Skimmer Q&A Thread

The H&s skimmers are all a very basic design. But very well and work well. They keep things simple but nothing that really sets them apart. Gret pumps and build. But most folks want something that pulls more air and water in a small foot print so the can skim the heck out of their system. You just dont hear much about them.
 
mojo~ said:
The H&s skimmers are all a very basic design. But very well and work well. They keep things simple but nothing that really sets them apart. Gret pumps and build. But most folks want something that pulls more air and water in a small foot print so the can skim the heck out of their system. You just dont hear much about them.
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When most of the Deltecs and H&S skimmers were made most things about them set them apart. I would say their footprint is compairable to most other skimmers on the market. You probably don't hear much about them because most owners are happy with their skimmer doing it's job day in and day out and they are enjoying their tanks.

More air doesn't mean a better skimmer as you know I'm sure.
 
The deltec's and H&S were just ahead of the game when it came to pump mods, needle wheels and pinwheel skimmers. There's just alot of manufacturers that have surpassed them in design and pump mods. And they sell them for much cheaper. That is why you don't hear many people talk about them these days.
 
I'm not saying there aren't newer designs out there, I'm saying that just because there are doesn't mean something that has withstood the test of time is not worth much.

Look at the "new" octopus 2000, it's rated at 50 scfh max and good for a tank of 250 gallons. Then you have the compairable air draw of the ATB 1050 with the airstar pulling 45 scfh and it's tank rating is 480 gallons. Seems like cramming 45-50scfh into something small doesn't mean it's going to work better.

This "scfh fad" has brought us how many new skimmers in the last couple years, you have the Msx/Octo Extreme, Octo Pro, Hurricone, Super Reef Octo...etc A few of these were "old" before they even took off. Some have had revisions to make up for errors in design. Now the cone fad has hit and unless your cylinder skimmer pulls enough SCFH to skim the ocean it's "obsolete". One cone manufacturer that I've heard nothing but good about is I-Tech...there 100 is roughly $450 plus shipping and it's good for a solid 120 gallons or so. It also only pulls 14-15 SCFH or so and does a mighty fine job day in day out. Just because you can get another cone cheaper that pulls more air doesn't mean that the I-Tech is worthless now.

If some of these "manufacturers" spent the time and money actually designing their skimmer you would see the price of them much higher. Now you have "new" cones hitting the market and everyone thinks they have to have more airdraw in a skimmer so cylinders and cones that don't pull as much seem to be looked at as "old".

Some of the best reeftanks I've seen are with "old" skimmers, The owners have developed the husbandry required for the great coloration and health that many of us dream about.

I'm sorry if I have de-railed this thread any, I appreciate the time taken for questions to be answered and it is a valuable resource for people looking for skimmer advice. I just hate to see good skimmers that have many years of service looked at like "obsolete" because something new has come out without proving it's any better.
 
I don't think performance has made them obsolete, its the pricing. And the die hard deltec and H&S guys still buy them. And tank ratings from different man's are so wishy washy these days you can't trust many.
 
Mojo,

I am setting up a new tank here in the next couple months. It will be rouhgly 50-70 gallons total water volume. It will be SPS and LPS. No softies for me.

I am stuck trying to figure out what skimmer to get. I have thought of getting either the Vertex IN 100 or the MSX 200. Since I work for a LFS, I get HUGE discounts on anything from Marine Depot. Thus I like the idea of the Vertex but I am open to anything else that you think is better suited.

Thanks for all your time! Sure makes my life a little easier.
 
WEll the vertex in 100 would work ok, The msx 200 or I would just get teh vertex in 180 if you get a good discount. It is a heck of a skimmer for the price.
 
Hi Mojo, what do you think about an octo 160 on a 60 gallon cube, right now I have a lifereef svs3-24, and was wondering if there would be that big of a differance.
Thank you
 
WEll i can say the life reef is a power hungry skimmer that is ok. its a bit dated. Cycles a good amount of water with very little air input per water volume. They work but are not as efficient as the newer skimmer in question.
 
Econo 840 v1.5

Econo 840 v1.5

I've just about saved up enough money to get the ATB Econo 840 v1.5 HOWEVER, I have a question on the footprint.
My 29G sump is 12"D x 30"L x 18"H.

I see that the footprint for the Econo 840 is 10.5 x 14. If I put the skimmer in the sump and rotate it so it takes up as little room as possible, how far out would I need to caulk the first partition.

Basically, if I rotate the skimmer on an angle, how much room does the skimmer take up.

ToolmanRR
 
I would just wait to glue it in until I get the skimmer. it doesnt take up that much room but thats what I Would do.
 
The reason I'm asking is because if it takes up a lot of room in the 29G tank then I may want to get a larger sump while I get the last of the $ for the skimmer. So if someone knows, plz let me know to. Thx.
I'm hoping the ATB guys will chime in here.
 
Oh, I may have not been clear before but I already have the 29G so that why I'm asking about the size. :lolspin:
 
mojo im trying to decide what skimmer to get right now i have an ASM g2 and it dosent seem to pull out much i did buy it used. Im upgrading from my 60 gallon to a 90 gallon im going to have around 8-10 fish and have a mixed reef. I have been stuck between the aquaC EV-180 or the Vertex 180 or if you recomend any thing else. thank you
 
Vertex in 180. Its a great unit for the price. More efficient and more quiet. THe in 180 is really nice out of the box. The aquaC would be ok. but it will use way more power to run. its pretty noisey and you will have to raise it up. make a stand for it. No question in my mind really.
 
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