Skimmer Q&A Thread

[NEReef]

Hey I just bought a 350g acrylic tank off craigslist and I plan on doing a mixed reef with lots of fish. There are a million skimmers on the market and most of them for this size tank seem to cost more then I paid for the tank stand lights 300lbs of rock ($700)!!!! Another limiting factor is i only have 29.5" or so under the tank for the skimmer to fit in. Anyone have thoughts on a good skimmer I wont have to upgrade as the tank progresses that will fit in the stand??? Thanks guys i appreciate the info!

 

[NEReef]

Also i forgot to say i havent configured a sump set up yet but i figure it will add maybe another 50-80gs?? and i dont really care about the footprint as long as it fits under the stand! Thanks!

 

[kissman]

hey Mojo: I cleaned my skimmer cup on Sunday and did my water change. I was wondering if this is a good amount of skimmate to have collected since Sunday evening. I want it to over skim my tank its a 55g. How is this? Its better than my old Turboflotor T1000 that collected this much in 2 weeks I think, lol! So i know its better. I just want to get this skimmer dialed in

 

[mojo~]

I have a Reef Octopus BH 2000 HOB skimmer. It is my first skimmer ever and I installed it yesterday. I got some yellow **** looking water but no sludge. I have no idea how high the cup should be. Should the bubbles be barely reaching the top of the collection tube? I keep getting a lot of water in the collection cup. And when I remove the cup to empty do I need to turn off the skimmer? When I emptied I left the skimmer going and then replaced I had to readjust the level cause too many bubbles/water was getting in.

I just went to check on it since I emptied it 5 hours ago. It now has some black stuff building up but its on the inside top of the tube going into the cup and on the lid on top of the cup. However there is nothing in the cup itself except water. Does this mean I need to lower it or what? That tube with the black build up is part of the cup so maybe that is normal. Please help. I'm lost.

actually raise the cup a little. And give it a couple days to break in. It will have to build up a slimey bacteria layer on the inside. it will become more stable and production.
be patient....

 

[mojo~]

Is the SRO 2000int overkill for a 60 cube SPS tank running bio pellets?

its a little big, however the int version has a smaller neck compared to the xp counterpart. The smaller neck will help keep a foam head on the 60g. I would keep it on there.

 

[mojo~]

I putting my plans together for my first tank. I'm looking at a 60g (24"^3) cube. I'm leaning towards the Skimz SM121 or the Reef Octopus SX160. I noticed someone mentioned the Sea Side CS1 (now the CS7), but I've not heard of that one. Any other recommendations? It will be in a 30g (water level around 20g) sump.

Both of the first two will work as will the cs2 and cs7. you could even probably go with the cs5.

 

[SpentAllMyMoney]

I'm getting back into the hobby and need a skimmer recommendation. There are so many choices. I'm planning a 240g DT with 100g basement sump plus 55 g refugium. I'm planning a heavy bioload because of multiple feedings. Can you recommend a skimmer? There are no height requirements and either internal or external sump is doable in my space. I'd like the skimmer to be able to handle another 200g DT if I decide to add one later, but still work on my current setup. Budget: $1200 to $1800. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mojo~]

i have a question i have a reef octopus 6inch 150 cone skimmer and it dont look like it working that well im getting a lot of yellowish water out of it its running on a 90 gal dt and 33 sump/refuge its only been ruuning for a week now i have a light load on it but the coral life 65 i had was pulling blackish stuff out thank you for the help every one

give it time. and adjust it to run a little more dry. With it all being new give it another week to 10 days and we can go from there.

 

[mojo~]

I have a 40 gal Cube. No sump. I am looking for a nice HOB Skimmer and just keep reading way too many opinions on them. I decided to seek 1 last opinion. I have been looking at the Remora C skimmer but just dont know...any suggestions.

Tank is 24X18X21

Mixed Reef

the remora is loud compared to some of the other HOB.

I would get the jns vs1. THe sro 1000 HOB would be my next choice

 

[mojo~]

Hi Mojo,

Do you know off hand if there is another pump available that will alleviate this issue?

Skimmer sits in the sump that rides about 10"

thanks
Drew

no pump exchange really. But try running it a little lower. it will help. raise the whole skimmer up 2 inches or lower the water level. 7 to 8 inches on that skimmer is way better than the 10 you currently have. it will help to have a little more back pressure to help start the pump.

 

[mojo~]

Hey I just bought a 350g acrylic tank off craigslist and I plan on doing a mixed reef with lots of fish. There are a million skimmers on the market and most of them for this size tank seem to cost more then I paid for the tank stand lights 300lbs of rock ($700)!!!! Another limiting factor is i only have 29.5" or so under the tank for the skimmer to fit in. Anyone have thoughts on a good skimmer I wont have to upgrade as the tank progresses that will fit in the stand??? Thanks guys i appreciate the info!

the sro 5000 would be a good. the octo x 350 would be another good choise.

Just trying to keep the price down and not upgrade. but the biggest thing is the pump. You could check out reef specialty and get one of there hurricone cat 1 skimmers. that would do really well and wont break the bank.

 

[mojo~]

hey Mojo: I cleaned my skimmer cup on Sunday and did my water change. I was wondering if this is a good amount of skimmate to have collected since Sunday evening. I want it to over skim my tank its a 55g. How is this? Its better than my old Turboflotor T1000 that collected this much in 2 weeks I think, lol! So i know its better. I just want to get this skimmer dialed in

you dont want to overskim really. Overskimming would be pulling out the good things from the water. You want a balance really. a skimmer that constantly runs and your tank thrives.

 

[mojo~]

I'm getting back into the hobby and need a skimmer recommendation. There are so many choices. I'm planning a 240g DT with 100g basement sump plus 55 g refugium. I'm planning a heavy bioload because of multiple feedings. Can you recommend a skimmer? There are no height requirements and either internal or external sump is doable in my space. I'd like the skimmer to be able to handle another 200g DT if I decide to add one later, but still work on my current setup. Budget: $1200 to $1800. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

well it will be kind of hard for any skimmer to go from 200 to 400 + dt volume and be balanced.

But to get you started you could go with a ATB 1050A. it would do a great job now and hold you over later. Its one of the best balanced skimmers you can get.

The BK sm 250 would be good, the Sro 5000 would be large now but would do well later.

I would plan for now.

Mojo~

 

[NEReef]

the sro 5000 would be a good. the octo x 350 would be another good choise.

Just trying to keep the price down and not upgrade. but the biggest thing is the pump. You could check out reef specialty and get one of there hurricone cat 1 skimmers. that would do really well and wont break the bank.

So i just checked out reef specialty and the cat 1 and 2 are on sale the cat 2 is only $50 more then the cat 1 and offers free pump upgrade to bubble blaster 5000. Sounds like a good deal right? Would that be okay not too big?

 

[NEReef]

So now I am really confused.... reef specialty has the sale on the Cat-2 with bubble blaster pump and you can get 10% with a coupon code that i saw on the add banner up top while on RC. So its basically $50 cheaper then the SRO 5000SSS. But i also saw that i can get a SRO 6000SSS for like $40 more then the 5000SSS or $80 more then the on sale/discounted Cat-2. The other thing is that the cat-2 says its 24.5" tall but that it needs 26" to empty the cup there is no info about clearance for cup removal on the SRO's. I have 29" of clearance under the tank so I wonder if they would fit or if i could get a skimmer swabbie on top? Not necessary obviously but might be nice. Thoughts? Is one definitely better then another?

 

[lotusstar]

Hey mojo,
You Helped me to choose an ATB 840 for my 92 gallon a year or so ago. I've now sold the tank and am planning my upgrade build. Thinking of either 150 or 180 DT with about 40 gallons in the sump. Tank will be moderately stocked. Would the ATB 840 work well on either of these size tanks? I kept the skimmer. Or should I sell and look at a larger skimmer? If so any suggestion on what I should get?
Thank you!

 

[Photobug]

Which skimmer for my 55?

Which skimmer for my 55?

I am building a 55 with a 30 sump. I have been looking for a used skimmer locally. I have found an ASM G2 for $200 brand new. Its more than I want to pay but it is a $300 skimmer new. If I don't find something before the stand is done I might have to buy something new anyways.

Would the ASM G2 be a good skimmer in this price range or should i look for something else?

 

[Acromaniac]

I have a 50 gallon tank and looking to upgrade the skimmer. Looking at Bubble King Mini 160 or Bubble King Double Cone 180?

Would also like to hear some other suggestions.

Thanks

 

[mojo~]

Hey mojo,
You Helped me to choose an ATB 840 for my 92 gallon a year or so ago. I've now sold the tank and am planning my upgrade build. Thinking of either 150 or 180 DT with about 40 gallons in the sump. Tank will be moderately stocked. Would the ATB 840 work well on either of these size tanks? I kept the skimmer. Or should I sell and look at a larger skimmer? If so any suggestion on what I should get?
Thank you!

the atb would still work well on the 150 but jumping up to the 180would start to really push the limits of the skimmer if you run a heavy fish load. it wold still do ok on the 180 if you run a light load.

 

[mojo~]

I am building a 55 with a 30 sump. I have been looking for a used skimmer locally. I have found an ASM G2 for $200 brand new. Its more than I want to pay but it is a $300 skimmer new. If I don't find something before the stand is done I might have to buy something new anyways.

Would the ASM G2 be a good skimmer in this price range or should i look for something else?

IT would do fine. I would look at a vertex in 100 gen 3. new they are $199