Protein Skimmer Question (is this a good one?)

[stolaas]

I have been looking around for some good skimmers for my big ugrade tank and came across this one. It is just like an AquaC EV-240 but cost a whole lot less. It is a basic contruction so I doubt even though it is cheaper that it would work any differently. I have a gate valve I can put on it to make it just like the AqauC.

Here is the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/CleanUp-Venturi...92QQihZ009QQcategoryZ3212QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What does everyone think? A good buy?

Thanks Everyone,
Curtis

 

[stolaas]

After looking at this one in depth I noticed that the diameter of the foam tube was only 4 inches so I went with a Octopus 200 needle wheel what has a diameter of 8 inches. It looks like the Octopus and ASM G series are really close alike.

 

[8BALL_99]

Yeah The Octopus 200 seems like a great deal.. I really looked at there external model.. The only down side to them that I've heard about is they only seem to be able to skim very wet. From what I understand that means the pumps might be a lil underpowered. Thats the only reason why I didnt get one. But I was looking for a skimmer for my 180, 40 gallon with a 75 gallon sump.. So it was a pretty large system. For an average 180 or less it should be plenty of skimmer. Let me know how you like it. They seem to be built very well..

Will

 

[stolaas]

Cool, thanks Will for the info. I'll be using it on my 55 till I get my 180 built into my house in March so it will be a while. But the 55 should be spotless with that running in there lol.

 

[8BALL_99]

lol Yeah no kidding.. Thats a HUGE skimmer for a 55. Well not sure if you seen the G4 in my Equipment room beside the door but that OP200 is even bigger.. Its the same diameter but its 6" taller then mine.. I ordered an H&S External A200 a couple weeks ago I was happy to hear it shipped today. Its the same size as the OP200. They really seem to be built alot alike.

 

[stolaas]

Yea I went a head and got it now because I was tearing down the skimmer I made for the 55, so I thought I'd go ahead and put the big daddy on it. When I have the 180 I am going to use the 55 for the sump and fuge like your 75 on the bottom of your 180. That H&S is going to be sweet, its a recirculating one isn't it? Is the hype about recirculation all it pans out to be? I guess it would keep some water in the skimmer longer I guess and make the skimmer seem larger in regaurds to capacity. Am I correct in asuming that?

 

[8BALL_99]

I hope the H&S lives up to the hype. I have yet to find someone that wasn't happy with theres..Well I dont think recirculating skimmers make a Huge difference.. I do think it does add a little bit of performance. For one your taking some of the head preasure of the skimmer pump so it should be able to pump more water and suck more air. Also I like the idea of being able to control how much water is pumped into the skimmer. You can do that with any skimmer by either a gate valve or just raising the output standpipe.. But that also is just adding head preasure to the pump..The same water would also have more contact time, but I guess that would depend on how fast you pump the water into the skimmer.. I mainly got the recirculating one because I wanted an External skimmer. Thats also why I didn't get another ASM. I've been very happy with my G4 and I just about got a G4X.

Will

 

[buzzbait00]

Curtis,
Check your pm's.
Buzz!

 

[Philip Root]

H & S

H & S

I think that you will like the H & S, it is the best built skimmer I have ever used or seen. Much nicer built than deltec and bubble king. As far as the OP200 it is a good value but is not built like any of these others. I belive the new store in town is using them. Oh ya there is a new store in birimingham on oct 7th.

As far as producing skimmate if you feed it with a overflow tube instead of a pump it will produce alot better than a ASM , if you feed it with a pump it will be about the same.

 

[miami13]

Philip, glad to hear of a new store - any more details you can give?

 

[Philip Root]

The Name of the store is Tropical Pet Cove, I don't have an address yet but I know he will try and open next weekend.

 

[Sm0kin]

tropical pet cove opens in the morning. They have a nice setup. With a few sps, leathers, and other corals. They are an all round pet store but they specialize in salt water. Their location is 7895 hwy 119 in alabaster just passed hwy 12 in the same building as "Celebrity Video & Tan" and "Lisa & Company". Heading towards Montevallo their on the right just passed the bp station. Everybody should pop in and give them a great opening. I know i will.