Skimmer Ideas Please....

D

DEXTER SOLIS

New member
hi Folks,
just wanted everyones idea on a good skimmer. I intend to set up a 180 gal tank in my basement, and would like to use a Sequence Dart to run returns and the skimmer to save on energy. I plan to use Sea Swirls as part of my circulation. We all complain about how much our bills are for electricity and I figure its not soo much the Lights that kill us, but our pumps that run 24/7. I want the dart because its quiet and is probably the most efecient pump out there for the money.
I have seen the Dart and ETSS, whiler running 90 and 30 cube at Joe's/Cindy's ( JCAquatics)system and was impressed, just wanted other options/opinions...
thanks for everyones input in advance.
 
if you're going to use a dart go ahead and talk to spazz on RC about modifying it with a needle wheel. He had a 5-6 foot skimmer powered by a recirculating needle wheel modified dart pump and boy did it produce foam.
 
Dex,

I'm running that same idea, have the Dart running a single beckett MR-2 along with the 180's return. No problems and get plenty of skim mate.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6992912#post6992912 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sci33
if you're going to use a dart go ahead and talk to spazz on RC about modifying it with a needle wheel. He had a 5-6 foot skimmer powered by a recirculating needle wheel modified dart pump and boy did it produce foam.
Click to expand...

Thats an interesting thought, I had purchased ER CS 8-3 earlier, so Im thinking of selling that for this idea...

thanks
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6993142#post6993142 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by qy7400
Dex,

I'm running that same idea, have the Dart running a single beckett MR-2 along with the 180's return. No problems and get plenty of skim mate.
Click to expand...

I ran same Idea to Tony (Acropora) and Tech dept of the manufacturer of the MR-2, both did not sugest doing that, but I did ask for double becket injecotrs, so maybe flow is more than enough. how long has yours been running and how well does it work for you?
 
Dex, I believe the dart is NOT pressure rated, so running a beckett with it will be very inefficient.

I just switched from several mags running returns and a beckett to a dart and needlewheel (H&S) and my electricity went DOWN $100/mo.

This despite going from 600w of MH to 1600. Go figure?

I would reccommend the needlewheel, and the 8-3 is a great unit no? (old sedra or the new pumps?)

Dart is great for return, but way more flow than needed on a 180 ( I have it throttled back on my 375)

HTH,

Justin
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6993357#post6993357 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnfallon
Dex, I believe the dart is NOT pressure rated, so running a beckett with it will be very inefficient.

I just switched from several mags running returns and a beckett to a dart and needlewheel (H&S) and my electricity went DOWN $100/mo.

This despite going from 600w of MH to 1600. Go figure?

I would reccommend the needlewheel, and the 8-3 is a great unit no? (old sedra or the new pumps?)

Dart is great for return, but way more flow than needed on a 180 ( I have it throttled back on my 375)

HTH,

Justin
Click to expand...

thanks justin,

do you thinl I can modify the ER to take the needle wheel from the Dart? or should I just run the pumps it came with, i think it was Sedras...
 
In My experience Euros are GREAT skimmers.
Easy to maintain/adjust, cheap to run, and pull out a TON of crap.

When you get ready to set up the tank, let me know. I have several different return pumps here I could let you borrow to see how much you need.

I would think that your ER would work exceptionally well if you dam off the area of the sump it sits in, extend the skimmer return to the fuge area to ensure that you are always getting "dirty" water, and slow down the return flow.

Plenty of things to spend$$ on in this "hobby", I think you have a great skimmer already, why blow any more $$.

All that being said, Spazz rocks, and his needlewheel dart is a think of beauty. Look up the thread. He's turning a 6 foot high octagon into a "pitcher of milk" with a force injected dart. Fun toy! Hardly without issues though, and where the heck to you hide a 6 foot tall skimmer?
 
here's spazzes thread check it out

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=732601&highlight=needlewheel

IMG_6134Large.jpg
 
I agree with Justin. why spend when you have a winner already?
However if you decide to spend anyway i reccomend a DAS. Looks & performs like a Deltec. In fact when the guys from Holland saw it they said it was a Deltec model.???;)
 
Dexter,

Keep your Euroreef for now and give it a try, also plumb in a "port" from your return pump to use later with an external skimmer(beckett or ETSS or a recirculating needle wheel) if you don't like the Euroreef after trying it. I have two ETSS skimmers I am not using if you want to try them, one is modified to use a beckett. I personally would suggest a separate pump to drive a down draft\beckett skimmer, balancing the need of these skimmers and return can be a PIA. You should come visit Warren and I and get some skimmer ideas.

The Dart will be too big to use as your return pump only on the 180 gallon tank unless you plan to feed your tank upstairs too. It is a great pump, the AGA overflow kits can not handle the full water flow of that pump. I just bought one and it is very quiet and low power consumption for the amount of water it moves.

Forget about use the dart as a modified needle wheel pump, the project does not fit your needs and requires a lot of work.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7004619#post7004619 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cali_reef
Dexter,

Keep your Euroreef for now and give it a try, also plumb in a "port" from your return pump to use later with an external skimmer(beckett or ETSS or a recirculating needle wheel) if you don't like the Euroreef after trying it. I have two ETSS skimmers I am not using if you want to try them, one is modified to use a beckett. I personally would suggest a separate pump to drive a down draft\beckett skimmer, balancing the need of these skimmers and return can be a PIA. You should come visit Warren and I and get some skimmer ideas.

The Dart will be too big to use as your return pump only on the 180 gallon tank unless you plan to feed your tank upstairs too. It is a great pump, the AGA overflow kits can not handle the full water flow of that pump. I just bought one and it is very quiet and low power consumption for the amount of water it moves.

Forget about use the dart as a modified needle wheel pump, the project does not fit your needs and requires a lot of work.
Click to expand...

thanks Pierce, as usual you are very generous in so many levels. I purchsed the ER coz I do feel they are great skimmers, and i also pretty much scratched idea of using a 6' skimmer..LOL!
I dont plan on using AGA kit for return, but all for drain and use sea swirls for returns. i will defenitely drop by you and warren's before i make anything concrete, my basement is now being worked on, and Im aloting space for a built in (dont think i will be using the stand), but again nothing concrete yet.
jen (wife) has talked me out of maintaining upstair tank :( , so i guess I will have another garage sale...

thanks for the input guys, please let me know if Im going about this the wrong way
 
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