Skimmer Q&A Thread

[mojo~]

Mojo,

Newbie and my first post to the forum. I am new to saltwater and trying to avoid making another costly mistake. I am trying to determine what protein skimmer to use and I have read a majority of this thread and it is quite informative. Now if at all possible I would like to stay under the 300.00 mark, preferably under 200 but that may not be an option.

Right now I am starting 75 gal with live rock and plan on using an old 20 gal as a sump. I have not placed the baffles in the 20 so space is still available. The biggest issue is it must fit under the tank. I was hoping that I could find a skimmer that would sit outside the sump and only the pump would be in the sump. Any suggestions?

thanks
Rich

Hi Rich, take a look at the Vertex in 100,and the Bubble magus Nac 7 to get started.

 

[mojo~]

Hey Mojo!

Thanks for all your efforts and input!!

I am starting up a new system that will total up to 200gal in capacity, so with BRS rock/sand, it should roughly be 175 maybe? Looking to stock med to heavy load. Will be running biopellets.

My first choice was the Octo Xs 200, but don't know if it would be enough or if I should move up to the octo Xs250? The other skimmers I was considering was the Skimz Sk181, Vertex IN250 or SRO XP2000. What do you think? THanks!!

I think the aquamaxx am 250 would be a good choice, the octo xs 250 would also be great. You want to make sure you get one that will move enough water.

 

[Felixc395]

Mojo. A couple months ago you recommended I get a reef octopus 1000 XP SSS cone. My LFS agreed with you so I got one for my 75 gallon. I love everything about it, the build quality, everything.

The only thing is... It's not pulling any gunk! I have the skimmer in about 6" of water on a stand so depth really isn't an issue. I dial it in by looking at the top of the collection cup where the bubbles foam over.

Why can't I form any skimmate?!

Is my tank too young? It's been running for 4 months now and I see similar tanks with octopus skimmer's pulling lots of gunk! What's wrong with me? I've noticed that my bubbles are extremely fine. So I either don't get any skimmate, or it runs very, very wet. I hope I've given enough information.

Could you guide me to find some peace, tranquility, and most of all skimmate?!

Thanks!

 

[cykenp]

I think the aquamaxx am 250 would be a good choice, the octo xs 250 would also be great. You want to make sure you get one that will move enough water.

THanks for the advice!! If I could get either the aquamaxx am250 and octo xs250 for about the same price, would you take one over the other? I'm not sure what the air intake the octo is pulling...do you happen to know?

Out of curiosity, what skimmer are you currently running now?

Thanks! Your advice and thread is invaluable!

 

[n-kleine]

To start I enjoy reading your reports on products Mojo. I was looking through this thread and found negative and false information. I have used Deltec, ATB, Super Reef Octopus and others in my 11 years in this hobby. By far the Royal Exclusive Bubble Kings and Vertex Alpha cones are better built, quieter and out perform the brands listed above. I now own an Alpha 170. What balance are you referring to? The picture speaks the truth. This is after cleaning the cup just 5 hours before. If the neck is too big why does my Alpha work so well? Why buy less quality when you can have a bubble king at a similar price? Just my opinion. Thanks.

Just for the record here is 2 days with my Alpha 170. I feed once a day and only have six chromis so far. Skimmer is working great!!:wave:

 

[fredflinstone]

Hi mojo. I have a 80G and 20G sump. I am currently using an ASM G1 with G500 pump. I did the mesh mod, but the skimmate produced doesnt seem to be cut it. I have had this skimmer for 3 years now.
Should I do more mods on the ASM or just get another one?
If I need to get another one which one should I go for?

Your advice...

 

[BL1]

Anyone that can help, I've been running a Skimz SK181 on my 75g with 20g sump. The skimmer is in 8" of water( the manual recommends 7-9.5"). The tanks been up over a year, has 7 fish in it and various corals. The skimmer has been running in the tank for 2-3 months now and the first two months it was pulling thick skimmate. For the past 3 weeks though it hasn't pulled anything out. There's a lot of foam at the top of the cup it just doesn't seem to be making it INTO the cup for some reason.

TIA

 

[thornious]

Hi Rich, take a look at the Vertex in 100,and the Bubble magus Nac 7 to get started.

Thanks Mojo I end up up ordering the Vertex from Aqua Cave. I got it the other day. I have already setup once to clean it and run it some old saltwater. It started making skim right away. So now I just have to finish my sump and get it installed. Thanks again for advice.

 

[mojo~]

Hi mojo. I have a 80G and 20G sump. I am currently using an ASM G1 with G500 pump. I did the mesh mod, but the skimmate produced doesnt seem to be cut it. I have had this skimmer for 3 years now.
Should I do more mods on the ASM or just get another one?
If I need to get another one which one should I go for?

Your advice...

the g1 is a bit dated and I am sure the pump is startedto get weak as well.

The SRO 2000 int would be a gret choice.

 

[mojo~]

Anyone that can help, I've been running a Skimz SK181 on my 75g with 20g sump. The skimmer is in 8" of water( the manual recommends 7-9.5"). The tanks been up over a year, has 7 fish in it and various corals. The skimmer has been running in the tank for 2-3 months now and the first two months it was pulling thick skimmate. For the past 3 weeks though it hasn't pulled anything out. There's a lot of foam at the top of the cup it just doesn't seem to be making it INTO the cup for some reason.

TIA

the sk 181 is a pretty good size skimmer really. Might need to adjust theair valve slightly. Make sure the neck is really clean. Mine stops too with the neck dirty at all

 

[mojo~]

Thanks Mojo I end up up ordering the Vertex from Aqua Cave. I got it the other day. I have already setup once to clean it and run it some old saltwater. It started making skim right away. So now I just have to finish my sump and get it installed. Thanks again for advice.

no glad you like it.

Mojo~

 

[BL1]

the sk 181 is a pretty good size skimmer really. Might need to adjust theair valve slightly. Make sure the neck is really clean. Mine stops too with the neck dirty at all

Thanks Mojo, I've been having to clean out the neck every 2-3 days because it seems like most of the gunk is getting caked on there and not making it to the cup. Is that normal? I never had this problem with my old RO

 

[reefinder]

mojo I know the skimz leopard skimmer is not on the market yet, but what do you think about the inverted cone idea. I am planning on waiting out for this skimmer to come on the market. I have 100g tank and want a great skimmer for the tank, my price range is around a $1000, would you wait on this skimmer or buy another?

 

[gannmann9876]

hey mojo i just bought a bubble magus bm 100 v2. the pump is noisy. i have replaced the impeller and the shaft. are these pumps just noisy? is there a pump i can replace the atman 2500 with? how does this skimmer compare to a sro 1000sss?

 

[E.intheC]

Mojo~, I have a 90 gallon FOWLR that I'm going to run barebottom, so the skimmer needs to run on the stronger side and on the wetter side. I'm looking at a budget of about 350 (new or used) but might be willing to spend more if necessary.
I'm looking at the XP2000 and the JNS line, but am open to other suggestions. Thanks

 

[mojo~]

mojo I know the skimz leopard skimmer is not on the market yet, but what do you think about the inverted cone idea. I am planning on waiting out for this skimmer to come on the market. I have 100g tank and want a great skimmer for the tank, my price range is around a $1000, would you wait on this skimmer or buy another?

I would get something else than wait on it. I think that the 5000 pump is great but anything else still has some pinwheel changes on the eden pump to make sure they start everytime. They went really aggressive on the pumps right out of the box.

I would let them get the bigs out. The inverted cone is just an extension of what wanrer marine did with the VBT already. Its not going to make your corals grow more or your fish glow in the dark. I would get soemthing a little more tried and true. I cant waitto go to MACNA and see some of these first hand.

 

[mojo~]

hey mojo i just bought a bubble magus bm 100 v2. the pump is noisy. i have replaced the impeller and the shaft. are these pumps just noisy? is there a pump i can replace the atman 2500 with? how does this skimmer compare to a sro 1000sss?

i would say check the pinwheel but sounds like you have done that already. they have a hum but shouldnt be too loud. They are pretty inexpensive pumps.

the 1000sss is a nice skimmer and the pump is pretty nice.

 

[mojo~]

Mojo~, I have a 90 gallon FOWLR that I'm going to run barebottom, so the skimmer needs to run on the stronger side and on the wetter side. I'm looking at a budget of about 350 (new or used) but might be willing to spend more if necessary.
I'm looking at the XP2000 and the JNS line, but am open to other suggestions. Thanks

The xp 2000 would be good, as well as the octo xs 200 , and the atb 840 v2 if you can find a used one.

 

[Viajeque]

Hey Mojo I have a 90g with a PM Redline rated 100g. I believe my skimmer is not enough and I want to improve it, but my main problem I am limited to 21" height in my sump area.

My options so far are:

1. AquaC EV-180 with Rio 3100
2. Reef Octopus NWB 110
3. Reef Octopus SUPER SRO 1000INT
4. Wait, upgrade my sump area first and get a bigger Octopus

Please let me know your opinions and I am open to any suggestions.

 

[Viajeque]

Hey Mojo I have a 90g with a PM Redline rated 100g. I believe my skimmer is not enough and I want to improve it, but my main problem I am limited to 21" height in my sump area.

My options so far are:

1. AquaC EV-180 with Rio 3100
2. Reef Octopus NWB 110
3. Reef Octopus SUPER SRO 1000INT
4. Wait, upgrade my sump area first and get a bigger Octopus

Please let me know your opinions and I am open to any suggestions.