Skimmer Q&A Thread

Hi Mojo,
I have a 240 gal SPS + Fish setup going together. All of the important water flow will be from in-tank Tunze propeller pumps. Therefore the gallons per hour flow to and from the 50 gal sump will be just to support skimming and make putting in additives and top off easy.

Based on your excellent reviews, I am considering the Vertex 280.

Two questions:
1) Do you think this will be adequate as to sizing?
2) For a tank this size how many gph would you recommend go to the sump for adequate skimming?

Thanks,
Mark
 
Well I would think you would want 1500gph + to run through your sump. I am not sure what the guys are running with this size tank. But that is wabout where I would start at. The skimmer should be ok.
 
well i read the 1st 8 pages or so and did not see this question, not sure if it has been asked here or not but i would like to know, is there any reason i have to run the skimmer 24/7?? i am thinking that i want to switch it over to my night cycle for a few reasons, i have a small day time heat issue and this skimmer up'ed it by about 1.5F also a small noise issue, plus im not pulling out that much skimmate now as it is, are there any big reasons i should not do this??

system is a 120gal 140 total light stock , marineland 300 skimmer i believe, and would be running 13hrs a day on night cycle.

any other thought always welcome as well. TIA
 
OK, I guess I'll jump in here. I have a 55 reef w/20 sump. I went thru all of this a month ago because I wasn't happy with the AquaC Urchin I was using. I finally narrowed my 2 best choices down to either the Vertex or the Octopus, based on my budget(I don't have Bubble King Money :-)). I chose the Vertex because of recommendations made to me by Jeremy of PA. He said that a Vertex IN-80 would out perform an Octo 110. So, I went with the IN-80. I honestly believe that you can't beat the Vertex for the money. Mine pulled an inch of nog in 3 days after startup! Obviously, if money is no object, go with a Bubble King or one of the other high end skimmers. I just can't believe that I got such a beast of a skimmer for $150.00!!!

Also, I agree with others here that this thread is a great idea Mojo. I was reading your words of wisdom here before I even became a member. Your sound advice and obvious common sense are one of the reasons why I'm here, and I thank you for that!
 
IluvGod'sreefs said:
OK, I guess I'll jump in here. I have a 55 reef w/20 sump. I went thru all of this a month ago because I wasn't happy with the AquaC Urchin I was using. I finally narrowed my 2 best choices down to either the Vertex or the Octopus, based on my budget(I don't have Bubble King Money :-)). I chose the Vertex because of recommendations made to me by Jeremy of PA. He said that a Vertex IN-80 would out perform an Octo 110. So, I went with the IN-80. I honestly believe that you can't beat the Vertex for the money. Mine pulled an inch of nog in 3 days after startup! Obviously, if money is no object, go with a Bubble King or one of the other high end skimmers. I just can't believe that I got such a beast of a skimmer for $150.00!!!

Also, I agree with others here that this thread is a great idea Mojo. I was reading your words of wisdom here before I even became a member. Your sound advice and obvious common sense are one of the reasons why I'm here, and I thank you for that!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind words.
 
boring said:
well i read the 1st 8 pages or so and did not see this question, not sure if it has been asked here or not but i would like to know, is there any reason i have to run the skimmer 24/7?? i am thinking that i want to switch it over to my night cycle for a few reasons, i have a small day time heat issue and this skimmer up'ed it by about 1.5F also a small noise issue, plus im not pulling out that much skimmate now as it is, are there any big reasons i should not do this??

system is a 120gal 140 total light stock , marineland 300 skimmer i believe, and would be running 13hrs a day on night cycle.

any other thought always welcome as well. TIA
Click to expand...

It is not uncommon that people run their skimmers part of the day. The biggest thing I would watch is your ph. As your skimmer may not be pulling stuff out as much anymore, it does help oxygenate your water . I know when I shut mine off for periods of time I will get a slight drop in ph. but this usually takes a day or two.
 
I have a PM Bullet 2 skimmer that I am going to use on my new 90g setup. I am trying to figure out what pump to use. I have a Little Giant 4-MDQX-SC that I could use, but would rather not drill another hole into my sump (I already had to drill one for the skimmer drain, it is way too big to fit in my sump/fuge, so it is external). How reliable is it to use "over the top" plumbing so I dont have to drill another hole?
Is there a submersible pump that I could use?
What does RC recommend?
Or should I just go ahead and bite the bullet (pun intended), drill another hole and use the LG pump? I already have a bulkhead that I could use.
Thanks
Joe
 
mojo i was at my lfs talking to the owner and he was telling me that recirculating protein skimmers are the way to go what is your advice on this i was wanting to go with a cone skimmer and now want to make sure. and just like many i trust ur rcomendations over many others.
 
well back in the day it was a better skimmer but with the engineering in the newer pumps I would notsuggest a recirc skimmer anymore unless you needed a external. I would say that your lfs is still thinking back too many years ago. Many of them dont hang out here and only sell and know what they can make the most money on. its sad really.
 
Thanks for all your info Mojo;Looking for a recommendation!

I have a 72G reef project that circumstances have forced to be as budget as possible!

I could get a SK 200 from Aqua Stealth Price: $90.00 - I have seen some good reviews but most are after modding which is not my forte!

There is also a Euro Reef rs 100 that I might be able to get used for $150 -

My budget is $150 max! - I know that isn't much but that's the times we live in.

Thanks,
 
Have you looked at Vertex?

Have you looked at Vertex?

lrg said:
Thanks for all your info Mojo;Looking for a recommendation!

I have a 72G reef project that circumstances have forced to be as budget as possible!

I could get a SK 200 from Aqua Stealth Price: $90.00 - I have seen some good reviews but most are after modding which is not my forte!

There is also a Euro Reef rs 100 that I might be able to get used for $150 -

My budget is $150 max! - I know that isn't much but that's the times we live in.

Thanks,
Click to expand...
I understand about budgets, especially when it comes to my tank. I recently upgraded my skimmer, I got a Vertex IN-80 at Premium Aquatics. All the Vertex skimmers are on sale thru this month. I paid $150.00 for mine. The IN-80 is rated for tanks 40-80 gallons, and is a really good skimmer. Mine pulled an inch of nog in 3 days after startup. Call Jeremy at PA, he'll hook you up!
 
O.K., getting down to the nitty gritty.

ATB 1050A or ATB Delux 8.5 assuming 200-300 total water volume.

I'm wondering if the 8.5's benefits will put it about equal to the 1050A.

THanks,

Todd
 
freeswimmingfis said:
I have a PM Bullet 2 skimmer that I am going to use on my new 90g setup. I am trying to figure out what pump to use. I have a Little Giant 4-MDQX-SC that I could use, but would rather not drill another hole into my sump (I already had to drill one for the skimmer drain, it is way too big to fit in my sump/fuge, so it is external). How reliable is it to use "over the top" plumbing so I dont have to drill another hole?
Is there a submersible pump that I could use?
What does RC recommend?
Or should I just go ahead and bite the bullet (pun intended), drill another hole and use the LG pump? I already have a bulkhead that I could use.
Thanks
Joe
Click to expand...

Any input on this?
 
Can anyone offer any comparative experience on the I-techs, new octopus cones and the ATB 840? i have an octopus extereme 160 on a well stocked SPS 90G and am looking to upgrade.

thanks!
 
Hi, this is my first time posting in the equipment forum. I have a Coralife CSS65 that is currently sitting in my garage. I had problems with it from the start with the gate valve getting a crack in it and needing repair. Now I don't even use it because when it wasn't overflowing it would take sometimes over a week to fill the cup. It didn't seem worth it to even be using it.

So I'm looking to replace it with a real skimmer. I'm looking for something with a small footprint in my sump. I was looking at the Marineland ones since they are almost like "one piece," but I have not read anything good about them. Is there something else out there I can use, for about 50g of total volume? Thanks!
 
Life Reef Conundrum...

Life Reef Conundrum...

I have a Life reef CA reactor on my 500+ gallon system, and am very pleased with the equipment and Jeff's remarkable customer service.

I am currently using a stock Reeflor Orca 250 skimmer with the Baldor pump.

I have been studying the LifeReef VS3-60 or VS3-72 simmers as a replacement for the Orca.

Has there been a review of either of the LifeReef skimmers on this thread?

Any VS3 series users out there with a review?

Many thanks.

LL
 
sage_commander said:
Hi, this is my first time posting in the equipment forum. I have a Coralife CSS65 that is currently sitting in my garage. I had problems with it from the start with the gate valve getting a crack in it and needing repair. Now I don't even use it because when it wasn't overflowing it would take sometimes over a week to fill the cup. It didn't seem worth it to even be using it.

So I'm looking to replace it with a real skimmer. I'm looking for something with a small footprint in my sump. I was looking at the Marineland ones since they are almost like "one piece," but I have not read anything good about them. Is there something else out there I can use, for about 50g of total volume? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Check out the Tunze 9005 for a good in sump small footprint skimmer Not sure what your load is but this would be a good start.
Or maybe even the greay seas compact 6

Here is the link
http://www.greyseasaquatics.com/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
Replacement Pump for Vertex Omega 150 Protein Skimmer
Replies
4
Views
67
r1racer
R
S
Why do oversized protein skimmers not adequately remove protein from a tank?
Replies
12
Views
201
Paul B
Paul B
Broken reefer
Skimmer
Replies
7
Views
350
wvned
wvned
S
Back up power supply
2
Replies
22
Views
1K
Reefing102
Reefing102
ClownBubbaJoe
Skimmer, TALL skimmer vs short under cabinet type ?
Replies
13
Views
699
BeanAnimal
B
Back
Top