perfect skimmer for my tank?

[cbcostanza]

Hey everyone,
Just wanted to get some opinions about skimmers for my 40 breeder SPS tank with a 20 gal sump. I only have 2 fish and don't feed overly heavy. I am also on a limited budget. Thanks for everyone's input.

P.S. Could anyone bring me a small bag of Chaeto to the Christmas party? Thanks

Chris

 

[cmador]

I like my Octopus NW-110 and it sure was cheaper than what else is out there. I think it was less than $125 and it came with the gate valve mod kit. I've only had it running since August, so I can't vouch for long term use. I have a 50 with a 20 gal sump.

 

[cbcostanza]

where did you get your Octopus? Do you have any pics of it running in your sump?

 

[itZme]

I was going to suggest an Octopus skimmer. If you are on a limited budget and would like something built well then that is the one I personally would go with. I haven't used them myself but have read about them and others. You could also go for one of the Tunze skimmers but they are priced about $100 more than the Octopus.

I don't think you have a huge demand for a skimmer with your low stocking levels and light feeding schedule you could almost go skimmerless. Are you still using the Remora on there? Those skimmers seemed to do OK on my 29g with 20L sump when I had them. I think I feed more and stock more fish than you so there might have been more crud to skim out.

I might be getting rid of my custom needlewheel skimmer in the next few weeks and it has been keeping up pretty well on my ~500g system but I wouldn't say I would really recommend it for more than 200g. It is 6" tube by 26" tall with a mesh modded Sedra 5000 and a MJ900 feed pump.

Might be a bit over rated for your setup and not brand new but it will be in your price range

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[cmador]

I bought mine from marine solutions inc., but I know that aquacave.com also has them.

 

[cbcostanza]

What does the gate valve mod kit do?

 

[itZme]

Gate valves allow you to adjust the water level in the reaction chamber easily instead of having to raise or lower a standpipe that slides in and out you just turn the knob on the valve to allow the water to leave faster or slower from the output pipe.

It also helps keep the level a more steady height. I have a ball valve on the one I am using but it is easier to adjust a gate valve since you have 1/4 turn for complete closure of a ball valve and about 5 full turns on a gate valve. There is a finer adjustment curve.

Hope that helps

 

[cbcostanza]

I am guessing that the gate valve mod is an extra cost, but it sounds like it's worth it. Thanks Guys! It looks like the octopus NW-110 is what I will be saving for.

 

[cmador]

Chris, if/when you get the Octopus here is a quick and easy mod to do to:

The needlewheel is made of two wheels glued onto the shaft. All you have to do is remove the impeller and get a thin knife and pry between the two and they will come loose. Pull them both off. Then the inner most one flip so it is facing the other direction and leave the outter one alone. For security, just put another small dab of glue on the needle wheel. Put it all back together and your done.

Here is a thread on more Octopus mods http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=898776

 

[cbcostanza]

thanks for the mod info. Did that make a big difference in the performance?

 

[cmador]

I wouldn't say a huge difference, but certainly worth while. I ran it straight out of the box for three months before I did the mod and it was fine. After the mod, I was pleasently surprised at the amount of bubbles now being produced.

 

[cbcostanza]

thanks for the information. Hopefully I will see you at the Christmas party.