Skimmer Q&A Thread

[vanillagorila]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15147438#post15147438 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Orr2003
vanillagorila

I first set it up like MRC's website says. Place the water level at 4 inches above the black box with the air off then open the air until you get fine bubbles, but if I do it doesnt ever foam over into the collection cup. I assume it is because of the tall second riser.

in this case I would keep the air the same and raise the water level (close the gate valve) until it rises up high enough. remember to only make small changes and then let it sit for a little while to see if you need to adjust more.

 

[mojo~]

yea I would run the water level as low as possible open your gate valve all the way and open up the air as much as you can. The bubbles will be large but will condense when the head on top start to form.

 

[Orr2003]

Ok

But how far open should the air valves be to start with? I can open them a quarter turn and get fine bubbles or I can open them 4 turns and still get fine bubbles.

Finding the sweet spot between how much air and where to put the water level is almost impossible.

 

[vanillagorila]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15147523#post15147523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Orr2003
Ok

But how far open should the air valves be to start with? I can open them a quarter turn and get fine bubbles or I can open them 4 turns and still get fine bubbles.

Finding the sweet spot between how much air and where to put the water level is almost impossible.

if it were mine, I would open your air valves 3 turns and then play with the gate valve until I could make skim. what ends up happening is that there are so many things to adjust that you end up going the right way with one thing and the wrong way with another.

 

[Orr2003]

What would be a great internal skimmer for my 400g system, over 60 SPS with 550lb liverock and heavy fish load.

 

[vanillagorila]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15148331#post15148331 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Orr2003
What would be a great internal skimmer for my 400g system, over 60 SPS with 550lb liverock and heavy fish load.

an ATB large. you might be able to get by with a med.

 

[illsquaddotcom]

Hey Mojo...

I have a 90g mixed reef (getting into SPS) and I need to upgrade from the skimmer that came with my set-up.
I probably have about 170 total system volume.
From reading your other recos I am considering Vertex IN-180 or maybe even IN-250 since the price doesn't seem to go up much. Other option would be a MSX 160 or 200. I can imagine upgrading to maybe a 120-150g tank someday down the line so I really am shooting for as much overkill as i can get in the $300-$350 range.
Or if you have seen/heard of any deals around that price for used equipment I'd love the tip.
Thanks for the service you are providing to this hobby.

 

[mojo~]

I think now that I have the in 180. I can honestly say I would pick the Vertex in 180 over the MSX 200
And here is why:
The MSX 200 works very well.
The vertex in 180 works very well.
The Sicce pumps have a directional volute cover so if they start the oppisite way the performance air/water draw is different.
The vertex is unidirectional. No issues.
The MSX has an 8 inch body and so does the vertex IN 180
However the IN 180 has a much more gentle transition to the neck over the MSX 200.
So with no direction issues on the sicce and the nice transition on the neck. I would have to pick the Vertex IN 180 over the msx 200 anymore. Price is about the same. Both on pinwheel pull about hte same amount of air. I pulled about 30 scfh on pinwheels on the MSX and I am pulling 32 to 34 on the vertex in 180 at the moment.
I know the Resun pump isnt a big name in pumps so I will keep this vertex around for a while and see how the pump holds up. I will most likely mesh it as well to see how the pump takes the extra load as well. I will post all this in the vertex forum.

So to answer your question. The in 180 is a good choice. THe 250 is really tall. I would go with a in 180 or 280. Although the 280 would be a bit larger for your setup.

 

[new2u]

LOL Mojo.

I just ordered an MSX 200 over a vertex and I just got it dropped into my sump today. I really like how its firing up, and its real quiet. However, I was a little curious how long I should expect the break in period to last? I have it set to the "closed" setting incase it decides to explode in production sometime soon but while running it in about 8-9" of water yet the foam isn't really doing much yet. Just getting all bubbly up to about the top of the label. I'll grab a picture tommorrow morning or after i get off work in the evening. Thanks man!

Willis

 

[mojo~]

It will work just great for you. I usually run them wide open for about 24 hours and slowly start moving the water level up after that. Usually have it adjusted up after 3 to 4 days. then I try not to mess with it.

good luck with your skimmer.

 

[jonnybravo22]

Hey mojo - just wanted to say thanks for the recommendations and let you know that i ended up going with the Vertex In-80 for my nano system. Just got here on friday so i'm letting it do it's thing but so far i'm very pleased. probably a better investment than the ATB i was planning to get, given my system size (~40g total system). click house for more pics.

first put into sump

after 16 hours

 

[mojo~]

I am glad you like it. I dont know if everyone realizes. I take everyones questions and really look at what would be the best for them. Where is there money best spent. BAsed on system size and what they might be looking for. No sense spending a bunch of money if not needed. I have had some of the cheapest skimmers on the market to some of the most sought after units. And sometimes you might have to spend a couple extra bucks to get what you are looking for. But anymore there are some nicer budget alternatives.
Mojo~

 

[illsquaddotcom]

That was the exact type of intel I was looking for. Thanks it would have taken me hours of reading to get that on my own. Now if I could only find a used one from somebody...

 

[mojo~]

Ok just thought I would throw my two cents out there for you all. As its late and well I am not really awake. lol.
Ok There has been a huge push on the new cones coming out now. I know some of you are like me and are dying to see what its all about.
But just remember their are other great products on the market already that you dont have to wait weeks for.
The WM k2 is now available. This is about the same size as the new alpha 200 as far as actual physical size.
The ATB 840 has dropped in price and it was only about a year ago you would of paid about $900 for this skimmer. Now its around $665 I think. With two pinwheels. Amazing product as well. It has been one of the most sought after cone skimmers for a long time. They must be doing something right.
Just remember when looking at a new skimmer it is not just about air numbers. Its about a balance of the skimmers air intake,water intake, and the size and design of the skimmer.
I mean you can put too much air in a body and neck. If the air is too much for hte body and design of the skimmer there is a good chance you will get some micro bubbles. If you have to muc air for the neck it will act really weird. THe bubbles in the neck will not be stable at all. And on the opposite end. If there is not enough air for the neck size. You will have a really hard time getting it to make a consistant amount of nog.
So sometimes looking at something that is tried and true isnt so bad.


Mojo~

 

[ljr]

Mojo... I am currently looking at the Vertex Alpha 250, but I am doing a bit more research since there seems to be delays in getting them. I have a 178g tank along with another 150g in a sump/grow out/refugium. The tank is just now starting to cycle, but it will be a medium stocked mixed reef... any thoughts?

 

[mojo~]

That skimmer should work ok if you run the modded venturi inlet tube. You have a pretty large system volume so you will want something that is going to move a good amount of water.
The alpha 250 would work, So would the ATB 1050A , or the swc 1a cone i think it is.
Good luck with the alpha. ITs a good skimmer. Its just after seeing all the brands of skimmer on the market. THe wow factor just isnt there like it used to be. So when it suppose to be the best thing since sliced bread, Thats what I expect. Just remember it is made by RE, But it is a Vertex skimmer. Not a BK. I think the best design is the BK super marin. But you pay for it.

Mojo~

 

[new2u]

Dear Mojo,

Thanks .

I haven't emptied the collection cup since Sat. just been tweaking the water level and such, what do you think of the depth? I feel like it might be a hair low since the skimmate is pretty dark. I'm no expert here though, thats you

Willis

 

[mojo~]

Te water depth actually looks pretty good to me. I like to run hte water depth right at where the water is coming out of the t on the wedge pipe. then now run the elbow pointing down. This helps reduce back pressure. Looking good

 

[mojo~]

I have had some questions about the alpha and the inlet pipe. should I cut it or not.
Well, First I would say why buy a high end skimmer you have to mod right away anyway. The skimmer just needs a little more rd time in my opinion and it will be great. I was dang near tarred and feathered when I said they didn't pull enough air. And then they changed what the air draw numbers would be. Existing 250 owners are cutting inlet pipes to get the skimmer to skim better. Some are having good luck with their product but I would say the majority is not as pleased with them as they hoped. All in all they are built well and have a good pump. They may be built by RE who makes BK. They do not perform as well as a tried and true BK skimmer yet. Now when they get the air to water ratio figured out this will be a heck of a skimmer.
I just think by cranking the air up to meet the neck size they forgot about putting that much air into that little body. when doing so you are bound to get some micro bubbles. The neck can handle the added air for sure. But the smaller cones will have a hard time.
its like anything new. it will have some bugs to be worked out.
Its no different than the WM k2. The prototype skimmer I had in December is not the same skimmer that we see today. The body is different the bubble ring is different, and air water ratio has changed some too.
So now that I have rambled on. I would say that everyone will have your opinion. I would just sit back and wait if you are on the fence about this particular product. WM, ATB, MSX, Vertex IN series, MRC,BK, are all good skimmers. There are more that will work well too. those are just the first that come to mind. I would not mod a $1000 skimmer out of the box. this should have been done already.
Just my two cents.
good day all....
Mojo~

 

[rroselavy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15210743#post15210743 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
WM, ATB, MSX, Vertex IN series, MRC,BK, are all good skimmers. There are more that will work well too. those are just the first that come to mind.

iTech 100 is on my mind...the iTech 200 should be included on people's minds as well.