Protein Skimmer Advice- Fluval M90

[thelawnwrangler]

I have order an all in one 36 gallon fluval M90 tank. It is a nice package that comes with an fluval PS1 protein skimmer.

http://fluvalaquatics.com/ca/product/15130-reef-aquarium-and-cabinet-set-m90/#.Vk3rmNKrTIU


So here is the protein skimmer question. I could sell that skimmer on ebay for hopefully $60, and go with a Tunze 9004 which is on sale at marinedepot for $130.

As a complete newbie anybody think that is an upgrade worth doing? Having no experience and just reading the internet it sounds like an area worth upgrading.

3 stars for Fluval on Amazon, and 4 for Tunze.

 

[gikseiman]

Did you make the purchase out of curiosity? I bought the m90 also and the ps1 skimmer is so loud it's driving me nuts.

I'm going to try a filter pack on either side of the pump robot to see if it helps but I'm also looking at possibly replacing with the tunze 9004.

 

[thelawnwrangler]

Did you make the purchase out of curiosity? I bought the m90 also and the ps1 skimmer is so loud it's driving me nuts.

I'm going to try a filter pack on either side of the pump robot to see if it helps but I'm also looking at possibly replacing with the tunze 9004.

I have been rolling with it- I don't find it that loud. Do you have it snapped together good? I think depending on situation the powerhead cord will rattle on my screen and be louder.

 

[gikseiman]

I have been rolling with it- I don't find it that loud. Do you have it snapped together good? I think depending on situation the powerhead cord will rattle on my screen and be louder.

Thanks, I'll take it apart and refit tonight again as it's due for a clean to see if that helps.

 

[thelawnwrangler]

Thanks, I'll take it apart and refit tonight again as it's due for a clean to see if that helps.

Yeah if I remember correctly mine kind of snapped together tighter after messing with it from what it came out of the box. Overall I know alot of people change their skimmer so it may be hit and miss in terms of quality

I am pulling skim, but really struggle determining if I could better skim or not being a newbie just not knowledgeable.

 

[gikseiman]

Yeah if I remember correctly mine kind of snapped together tighter after messing with it from what it came out of the box. Overall I know alot of people change their skimmer so it may be hit and miss in terms of quality

I am pulling skim, but really struggle determining if I could better skim or not being a newbie just not knowledgeable.

Haha, I have the exact same problem. I don't know what's normal or not and I don't want to splash out on a new skimmer to find it was actually doing a good job and noise is normal.. Ish..

I do have bubbles leaking out the side of the unit and spoke with lfs so something definitely not right.

I spoke to fluval also who replied and said only use the suction cups and not the hook..

They also said cut the hose to the required length. I find this bizarre as surely it needs to be certain length for cup to be at the highest point?!?

 

[zak.payne]

Just my two cents on skimmers on a tank this small. Don't even bother. As long as you do water changes on a pretty consistent schedule, you'll be fine with nutrient export. I also have the M60 (thelawnwrangler and I have spoken before) and I don't use the skimmer. I heard it doesn't pull skim well enough and is too loud to be worthwhile. It's better to have some sort of filter floss in that first chamber to catch any food/waste that might go down the overflow.

Anyways, that's my opinion. I'm a noob, so I might be wrong I guess time will tell to see how my tank does!