Skimmer Q&A Thread

[Nemo Niblets]

Mojo, which skimmer would you recommend for a 40 breeder?

-Vertex IN-80
-Bubble Magus NAC6
-Reef Octopus NWB 110

My thinking is no matter what I choose, it will be more than enough for 60 gallons total water volume, heavily stocked? If that's the case, it comes down more to footprint. I thought about the new SWC 120 but I might not be able to wait for it.

 

[cet98]

Waiting on the new impeller for the swc 120. Should be in hands in a week. there were some prototype wheels and I am waiting on the production wheel before I cna pick it up.

it's ready!!!....it's ready!!!! :bounce3:
go get it Mojo and let us know what you think...please!!!

 

[mojo~]

Mojo, which skimmer would you recommend for a 40 breeder?

-Vertex IN-80
-Bubble Magus NAC6
-Reef Octopus NWB 110

My thinking is no matter what I choose, it will be more than enough for 60 gallons total water volume, heavily stocked? If that's the case, it comes down more to footprint. I thought about the new SWC 120 but I might not be able to wait for it.

The vertex in 80 has a nicer transition to the neck. but the na6 is hard to beat for value too. I would choose between those two. I would lean more towards thevertex.

 

[Nemo Niblets]

Okay, vertex it is. Do you expect the SWC 120 to outperform the vertex?

 

[mojo~]

In conversations with the some of the people involved I would imagine it will perform as well or better for smaller tanks. the 120 rating for a well stocked tank will probably be around 60gallons. The vertex in 80 uses the same pump as the 100 and would move more water. so it is hard to say. just depends how well the 120 uses the cone body.

 

[OldNemo]

Hey Mojo

Octopus Extreme 160 with the BB 2000 pump, does it sit under the skimmer like the stock Sicce? Worth the money to upgrade?

I am still decided on the skimmer for the 40br SPS.

Octopus Extreme 160
Vertex IN 100
SWC 120 Cone (once I hear your thoughts)

Thanks!

 

[hellbob]

Maybe I missed it when skimming (pun??) over the previous posts but I am looking for opinions on the ESHOPPS economy cone skimmer. I have a small sump area and space is at a minimum. The overall footprint of this skimmer is really small and meets my specs really well. I am just concerned about performance and reliability. I am currently using a Vertex IN-100 but the pump really makes too much noise but replacing it with a non-resun will cost anywhere from 100-200 bucks. Thinking it may be better to upgrade to a new skimmer instead.

 

[gus5946]

I have a 90g tank w/25g 3 compartment sump/fuge and just getting it stocked. Using argonate fine sand and have ~3-4" bed, ~6" in fuge, ~100+ #'s live rock, 4 shrimp, some snails, hermits, 1 emerald, few softies, 1 yellow watchman and 2 chromis. I have 2 maxi 1200s and a tunze recirc @ ~700 gph. My new vertex IN 180 doesn't foam. Been running for about 3 days and the most it got was couple inches of foam. I put a 100 micron sock on the return line in the sump w/skimmer and it really started to foam for a few minutes, I got excited, but then it all went away and isn't foaming anymore. I don't know what do. Ideas??

 

[killagoby]

So far so good with my MRC Ocean Force 100 skimmer. Simple design, well built, quiet. After 3-4 days of running it and tuning it in it has started to skim some dank brown muck from my tank. The gate valve is key. It makes it so easy to dial in perfectly.

 

[mojo~]

Maybe I missed it when skimming (pun??) over the previous posts but I am looking for opinions on the ESHOPPS economy cone skimmer. I have a small sump area and space is at a minimum. The overall footprint of this skimmer is really small and meets my specs really well. I am just concerned about performance and reliability. I am currently using a Vertex IN-100 but the pump really makes too much noise but replacing it with a non-resun will cost anywhere from 100-200 bucks. Thinking it may be better to upgrade to a new skimmer instead.

if your pump is loud something is wrong should be pretty quiet.

 

[mojo~]

Hey Mojo

Octopus Extreme 160 with the BB 2000 pump, does it sit under the skimmer like the stock Sicce? Worth the money to upgrade?

I am still decided on the skimmer for the 40br SPS.

Octopus Extreme 160
Vertex IN 100
SWC 120 Cone (once I hear your thoughts)

Thanks!

The bb would be a great pumpbut it is physically to big I believe. the Tunze 9410 would work really well and would be what I would like to see it come with that pump

 

[mojo~]

I have a 90g tank w/25g 3 compartment sump/fuge and just getting it stocked. Using argonate fine sand and have ~3-4" bed, ~6" in fuge, ~100+ #'s live rock, 4 shrimp, some snails, hermits, 1 emerald, few softies, 1 yellow watchman and 2 chromis. I have 2 maxi 1200s and a tunze recirc @ ~700 gph. My new vertex IN 180 doesn't foam. Been running for about 3 days and the most it got was couple inches of foam. I put a 100 micron sock on the return line in the sump w/skimmer and it really started to foam for a few minutes, I got excited, but then it all went away and isn't foaming anymore. I don't know what do. Ideas??

yea your tank load is really low and sounds like your tank is pretty new. Give it some time to gain some organics. you will get some nog. if it doesnt get better take me a pic of the skimmer running esp the neck area and I ll be able to help more.

 

[mojo~]

So far so good with my MRC Ocean Force 100 skimmer. Simple design, well built, quiet. After 3-4 days of running it and tuning it in it has started to skim some dank brown muck from my tank. The gate valve is key. It makes it so easy to dial in perfectly.

PIcs. Share some if you can. Glad you like your little guy.

 

[OldNemo]

Thanks Mojo

I have another skimmer in the mix now. A new Euro Reef RS-100 for a 40breeder SPS that is for sale here locally.

Good skimmer compared to the Oct Ex 160 or Vertex IN100???

Thanks.

 

[killagoby]

PIcs. Share some if you can. Glad you like your little guy.

Believe it or not my $1000.00 D-SLR camera was stolen a few months ago on a trip to Mexico. I'll try to post some photos with my phone...

 

[gus5946]

yea your tank load is really low and sounds like your tank is pretty new. Give it some time to gain some organics. you will get some nog. if it doesnt get better take me a pic of the skimmer running esp the neck area and I ll be able to help more.

Thanks Mojo, I will keep an eye on it. I don't know how quick to load up the tank with livestock so added just a couple fish expecting things to really take off. Being new to this I am expecting to see everything I read about, but it isn't happening that way, which is frustrating. I read and read and think I understand what everything should be doing, so when it doesn't do it, it's confusing and frustrating...I was so anxious to finally get this skimmer, thought the IN 180 would be perfect for the tank and bioload and nothing happens! AHHH!

 

[mojo~]

Thanks Mojo

I have another skimmer in the mix now. A new Euro Reef RS-100 for a 40breeder SPS that is for sale here locally.

Good skimmer compared to the Oct Ex 160 or Vertex IN100???

Thanks.

if its a good price the euro reef would work fine

 

[mojo~]

Thanks Mojo, I will keep an eye on it. I don't know how quick to load up the tank with livestock so added just a couple fish expecting things to really take off. Being new to this I am expecting to see everything I read about, but it isn't happening that way, which is frustrating. I read and read and think I understand what everything should be doing, so when it doesn't do it, it's confusing and frustrating...I was so anxious to finally get this skimmer, thought the IN 180 would be perfect for the tank and bioload and nothing happens! AHHH!

its a perfect fit. You have all new water. Give it a chance to cycle and break in along with the tank.

 

[OldNemo]

if its a good price the euro reef would work fine

Thanks! I also just read the previous post on the MRC Ocean Force 100 skimmer. How does it compare to the following:

Octo Ext 160
Euro Reef RS100
Vertex In100

Looking for under $300 skimmer best bang for the buck but relatively quiet.

Thanks!

 

[driftin]

Wow, glad I came across this thread!

I have an older AquaEuroUSA 135 recirc. No bubble plate. I think it's an 8" body with a 6" neck, but I can double check that. I swapped out the stock pump for an Aquabee 2000/1.

I'm direct feeding it off my return (100% of my return), and am wondering what a good feed rate would be. Also not sure if a mesh mod would make sense. Thanks!