluxe w/ 5W UV Sterilizer
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=VA2313
 
I have an AquaC Remora on my 55g. I've seen some people remark that it dispenses micro bubbles into their tank, but I haven't seen that in mine. I use the Maxi Jet 1200 pump on it though, which is the lowewst flow one available. Maybe the larger pumps you can get with it cause the micro bubbles. I'm pretty happy with how well the Remora works though, my nitrates are down to 0, with the help of the AquaFuge refugium.
 
whats the drain fitting option you can get with the AquaC, what does it do?

The ASM would be cool, but the 10.75" part of the footprint is too big.
 
Plus this option would take the bulky, ugly pumps out of the tank.

Also, IMO I think UV sterilizers are a waste. It kills off good bacteria and pods as well as the bad. Most of the nasties are removed by good skimming and use of GAC. IMO a sterilizer is not needed.
 
if i got the AquaC i would get the skimmer attatchment so the pump wouldn't me seen. But like i said the footprint of the ASM is to big :(
 
My sump part is about 11"x 11", but my return pump is really big aso that takes up alot of room. plus i would have to take out the baffle that is for the return pump part.
 
I have the remora with the maxi 1200 as well. I like it, it works well for the price. It is a lot better than most of the $100-$150 skimmers out there. I have the skimmer box on it and I haven't had a problem with bubbles. However i have heard of other people getting microbubbles out of it. Some say it goes away with time, some say it doesnt. Just a heads up, the surface skimmer box is really big. Off the top of my head I would say around 9 or 10 inches long and tall, and about 3 deep. It is very noticable inside a tank, and in a smaller tank like a 29 it might be really annoying. But, performance-wise I think the skimmer is great. If I were to ever upgrade I'd go with the Deltec HOB but that is more money. For the price range the Remora is the best I know of. Oh, also the Aqua C company has very good customer service. The O ring that holds the collection cup fried away on mine from being under halides, and they sent me 2 more free without a problem. I asked if there was anything I should do to prevent it in the future and they said not to worry about it, just let them know whenever I needed more and they would send them. HTH
 
Remember that it is 10.75" long and only 6" wide and the width is due to the skimmer's pump. You could turn your return pump so it is lengthwise so it is against the other sump wall.
 
Oh, and to answer your question, the drain fitting is to attach a hose and direct it to a drain, so when your collection cup fills, it automatically drains and you don't have to watch it and empty it every couple days. Another thought I just had, if you dont have enough footprint room in your sump for an in sump skimmer, you could always get an HOB like the remora, and hang it on the back of your sump instead of your display. This way you would still have no equipment inside your display. Also you might have enough room inside the sump for an Aqua C urchin, which is basically the same as the remora, but for the sump. I still think the ASM's are a more effective skimmer, but since your options are limited try an urchin or remora on your sump. HTH
 
Ok i actually broke out the measuring tape and the area where a skimmer could go is 10"x6" Here ia a pic of the refugium part. I could get rid of the refugium part and fir the skimmer lol, but i don't want to do that :D I'm limited by the size of my stand or i would get a bigger sump. Just picture it without the big sponge thing. :D

DSCF2577.jpg


As for the AquaC skimmer box being big and annoying i don't think that would be to much of a problem. I already have a huge overflow box in there 9"x8" and it doesn't bother me or look bad, the tank is 20" high so that helps alot. Here is a pic of the tank (I'm getting more LR hopefully tomarrow)

DSCF2637.jpg
 
I like the look of your tank. It has a clean, sleek look to it. I'm not sure if the ASM would fit into your sump, but I think the Aqua C Urchin might. Between the Urchin and Remora would be your personal preference. They are the same unit, the urchin just has the pump at the bottom for use in a sump. It looks like the surface skimmer box wouldn't be too much of a problem in your tank, your overflow box seems to blend in with the black backing, and the skimmer box probably will too.
 
yeah i checked out the urchin and it will fit, still not sure if i will go with the urchin or the remora though, if i got the HOB that will be more flow in the display that will be good, but in the sump it will be more out of the way..hmmmmm
 
In sump skimmers produce bubbles as well. If you put the skimmer in sump right next to your return (no baffles) you might just have bubbles all over again in the main tank. If that is the case, I think you are far better off with the HOB skimmer like the Remora (with the bubble trap). FWIW.
 
Given everything here, I would personally go with the Urchin in this spot. Mostly because I wouldn't want to take any space out of that display tank... The preskimmer box for the Remora is a waste of time -- I had one for my Pro and sold it about 2 months after buying it. Doesn't change performance, takes too much space. I never had microbubble problems with the Pro, including after I added a Mag 5 pump. Some people here report using a Mag 7 on the same model and still not having microbubble problems.

All that said, for the price and application, I would go with the Urchin. If it must be HOB, the Coralife Super Skimmer or the Remora.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Brian60077
Anyone know anything about the Sicce in tank skimmers?
Replies
9
Views
481
Brian60077
Brian60077
D
New- skimmer question
Replies
3
Views
1K
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
M
Can I use 2 bubble magus qq2 in my tank?
Replies
3
Views
174
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
revclyburn
Need some thoghts on skimmers
Replies
7
Views
1K
Timfish
Timfish
W
HOB Skimmer
Replies
5
Views
894
herostar
H
Back
Top