Pascal and Mark, skimmers?

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I think you both have Super Reef Octupus skimmers, correct? What model? Happy with them?

I don't think I am admitting defeat on the "run a big tank without a skimmer" theory, I just want to have one around - at least for comparison's sake to see if it changes some of the nagging little problems I'm having while relying on the algae scrubber for nutrient export. The SRO skimmers seem like the best value for money, so I am trying to pick which one would work on my (very lightly stocked) tank. Or maybe one of the Skimz models since they seem similar in price/performance...

So I guess it's down to an SRO-3000 internal or 5000 internal, or the Skimz SM 201. Leaning towards the SRO-3000 because it's cheap, and my tank is probably stocked more like a 120 than a 360...

Thoughts anyone? It's been a long time (like 6 or 7 years) since I paid any attention to commercially-produced skimmers so I'm feeling a little out of date.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Performance-wise I'm happy with mine. 3000-INT. the bubble blaster pump that comes with it is a POS. if I unplug it to clean it, it may or may not restart. Inexplicably. I've read, this is not an isolated issue. I was just as happy with my ASM skimmer. You can get those for a song these days. Pascal and Brandon both have the external models and I believe they've been more than satisfied with them. They do carry a pretty hefty price tag however. There's plenty of designs out there, that if cleaned regularly, can git r done. If you ate struggling with it philosophically, get an ASM or older Octopus. They will work. I think at a certain point the difference between a good skimmer and a great skimmer is minimal. That's just my humble take on skimmers.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Interesting comment about good vs. great. I've been looking for data about skimmer performance and can't really find any - so it's not clear to me if any of the recent innovations (cone shape, bubble diffuser plates, etc) really DO anything.

I will read up on reliability for that pump. The last thing anyone wants is to spend $400 - $500 on something and then have it not work right all the time.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Check right in their forum. Do a search for bubble blaster. If you've been keeping up without a skimmer, I'd think most skimmers would do for you. I like the ease and simplicity of the old ASMs. Only reason I didn't keep mine was because I went from a basement dump to an under the tanker. Needed to conserve space.

I'm not a big fan of the down draft models but that's just me (ETSS for example). But like I said, aeration and particulate removal are the priority for you I'd presume. Don't get me wrong, for bragging rights, I'd love a bubble king. But in reality, I don't see, for my, or your, applications, how it could remotely be worth the money.

You can probably grab an old G3, G4, G4x for under $200. I didn't like the seals or the way the cone body, or cup attached to the main body, but I certainly coexisted with it just fine for several years. Otherwise, like I said, check out older Octos too.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I had a G3 (I think) on my old 125 for a while - I liked it too. Might keep an eye out for one of them used.

Then again I don't know if I have the patience to wait for the right skimmer to come up used. I sold my old beater car so I have a wad of unallocated cash and it's burning a hole in my pocket.

 

[Capt_Cully]

In that case, bubble king!

Or check out the external Octos.

 

[tmz]

I've have had trouble free performance for a number of years with the asms ( 2 4xxs in my case with sedra 1500 pumps). Never tried the others though. There is a
U of Pennsylvania study on skimmer performance which makes an effort at quantifiction of the diffrences contrasting several types and brands . Mostly says they are the same.

Feature Article: The Development of a Method for the Quantitative Evaluation of Protein Skimmer Performance — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I've read that a few times. It's good but I wish there was more out there. In a way, that article feels TOO groundbreaking, i.e. there isn't anything out there to confirm or deny the approach. It is kind of in a vacuum.

 

[Neoz]

FWIW I also had a brand new Super Reef Skimmer on my 180 with the bubble blaster pump. When it was running it made crazy skim. It produced some nasty stuff which was awesome.

BUT as Cully said, whenever it stopped for a cleaning or power outage, it just would not start up by itself. I always had to help the pump. That really irritated me with the amount of money I paid for it.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

In that case, bubble king!

Heh. My beater wasn't worth THAT much. :lol:

I am giving myself until the end of the week to find something in the classifieds. If not, it will probably be one of the Skimz units (I really love the way the output is located under the base, it's a nice aesthetic design and there's zero splashing.)

 

[Capt_Cully]

Never heard of them. Look pretty cool for sure.

 

[pascal32]

Hey bud! Sorry I've been away for a while. My SRO3000-EXT has been great! I did have a few pump restarting problems for a while, though those seem to have gone away after the last cleaning. This skimmer pulls way more than my old skimmer (not sure - think it was an SWC-200 needle wheel). Bang for the buck the SROs are hard to beat (even though they are not cheap by any means). I have the neck cleaner which has been fantastic! Sometimes I wonder if the 300 is too much for my 250 gallons.

As far as the cone - not sure it make a difference, I have no way of telling.

I do have my old 200 which needs a new shaft and I believe one of my friends has a 300 ASM he is looking to sell (it's huge!).