Skimmer Q&A Thread

[jason2459]

And some measurements...

The neck diameters surprised me with the EM300 having the smallest neck even compared to the ES2. The SRO3000SSS of course had the widest neck

SRO3000SSS 4.75" neck

The EM300 4" neck

The ES2 a hair over 4 3/8"

Then there was quite the contrast between widths of the neck to body junction.

The SRO has a huge opening causing quite the step down to the neck

Has to step this down to the 4.75" neck

The ES2 and EM300 where both the same width as the neck measurements
EM300

ES2

The bubble plate measurements and they scaled as expect and pretty obvious

ES2 just under 4.75"

EM300 ~5.75"

SRO3000SSS 6 3/8"

 

[jason2459]

Now for the issues...not many

First was the pump is not a super tight fit. That's not normally a problem but when its shipped all together like it was it could have caused the volute to crack the acrylic which it didn't the back plate did fall off. Easy fix but shows it should have been packaged separately and better.

The only other issue I see so far is the o-ring comes out of its groove way to easily. I didn't even realize the ES2 had one as it's black and sits in its groove a little deeper and hasn't fallen out at all. The EM300 you look at it funny and it comes out of its groove. You also have to make sure it doesn't get pinched and loop into the inside of the skimmer when putting on the collection cup.

I do like that the outlet pipe comes out and can be repositioned just like the ES2 and allows for very fine adjustments.

Now to see how well it breaks in and performs. In the future I would be interested in fitting the shark 3 pump into the SRO3000SSS. The bb hy3000 seemed to be a bit to much for the body. The shark drawing in a very good amount of air but slightly less then the hy3000 might make for a great skimmer. I'll still hate that press on plate on the bottom though. Or I would also like to get a hold of one of those aquamaxx cones Q3 plates and put it into the EM300. After seeing the EM300 in person I'm disappointed in the reduction in size of the Q series. Time will tell for everything though.

 

[jason2459]

Already an update. Not even an hour later...

OK. Yeah. Color me impressed.

This sucker is already producing and its dialed down. This is exactly how the ES2 started out as well.

AND it just shot up my pH. A lot.


Nice foam over

I turned on the swabbie and let it go around once and it picked up some nasty around the neck already.

Some dark skimmate on the edge of the blade there.

And the oh the pH!!!

The fusion graph showing the spike

 

[shred5]

Here is it next to a can of Sprite:

Paul it still looks big for only 15" tall.. 1200 l/hr is allot of air for a small skimmer.. The neck size seems appropriate for sure. That thing has to rock smaller tanks..

 

[boxedm3]

any recommendations for a 210 gallon tank?

 

[jason2459]

any recommendations for a 210 gallon tank?

Budget? Check out the 30" or 36" lifereef. I wouldn't get anything smaller. If you can't fit in the 30" or if wanting something else then the classic venturi then I would look at the ATB 840v2 but if you're really going to stock heavy and get into a lot of stony corals then the 1050a. Again you did say what the budget is?

 

[boxedm3]

Budget? Check out the 30" or 36" lifereef. I wouldn't get anything smaller. If you can't fit in the 30" or if wanting something else then the classic venturi then I would look at the ATB 840v2 but if you're really going to stock heavy and get into a lot of stony corals then the 1050a. Again you did say what the budget is?

I'll look into those thanks!!!

 

[boxedm3]

Budget? Check out the 30" or 36" lifereef. I wouldn't get anything smaller. If you can't fit in the 30" or if wanting something else then the classic venturi then I would look at the ATB 840v2 but if you're really going to stock heavy and get into a lot of stony corals then the 1050a. Again you did say what the budget is?

I was hoping $500<?

 

[jason2459]

I was hoping $500<?

Then there is the aquamaxx line.

 

[boxedm3]

Would you recommend super reef octopus series?

 

[jason2459]

Would you recommend super reef octopus series?

Not really. I've not had the best experience with them. The SRO series seems to not be the most balanced with the bubble blaster. Sporadic overflows is common with them. The bubble blaster is a great pump at drawing a lot of air and water. But I along with others have had pump failures. I've gone through 2 of them and would need to by a 3rd if I wanted to get my SRO3000SSS going again.

The octopus classic series has a good track record and I haven't seen to much negative reviews for any of the skimmers with their new dc pumps but again time will tell on their reliability.

 

[boxedm3]

Thank you for your input Jason!!!!

 

[shred5]

You might want to look at the RLSS skimmers they perform really well and are dc so they are really quite. I have tried lots of skimmers up against my RLSS and always end up back with it. Very reasonable in price.

 

[jason2459]

You might want to look at the RLSS skimmers they perform really well and are dc so they are really quite. I have tried lots of skimmers up against my RLSS and always end up back with it. Very reasonable in price.

RLSS supposed to come out with a new generation soon? Someone mentioned that either in this thread or another I was reading? I do like the inverted no-volute idea.

 

[shred5]

RLSS supposed to come out with a new generation soon? Someone mentioned that either in this thread or another I was reading? I do like the inverted no-volute idea.

Yes they had them at mcna. Some of there models already have that, but it looks like they all come that way now . Big change is a pipe less design and a new needle wheel. I have not seen any specs though.

 

[Dread Pirate]

Choosing my skimmer

Choosing my skimmer

Great a thread for all my skimmer questions !!:bounce1:

I am setting up a 30x30x18 mixed reef. To maximize the sump I'm having a custom 27x27x15 made so I can use any skimmer I want. I've done all the usual web research and can't land one one. I want the quietest and best skimmer out there. Any experience with the royal exlcusiz? Not afraid to spend some good hard cash any suggestions are helpful!

:beer:

 

[jason2459]

The red dragon is considered one of the best pumps you can get. PM slief on this forum as he would be the best person on here to talk about them.

 

[aquamn1999]

which skimmer for 350 tank?

which skimmer for 350 tank?

I have been running a Reeflo Orca 250 with the pro kit from reef specialty for about 5 or so years and I'm thinking about changing out the skimmer for one that is a little more energy efficient. I'm looking at the SRO 6000 EXT or the SRO 5000 EXT. Do you think the 6000 would be to big? What skimmer would you recommend in the $650 to $950 range?

A little about my tank:
350 gallon reef tank, 75 gallon sump
Fish: 5 tangs, 4 dwarf angels, emperor angel, Harlequin tusk and 5 other fish Feed: heavily

 

[PRDubois]

I have been running a Reeflo Orca 250 with the pro kit from reef specialty for about 5 or so years and I'm thinking about changing out the skimmer for one that is a little more energy efficient. I'm looking at the SRO 6000 EXT or the SRO 5000 EXT. Do you think the 6000 would be to big? What skimmer would you recommend in the $650 to $950 range?

A little about my tank:
350 gallon reef tank, 75 gallon sump
Fish: 5 tangs, 4 dwarf angels, emperor angel, Harlequin tusk and 5 other fish Feed: heavily

ATB 1050a with the DCT controllable pump. Low power consumption and quiet

 

[shred5]

Great a thread for all my skimmer questions !!:bounce1:

I am setting up a 30x30x18 mixed reef. To maximize the sump I'm having a custom 27x27x15 made so I can use any skimmer I want. I've done all the usual web research and can't land one one. I want the quietest and best skimmer out there. Any experience with the royal exlcusiz? Not afraid to spend some good hard cash any suggestions are helpful!

:beer:

I would put them in the top out there but pricey...