I-Tech Skimmer Club .

Well I finally got around to installing the custom external 200 model today. Here are some pics.

Itech006.jpg


Itech005.jpg


Itech001.jpg



It was a little tricky getting it in there, but it fits perfect :) I planned on using a MJ1200 for the feed pump, but I couldn't squeeze it in my sump where I thought it would fit, so I T'd off of my return for now. I do polan on using a MJ1200 soon. Everything else semms pretty simple. It has a sweet custom gate valve instead of a wedge pipe. Soryy I didn't take any pictures of it now that I'm thinking about it. I can get some though. It is really nice, compared to the ball valve on my last skimmer, super smooth adjustments, anmd you can really finr tune it easily. I have the water low for now until I get used to it. And I still need to get float switch for the collection cup incase it ever floods. But I am just glad to have it in :)
 
I got home from work a little while ago and was pleasantly suprised at the faom production. I set it really dry since its external and I haven;'t really got the workings down yet. But bit still made a decent amount of foam, IMO.
Itech-a001.jpg


Itech-a003.jpg


I didn't get that much foam from my DAS EX-1 in a week, lol. Just kidding, but I am suprised I got that much in only 20 hours as dry as I had it set.
 
Any differences in performance of the 200 internal to external? I am running a 75gal SPS w/ 30 sump right now but plan on upgrading to a 150 gal / 75 sump. I am looking at the 200 external. What do you guys think? I am currently running a DAS EX-1.

Luther, since you have a das ex-1.. what do you think? What should I expect? Thanks!

Chris
 
The 200 external I got blows the EX-1 away. It literally produces more skimmate in a day or 2 than the DAS would all week. And I only have it on a 65 for now. I got the 200 because I plan on upgrading to a 120-150 range tank. But it still works well on the 65, I can keep the bubble level fairly low and still get skimmate. And its so much more quiet than the DAS.
 
Did you buy your ex-1 at a known LFS in Ocean county per say? I did :) Im looking forward to a 200 ext. How long did it take from order to setup? and cost?
 
Lyfey said:
Did you buy your ex-1 at a known LFS in Ocean county per say? I did :) Im looking forward to a 200 ext. How long did it take from order to setup? and cost?
Click to expand...


Yes I did get my EX-1 at a local LFS:) I haven't been there in a while though, I need to make a trip soon. It was a good skimmer for me at the time, but it was time to upgrade.



As for the external 200 it was the first 1 that they made like that, so it was kind of a proto-type. I don't really want to discuss the price since there was a few other things involved, but I can say I was happy with it. It was more than the standard version, because of the extra labor and parts. I would e-mail John for the details, he is a great guy and very good to deal with. Its hard to say how long it took, because I had some issue's on my end and it was over the holidays so it wasn't a rush for me, and I let John know that, so its hard to say really. And since it was the first 1 there was a lot of discussion before it really got going, plus I had to make sure it would fit, so it was back and forth with details for a little bit. But once it took shape it wasn't long. hth.
 
I've been in contact with John for a couple of days now, back and forth emails. I also read your thread on the itech boards and I did some research over there too. He reccomended a 400 External for me and just like you, it will be the first of its kind also! I am stoked! I plan on upgrading to a 150gal / 75 sump + other refugium and frag tank within this year so I wanted to make a single skimmer purchase now! I am excited!
 
Do you guys think a 100 will handle a 93 cube with a 20 gallon sump well? My stand is to tall for a 200 and I won't be keeping any fish larger than 3 inchs in the tank. It will be not heavily stocked. But more medium. I only have 23" in my stand, so it is this or the ATB. I would rather save some money and get am I-tech, becasue it is a solid performer.
 
I'm currently setting up my new tank with TBS rock.
My i-tech skimmed for the first couple days when i introduced the rock and sand as the ammonia spiked and then leveled out to .25. Been stable since but skimming has pretty much stopped. I assume this is normal because there is nothing in the tank besides rock, sand and hitchhikers. Correct?
 
d2mini said:
I'm currently setting up my new tank with TBS rock.
My i-tech skimmed for the first couple days when i introduced the rock and sand as the ammonia spiked and then leveled out to .25. Been stable since but skimming has pretty much stopped. I assume this is normal because there is nothing in the tank besides rock, sand and hitchhikers. Correct?
Click to expand...

Yes, if there isn't anything in there you will get very little if any skimmate.
 
Any updates guys? Can you post some nog shots of your skimmers? I just re-adjusted my DAS EX-1 to where there was ~350 GPH going through the skimmer (valve wide open) then I turned down the air to roughly 70% and almost the whole column filled with air and I have been getting some nasty nasty black sludge. I never thought of restricting the air ever on a skimmer to get better production. Is it this way also with the Itechs? Seems like the DAS / Deltec, you have to restric the air to get a finer bubble.
 
I have been running 200 on my 75G for few month. I am extremely happy with the skimmer. I was worry if a 200 is a overkill for my 75G but still ordered 200 since I will upgrade to a 120G in near future. No more worry now, the 200 does good job on my medium load 75G (1 small blue tang, 3 clown, 2 wrasse, 2 small anthias, 1 blenny), not like some skimmer which does not work well on smaller (than it rated) and medium-low bioload. The Tunzze pump is so quiet after break in I can barely hear it within the stand. Best of all, this skimmer is set and forget type, once it dail in and you are settle down with the level, no more adjustment needed for months.
Below are pictures from weekly cleaning, with this skimmer running I finally started feeding heavily and my fish and corals are happy. Now finally skimmer is the equipment which I pay least attention (such as study and read post online), how good is that?
IMG_4926_resize.JPG

IMG_4927_resize.JPG
 
Lyfey said:
Any updates guys? Can you post some nog shots of your skimmers? I just re-adjusted my DAS EX-1 to where there was ~350 GPH going through the skimmer (valve wide open) then I turned down the air to roughly 70% and almost the whole column filled with air and I have been getting some nasty nasty black sludge. I never thought of restricting the air ever on a skimmer to get better production. Is it this way also with the Itechs? Seems like the DAS / Deltec, you have to restric the air to get a finer bubble.
Click to expand...

I never need to do anything on the air input. Only adjustment is the internal water level via the wedge pipe.
 
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