I-Tech Skimmer Club .
- Thread starter reefrubble
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goochesfish
New member
that's what I did and the skimmer went flat. I moved the reactor outflow but it did not make a difference.
Typlus5
Member
Are you feeding heavy too? I've read so much about the pellet systems I have myself a little confused.
I know now, even before pellets, if I'm feeding light my skimmate is lower too. If you're light on feeding and running the bacteria source it may be stripping the nutrients/waste to a point there's nothing left for the skimmer....but in no way am I an expert here...but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express once.
I know now, even before pellets, if I'm feeding light my skimmate is lower too. If you're light on feeding and running the bacteria source it may be stripping the nutrients/waste to a point there's nothing left for the skimmer....but in no way am I an expert here...but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express once.
I am currently running NP BioPellets mixed with course sand. I have a I-TECH 400 skimmer. The effluent will have a film which the skimmer will pick up. You will notice it in the collection cup. It is the break down of the BioPellets that the bacteria is consuming. You might need to reteak your skimmer adjustment tube.
I have been running the pellets alone for two months. It's recent about two week with mixed course sand. However, during the first week I had to change out the sand. What I first used was 3mm-5mm sand. I guess majority of the sand was 3mm. The weight of the sand was not heavy enough to keep the BioPellets down. What end up happening the biopellet and sand separate. A few days ago I was able to get 5mm-6mm. This was tough to find so I end up using ARM Ca media. Now the BioPellets are staying put mixed with the sand. During my first week my phosphate dropped from .030 to .015.
When you use sand it will allow the bacteria to grow quickier. This actually old technique with new technology (BioPellets). Just make sure to use enough flow that the BioPellets are tumbling gently. Pretty much the same as if you were using RoWaPhos.
goochesfish
New member
It seams that using ARM Ca media would cause too much abrasion. It won't degrade the biopellets too quickly?
Yesterday , I turned off the BP reactor and my skimmer foamed up. I then took the output of the BP reactor and stuck it into the filter sock and restarted the reactor. This seems to help the skimmer. Either that or after 5 days, the skimmer has gotten used to the Biopellets.
Only time will tell. My course sand and bp are not tumbling aggressively. The sand is staying put keeping the sand and bp together. Only some of the bp on top is tumbling. It is almost the same concept if you were doing this with a deep sand bed. The only difference is the water is passing through the sand and bp in the reactor.
Using a filter pad or sock will help catch the milky film that comes from the bp. The skimmer will catch the rest. So doing this will stop most of it from getting into your DT.
I'm extremely new to RC. so please bare with me.
I'm setting up a 180g dualoverflow display that will be plumbed thru to downstairs to a 75g refugium then that drains into a 100g capacity rubbermaid tub then pumped thru hammerhead back upstairs. 300g volume but a LOW bio-load as i prefer loads of coral and only a few fish. This all still a work-in-progress so still deciding what skimmer to put in the rubbermaid tub. Hoping to have everything purchased and running by jan/feb 2011
So... my questions are:
what model?
what price?
where to buy them from?
what pump to marry up to the body?
thx in advance.
I'm setting up a 180g dualoverflow display that will be plumbed thru to downstairs to a 75g refugium then that drains into a 100g capacity rubbermaid tub then pumped thru hammerhead back upstairs. 300g volume but a LOW bio-load as i prefer loads of coral and only a few fish. This all still a work-in-progress so still deciding what skimmer to put in the rubbermaid tub. Hoping to have everything purchased and running by jan/feb 2011
So... my questions are:
what model?
what price?
where to buy them from?
what pump to marry up to the body?
thx in advance.
Linking to other forums is not permitted.
I recommend going with a I-Tech 200 skimmer. Since your bio load is not as heavy this skimmer will be fine. John @ I-Tech underrates his skimmers specs. You will find out most I-Tech owners with 100 and 200 models can handle heavy bio loads in big tanks too. I have a 400 model on my 150 gallon SPS dominated w/ 75 gallon sump. I have over about 15 fishes and feed heavily. The skimmer is great and the customer service is outstanding. Having the manufacture located in Tampa FL is another plus. If you have any questions please ask away.
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moondoggy4
Team RC
+2 on Bolo recommendation I have the I-Tech 200 on a 120 tank and it is oversized. I would go with the Tunze pump.
goochesfish
New member
His tank is so big though. He may not want too many fish now but minds can change. What happens if the skimmer is too much for the system?
Well the I-Tech 200 will be fine for his 180g tank. If there is not enough bio load I believe skimmer will produce very little skimmate. I would step up the feeding regiment. Fish poo will help feed his corals. He might not want to commit on buying expensive high maintenance fish he can always stock a bunch of Chromis. They look awesome when they are in large schools.
They took the link off to I-Tech. If you type I-Tech Skimmers in google you will find it.
Just upgraded to an I-tech 100 from my old Euroreef skimmer on my 69 gallon reef tank. I was concerned about fitting the skimmer in my sump, but I was able to angle it in easily. After minimal break in, the skimmer has been working nicely. Very easy to adjust and much quiter than my old skimmer with the Sedra pump.
I'm quite pleased. Thanks, John.
I'm quite pleased. Thanks, John.
moondoggy4
Team RC
oversized
oversized
My experience with over sized skimmers is that they dirty the cup more than they put skimmate in the cup, and when the neck gets too dirty it cuts down on the efficiency of the skimmer. My 200 likes a little dirty neck, not clean for it to work better. I have another skimmer before this one that is oversize.
oversized
My experience with over sized skimmers is that they dirty the cup more than they put skimmate in the cup, and when the neck gets too dirty it cuts down on the efficiency of the skimmer. My 200 likes a little dirty neck, not clean for it to work better. I have another skimmer before this one that is oversize.
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