Skimmer Q&A Thread

reeftivo said:
impressive!

must be well balanced if it performs out the gate like that. That's even quicker than my CO 1.

Looking forward to more pics/videos!!

Happy Reefing
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I have to admit I was skeptical of this thing, but have been happy with it so far. The loudest thing on it is the air silencer.
 
What are everyone's thoughts on using an ATI Powercone 200iS on a 400L/105G system (with a 150L/40G frag tank added at a later date)?

The stocking will likely be relatively heavy.
 
I'm very new to all of this. I wanted to start planning on what all is needed. I'll likely get a 15-20gal tank as that is really my only option (size constraints). It's basically that or no tank. With that said, I'm looking for some type of hob skimmer(s). I'll ask a few newb questions now.

Is there any reason to have a protein skimmer and a skimmer which uses carbon and bio balls like the AquaClear30. Do people run these two different types? Do they basically do the same thing? When I read up on this a year ago it seemed people liked the AquaC Remora. Whats the new best skimmer that won't break the bank but is rather well performing $150-200 range.

Given my wife would flip if I probably also had a sump. Would also using a AquaClear30 as a refugium be doable and or smart? I'm trying to take alot of the aspects which I read work well on large tanks and put them on a smaller one. Would having a refugium on a 15-20 tank even be needed? It looks like hob refugiums cost alot more than the %50 a AquaClear30 does. Thus the idea.

Since this is the first time I'll be running a salt water tank I wanted to make sure I had a good chance of success. From doing some snooping around here it looks like this size makes this a nano tank. Which means all my numbers can get out of whack quickly. I'm not going to load it up and I'm going to do everything at a snails pace. But it doesn't hurt to get good advice.
 
carevin said:
I'm very new to all of this. I wanted to start planning on what all is needed. I'll likely get a 15-20gal tank as that is really my only option (size constraints). It's basically that or no tank. With that said, I'm looking for some type of hob skimmer(s). I'll ask a few newb questions now.

Is there any reason to have a protein skimmer and a skimmer which uses carbon and bio balls like the AquaClear30. Yes, but skip the biomedia, just use the carbon and some GFO Do people run these two different types? Yes Do they basically do the same thing? No, a skimmer removes lipids and proteins before they break down into algae-fueling nutrients, a HOB filter provides a place to run mechanical and chemical filtration When I read up on this a year ago it seemed people liked the AquaC Remora. Some do, some don't Whats the new best skimmer that won't break the bank but is rather well performing $150-200 range. Depending on your bioload I would go for an Eshopps Nano on the small end, or a AquaMaxx HOB1 on the high end

Given my wife would flip if I probably also had a sump. It happens. Would also using a AquaClear30 as a refugium be doable and or smart? It won't be large enough to make much of a difference, but you can if you want I'm trying to take alot of the aspects which I read work well on large tanks and put them on a smaller one. Would having a refugium on a 15-20 tank even be needed? Never needed, but they don't hurt It looks like hob refugiums cost alot more than the %50 a AquaClear30 does. Thus the idea.

Since this is the first time I'll be running a salt water tank I wanted to make sure I had a good chance of success. From doing some snooping around here it looks like this size makes this a nano tank. Which means all my numbers can get out of whack quickly. Yes they can. Beyond monitoring the standard SG and temp pay particular attention to calc/alk/mag if you keep stony corals. I'm not going to load it up and I'm going to do everything at a snails pace. Good idea But it doesn't hurt to get good advice.
Click to expand...
 
Any thoughts on the aqua remora pro s. just picked up a used one that I am running on a 120 with a mag 5 pump. I have run the tank on a ATS only for a couple years and added the remora simply to broaden my filtration.
 
i have a BM200 that had the pump replace about 2 years ago. the ower went out and now it refuses to start up. I am looking to gauge if there is a comperable replacement pump . The PSK-600 looks to have the same spec, or the ATB airstar mini which is 189 . Is it worth this headach . i have it currently on a 12 cubish acrylic but have been thinking i nay downsize to a 75 that is glass. if you were at this point what would you do new pump or repace the whole skimmer.
 
I really need to get away from my BM250 with the 2 psk 2500's.
I have considered switching out the pumps to the psk 1000 pumps.
I'm also considering either a new Aquamaxx Ecomaxx EM 300 or the Curve 9.
This is on a packed softy 240 gallon tank.
Anyone have some thoughts on this?
 
I'm having a heck of a time trying to decide between these 3 skimmers...

Please advise which one you would pick and why...not looking at cost..

1. Reef Octopus POV DC2
2. Vertex Alpha 200
3. B.K Double Cone 200 w/ dc pump

( All 3 of these would work on my system )

Thanks :)
 
goreef170 said:
I'm having a heck of a time trying to decide between these 3 skimmers...

Please advise which one you would pick and why...not looking at cost..

1. Reef Octopus POV DC2
2. Vertex Alpha 200
3. B.K Double Cone 200 w/ dc pump

( All 3 of these would work on my system )

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

I like the double cone of the three. You could get good performance from a cheaper skimmer also. Just as good as any one of those.
 
goreef170 said:
Thanks Drae,

I might of known you would pick the most expensive one. haha
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It's the pump that I like on the BK. I dont care for the Chinese dc pump on the reef oc and even though the vertex comes with the red dragon I dont care fore the neck size. I personally would opt for a JNS sk3 if it were me. 489$ and it would easily handle a 170 gallon display wih the reliable shark 3 sicce pump.
 
what I have heard neck size doesn't really matter... Its the correct mixture of air and water traveling thru the neck that makes the difference. yes.. no...
 
goreef170 said:
what I have heard neck size doesn't really matter... Its the correct mixture of air and water traveling thru the neck that makes the difference. yes.. no...
Click to expand...

Yes and no... the vertex are big neck big lph skimmers. They need a pretty heavy bioload to be stable. I honestly think they're the one skimmer on the market that is underated. The 200 would skim a 250 gallon tank easily.
 
I hear ya, I think they have it rated 130 - 300. Big gap. This one I'm close to pullen the trigger on. I have a 170 but just put in a bigger sump 75 gallon. I like to feed heavy. They also been out a while...proven...it has a 5 inch neck, where the double cone I think is 4.9, not much difference....
 
So I just bought and set up a bubble magus curve 5 the other day. I am having trouble fine tuning it with just the water outflow tube. I've had to attach an airline and valve to adjust air intake and fine tune it. Is this normal or should I be able to adjust it with just the outflow tube? Thanks.

Sorry I posted this in another thread before I saw this one.
 
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