Skimmer Q&A Thread

[omartinez]

thanks you, i will check that models

 

[falconut]

Mojo, if I can get your opinion. I have a pretty heavy stocked 90 gallon DT with 20 gallon sump and 20 gallon refuge. I have a 7 year old ASM G-2 (running Sedra 3500 w/mesh mod impeller). Here is a photo of the skimmate:

I've been running pellets and have no testable NO3 & PO4, but I'm seeing some cyano and algae starting to pop up. I've had issues over the past few years, that have come and gone. I'm wondering if my skimmer just isn't handling the load. I feed a frozen cube once a day. What's your thought, does it look or sound like I need to upgrade my skimmer?

If yes, the problem is I've only got about 12"x9" and a 7" water level in the sump and I'm also trying to keep it $300 or less. From others posts on here, I believe the Avast CS1 would be one possibility, the SRO 2000 would be too big for the availible room. What's your opinion? Any other options?

 

[J3REEF]

WM K2 Pump Change

WM K2 Pump Change

Skimmer team,

Looking to upgrade/replace the pump on my WM k2 skimmer.
Not very happy with the pump - taking it apart too difficult to clean and the reverse start.

Read that a prior post that Mojo recommended a PSK 1000 or a BB2000.
Leaning towards the BB vs. another Sicce.

Questions -
Would the BB3k be a choice?
I know it has more air flow, but looking for input to see if this would drive a better overall performance on the k2.

Would the k2 rubber sleeve that connects the current sicce pump to the k2 body connect the BB2k or 3k? If not, suggestions on adapter between the two?

Thanks
J3Reef

 

[BoisBlancBoy]

I am going to use a 42 gallon tank as my sump on my 240 gallon tank, so I had to do a bunch of searching to find skimmers that would fit into the sump, plus not be too tall as to fit(height) in my tank stand which is 24" total.

So these are the skimmers I found and a few questions:

1. Hydor Performer 750.
I should have 1" of space between the top of the skimmer and the stand, anyone with experience see any problems? Can I get the cup off with that 1" of room?

2. Turboflotor 1000 Multi
Opinons on this unit?

3. Turboflotor Blue 3000
Opinons on this unit?

4. Red Sea C-Skim 1800 Advanced Protein Skimmer
Opinions on this unit?

5. Tunze Master DOC Protein Skimmer 9410
Opinons on this unit?

6. Tunze DOC Protein Skimmer 9011
Opinons on this unit?


If these are horrible choices let me know, but they were in my budget.
If anyone could help lead me in any direction or give me their honest opinon I would be greatfull!!! Thank you

 

[Offshore357]

they would both work. If you are going to upgrade then the 2000 xp would be better than the 2000int. But I think the JNS sk2 would do both really well. They are both going to de well. No arguements either way. I think the jns is built just a little better. Its very nice for the $$

Curious why you like the xp over the 2000int?

TY

Sent from my Atari 2600 with custom joy sticks using Tapatalk

 

[malawinovice]

Hello,

can justify atb for $650 with 100 dollar pump. what about the warner marine products? mf 181 or 201? can they service 75 heavy stock and later 120 med stock?

They do use the same pump. The atb venturi is a little different and allows it to pull a little more air and water. The pump being external also gives it more reaction time. They are both great. The ATB is built a little nicer but you pay a little more. all in all they are pretty similar with the atb having a little edge in performance and build. But it will not make or break your reef. I would not redo my sump for it. The cs2 is great .

 

[mojo~]

Skimmer team,

Looking to upgrade/replace the pump on my WM k2 skimmer.
Not very happy with the pump - taking it apart too difficult to clean and the reverse start.

Read that a prior post that Mojo recommended a PSK 1000 or a BB2000.
Leaning towards the BB vs. another Sicce.

Questions -
Would the BB3k be a choice?
I know it has more air flow, but looking for input to see if this would drive a better overall performance on the k2.

Would the k2 rubber sleeve that connects the current sicce pump to the k2 body connect the BB2k or 3k? If not, suggestions on adapter between the two?

Thanks
J3Reef

The bb 2000 is still the way to go.

 

[mojo~]

I am setting up a 29 gallon reef and my sump is too small for a huge skimmer in it. My sump is 24" x 9" x 15" so I purchased the Hydor Koralia Slim-Skim but I'm really interested in a larger skimmer after reading and researching more. I still have a 1' x 1' area available in my stand and I think I want an external skimmer since my sump is rather narrow. My system is currently dry as I have been making purchases over the past few months, but I am looking to fill it this week pending one plumbing item's arrival this week.

Can anyone recommend an external skimmer that would be best for my tank? Money isn't really the limiting factor for me....but size is. :sad2:

the tank is really too small for an external. The only one that would come even close to working is the nw 110 external. Just go with a tunze in sump

 

[mojo~]

Mojo, if I can get your opinion. I have a pretty heavy stocked 90 gallon DT with 20 gallon sump and 20 gallon refuge. I have a 7 year old ASM G-2 (running Sedra 3500 w/mesh mod impeller). Here is a photo of the skimmate:

I've been running pellets and have no testable NO3 & PO4, but I'm seeing some cyano and algae starting to pop up. I've had issues over the past few years, that have come and gone. I'm wondering if my skimmer just isn't handling the load. I feed a frozen cube once a day. What's your thought, does it look or sound like I need to upgrade my skimmer?

If yes, the problem is I've only got about 12"x9" and a 7" water level in the sump and I'm also trying to keep it $300 or less. From others posts on here, I believe the Avast CS1 would be one possibility, the SRO 2000 would be too big for the availible room. What's your opinion? Any other options?

what kind of frozen food. do you rinse it ? They are great food sources but it is better to thaw and rinse first because of phosphates.

 

[AwkwardParrot]

Hello, I have a 57g dt (36"x18"x21") and a sump (30"x18"x16") water height 14". I have large colonies of SPS and a medium fish load. I am looking for an in-sump skimmer, limitations are smaller than 13"x13"x30". Water turnover is 1000gph.

Can you put the skimmer on a stand ? 14 inches is really pretty deep.

Yes, I can put it on a stand. Just the height limit will be decreased.

 

[falconut]

what kind of frozen food. do you rinse it ? They are great food sources but it is better to thaw and rinse first because of phosphates.

I use Hikari Mysis cubes and San Fransico Brine cubes. I always thaw in a cup of tank water and used to pour the water out through a shrimp net, but I admit that I've gotten lazy with that lately. I sometimes just pour out as much water without losing the shrimp, but it's probably only half the water. I will have to start doing this again.

Do you think I'll see an improvement if I upgrade my skimmer to one of the following:

Avast CS1 w/Sicce PSK1000
Sea Side Aquatics CS1 or CS2
SRO 1000Int
RO Extreme EX160

 

[mojo~]

I am going to use a 42 gallon tank as my sump on my 240 gallon tank, so I had to do a bunch of searching to find skimmers that would fit into the sump, plus not be too tall as to fit(height) in my tank stand which is 24" total.

So these are the skimmers I found and a few questions:

1. Hydor Performer 750.
I should have 1" of space between the top of the skimmer and the stand, anyone with experience see any problems? Can I get the cup off with that 1" of room?

2. Turboflotor 1000 Multi
Opinons on this unit?

3. Turboflotor Blue 3000
Opinons on this unit?

4. Red Sea C-Skim 1800 Advanced Protein Skimmer
Opinions on this unit?

5. Tunze Master DOC Protein Skimmer 9410
Opinons on this unit?

6. Tunze DOC Protein Skimmer 9011
Opinons on this unit?


If these are horrible choices let me know, but they were in my budget.
If anyone could help lead me in any direction or give me their honest opinon I would be greatfull!!! Thank you

the 9011 would be your best bet if that is what will fit.

 

[mojo~]

Curious why you like the xp over the 2000int?

TY

Sent from my Atari 2600 with custom joy sticks using Tapatalk

I wouldhave to look at the original post to see whay. but you might have been at the upper limit of the 2000 int and the 2000 xp would be a bit better.

 

[mojo~]

I use Hikari Mysis cubes and San Fransico Brine cubes. I always thaw in a cup of tank water and used to pour the water out through a shrimp net, but I admit that I've gotten lazy with that lately. I sometimes just pour out as much water without losing the shrimp, but it's probably only half the water. I will have to start doing this again.

Do you think I'll see an improvement if I upgrade my skimmer to one of the following:

Avast CS1 w/Sicce PSK1000
Sea Side Aquatics CS1 or CS2
SRO 1000Int
RO Extreme EX160

THe sea side cs2 would be my first choice if you wantedto upgrade. I think it would be better but not life changing.

 

[falconut]

THe sea side cs2 would be my first choice if you wantedto upgrade. I think it would be better but not life changing.

When you say better but not life changing, is it because the skimmer is just a step up from my current ASM G-2 with mesh mod impeller or because my NO3 & PO4 are testing 0?

Maybe this is a dumb question, but if NO3 & PO4 are reading 0 or near 0, does that mean that the skimmer is doing it's job? If not, what are signs that a skimmer might not be keeping up with the bioload other than rising NO3 & PO4?

 

[BoisBlancBoy]

the 9011 would be your best bet if that is what will fit.

Thanks for your help, very much appreciated!

 

[mojo~]

When you say better but not life changing, is it because the skimmer is just a step up from my current ASM G-2 with mesh mod impeller or because my NO3 & PO4 are testing 0?

Maybe this is a dumb question, but if NO3 & PO4 are reading 0 or near 0, does that mean that the skimmer is doing it's job? If not, what are signs that a skimmer might not be keeping up with the bioload other than rising NO3 & PO4?

The skimmer is a step up. The NO3 and PO4 can read 0 and not even run a skimmer. Partly because of biological and chemical filtration. Now it would be harder without a skimmer but the skimmer does make life a little easier. If you run carbon and GFO you readings can be 0. The old saying goes... if it aint broke dont fix it. I think your skimmer is probably doing ok. But remember. When you mesh out a skimmer to pull more air... you dont always gain more performance. you change the balance of air to water ratio. more isnt always better.

 

[falconut]

The skimmer is a step up. The NO3 and PO4 can read 0 and not even run a skimmer. Partly because of biological and chemical filtration. Now it would be harder without a skimmer but the skimmer does make life a little easier. If you run carbon and GFO you readings can be 0. The old saying goes... if it aint broke dont fix it. I think your skimmer is probably doing ok. But remember. When you mesh out a skimmer to pull more air... you dont always gain more performance. you change the balance of air to water ratio. more isnt always better.

Thank you. My skimmer definitely produces more foam and waste since changing to the mesh mod impeller. I'll have to assume it's performing better.

 

[bif24701]

Mojo,
Ok I went from 7 bio balls down to 3 and wow. It's finally skimming like a champ. Real nice dark stuff, and getting about 8-10 oz per day of it. I think one of my problems was that the filter bags got in the way of the gate valve and made the water level in the skimmer to high causing it to over flow. Thanks.

 

[Drae]

anyone have apic of one of these with the gate valve mod? Rs135