Replacing my skimmer in a 70 gallon setup

[tsinpoo]

I've gone through a few skimmers trying to find one that's 'set it and forget it' in nature. My latest Simplicity skimmer just can't seem to produce any waste consistently after about 6 months of use and I'm ready to try another option.

I've narrowed it down to the following and wanted to get some feedback from people who have experience with them:

AquaMaxx FC-80
Bubble Magus Curve 5 Elite
Eshopps S-Series Protein Skimmer S-120
IceCap K2-120

Also open to other suggestions.

Cheers

 

[mcgyvr]

I really like the bubble magus and have a curve 5 myself...
However...simplicity are decent too and if you cant get if to work then either your expectations need to change or you have something wrong going on..

 

[tsinpoo]

Interesting. My big issue with the Simplicity skimmer is anytime I do any sort of work in my tank it basically stops skimming for days sometimes weeks.

 

[LQT]

What size Simplicity skimmer do you own? Often, I see people grossly over sizing their skimmer, the result being inconsistent skimming. It will work fine, and when their aren’t any available organics to skim, it will idle for a good bit of time.

 

[mcgyvr]

Interesting. My big issue with the Simplicity skimmer is anytime I do any sort of work in my tank it basically stops skimming for days sometimes weeks.

Changes to the surface tension of the water will cause skimmers to perform differently.. Use/exposure to certain chemicals can cause the foam column to either collapse or be overactive..
Maybe you have something on your skin.. soaps/hand lotions,etc...
What constitutes doing work in your tank?

 

[tsinpoo]

LQT I believe I'm using the Simplicity 240 which is rated for 120 gallons with a heavy bio load. My impression is that a lot of skimmer companies over rate their skimmers capacity but maybe Simplicity is better than other? I have a couple large Perculas, a dwarf angel, couple Chromis, a blenny, 2 cleaner shrimp, 1 pistol shrimp, a melanus wrasse and a large derasa clam. The tank is about a year old so no big corals, just a few small zoa colonies and a couple mushrooms.

Mcgyvr I'd say mostly changing carbon/gfo, maybe flipping a snail back over...I tend to leave the tank alone as much as possible. I'm pretty good about keeping my hands clean going in, I don't use soap but will give them a good rinse with RO water to prevent oils etc.

 

[LQT]

I had a sneaky suspicion that you had the 240 as opposed to the 120. I am not a fan of grossly over sizing skimmers exactly for what you are experiencing... inconsistent skimming. I think any of the smaller skimmers on your list would serve you well for your given volume of water.

 

[Fishbulb2]

I have a Nyos 160 in a 75g reef. It's perfectly sized performance wise if it will fit in your sump.

 

[Daddi0]

I run an old ASM G2 skimmer. I love it!! It just chugs along with no adjustments, no maint. NO ISSUES! I just rinse the top and cup once a month.
Cheers! Mark

 

[homer1475]

Just got the BM curve 5 elite. Great little skimmer and I think it would do great on your setup. I was eyeing the NYOS, but with my current skimmer dying, and x-mas just getting over, I couldn't fork over the 400$ for the NYOS, so I went with the cheaper BM.



One the biggest complaints I read about with BM was the elcheapo Chinese pumps they use. The elite series(just came out this year) use a sicce needle wheel pump. You can't get much better then a sicce motor block.



It took about a full week to break in, but at 9 inches of water, its a skimming beast!