Skimmer Q&A Thread

[MAXreefer]

Very nice thread and thanks Mojo and the other for the great input.
Well here is my dilemma:
Going to setup an Elos System 120 which is a 90 gallon + sump.
Planning on running a full SPS tank and knowing myself I like to feed...

Looking into a reliable skimmer, quiet and not overkill.
Any good suggestions? Looking to go up to $500 but willing to spent maybe a little more for the right skimmer

Thanks for any suggestions
Michael

 

[mojo~]

Honestly a ATB 840 would be perfect. Socaltropical has one for $550

Other options would be the SRO 2000 INT, SRO 2000 XP, the SWC 160, the NAC 7 and BK mini 160

All but the BK and atb are under $500. Unless you can get one used.


Hope that helps...

Mojo~

 

[geaux xman]

BM NAC 9 is a bit much for a 125g+sump?

but i would like the skimmer to be a one time purchase and not something i wont be satisfied with later on and wanting to get something else.

i see the BM NAC 9($360) and BM NAC 7($250).

 

[Dog Hair]

Newbie Assistance

Newbie Assistance

Should be posting in newbie thread since I have no clue what I am doing but this is specific skimmer question Purchased new Octopus 200 XS extreme and 36" PM Sump tank to replace undersized ones on used tank I bought to try out this salt water tank business. Bought the PM so I could incorporate refugium in the sump. Foot print on pump says it should fit in the first part of sump as did salesperson at reef specialty. Problem is the riser on the outflow from the skimmer (where valve is) is too tall (only a couple three inches) to fit under the bracket for inflow tube from tank itself. That only way I can even get the skimmer in that first section. I read on Vue Technology site the water outlet from skimmer just has to be above the water level in the sump. I think it would be alright to cut it down a little but because I can not locate source of metric plastic pipe in this area I don't want to do something that might shut my upgrade down. Is there a downside to cutting the riser pipe a little?

 

[MAXreefer]

Honestly a ATB 840 would be perfect. Socaltropical has one for $550
Other options would be the SRO 2000 INT, SRO 2000 XP, the SWC 160, the NAC 7 and BK mini 160
All but the BK and atb are under $500. Unless you can get one used.
Hope that helps...
Mojo~

Thanks Mojo for the quick reply.
Is there a big difference between the ATB 840 V1.5 and V2.0 ?
One more question... I could get an ATI Bubble Master 250 with 2 ATI-Sicce pumps for $349. Overkill? Good or bad opinions on this one?

Thanks again
Michael

 

[lotusstar]

Mojo~ or anyone else who may be able to help.

I have an ATI BM 160 skimmer, it has a sicce psk 2500 pump. I replaced the pump a few months ago because it was introducing some voltage and giving me problems. I replaced it with the same kind of pump and now this pump is giving me issues as well. If I shut the skimmer down, during my maintenance routines then the pump won't start back up. I have to open the valve since the pump is inside the chamber, wiggle my fingers in and mess with the pump for it to start up. It's getting very frustrating, these are some of the same problems it was doing before and can't imagine a few month old pump would be having the same problems. Is there any explaination? The pump is the only moving part in the skimmer?
Also it seems to be very inconsistent with what it's pulling. The skimmer water level stays consistent but sometimes it pulls skim great, and then will go to a period of a few weeks where it won't push the bubbles up the chamber into the collection cup and all the skim gets deposited in the neck of the skimmer, so have to clean that more than the collection cup lately? I'm really kind of confused about all this, so any insight would be much appreciated. The tank is a 92g corner unit with a 20g sump. Currently the skimmer is in about 7 inches of water, but I've spent months lowering and raising it between 6-9 inches to try and adjust it with no real point it can settle on. Usually if I adjust it I leave it for a couple weeks.

 

[mojo~]

Should be posting in newbie thread since I have no clue what I am doing but this is specific skimmer question Purchased new Octopus 200 XS extreme and 36" PM Sump tank to replace undersized ones on used tank I bought to try out this salt water tank business. Bought the PM so I could incorporate refugium in the sump. Foot print on pump says it should fit in the first part of sump as did salesperson at reef specialty. Problem is the riser on the outflow from the skimmer (where valve is) is too tall (only a couple three inches) to fit under the bracket for inflow tube from tank itself. That only way I can even get the skimmer in that first section. I read on Vue Technology site the water outlet from skimmer just has to be above the water level in the sump. I think it would be alright to cut it down a little but because I can not locate source of metric plastic pipe in this area I don't want to do something that might shut my upgrade down. Is there a downside to cutting the riser pipe a little?

you can cut it down. Not an issue. Some skimmers dont like the output under water but actually all i have built are fully under water. just dont use the elbow as it can get a air pocket built up and cause the skimmer to overflow. you are fine though.

mojo~

 

[mojo~]

Thanks Mojo for the quick reply.
Is there a big difference between the ATB 840 V1.5 and V2.0 ?
One more question... I could get an ATI Bubble Master 250 with 2 ATI-Sicce pumps for $349. Overkill? Good or bad opinions on this one?

Thanks again
Michael

ATB 1.5 uses a sicce psk 2500 motor block the 2.0 uses the sicce psk 1000 syncra pump. THe newer one is the way to go if you can. Both work great. The ATI is not the way to go.

 

[mojo~]

Mojo~ or anyone else who may be able to help.

I have an ATI BM 160 skimmer, it has a sicce psk 2500 pump. I replaced the pump a few months ago because it was introducing some voltage and giving me problems. I replaced it with the same kind of pump and now this pump is giving me issues as well. If I shut the skimmer down, during my maintenance routines then the pump won't start back up. I have to open the valve since the pump is inside the chamber, wiggle my fingers in and mess with the pump for it to start up. It's getting very frustrating, these are some of the same problems it was doing before and can't imagine a few month old pump would be having the same problems. Is there any explaination? The pump is the only moving part in the skimmer?
Also it seems to be very inconsistent with what it's pulling. The skimmer water level stays consistent but sometimes it pulls skim great, and then will go to a period of a few weeks where it won't push the bubbles up the chamber into the collection cup and all the skim gets deposited in the neck of the skimmer, so have to clean that more than the collection cup lately? I'm really kind of confused about all this, so any insight would be much appreciated. The tank is a 92g corner unit with a 20g sump. Currently the skimmer is in about 7 inches of water, but I've spent months lowering and raising it between 6-9 inches to try and adjust it with no real point it can settle on. Usually if I adjust it I leave it for a couple weeks.

Are you running the mesh wheel that the ati's came with or a pinwheel ? this will make a difference how it starts. Some times the pinwheel is kind of stiff on the magnet and will have a hard time starting. I have been through so many sicce 2500's it isnt funny. I think I have worked with them more than the person who designed it. lol.

let me know ill do what I can to help.

 

[NyReefNoob]

hey mojo i couldnt stay away from the vertex and got another one but got the in100 this time. thinking the pump is a little weak for the body, and have been looking at either the newer sicce's or the bb pump, what ya think, got the skimmer used so if i do drop for another pump what would you go with ? have u used or seen the new sicce's ?

 

[mojo~]

yea the psk 600 would be ok but you will need the venturi . the tunze 9410 would be good and the bb 1000 would be the other good one.

 

[Nugburner]

sell it as fast as you can and get a good skimmer!

 

[t11t5]

I have a Super reef octopus Int-1000. The short piece of pipe that connects the gatevalve to the skimmer, Can I cut that or is it a certian lenght for a reason?

 

[Aflac01]

Mojo, im setting up a 30 gallon frag tank and looking for a skimmer for it, it will be coral only and maybe a couple of snails to clean up some. im planning on using bio pellets so i will need some type of skimmer, so you have any recommendations for a application like this, the tank has built in sump area and the skimmer section is about 4 inches x 5 inches, so i would need something that can fit in that or hang on the back. thanks.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Mojo - Thank You for the time you have put into this thread. It has been a tremendous help.

I'm starting a 280 gal build (~380 system total - SPS, heavily stocked.) Can you recommend your top couple choices for an in-sump skimmer? I'm building the sump so space isn't a concern. Nor is cost (I'd rather buy the right skimmer now rather than one now and more later...)

I'm also trying to decide on the water height for the skimmer section of the sump. I was planning setting the baffles at 9" - I can always place the skimmer on a stand if shallower is needed, but want to make sure it would work for most any skimmer. What would you consider the most ideal depth?

Thank you very much for your assistance.

 

[lotusstar]

Are you running the mesh wheel that the ati's came with or a pinwheel ? this will make a difference how it starts. Some times the pinwheel is kind of stiff on the magnet and will have a hard time starting. I have been through so many sicce 2500's it isnt funny. I think I have worked with them more than the person who designed it. lol.

let me know ill do what I can to help.

Mojo,

There is no mesh in the pump, the pump that I bought has an impeller in it. But that's the part that I replaced, I just bought a stock psk 2500 so not sure if it has a pin wheel or not. But it doesn't look like the pin wheels or mesh that I see on a lot of other skimmers.

Thanks for the help!

 

[mojo~]

I have a Super reef octopus Int-1000. The short piece of pipe that connects the gatevalve to the skimmer, Can I cut that or is it a certian lenght for a reason?

you can cut it. They try to keep it at water level. But I like to run mine under water.

 

[mojo~]

Mojo, im setting up a 30 gallon frag tank and looking for a skimmer for it, it will be coral only and maybe a couple of snails to clean up some. im planning on using bio pellets so i will need some type of skimmer, so you have any recommendations for a application like this, the tank has built in sump area and the skimmer section is about 4 inches x 5 inches, so i would need something that can fit in that or hang on the back. thanks.

The BM Nac 3 and the ocean force 100 might work. double check footprint but the NAC 3 is pretty small and should be just fine.

 

[GrampaDon]

Got a MSX-200 skimmer that needs a new pump.
My psk-2500 is grinding sometimes and loudly humming the rest of the time. [recently just cleaned it out ,to be sure of no gravel.]

Im not sure which is the way to go the BB-HY2000 the BB 3000.
Or the Sicce Syncra 1000. <not sure where to buy this one.

Any personal use comments about these anyboby wants to share is appreciated.

 

[mojo~]

Mojo - Thank You for the time you have put into this thread. It has been a tremendous help.

I'm starting a 280 gal build (~380 system total - SPS, heavily stocked.) Can you recommend your top couple choices for an in-sump skimmer? I'm building the sump so space isn't a concern. Nor is cost (I'd rather buy the right skimmer now rather than one now and more later...)

I'm also trying to decide on the water height for the skimmer section of the sump. I was planning setting the baffles at 9" - I can always place the skimmer on a stand if shallower is needed, but want to make sure it would work for most any skimmer. What would you consider the most ideal depth?

Thank you very much for your assistance.

I usually set my baffles at 7 inches. this gives me more freedom on height and I use a ATO anyways. But now for the skimmer...

Well here is a short list of the ones I would consider if it were me.

BK SM 250
SRO 5000
Hurricone cat 2 or 3
the SWC Askoll cone
msx 250 A

Any of those would work pretty well. All but the SRO use a laguana motor block. The ATB 1050A would be really nice but I think you would need the large and they get pricey.

But more than likely this would be what I would get. lower sump level for it or it will overflow. but 6 inch level isnt bad

http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protei...00-Internal-Protein-Skimmer/product_info.html