Skimmer Q&A Thread

[stealle]

Hey mojo~, I've been looking at the ATB 10.5 deluxe internal while planning my 200 gallon display / 90 gallon sump. Just about everything I read about the skimmer is positive. I've read some posts by "Jon 'hahnmeister'" on another blog that leads me to believe that the only obvious downfall of this skimmer is the "wedge pipe" and that "telescoping standpipes" are much better. I would have directed my questions toward hahnmeister but I don't know how to contact him. And, I have recently come to learn that you are very knowledgeable about skimmers and might be able to shed some light on this for me.

I don't have any experience with skimmers. My first tank was a nano that ran skimmerless. I want a skimmer that will perform really well, but don't want to have to tinker with adjusting often. Should I be concerned about the lack of telescoping standpipe on the ATB Deluxe? I read the owners manual for the Bubble King Deluxe skimmers, which have a telescoping standpipe, to try to understand the difference. Looks like the BK Deluxe has sever ways to fine tune. Would the BK 250 Deluxe perform as well as the ATB 10.5 Deluxe and be more set it and forget it?

 

[Russter]

Will the Bubble Magus NAC6 be a good skimmer for me to get for my 90 gallon with 15 gal sump? Light bioload mixed reef. Or suggestions for a different one?

 

[mojo~]

Hey mojo~, I've been looking at the ATB 10.5 deluxe internal while planning my 200 gallon display / 90 gallon sump. Just about everything I read about the skimmer is positive. I've read some posts by "Jon 'hahnmeister'" on another blog that leads me to believe that the only obvious downfall of this skimmer is the "wedge pipe" and that "telescoping standpipes" are much better. I would have directed my questions toward hahnmeister but I don't know how to contact him. And, I have recently come to learn that you are very knowledgeable about skimmers and might be able to shed some light on this for me.

I don't have any experience with skimmers. My first tank was a nano that ran skimmerless. I want a skimmer that will perform really well, but don't want to have to tinker with adjusting often. Should I be concerned about the lack of telescoping standpipe on the ATB Deluxe? I read the owners manual for the Bubble King Deluxe skimmers, which have a telescoping standpipe, to try to understand the difference. Looks like the BK Deluxe has sever ways to fine tune. Would the BK 250 Deluxe perform as well as the ATB 10.5 Deluxe and be more set it and forget it?

The ATB is fine. ITs a matter of preference really. Some saythe with a telescoping wedgepipe you dont get the backpressure you get in other ways but its pretty small. Your skimmer is a nice fit.

 

[mojo~]

Will the Bubble Magus NAC6 be a good skimmer for me to get for my 90 gallon with 15 gal sump? Light bioload mixed reef. Or suggestions for a different one?

I think it will be too small. It just wont cycle enough water if you heavily stock it.

Otherwise it wold be ok. I would just up to the vertex in 180.

 

[TNTFISHY]

Can anyone rank by performance, ease of set-up, and noise level, the:
Reef Octopus nwb-110, Vertex 100, ETSS sump buddy 40.

 

[Russter]

I think it will be too small. It just wont cycle enough water if you heavily stock it.

Otherwise it wold be ok. I would just up to the vertex in 180.

I only have 11" x 12" of room in my sump. Vertex is too big a footprint. :sad2: Perhaps the Reef Octopus Extreme 160 or any other suggestions?

 

[hellbob]

I have a similar setup as Russter. I am currently using the Vertex 100 which is a well-made skimmer with good reviews. The only issues I have with it are the pump (mine is loud) and the fact that it's a tight fit.

I am currently considering the Bubble Magus NAC7 Cone or the SWC Xtreme 160 Cone while waiting for reviews which should be coming soon. Regardless, the footprint of each fits my requirements nicely at 9-9.25L x7-8.5Wx 20H. The reviews would really have to be negative for me to keep what I have and look at replacing the pump.

 

[mojo~]

I only have 11" x 12" of room in my sump. Vertex is too big a footprint. :sad2: Perhaps the Reef Octopus Extreme 160 or any other suggestions?

I would stay away from the msx 160 Works well but the sicce pump can be finiky

Mybe look at a warner marine s150 moves a good amount of water and will skim very well for you. around $300 from salty critter on sale i believe

 

[mojo~]

Can anyone rank by performance, ease of set-up, and noise level, the:
Reef Octopus nwb-110, Vertex 100, ETSS sump buddy 40.

The octo 110 is small and well doesnt move much water or air. The vertex is pretty well balanced and is pretty easy to use.
The ETSS SB 40 is loud. Works well but is noisey and power hungry. once setup it works well.

 

[miles405]

Do you have any experience with the super reef octopus SRO-1000-INT? I am trying to decide between that skimmer or the extreme 160 or the Vertex 180. This will be for a 58 gallon sps tank.

Thanks
Nick

 

[goreefers]

Hey Mojo, how do you like bubble magus NAC7 so far? thanks

 

[mojo~]

Do you have any experience with the super reef octopus SRO-1000-INT? I am trying to decide between that skimmer or the extreme 160 or the Vertex 180. This will be for a 58 gallon sps tank.

Thanks
Nick

I think you should go smaller or you will be unhappy. they might skim for a bit then they will sit there.

Check out the Bubble magus NAC 6 or NAC 7, The vertex in 100 and the sro 1000 might be small enough.
Good luck.

 

[mojo~]

Hey Mojo, how do you like bubble magus NAC7 so far? thanks

I actually just put it back on my tank. Works well. I have the swc 120 on a frag tank. But the skimmers work well. I think the NAC6 and 7, and the swc 120 and 160 will be the new breed of bang for buck skimmers people will be wanting to pick up

 

[Bolo Tran]

Hi mojo. Just wondering if you can give a recommendation for the best bang for the buck skimmer out right now. I'm looking at either the reef octo super space saver or the msx mini s cone or whatever you would recommend for a limited sump space if 12x12. Tank is a heavily stocked 120. Thanks for your hard work and continued efforts to this post

 

[dustinc]

With a $300 budget for a new skimmer with a sump area of 10"x9" with an 8" constant water level on a tank with a total volume of 80 gallons, what skimmer would you choose? Thanks

 

[mojo~]

Hi mojo. Just wondering if you can give a recommendation for the best bang for the buck skimmer out right now. I'm looking at either the reef octo super space saver or the msx mini s cone or whatever you would recommend for a limited sump space if 12x12. Tank is a heavily stocked 120. Thanks for your hard work and continued efforts to this post

TheSRO space saver is far better than the mini s.

The new swc 160 should be pretty good to. but if you have a 120 well stocked I would still suggest the super reef octo. Not sure if the cylinder model will fit or not.

 

[mojo~]

With a $300 budget for a new skimmer with a sump area of 10"x9" with an 8" constant water level on a tank with a total volume of 80 gallons, what skimmer would you choose? Thanks

NAC 6/7 or SWC 160. I think those 2 will be your best bet for your space.

 

[dustinc]

NAC 6/7 or SWC 160. I think those 2 will be your best bet for your space.

Ok. It will be the same tank you have with a 20 gallon sump very heavily stocked. I guess I'll decide which cone I want. Thanks

 

[goreefers]

I actually just put it back on my tank. Works well. I have the swc 120 on a frag tank. But the skimmers work well. I think the NAC6 and 7, and the swc 120 and 160 will be the new breed of bang for buck skimmers people will be wanting to pick up

thanks mojo :thumbsup:

 

[miles405]

I think you should go smaller or you will be unhappy. they might skim for a bit then they will sit there.

Check out the Bubble magus NAC 6 or NAC 7, The vertex in 100 and the sro 1000 might be small enough.
Good luck.

Thanks
how would you rank the SRO-1000 compared to the others you noted?

Also curious about over skimming. Is the issue that it will remove too much from the tank/ cunsume more power, or that it would not produce skimmate all of the time? If it cleans the crud and stops bubbling over for awhile why is that not a good thing?
Thanks
Nick