New Skimmer time!

B

BowedFloor

Member
Alright.

Sick of my SRO-3000Int. last few weeks whenever I cycle the power, when it comes back on it's micro bubble city, which seems to go away after a few hours.

Tonight I completely disassembled the unit including the pump, cleaned it real good, lubed the O rings, taped all the threads, put it back together, and it's still micro bubble city.

I've gotten a good 2 years out of the unit so I'm not that sad to see it go.

Can anyone recommend an awesome skimmer for a heavily stocked 180? I keep SPS, LPS, a clam, and about 20 fish, 3 of which are over 4 inches (mimic, bi colour fox face, desjardain)

I've looked at the super marin, but even I am having a hard time justifying the $1600+ for it. The RLSS looks alright, has a DC pump, and is a Canadian company so that's a plus.

So, suggestions please.
 
lgVS3-48.JPG
 
Mazzei venturi, counter-current, no proprietary pump, no looking back;) that skimmer is a 4 footer. They have self cleaning venturi as well and just work. Plus, it is only half the price of the skimmer you are considering.
 
The skimmer Dave posted above is a good one as well.
I am planning a upgrade as well and considering this one as Mike from OBD is very technical and a skimmer expert. He states the contact time or dwell time in the skimmer, bubble size which are produced by the stones . The stones are washed reusable. Pump runs at 32db and produces 40l/m or 2400l/h of air. No proprietary needle wheel pump only a maxjet to power it. Best of all no micro bubbles. All these features at a very good price.You can but 3 of these for one Supermarin. That price I believe includes the air pump.
http://oceansbydesign.com/product_info.php?products_id=44

Here is another picture in which if you wish to install a bio pellet reactor it can be done going directly into the skimmer as seen here.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=oceans+by+design+skimmers&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=QoRsUta7IcS52QW4h4CQDw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoATgK&biw=1280&bih=574#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=tpE9XY8Y1NjRDM%3A%3Bn5FRR19pEYyBMM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi1200.photobucket.com%252Falbums%252Fbb324%252Fdatallen%252F006_zps9692a9a0.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.reeffrontiers.com%252Fforums%252Ff271%252Fobd-signature-protein-skimmer-owners-forum-66847%252F%3B640%3B480
 
Last edited:
Nanook said:
Mazzei venturi, counter-current, no proprietary pump, no looking back;) that skimmer is a 4 footer. They have self cleaning venturi as well and just work. Plus, it is only half the price of the skimmer you are considering.
Click to expand...

Lol dave. I think the WAF on that skimmer is pretty low. Ideally I'd like something that fits in my stand.

But still worth looking at. Hmm.

Ksed, that OBD one looks interesting, but I'm not finding a product manual on their website.
 
BowedFloor said:
Alright.

Sick of my SRO-3000Int. last few weeks whenever I cycle the power, when it comes back on it's micro bubble city, which seems to go away after a few hours.

Tonight I completely disassembled the unit including the pump, cleaned it real good, lubed the O rings, taped all the threads, put it back together, and it's still micro bubble city.

I've gotten a good 2 years out of the unit so I'm not that sad to see it go.

Can anyone recommend an awesome skimmer for a heavily stocked 180? I keep SPS, LPS, a clam, and about 20 fish, 3 of which are over 4 inches (mimic, bi colour fox face, desjardain)

I've looked at the super marin, but even I am having a hard time justifying the $1600+ for it. The RLSS looks alright, has a DC pump, and is a Canadian company so that's a plus.

So, suggestions please.
Click to expand...

BK Double Cone 200 would be a very good skimmer for you, has the RD3 speedy pump which is a brushless DC motor and supposed to be very solid

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/RE-DC200.html

right around $1200
 
azjohnny said:
is there any video of the skimmer in operation?, I am done with SRO skimmers and open to options

I will probably go with a BK or Vertex unless another one impresses me
Click to expand...

I bought 2 Vertex media reactors, and was very unimpressed with them. Also Vertex's website seems mostly non-functional for english customers, and their 'new' 150 skimmer is only rated for 120-150 gallons, at an unknown bioload. They were supposed to release 200, and 250 versions of the omega Q1 2013, but those have yet to appear.

There is the alpha line, but they seem somewhat overpriced.

I dunno, just not overly impressed with vertex at this moment in time.
 
Look into the Aquamaxx cone 3 if you want a well balanced great priced replacement for the sro. Probably the best sub 500$ in sump option out there.
 
AquaMaxx are great skimmers. I own one EM 300 but the model 3 for the cone or the 300 for the cylinder does not put out enough air and water flow for a 180 gallon you may have to step up to a EM 400 or 4. Here is a write up that I post here about the AquaMaxx EM 300. Alot of people on the forums buy skimmers and don't test them against manufactures specs, then go about saying they are the greats as long as it produces skimmate.
I had a Supermarin, it stated that it had 1500l/h air it actually measured 1900l/h on the 200 model. plus it moved water. Yes you are paying alot but you are also getting more than what the manufacture states.
If you don't want to pay that much ,like me , therefore this is why i am looking at the OBD skimmer. A 10 inch body for 529.00 can't be beat.
Here is a quick review.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2341856
 
I would just replace the orings on your current skimmer. A freshly cleaned skimmer microbubbles for 3 weeks.

I don't really trust aquamaxx skimmer ratings and specs. People have good luck with them.
 
Nanook, Do you have any comment on the lifereef skimmers using venturi tech for air injection, which supposedly results in less uniform bubble size, versus a newer style skimmer that uses a needle wheel impeller to generate very uniform bubbles?
 
BowedFloor said:
Nanook, Do you have any comment on the lifereef skimmers using venturi tech for air injection, which supposedly results in less uniform bubble size, versus a newer style skimmer that uses a needle wheel impeller to generate very uniform bubbles?
Click to expand...

I've used both types of skimmers and while the needle wheel does produce smaller bubbles, the amount of skim mate hasn't been much different between the two. The thing I like about the venturi and becketts is that they don't rely on a proprietary pump ($$$) and they are set and forget. I currently have a huge GEO beckett fed, Dart Gold NW combo that is pretty amazing, but that is on an 1100 gallon system. I also run a Lifereef VS2-24 on my 120 gallon tank in the back room and it is a sweet skimmer. I have not measured the difference in air though between the different types.
 
I vote tall skimmer as well- dwell time and they keep a constant foam head up top
im partial to the big life reefs and aquamedic t5000 the one in the picture looks cool, no hands on experience but the design looks very solid

currently running t5000 single on 200 gallons and its not for sale..... lol
 
I've owned Aquamedic Turboflotor 5000 Twin and they are work horses as well. 72" x 8" diameter body powered by two Oceanrunner 3500 pumps at 65 watts each.
 
Just placed my order for a lifereef with Jeff. He was very helpful and an interesting guy to talk to.

Cant wait for it to show up :D
 
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