JBJ 28 Gallon Skimmer Question

[Anemone]

Just got a 28 gallon LED Advanced nano cube, and the question is, what skimmers are others using in the JBJ 28? What works, and what not-so-much?

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[ReefCare4U]

The only one i have tried, works well. Aquamaxx hob-1. I did alot of research before i bought it, and it seems to be the most current choice.

 

[ange062]

HOB-1, check out this thread:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2027481

 

[bockscar1]

I second Ange062 on that Aquamaxx HOB-1, easy to set up.

 

[Than23]

Tons of people have the aquamaxx hob-1 as stated already and it's probably one of the top of the line.

Lots of others have the Tunze 9002. Downfall with that one is you have to set it in middle chamber where the media basket sits.

I have the AquaEuroUSA II nano skimmer. Sits in the chamber next to the media basket and does not hinder opening the lid to the aquarium. Definitely not as well built as the other two but it works for my setup. Been running it for 6 months now. I have the Aquamaxx hob-1 as well sitting on another aquarium.

https://www.ocreef.com/aquaeurousa_nano_protein_skimmer_2_with_needle_wheel_pump

 

[pleuralplexus]

I have the JBJ brand skimmer that is designed to go with this tank on my 28g. I dont recommendt it. Setting the height of the cup relative to the water level is nearly impossible, so if the wavemaker is on, skimmate is only forming for the fraction of time that the pump is on in the same side as your skimmer. This also causes wildly fluctuating skimmate density. Also, the JBJ skimmer is an airstone skimmer. I've come home many times to find the air pump (that comes with the skimmer) randomly seized up, or the air tubing popped off.

Long story short, after a lot of research, I too think the HOB-1 looks like the best skimmer for this tank. You'll have to modify the intake/output pipes slightly, but that doesnt seem to be a big deal. I have a HOB-1 ordered, and it'll be here wednesday Found a good deal on it here. They were very nice to work with.

 

[Anemone]

Thanks for the info and advice. Just ordered the Aquamaxx HOB-1.

Kevin

 

[reefsahoy]

Tons of people have the aquamaxx hob-1 as stated already and it's probably one of the top of the line.

Lots of others have the Tunze 9002. Downfall with that one is you have to set it in middle chamber where the media basket sits.

I have the AquaEuroUSA II nano skimmer. Sits in the chamber next to the media basket and does not hinder opening the lid to the aquarium. Definitely not as well built as the other two but it works for my setup. Been running it for 6 months now. I have the Aquamaxx hob-1 as well sitting on another aquarium.

https://www.ocreef.com/aquaeurousa_nano_protein_skimmer_2_with_needle_wheel_pump

Is the aquaeurousa quiet? Do it skime well? How would you rate it to the tunze? The dimensions are 4x4 but the picture has a pipe to the side, what would be the dimensions you need in a chabmer so it could fit?
Thx

 

[Than23]

The Aqua Euro USA is quiet! Believe me, the wife would say something if she heard it. Skims real well. I can try and take a couple of shots and post later tonight/tmr.

The pipe on the side of the skimmer is an optional piece and detaches easily. It needs to be detached to sit inside the chamber. I'll measure the chamber as well tonight. It fits inside the chamber snuggly and the skimmer also comes with a clip that can be used to clip it to the side of the chamber so it doesn't move around.

Its hands down better than the generic JBJ/Biocube skimmers. Not really even a comparison. I bought one of the jbj's to start and the plastic shattered when I tried to remove the collection cup...

 

[reefsahoy]

The Aqua Euro USA is quiet! Believe me, the wife would say something if she heard it. Skims real well. I can try and take a couple of shots and post later tonight/tmr.

The pipe on the side of the skimmer is an optional piece and detaches easily. It needs to be detached to sit inside the chamber. I'll measure the chamber as well tonight. It fits inside the chamber snuggly and the skimmer also comes with a clip that can be used to clip it to the side of the chamber so it doesn't move around.

Its hands down better than the generic JBJ/Biocube skimmers. Not really even a comparison. I bought one of the jbj's to start and the plastic shattered when I tried to remove the collection cup...

Thx! How is the skimmate that's generated? Can u adjust it for wet/dry skimmate? Can u post a few pics? Would it release any microbubbles into the tank if it were installed in the display tank? I hate micro bubbles in the tank.

Thx

 

[coralsnaked]

JBJ Nano Skimmer

JBJ Nano Skimmer

I have the JBJ brand skimmer that is designed to go with this tank on my 28g. I dont recommendt it. Setting the height of the cup relative to the water level is nearly impossible, so if the wavemaker is on, skimmate is only forming for the fraction of time that the pump is on in the same side as your skimmer. This also causes wildly fluctuating skimmate density. Also, the JBJ skimmer is an airstone skimmer. I've come home many times to find the air pump (that comes with the skimmer) randomly seized up, or the air tubing popped off.

Sounds like Pleuralplexas runs it in the wrong compartment, should be in the constant level compartment.

I utilize this skimmer in three of my JBJ tanks. The skimmer fits quite well in the skimmer chamber which is when looking from the back-side of the tank is just to the right of the center chamber (media basket), left side when looking from the front of the tank. Granted the air line is flimsey and will not last more than a few weeks before it starts popping off the slightly noisy air pump. But spend a couple of bucks more on air line and place the pump in your cabinet and it works quite well. Heres a big hint. Don't use the sliding coupler/hanger that is suppose to adjust the height of the skimmer. Take it off and use the rubber knob on bottom of cup as a littler hanger on the wall between its chamber and the center chamber. This gets it far enough into the water that it will produce a constant flow of light skim. Be sure and turn up the pump to about 3/4 full. Also makes it convientant when you need raise your lid. You can slide it out high enough to open the lid and it goes right back to the same height with little effort.

Now this little air skimmer is only about $35 bucks and is a bargain as compared to these higher priced skimmers noted above. Granted it is really for a light Bio-load maybe 4 or 5 little fishys and a clean up crew. But it looks a lot better as you can only see a little of the cup sticking up from the back as compared to monster HOB skimmers on a nano tank. If your concentrating on corals and not fish it'll work just fine. Here's another hint: If your running about 40 lbs of rock and a lite Bio-load, try running your sponge in the top and a carbon bag in both 2nd and 3rd chamber. I then run a Purigen bag w/ Phosguard off off my return line on my chiller. Water is super pristine. But do have to suppliment w/ Ca, Ak, and other trace as the extra carbon will pull trace out of water. But have no need for a reactor(s) or a sump, and my Nitrates are 0.0, Phosphates run at / or below the 0.0165. The only things that grow in these tanks are what I plant.

Happy Reefing

 

[Than23]

Below are some photos requested of the AquaEuroUSA II skimmer I have in action on my JBJ 28. It required zero modifications to slip into the side chamber next to the media filter. Please note I'm hardly an expert on the subject matter. I just found a nice little comfort zone with this skimmer. There are better ones out there (as stated above). Different strokes for different folks.

Will be happy to answer any additional question if I can on the skimmer

Photo one shows what the skimmer looks like after I pulled it out of the chamber. At the very bottom you can see where the optional skimmer intake pipe would fit. I left it off so it would slide into the chamber easily. It wont fit into the chamber with it connected.

Photo two shows the skimmer resting below the canopy so it does not hinder opening and closing the lid.

Photo three shows the skimmer again. This time with the optional clip to clip it onto the side of the chamber if you want.

Photo four shows the collection cup after I pulled it off the skimmer.

Photo 5 shows the same thing, this time just against a white background. Note the "dimple" on the left hand side of the cup right below the skim line. There are two of these on the collection cup and these help to stop the collection cup sliding down when setting the cup. However the cup will slide below those dimples if forced. You can move the collection cup up and down as you wish.

Measurements of side chamber its a little under 3 inches by approx 2 and 1/2. Someone else might have more precise measurements.

Another measurement

Another measurement.

Hope these help.
Than

 

[reefsahoy]

thanks than23, really appreciate your pictorial help! just the one question, does it release micro bubbles into the tank?

 

[Than23]

Not a problem. I've had zero issues with micro bubbles being emitted from the rear chamber back into the aquarium while using the skimmer.

 

[Windirmere]

I use the tunze 9002 in my BC 29 it does have to sit in the middle chamber but i didnt use the bio balls anyhow, just some LR rubble at the bottem, also had 1/2 the chamber left for a cheato factory. So far everything seems to be going great.

 

[pleuralplexus]

I installed my new HOB-1 on my NC28 two days ago and that thing is NUTS!!! The instructions recommended running the skimmer on a bucket of warm tap water for 24 hr before installing on a tank, so I set it up on a pitcher of filtered warm water from the kitchen. That thing is such a skimming beast that it had generated a small amount of skimmate from the TAP WATER by the next day. When I put it on the tank, it went to town right away, and has already filled its huge collection cup twice (a cup a day). Amazing! And now there isn't a trace of protein on the surface of the water in the aquarium. (In fact, I'm so impressed with it that I'm going to re-post this on my build thread).

 

[Anemone]

Okay, next question of the day: what do people use for increased water flow in the tank, or are the two return pumps really sufficient?

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[pleuralplexus]

One I added my phosban 150, the pumps were just not sufficient. So I'm either getting a pair of koralias and run them on the wave maker that comes with the NC28, or Bite the bullet and get a vortec mp 10

 

[Jacsubi]

I've never met a single person who has bought the MP-10 for their JBJ nano and regretted it. The controllability, reduction of heat(pump on the outside) and small form factor in the aquarium makes it a very popular choice for anyone who can afford it.

 

[pleuralplexus]

Bought the MP10 and it really is worth the money. Very happy