Alright i know that there are better skimmers out there, but i got this for free so i figured i'd save the $200 that i was going to spend on the remora and see what i could get out of this thing. Does anyone out there have one of these? Are there any mods i could do to it to optimize performance? Also, what is wet skimming?
Red Sea Prizm skimmer... any thoughts?
- Thread starter jamynsdad
- Start date
Poorcollegereef
Future Doc
I had one before going to a remora. The best thing really is not to waste the money, but free is free regardless right? I tired to make a meshwheel for it but I failed and ended up drilling lots of small holes in the prop to dice things up a bit. Also, I had the prizm fail on me once and I did not catch it until my nitrates were 20+ killing my sps. The prizm is better for the 20g but it might not be up to par for a 29. Goodluck, and the prizm might be the best for a 10g nano, does fairly well then.
chem-e
Active member
I've had one for a long time. I still use it on my QT and it does the job. I've also had a Remora and although the Remora skimmed better, I got rid of it and kept the Prizm for the QT. I guess I was just used to the Prizm. Adjusting the skimmer everytime I cleaned it was annoying, but other than that, I don't have much more to complain about.
As for mods, I don't know of any.
Wet skimming is just skimming so that the skimmate is lighter or less concentrated. This can be done be setting the bubbles to travel higher into the neck.
As for mods, I don't know of any.
Wet skimming is just skimming so that the skimmate is lighter or less concentrated. This can be done be setting the bubbles to travel higher into the neck.
cherubfish pair
New member
My first prizm was laying on the canopy, I bumped it and fell off and cracked. Next one could never be adjusted right. It either would not make skimmate or it would overflow on the floor. The rate of flow through the thing is only 80 gph.
Now I have a nano remora and it cost a lot but it's the best skimmer that will fit by HOB on my sump.
Now I have a nano remora and it cost a lot but it's the best skimmer that will fit by HOB on my sump.
GobyJohnKenobi
New member
I've had one for a year now on my 15 High. I can't really complain too much. I have learned a few things that make life with it a bit better for me and my tank.
I have the deluxe version. If yours isn't the deluxe version, then you might seriously consider buying the upgrade kit. It will run you about $25, and it has two things that really help the performance of the skimmer.
1. A media basket that fits into the output chamber of the skimmer. I fill this with Matrix Carbon up to the top of the slots, then a bit of Phosgard, and then a layer or two of Poly Filter cut to fit snugly. The lid holds all of this in place. This puts a bit of back pressure on the skimmer. Acts as a bubble trap. And allows for great chemical filration.
2. A surface skimmer. I've used it both with and without, and the difference is so great that I will only use the skimmer with it from now on. It really removes the surface film and allows more light into the tank and better skimming.
The difference between using these two upgrades and not is worth the money in my experience.
Placement of the skimmer seems to be important. Mine works much better in the middle of the tank than in either corner. Surface flow is also very important. What worked best for me was either a single powerhead moving the surface in a cingular pattern with the water hitting the imput strainer before the output ramp. Or a powerhead in each corner pushing the water to the middle of the tank. The single option works the best for my tank.
As far as mods go, the only one that I know of is to put the mounting screw into the lower of the two holes and raise the skimmer as high as you can until the screw touches the glass right under the frame. Measure this distance and cut a piece of hard styrofoam to that thickness and long enough to support the skimmer. This forces the water up a bit higher and allows you to run the skimmer a bit more open without all the microbubbles.
As far as setting it goes, try to run it as open as you can without allowing any microbubbles into the tank or overflowing. The line between the water and foam should be just a bit below the o-ring if you look at the back of the skimmer, and the bubbles in the downward current should stop about 2/3s of the way down to the first sharp turn (to the right) that runs back under the inlet.
This has been a good compromise for me between skimmate, microbubbles and flooding.
When you see about 1/4 inch of skimmate in the cup it's time to dump and clean. The neck is far too narrow and you should find a very thick scum on the inside of the neck. Most of the crud doesn't make it to the cup unles you skim very wet. About once a week is a good ballpark depending on your stocking.
If you hear it cavitating or see bubbles in the inlet pipe, just pinch the airline tubing as hard as you can until it is silent, then slowly release it. Problem solved.... temporarily. LOL
If you don't plan to feed or stock the 29 too heavily, it should get you by until you get the cash together for an upgrade. And you should be able to resell it for more than the cost of the upgrade.
It's okay... look a gift horse in the mouth, especially if its hooked to your favorite wagon. Hope it works fine for ya.
PM me if you have any questions.
I have the deluxe version. If yours isn't the deluxe version, then you might seriously consider buying the upgrade kit. It will run you about $25, and it has two things that really help the performance of the skimmer.
1. A media basket that fits into the output chamber of the skimmer. I fill this with Matrix Carbon up to the top of the slots, then a bit of Phosgard, and then a layer or two of Poly Filter cut to fit snugly. The lid holds all of this in place. This puts a bit of back pressure on the skimmer. Acts as a bubble trap. And allows for great chemical filration.
2. A surface skimmer. I've used it both with and without, and the difference is so great that I will only use the skimmer with it from now on. It really removes the surface film and allows more light into the tank and better skimming.
The difference between using these two upgrades and not is worth the money in my experience.
Placement of the skimmer seems to be important. Mine works much better in the middle of the tank than in either corner. Surface flow is also very important. What worked best for me was either a single powerhead moving the surface in a cingular pattern with the water hitting the imput strainer before the output ramp. Or a powerhead in each corner pushing the water to the middle of the tank. The single option works the best for my tank.
As far as mods go, the only one that I know of is to put the mounting screw into the lower of the two holes and raise the skimmer as high as you can until the screw touches the glass right under the frame. Measure this distance and cut a piece of hard styrofoam to that thickness and long enough to support the skimmer. This forces the water up a bit higher and allows you to run the skimmer a bit more open without all the microbubbles.
As far as setting it goes, try to run it as open as you can without allowing any microbubbles into the tank or overflowing. The line between the water and foam should be just a bit below the o-ring if you look at the back of the skimmer, and the bubbles in the downward current should stop about 2/3s of the way down to the first sharp turn (to the right) that runs back under the inlet.
This has been a good compromise for me between skimmate, microbubbles and flooding.
When you see about 1/4 inch of skimmate in the cup it's time to dump and clean. The neck is far too narrow and you should find a very thick scum on the inside of the neck. Most of the crud doesn't make it to the cup unles you skim very wet. About once a week is a good ballpark depending on your stocking.
If you hear it cavitating or see bubbles in the inlet pipe, just pinch the airline tubing as hard as you can until it is silent, then slowly release it. Problem solved.... temporarily. LOL
If you don't plan to feed or stock the 29 too heavily, it should get you by until you get the cash together for an upgrade. And you should be able to resell it for more than the cost of the upgrade.
It's okay... look a gift horse in the mouth, especially if its hooked to your favorite wagon. Hope it works fine for ya.
PM me if you have any questions.
