Lets talk skimmers!

[JimW]

Have an ER6-2 (old style with SEDRA 5000) that ran circles around the ASM before the recirc mod. The body on the ASM is now handling air input from both the modded mag and the sedra 5000 without problem. The difference really is amazing. Give it a try before you pop for another skimmer.

Jim

 

[buzzbait00]

Has anyone ever used a berlin classic?I've heard there not very good but I,ve got one laying in the shed.Was wondering if it was worth getting a pump for.Im useing a Aquac Ramora now.It does ok but Im looking to upgrade.

 

[JimW]

I have used one, and it skims well but requires constant tinkering and adjusting. Very sensitive to changes in sump level and such. When correctly adjusted it did well on a 55 gal.

Jim

 

[DrHank]

I've got an Octopus NW-150 that's been running on my 110 gallon for over six months. It does a good job of pulling. I'd say good but not great. The only mod I did was replace the flat washer with an appropriately sized O-Ring. I think that it's a good value for the money and I have friends that are equally happy with ASM G3s.

If you're going 150 gallons or over I'd probably go with a Beckett driven skimmer. Their new injectors foam like crazy. Up to that point, I think that you'd be fine with a good needle wheel skimmer.

 

[andyjd]

Looks like I will be ordering a custom skimmer from Orca aka www.protein-skimmer.com will be powered by an Eheim.

Over Kill for what I have now, but taking the opportunity to upgrade while i can

 

[dparson22]

I never hear of anyone running a coralife super skimmer. Are they junk?

 

[dobb]

skimmer shopping

skimmer shopping

Do any of the name brand skimmers have a collection cup that will not let the smell of the skimmate out? My wife has a super sense of smell and I am getting heat about the smell in our den. I have a 90 gal with a 20 gal sump and currently using a berlin classic with the turbo upgrade pump. I'm not looking to spend a small fortune but I need some help.

 

[DrHank]

I just started running a coralife 65 super skimmer on my 29 this afternoon. It started to foam within two hours of powering it on. I think that I'm going to like it but time will tell. I wouldn't call it junk. I'd call a seaclone junk!

As far as the berlin skimmer is concerned, I have a turbo that I'm not thrilled with, I think that at least one of the models has a stackable unit to add carbon to which is supposed to reduce or eliminate the odor. You may want to check with Red Sea to see if it will work on the classic.

Another thing that you may be able to do is reduce the smell by skimming wetter.

 

[edwar050]

I am using the octopus DW 250 and moded the air intake by increasing the air hole size with a dremel. It is skimming better than my friends euro-reef skimmer was and blows asm's construction out of the water.

 

[stephish]

I have a prizm Deluxe on my 20 and love it. I've heard people complain about them but after the first 3 weeks it's been doing a great job. Oh, and I don't ever smell the skim mate the collection cup is pretty large and the lid fits well!

Now here's the problem: I have a 22 cube that I need to find a skimmer for. I would go with another Prizm but it's too wide with the filter I already have on the tank. Any suggestions for a small skimmer that works well?

 

[buzzbait00]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9775821#post9775821 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrHank
As far as the berlin skimmer is concerned, I have a turbo that I'm not thrilled with, I think that at least one of the models has a stackable unit to add carbon to which is supposed to reduce or eliminate the odor. You may want to check with Red Sea to see if it will work on the classic.

Yea my classic has a vented cup on top of the shimmer cup that holds carbon.

 

[Mariner]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9773101#post9773101 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dparson22
I never hear of anyone running a coralife super skimmer. Are they junk?

I've got a CSS on my 40g and really like it. The only complaint I hear about them is that they are prone to overflow, but I've not had any problems.
I think most of the talk on this thread has been about high quality skimmers for larger tanks; the CSS are good quality, inexpensive skimmers for small to medium tanks, IMO.
FWIW,
Mariner