HOB skimmer

[vid660]

I've been reading that it's a good idea to have a protein skimmer on my tank. I'd like to get a HOB skimmer for my 75g FOWLR tank. I think I have it narrowed down to two:

AquaC Remora w/maxijet 1200
Coralife Super Skimmer 125g model

Any opinions on this? I'm completely new to the marine thing and know nothing about this stuff. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[DarG]

Bermuda aquatics has a very good one. Worth checking into. I know that somebody on this board has one and really loves it. I have a Bermuda 3C that does a great job. It's not a HOB however.
www.bermudaaquatics.com

 

[vid660]

Thanks for the response. I just converted my tank from FW to SW. I don't have a sump yet, so I need a HOB for now.

It looks like the search function is working for me again. I find it disabled most of the time. Anyway, from what I've read, the typhoon seems to be a good unit. I think I'll get that one instead. It's half the cost and would probably fit my uses just fine (not a reef tank).

 

[luke33]

Get an in-tank tunze or the bermuda. One you have your sump, you can just use them on it, and they are both good skimmers. The one's you listed, CSS is ok at best and the remora is a pos.

 

[Robert German]

HOB Skimmer

HOB Skimmer

I have a Tunze 9002 on a 29 FO/WLR and it does a great job.It mounts in the tank,---no overflow worries there, and it's quiet.

 

[pjf]

Like you, I have a 75-gallon aquarium. My first skimmer was the Remora with a Maxi-Jet 1200 and a pre-filter box. At the bottom of this webpage is a picture of the meager half-cup of skim I collected after two weeks: http://www.proteinskimmer.com/products/Remora.htm.

On the same tank, my Tunze 9010 ($327) can collect a cup of skim a day. It may not be the top skimmer but it has one key advantage. You can configure it for in-aquarium use now and reconfigure it for sump placement in the future. For its small size and quiet operation, it is hard to beat.

I have not owned a Coralife Super Skimmer but it has mixed reviews. The reported complaints include: cup flooded with clear fluid, leaks from neck, and micro-bubbles in output (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...d=9817251&highlight=leak+AND+neck#post9817251, http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...953114&highlight=CSS+AND+overflow#post9953114).

There are very few HOB skimmers with glowing reviews. The HOB skimmers suffer from being unable to reach the surface scum due to the lack of a sump. They also suffer from varying water levels due to evaporation.

If you are set on HOB skimmers, the much anticipated Bermuda Aquatics Rogue Wave (http://www.bermudaaquatics.com/rogue.htm) is replacing the highly respected Archipelago and is available for a time with discounted pricing ($250). I’m not sure if it comes with a pump though. No reviews yet, unfortunately.

 

[sneeyatch]

i use the octopus - works great. i've heard awesome reviews of the bermuda as well.

 

[GSMguy]

i use a deltec mce 300 and get great results for a small skimmer but it needs almost daily tinkering to keep working

 

[vid660]

Thanks for all the responses. Sounds like I need to quit being cheap and do this right. I think I'll take the advice of not getting a HOB skimmer. I'll order a tunze and start building my sump.

Will the DOC 9005 be adequate for my 75g? Can this model hang on the lip of the tank until my sump is finished? I've never built a sump, so it may take me a bit.

 

[luke33]

Good plan vid, but if you build a sump, you'll have many more options for skimmers, both expensive and inexpensive.

 

[kodyboy]

Sumps are better that is for sure!

 

[pjf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10069126#post10069126 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vid660
Thanks for all the responses. Sounds like I need to quit being cheap and do this right. I think I'll take the advice of not getting a HOB skimmer. I'll order a tunze and start building my sump.

Will the DOC 9005 be adequate for my 75g? Can this model hang on the lip of the tank until my sump is finished? I've never built a sump, so it may take me a bit.

I recommend the Tunze 9010 ($327) over the 9005 ($255) because it is a strong skimmer and because it already comes with the sump kit with no extra charge. The new 9010 can draw 700 liters of air per hour which is more than the 500 lph of the 9005. With the 9005, you will need to purchase the sump kit ($46) separately so the price difference is minor.

Both skimmers can hang on the aquarium with the included brackets until your sump is finished. Per Tunze, using the sump kit results in stronger skimming. Do not use the brackets with the skimmer in the sump. The sump kit includes a solid bottom plate that must rest on a firm surface to seal the water inside the skimmer (http://www.tunze.com/fileadmin/gebrauchsanleitungen/x9010.8888.pdf).

 

[vid660]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10069406#post10069406 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luke33
Good plan vid, but if you build a sump, you'll have many more options for skimmers, both expensive and inexpensive.

Since I'm getting a sump, should I still get the tunze or something else? Obviously, I'd like to spend as little as possible, but I only want to do this once.

I don't need a skimmer this second as my tank is still in the cycling stage. It's FOWLR, so maybe I'm going overboard as it is with the skimmer and sump. Well, at least my buddy thinks I'm going overboard. He has a 55g FO with only an xp3 as a filter and he uses tap water. Been fine for him for many years.

 

[vid660]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10070235#post10070235 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pjf
I recommend the Tunze 9010 ($327) over the 9005 ($255) because it is a strong skimmer and because it already comes with the sump kit with no extra charge.

Sounds good to me. If I get a tunze, I'll get the 9010. Thanks!

 

[pjf]

Do you plan to place your skimmer inside the sump or next to the sump?

Here is an example of an external recirculating skimmer that can be fed directly from the overflow (red valve) and discharge into the sump via the exhaust pipe (right-side): http://www.protein-skimmer.com/shop...d=44364&merchantid=446996&shop=itemdetail.asp

 

[vid660]

To be honest, I have no idea. This is new territory for me. I have 7 tanks and decided I wanted to convert one of them to saltwater....and here I am. I'm not set on any certain way, I'd just like to do this correctly.

I've been to a few LFS and they all seem to have their opinions on what they want to sell me. There seems to be alot of knowledge in these forums and very helpful people. This is why I'm taking the advice I receive here over what my LFS are telling me. I'm convinced they just want to sell me stuff.

As far as a sump....should I even bother trying to build one or should I just purchase one? I've got a 29g tank I could use. Also have several pond pumps I could choose from as well.

 

[luke33]

vid the advice here is 10folds more than likely than your lfs. Here's the option for ya. Do you want to buy a "snob skimmer" or do you want to get a good skimmer for you money. Here's imo, your options. Become a skimmer snob for 500-1000 bux, buy a good reasonable skimmer or buy a poor man skimmer and mod it. Sure bk's, ER, H&S, all nice, but your gonna pay the man for acrylic. Or you could get a octopus, ASM, or you could be a cheap man and read the via aqua club thread, as well as the woot thread. Its up to you. I personally think teh via aqua's are unbeatable after there modded as far as price and productivity.

 

[pjf]

Makeshift Sump

Makeshift Sump

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10070474#post10070474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vid660
As far as a sump....should I even bother trying to build one or should I just purchase one? I've got a 29g tank I could use. Also have several pond pumps I could choose from as well.

My sump is an AGA 29-gallon (30x12x18) tank. It is a bit tall which is why my Tunze is on a platform. The Tunze can sit in 4" to 11" of water. A local glass shop drilled a bulkhead opening for an external pump.

The water flows left to right under the first glass baffle to suspend floating chaetomorpha algae. It flows through the tank divider mesh sieve and over the second glass baffle to the large return compartment that is used for water changes.

I used aquarium-grade silicone sealant to install the two baffles. The tank divider that keeps the chaetomorpha from being swept away is held against the 2nd baffle by the current and illuminated by a PC light. The 2nd baffle determines the height of the water on the left.

Changes that you may consider are a shorter sump depending on the water level needed for your skimmer and a submersed return pump to avoid drilling a bulkhead opening.