Skimmer Q&A Thread

[jx4hansen]

OK, I think I am thoroughly confused:fun5:

I have been reading and reading......

I am doing a 75 gallon tank setup with a 30 gallon sump.

I have been looking at the Reef Octopus and the Vertex IN skimmers.

Can someone tell me the difference between these three models???

SRO-????
Vertex-IN??
Octopus NWB

So far as I can tell that the SRO has a better warranty on the pump?

Thanks guys.

 

[wendeelo]

Hello Everyone - I am hoping someone can educate me on the benefits of the cone skimmer design vs. the non-cone in sump skimmers - what are supposed to be the benefits of the cone? They are definitely more expensive but are they that much better at skimming than the non-cone skimmers? Thanks for any info!

~W

 

[NyReefNoob]

wend the bubble transition is suppose to be smoother with a cone then a regular bodied skimmer, i dont really think there is much difference, but am going to get a cone to find out myself after 15+ other skimmers i am still trying some out

 

[rob020880]

Hello Mojo,

I have a 140 gal. total sps system with a decent amount of fish. I am stuck and don't know which BK or Vertex alpha would be best for my needs. I have some size contraints in my sump so the depth at which any of these operate in are also of concern to me. Here are the skimmers I have been considering.

BK mini 180

BK mini 200

Alpha 170

Alpha 200

Which of these would you say will be good enough for my system and at what optimal depth does each need to operate in? I am looking to have a good consistent skimmate and not over do it making the skimmer erratic.

I assume that the mini 180 or the alpha 170 would be the better options but which is best?

Also are there other brands of skimmers that offer the quality and performance that these do? I have had my I on bk/vertex for a while, but I am open to other offerings you might consider better in any way.

All your advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Waterobert]

Hi Mojo,
I am looking for the most quiet skimmer for 125 gallon system. Is new ATB 840 2.0 good for me? Is there something better? Thanks

 

[almirman]

Mojo. How does the Octopus Triple 12 compare to the Super reef octo 5000/6000?

 

[wendeelo]

wend the bubble transition is suppose to be smoother with a cone then a regular bodied skimmer, i dont really think there is much difference, but am going to get a cone to find out myself after 15+ other skimmers i am still trying some out

Thanks!

 

[NyReefNoob]

i will say this out of all the skimmers i have owned, none over $400 the vertex has been the best. built nice, i truelly only think the down fall on the vertex is the pump. granted i never had issue's with my pump. but that has been the problem for most people, i just purchased another in 180 and plan to get a bb pump for it. the vertex has a very nice slow sweeping transition into the neck.

 

[mojo~]

mojo have u had a atb 840 2.0 with the new sicce pump ? also wonder why they switched pumps and if it is as effective as the 2500 was.

the new pump performs the same as the old pump actually it is right between the 2500 with the small pinwheel and the large. so you get better reliability and they do not have to make a custom volute for it.

 

[mojo~]

Hello everyone. I just posted the following in a separate thread and forgot about "The Skimmer Thread". So I'll repost here and gladly take any info I can get. :wave:



Greetings,

First, let me fill you in on my setup. I have recently picked up a reef ready (dual overflow) Oceanic150gal/55gal sump setup. My aquarium stand will allow about 30" underneath the display. My 55 gal sump is about 48"longX21"tallX12"wide. I took out the 2 remaining baffles in the sump as they were losing their seal and it needed to be cleaned. I want to redo the sump with the following 3 compartment order...


[Drain (Skimmer & some Live Rock)] 3 baffle bubble trap [Return] 1 taller baffle [Refugium]


Now for my skimmer situation...I picked up this older model SWC skimmer. I'm not sure its model name/number but it is 8" wide by about 24" tall. It also appears to have been customized as I'm pretty sure the drain piping on it is a DIY job, but I could be corrected...

It came with this Octopus OTP-3000 pump.

What is the depth rating for this in-sump skimmer? Could I use it properly on my setup??

I'm trying to figure out what length acrylic to go with and any recommendations would be great!?!? (FYI: The 2 precut acrylic panels I already have are 14" and 16" respectively.) Thank you so much for your shared experience and ideas!


-Blake

this was swc 's version of the octopus nw200. Same pump same everything just a different sticker. measure the height from the base to the bottom of the gate valve. This is how high I would make the water depth. probably around 8 to 10 inches.

 

[mojo~]

OK, I think I am thoroughly confused:fun5:

I have been reading and reading......

I am doing a 75 gallon tank setup with a 30 gallon sump.

I have been looking at the Reef Octopus and the Vertex IN skimmers.

Can someone tell me the difference between these three models???

SRO-????
Vertex-IN??
Octopus NWB

So far as I can tell that the SRO has a better warranty on the pump?

Thanks guys.

the octo nw series is octopus's entry level units. The vertex is basically a euroreef body with a cheaper pump. They work very well.

the SRO skimmers are a little better design and move more air and water. USing a better pump that the other two listed. for a 75g I would look at the sro 1000, vertex in 100 or nw 150.

I would get one of the first two.

 

[mojo~]

wend the bubble transition is suppose to be smoother with a cone then a regular bodied skimmer, i dont really think there is much difference, but am going to get a cone to find out myself after 15+ other skimmers i am still trying some out

a balanced skimmer is what you want. Some cones make use of there body. ATB , and the WM k2 are 2 examples. Some are a cone body with a ton of turbulence. not doing any good and you loose the reaction time making them less efficient.

Mojo~

 

[mojo~]

Hello Mojo,

I have a 140 gal. total sps system with a decent amount of fish. I am stuck and don't know which BK or Vertex alpha would be best for my needs. I have some size contraints in my sump so the depth at which any of these operate in are also of concern to me. Here are the skimmers I have been considering.

BK mini 180

BK mini 200

Alpha 170

Alpha 200

Which of these would you say will be good enough for my system and at what optimal depth does each need to operate in? I am looking to have a good consistent skimmate and not over do it making the skimmer erratic.

I assume that the mini 180 or the alpha 170 would be the better options but which is best?

Also are there other brands of skimmers that offer the quality and performance that these do? I have had my I on bk/vertex for a while, but I am open to other offerings you might consider better in any way.

All your advice is greatly appreciated!

Hands down the bk mini 180 gen 2. 1200 lph of air. Askol pump and the easiest skimmer to maintain on the market. MY favorite skimmer of them all.

Very nice unit. worth the money.

 

[mojo~]

Hi Mojo,
I am looking for the most quiet skimmer for 125 gallon system. Is new ATB 840 2.0 good for me? Is there something better? Thanks

the atb 2.0 would work great. Very quiet. the pump is quiet and runs about 800 lph of air. well balanced for the body. Really nice skimmer and top notch service too.

mojo~

 

[mojo~]

Mojo. How does the Octopus Triple 12 compare to the Super reef octo 5000/6000?

just not the same. Kind of like old school meets new kid. I would still go with the sro 5000/6000. the 5000 and 6000 use same pump. the 6000 uses a little larger body.

 

[mojo~]

i will say this out of all the skimmers i have owned, none over $400 the vertex has been the best. built nice, i truelly only think the down fall on the vertex is the pump. granted i never had issue's with my pump. but that has been the problem for most people, i just purchased another in 180 and plan to get a bb pump for it. the vertex has a very nice slow sweeping transition into the neck.

yes nice skimmers. Pull well right out of the box. The only vertex in I dont care for is the 250. it is very tall and the pump has to deal with a lot of head pressure. I would get the 280 over the 250.

the 180 is a great value for sure.

 

[almirman]

Mojo, What do you think of the Lifereef line of protein skimmers? I would be looking at the VS348

 

[bayoupr]

Hey mojo, what level would you recommend running the Mini180 Gen 2 at ?

 

[autopro]

Mojo:

I am trying to decide on a skimmer for my 65 gal. plus 30 gal. sump. I will have a medium to heavy biolad with a mixture of SPS and LPS. I will wave a refugium in the sump also. The main reason at looking at these 3 skimmers is the good ratings and the fact that they are not too tall, I do not have much room under the stand. Is there a reason to spend the $100.00 extra on the most expensive of the three?

So my three choices are:
Bubble Magus NAC6
Bubble Magus NAC7
SWC 160 Cone

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

 

[Felixc395]

Hi mojo! How would a bubblemagus NAC6 work for a heavily stocked 75 gallon reef?