Skimmer Q&A Thread

[killagoby]

I've got a 70 gallon tank (100 gallons total) with 6 fish in it and mostly LPS's. I need a skimmer that will work in 13 inches of water with out being raised. So far I have used a Euro-Reef (it would always flood), a Tunze 9010 (the pump went on it in a year), and a Aqua-C Urchin Pro (didn't skim all that well). Please help! Thanks Mojo!

 

[mojo~]

Hey mojo, great thread!

I couldn't find an answer to this after searching for a half hour...

I have a Gen 1 Vertex In250. My resun pump has been nothing but trouble. I have had the impeller replaced twice and the ceramic shaft one more time. I had the whole body replaced once and now the impeller is frozen again.

Is there a suitable replacememt for it out there?

Check out the sedra pumps , THe resun is a sedra. What probably happened is the gen 1 pump had the softer shaft and it started to wear our the magnet assembly and the shaft. when this happends it can wear out the inside of th pump. ITs important to replace the shaft and magnet assembly at the same time.
The 250 vertex is kinda a wierd apple. its so tall and has a lot more head pressure. works the pump harder.

 

[mojo~]

Hey mojo,

wondering what your thoughts are about a Beckett skimmer? I was considering a MRC1 maybe...

I think beckett skimmers are good choice for large tanks. They will move alot of water. However for smaller tank (200 gallons or less) I would get something with a needlewheel pump

 

[mojo~]

Killgoby,

well at 13 inches of water it will be really hard to get any to work without being raised. THe ETSS sumpbuddy 40 can run in deeper water with a mag 7 pump. But I thought the max for it was 11 to 12 inches.
The MSX miniS will run in about 10 inches.
The Tunze would work but sounds like you had a issue with the one u had.
if I think of something more I ll post it but thats just what I have off the top of my head. I think you would better off building a little stand.

 

[killagoby]

Killgoby,

well at 13 inches of water it will be really hard to get any to work without being raised. THe ETSS sumpbuddy 40 can run in deeper water with a mag 7 pump. But I thought the max for it was 11 to 12 inches.
The MSX miniS will run in about 10 inches.
The Tunze would work but sounds like you had a issue with the one u had.
if I think of something more I ll post it but thats just what I have off the top of my head. I think you would better off building a little stand.

The ADHI refugium I have recommends ASM's G-1x. What's your thoughts on that?

 

[mojo~]

Not bad. Kinda old school design but will work well for your setup. They are a pretty tried and true design.

 

[killagoby]

Not bad. Kinda old school design but will work well for your setup. They are a pretty tried and true design.

Would you go with the G-1 or the G-1x? My tank is only 70 gallons and I just have 6 small fish in it. Is the G-1x overkill, or would it work better with the 13" of H2O in my fuge b/c it is taller?

Thanks!
Killa

 

[Johnny C]

Would you go with the G-1 or the G-1x? My tank is only 70 gallons and I just have 6 small fish in it. Is the G-1x overkill, or would it work better with the 13" of H2O in my fuge b/c it is taller?

Thanks!
Killa

From personal experience, you should skip the ASM G-Series all together. Although they will perform, I wouldn't expect much. Those who rave about them usually haven't had experience with many other models to compare. For a system like yours I would look into the Octopus NWB-110 or the Bubble Magus NAC6. JMO of course.

 

[killagoby]

From personal experience, you should skip the ASM G-Series all together. Although they will perform, I wouldn't expect much. Those who rave about them usually haven't had experience with many other models to compare. For a system like yours I would look into the Octopus NWB-110 or the Bubble Magus NAC6. JMO of course.

In 13 inches of water?

 

[Johnny C]

In 13 inches of water?

No, IMO that's too high for any skimmer. If you've got some scraps laying around, you can very easily make a stand for a skimmer to sit higher by drilling holes in 3'' pieces of PVC and then use zip ties to attach to a piece of eggcrate. Simple, easy and effective.

 

[mojo~]

I agree, but if he doesnt want to make any stand that leaves his options down to about 1 skimmer that will work maybe two. THe asm g1x and the Octo nw 150,

I would just make a stand and call it good. 90% of the skimmers out there run between 6 and 10 inches. there ar those who run around 6 to 7 and those that run from 8 to 10 better. But 13 is really just to deep for most.

 

[Volcano1]

Seeing your giving depth recommendations.
How about an ATB 18" internal?

 

[cykenp]

I think beckett skimmers are good choice for large tanks. They will move alot of water. However for smaller tank (200 gallons or less) I would get something with a needlewheel pump

Hmm ok. Thanks mojo!! I guess I'm still stuck between a vertex In180 or the SWC 200 w/ their needlewheel. I'm just so turned off by the resun pump since I have a friend who got a vertex IN100 gen 2 and his pump wore out in about 6 months. Luckily he had an extra sicce around though.

Do you think the vertex design is still worth getting despite the inferior pump and needing to upgrade soon? Which one of those 2 models have a bigger mixing chamber btw?

 

[cykenp]

And oh...forgot, one more question, what optimum water level do those 2 skimmers run at?

 

[FranktheTankTx]

Can the MSX, SWC or Octo Xtreme skimmers be taken apart for cleaning inside the housing?

 

[killagoby]

Mojo,

What's your thought on the Bubble Master NAC6, MRC Ocean Force 100, or the Vertex IN-100? I think I need to build a stand.

Thanks!

 

[raynist]

Can the MSX, SWC or Octo Xtreme skimmers be taken apart for cleaning inside the housing?

The bubble plate comes off if that is what you mean.

 

[mojo~]

Mojo,

What's your thought on the Bubble Master NAC6, MRC Ocean Force 100, or the Vertex IN-100? I think I need to build a stand.

Thanks!

al three are nice units.

 

[FranktheTankTx]

The bubble plate comes off if that is what you mean.

I guess I don't know how to ask my question any clearer... but I'll try, can you access the inside of the skimmer for cleaning?

In a way you may have answered my question. I'm assuming if you can get to the bubble plate, then you must be able to access the inside to clean out every few months. I like clean equipment.

 

[gravity316]

Great thread Mojo

Wanted to get your thoughts on a skimmer.
I am in the process of setting up a 90 tank with a 20 gallon sump, plan on light to medium bio load.
I have a D&D Marine Typhoon I would like to replace.
I need an external skimmer because I do not have the room in my sump.
Looking at a Octopus Recirc 150.
Any thoughts?