Skimmer Q&A Thread

[A. Grandis]

Thank you so very much Mojo for your help!
It´s much easier to try find what I need now.
So the AquaC wasn´t really the best choice...
Among the 4 you have posted, is there 1 or 2 that you like the most?
Thanks again.
Grandis

 

[mojo~]

The atb just simply works well and has great customer service.

But let me ask you about the water level in your sump. this will help narrow it down further.

The atb I would say 6 to 7 inches
WM as 150 6 to 8
Vertex in 180 7 to 9.

I would go ATB, WM , vertex in that order

 

[A. Grandis]

Hummm... so the Tunze is the last one.
Thanks a lot Mojo.
I´ll take a look to find them and see how much...
Thanks again for your help.
Grandis

 

[mojo~]

The Tunze isnt bad. Its just hte others are a bit newer technology and a little more efficient.

 

[A. Grandis]

Ok...
I decided to get the Vertex.
Now...
The 100 or the 180?
My sump level is about 6" high, but I can try to change that, of course.
Is 180 good for the 75gal. or a little too much?
I just don´t want to overkill.
Thanks

 

[mojo~]

The IN 100 at about 7 to 8 in water level will be good. the 180 is more if a beast of a skimmer but it is bigger and taked up more room as well.

 

[ziyaadb]

Hi Mojo

Can you please explain to me whats the issue with having turbulence in a skimmer? whats wrong with the bubbles going round and around before it goes up? How does the bubble going straight up benefit over a turbulent bubble?
If there is a little turbulence is that better then none at all?

 

[1mbrews8]

mojo,
I have a 150g with a ~ 30g sump now. If i went bigger, it would be no bigger than 210 with sump...
now i have a crappy turbo floater(?) or something skimmer so anything is better than it..
i want sps, lps, all
Now i have a medium to low bio load. maybe have like 2 large (5"), 4 md (2-4"), a blenny, shrimp, etc.

should i get an Octo x 200 or swc x 200? Or scrap them both for another? or i can get a nw200 octopus for $130 but its an older style than the others...
mike

 

[mojo~]

if you go up to 200 gallons and stock it medium to heavy I would go to the MSX 250A. Great bang for the buck unit

 

[killagoby]

Tagging along...

 

[mojo~]

Hi Mojo

Can you please explain to me whats the issue with having turbulence in a skimmer? whats wrong with the bubbles going round and around before it goes up? How does the bubble going straight up benefit over a turbulent bubble?
If there is a little turbulence is that better then none at all?

Too much turbulence causes the smaller bubbles to collide and become larger bubbles and when this happens you loose surface area and some of the DOC's fall off and have to be recollected. Looses efficiency.

 

[ken6217]

ATB 840 v. 1.5 versus BK 180 mini versus Alpha Cone 170

ATB 840 v. 1.5 versus BK 180 mini versus Alpha Cone 170

I was looking at these three skimmers for my heavily stocked 75 gallon SPS tank: ATB 840 v. 1.5, BK 180 mini, or Alpha Cone 170. Does anyone have any experience with these and could rank them in terms of performance?

Thanks,
Ken

 

[mojo~]

I have had all three, I would say for your setup I would go with the ATB for sure. The bk mini is really nice but a tad big for your setup and then the alpha 170 is nice but I would got with the atb then the alpha.

 

[ksed]

Too much turbulence causes the smaller bubbles to collide and become larger bubbles and when this happens you loose surface area and some of the DOC's fall off and have to be recollected. Looses efficiency.

Mojo

I have to agree ,but won't the bubbles collide at the bottom of the bubble plate, as there is always turblence there. I think what I am getting at is whether there is turblence at the bottom of the plate or above in the body it is the same thing.

 

[ken6217]

Hey Mojo,
Thanks for the reply. Is there any difference between the ATB 840 v 1.5 and the Deluxe 8.5?

Thanks,
Ken

 

[mojo~]

yes, the deluxe is a bit taller and uses a double bubble plate. Its a bit more efficient and a nice skimmer. It is a step up from the 840 1.5

 

[ken6217]

yes, the deluxe is a bit taller and uses a double bubble plate. Its a bit more efficient and a nice skimmer. It is a step up from the 840 1.5

Thanks. So either ATB then would work well for a 75 gallon and not be too much skimmer and therefore not be able to get a good enough of a foam head to pull out skimmate?
Ken

 

[ksed]

Hey how about my question:wavehand:

 

[mojo~]

Mojo

I have to agree ,but won't the bubbles collide at the bottom of the bubble plate, as there is always turblence there. I think what I am getting at is whether there is turblence at the bottom of the plate or above in the body it is the same thing.

As the bubbles rise you want to eliminate the turbulence. The gather organics as they rise through the water column. Once in the neck there should be no more turbulence at all. So where it enters is not as big of a deal as it is as it rises through the skimmer.

 

[ksed]

Thanks