Over Skimming

[Mr Smiley]

The problem with getting to large a skimmer for your system is that it will not pull enough waste to form a stable head of foam. The foam will build and then just collapse pulling no waste out of your water. So yes you can go with a skimmer bigger than you need, but don't go to big as it will be more useless than a skimmer that is to small for your size system.

Ive read about this too. You have a 20g tank and put a skimmer rated for over 500g and you get nothing. This is where i dont want to go. However i want excellent water quality.

 

[Mr Smiley]

When I saw this thread title I opened it with the intention of linking to the Ken Feldman article haha.

You should add Vertex to your list of skimmers to look at. Very reasonably priced and good performers.

SWC skimmers and Octopus are made in the same factory so I have herd in china..
As for you Q on the page I posted.. Yes you got the just of it..
I would also look into Deltec Skimmers as I have on and it is a beast..

I will have to start looking at Vertex and Deltec. I really like the Octopus but it seems from what ive read there are better options.

 

[Mr Smiley]

I have a 150g tank and use a SWC300A skimmer. It's rated for 300 gallons with a heavy bioload, and 550 gallons with a light bioload. I have 5 fish, and it's constantly pulling stuff out. At $600 I think it's a pretty good bang for the buck.

I liked what I read about the Askoll pump compared to 2 sicce's.

I'm just starting an upgrade to a 240g tank, and plan to continue using the 300A.

IMO, you can't overskim.

I am REALLY liking the SWC 300A But it does kinda worry me about the whole not having enough bio-load. I wont rule it out till i have a list of skimmers i have decided on.

I have read that Sicce is an ok pump but not meant for skimmers.

 

[cindre2000]

I have a 120g w/ 30ish gallon sump, moderate bioload. And with an I-Tech 100 I really only get great skim after feeding, the rest of the time there is nothing to pull out...

From my personal experience, I would go with an I-Tech 200, the build quality is phenomenal.

Also, I have a friend who runs a used Gray Sea's Marine (terrible build quality, or very badly abused) w/ 2 sicce's on his very very super heavily stocked 210g w/ 60ish gallon sump. And just from that skimmer, I would never use a standard sicce on anything. In fact, we are trying to find an Askoll to run his skimmer.

 

[pweissma]

Back to the original question, Overskimming ...
I'm a year into this hobby and have realized that just about every question seems to get a range of opinions. Why is nobody claiming that overskimming removes beneficial things from the water. Is there really a consensus that overskimming doesn't exist?

 

[huskysglare1]

You have a very good looking tank! If thats what the skimmer pulls out after just a few days thats awesome. Now what is a Red Demon? Cant say ive herd of that before.

Red Demon is an after market Pinwheel that's used for the sicce psk 2500 to replaced the stock pinwheel. The Red Demon performs about 40% better than the stock pinwheel.

 

[Alunai]

I look forward to seeing what you decide on. I too would like to purchase one skimmer and have pristine water conditions. I'll tag along on this thread! =)

 

[Mr Smiley]

I have a 120g w/ 30ish gallon sump, moderate bioload. And with an I-Tech 100 I really only get great skim after feeding, the rest of the time there is nothing to pull out...

From my personal experience, I would go with an I-Tech 200, the build quality is phenomenal.

Also, I have a friend who runs a used Gray Sea's Marine (terrible build quality, or very badly abused) w/ 2 sicce's on his very very super heavily stocked 210g w/ 60ish gallon sump. And just from that skimmer, I would never use a standard sicce on anything. In fact, we are trying to find an Askoll to run his skimmer.

I also like what ive read about I-Tech. but i havent read all that much. Im trying to work my way through the I-Tech thread.

 

[Mr Smiley]

Ok. So it looks like were down to considdering SWC, Deltech, Vertex, and
I-Tech. So far im likeing SWC.

 

[Mr Smiley]

Back to the original question, Overskimming ...
I'm a year into this hobby and have realized that just about every question seems to get a range of opinions. Why is nobody claiming that overskimming removes beneficial things from the water. Is there really a consensus that overskimming doesn't exist?

Does the skimmer remove good things? Id assume it will remove Pods and other good things? Or just fish poo and excess food?

 

[huskysglare1]

You have a very good looking tank! If thats what the skimmer pulls out after just a few days thats awesome. Now what is a Red Demon? Cant say ive herd of that before.

red demon is an after market pinwheel for the sicce pumps that increases the performance by 40%.

 

[Hal]

bad post.

 

[jedheuer]

Here is another article detailing what is actually in skimmate:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/2/aafeature

 

[scubasteve06]

Personally I would go with the Gen 2 BubbleKing supermarin 200, ATB 8.5 or 10.5 deluxe, Deltec AP600, Reef Dynamics 250-300, SRO 3000XP, Royal Exclusive Vertex Alpha Cone 250, Hurricone, or the SWC 230a or 250a. The I-tech is going to have a pretty long wait as they are made to order, good skimmer but long wait. The new Skimz skimmers also look pretty promising also.

 

[goochesfish]

I use an Itech 200 in my 150g reef. I have 13 small fish and don't produce much skim mate at all. Ever since I got this skimmer though my hair algae has disappeared.

 

[huskysglare1]

I have to say, the bigger the skimmer the better. Get the biggest skimmer you can afford.

No doubt, bubble king is one of the best choice. So are Vertex. However, they are extremely expensive and i just can't justify the price. Many people say the SWC performs just as well as the Vertex. I have no experience with the Vertex. SWC 250 1a is one of the top choices. It's rated for 400g/heavy bioload!! That's pretty heavy performance. I wanted one but i don't have the money for it. With my experience with the SWC 200, i can say their skimmers are top notch and the prices are pretty reasonable.

 

[Jstdv8]

or you could skip the skimmer all together and build yourself a turf scrubber for well under $100.00, within 2 months have 0 nitrates, 0 phosphates, all the pods your fish can handle and then some, never have to feed your corals again and have a constant PH value.

 

[Mr Smiley]

red demon is an after market pinwheel for the sicce pumps that increases the performance by 40%.

Thats quite abit.

 

[Mr Smiley]

Personally I would go with the Gen 2 BubbleKing supermarin 200, ATB 8.5 or 10.5 deluxe, Deltec AP600, Reef Dynamics 250-300, SRO 3000XP, Royal Exclusive Vertex Alpha Cone 250, Hurricone, or the SWC 230a or 250a. The I-tech is going to have a pretty long wait as they are made to order, good skimmer but long wait. The new Skimz skimmers also look pretty promising also.

Im waiting to hear more on the SWC 230a. Ill have to read up on the others you have mentioned.

 

[Mr Smiley]

I use an Itech 200 in my 150g reef. I have 13 small fish and don't produce much skim mate at all. Ever since I got this skimmer though my hair algae has disappeared.

Glad to hear the algae went away, but i am wondering if since there is not much skimmate is it doing what needs to be done?