Skimmer Q&A Thread

Hi Mojo

I have a 137g system (107 display, 30g sump) and I am looking for a new skimmer.
I have been thinking about a Skimz sk181, SRO XP 2000 or Alpha Cone 170, since I can pick them up locally.
I don't mind spending the extra money if it is worth it, but for the money will I see a big difference in the alpha cone?
What would you recommend for my tank for the
$400-$800 range? space isn't a problem.

There are also a couple used bubbleking minis in my area, an older 1st gen 180 for $400 and a 2nd gen 200 for $750. I know if the pumps go on them they are pretty expensive to replace.

Thanks
 
I own a SWC 160 cylinder (not cone) skimmer for my heavily stocked 90g with 30g sump, and would like to upgrade. I need small dimension (limited space), powerful, and silent.

After much deliberation, I am considering the skimz sm201.

In your opinion, will this be a significant improvement in skimming for my tank? Is it too much? I thought of the smaller skimz, but in your past reviews you have said you like the pump on the 201 better than the 161. Can you think of a better option?

Edit - you had previously suggested the sea side aquatics CS-2 - how would this compare to the skimz sm201? And finally, is there enough of an advantage to an ATB elegance 200 to justify the additional cost of this over the sea side or the skimz?
 
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dwinter said:
Hi Mojo

I have a 137g system (107 display, 30g sump) and I am looking for a new skimmer.
I have been thinking about a Skimz sk181, SRO XP 2000 or Alpha Cone 170, since I can pick them up locally.
I don't mind spending the extra money if it is worth it, but for the money will I see a big difference in the alpha cone?
What would you recommend for my tank for the
$400-$800 range? space isn't a problem.

There are also a couple used bubbleking minis in my area, an older 1st gen 180 for $400 and a 2nd gen 200 for $750. I know if the pumps go on them they are pretty expensive to replace.

Thanks
Click to expand...



The SRO 2000 would bemy choice from those. The jns sk2 and the sea side cs2 would be great too.
 
jeremy K said:
I own a SWC 160 cylinder (not cone) skimmer for my heavily stocked 90g with 30g sump, and would like to upgrade. I need small dimension (limited space), powerful, and silent.

After much deliberation, I am considering the skimz sm201.

In your opinion, will this be a significant improvement in skimming for my tank? Is it too much? I thought of the smaller skimz, but in your past reviews you have said you like the pump on the 201 better than the 161. Can you think of a better option?

Edit - you had previously suggested the sea side aquatics CS-2 - how would this compare to the skimz sm201? And finally, is there enough of an advantage to an ATB elegance 200 to justify the additional cost of this over the sea side or the skimz?
Click to expand...

For what you want I would still get the sea side cs2. Quiet and powerful. Better than the skimz in terms of pumps.

Just too many pump issues I am hearing of to suggest the eden pump. The skimmers are super nice but the local that bought my sm 201 just dropped over a $100 for a new pinwheel magnet as the old one broke. The pumps just need more time to prove themselves imo.

Mojo~
 
mojo~ said:
For what you want I would still get the sea side cs2. Quiet and powerful. Better than the skimz in terms of pumps.

Just too many pump issues I am hearing of to suggest the eden pump. The skimmers are super nice but the local that bought my sm 201 just dropped over a $100 for a new pinwheel magnet as the old one broke. The pumps just need more time to prove themselves imo.

Mojo~
Click to expand...

Thanks for your response, Mojo, and for this thread.

So just to confirm prior to making my purchase - do you think the Sea Side CS2 will be a significant improvement over my SWC 160 cylinder? And do you think the CS2 would be equal enough to the ATB 200 Elegance, or is the Elegance much better for my sized tank?
 
jeremy K said:
Thanks for your response, Mojo, and for this thread.

So just to confirm prior to making my purchase - do you think the Sea Side CS2 will be a significant improvement over my SWC 160 cylinder? And do you think the CS2 would be equal enough to the ATB 200 Elegance, or is the Elegance much better for my sized tank?
Click to expand...
I would still go with the Sea Side cs2 for the money. Now the Elegance is nice but it is a little more tricky to dial in and its not really needed for what you are doing. I would save some money and get the cs2. it is still a nice skimmer.
 
Thank you!

Last question (I promise) - my only reservation for the Sea Side CS-2 is the air draw numbers (around 750 lph). If we are comparing to the Skimz which is like 900 lph, or the SRO 2000sss which is like 1100 lph, or the ATB elegance at 1300 lph, can we say that the performance is comparable? Or does the lower air draw number of the CS-2 mean lesser performance than skimmers with higher draws?
 
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its not all about air. The air draw #'s are conservative. Most skimmers using the same pump are pulling over 1000 lph of air. ITs about balance. if it isnt pulling air it is cycling more water. It will work well and perform just as well.
 
mojo~ said:
For what you want I would still get the sea side cs2. Quiet and powerful. Better than the skimz in terms of pumps.

Just too many pump issues I am hearing of to suggest the eden pump. The skimmers are super nice but the local that bought my sm 201 just dropped over a $100 for a new pinwheel magnet as the old one broke. The pumps just need more time to prove themselves imo.

Mojo~
Click to expand...

Mojo,
What about the pumps on the Warner Marine MF 121 Skimmer? Are there issues with these as well? I know it is not the exact same pump as Skimz.

Thanks,
Ken
 
Mojo,
I've pulled my bio balls outa the sump buddy 40 and place three back in. I've got about 2" of boiling water into the bottom of the neck of the skimmer. Were is the water level in your skimmer before it begins to foam? Thanks.
 
I am looking for a in-sump skimmer that is under $400. Here is what I have came across so far. Let me know what you think and thoughts on them and others to consider. I do not want to go above 500.

Bubble Magus BM-200PN 210-400 Gallons
Bubble Magus BM-NAC9 395-530 Gallons
Bubble Magus BM-NAC77 Cone 210-315 Gallons
Bubble Magus BM-NAC66 210-310 Gallons
AquaMaxx Cone 2 In Sump Protein Skimmer

This would be on a 175g -240g cube with an appropriate sized sump.
 
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Hi there!

Does anyone know of a replacement pump to use on my G1X skimmer that would be quietest? I am running it in a 75 gallon. The pump I am using is a G500. Thanks....
 
mojo~ said:
yes they are. They are exactly the same. eden 2000 pump
Click to expand...

I think there may be a modification on these as John Warner had told me that these pull more air and not the same as the Skimz.

With this aside, what is the issue with this pump as I have the skimmer right now and so far so good. Also is there another pump that you can recommend that will work well with this body in case my pump goes south?

Thanks,
Ken
 
Ken I have had them both now, I still have the pinwheel in my drawer. The pumps are not different. I am not trying to beat a dead horse here but I dont want other to be mislead. The only difference between the Warner Marine MF series is the color, Shape of the support ring, and vbt on the larger models. There was a small construction change too I believe but was a minor change. Something no one would even notice unless told about most likely.

I would just run it. They have been working some bugs out with the pumps. I would wait on them a little until I know that they have them worked out.

I have spoke with Jon W. many times, the people at skimZ and other North american suppliers about the pumps and design.
 
Hi Mojo, after reading your review of the jns sk I decided to go with it. Would the sk3 or 2 be a better match for my tank? Heavy stocked 137g sps tank.

Thanks again for all your help.
 
Hi Mojo, after reading your review of the jns sk I decided to go with it. Would the sk3 or 2 be a better match for my tank? Heavy stocked 137g sps tank.

Thanks again for all your help.
 
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