Skimmer Q&A Thread
- Thread starter mojo~
- Start date
drwilliams.52
New member
I have a 156g display, with a 75g sump, and am hoping in the near future to hook up a 40b for a frag tank. What would you recommend for a skimmer? I really don't want to go over $1,000, but have been looking at the ATB Deluxe 8.5 model ($1,099) and am strongly considering it unless there is something better.
mojo~
Skimmer Guy
The ATB 1050A is a better fit. Will be a great skimmer for your setup.
mojo~
Skimmer Guy
swc 120
stealle
Premium Member
Mojo, any opinion on lifereef skimmers? Any personal hands on? I think they are probably considered "old school", but proven and set it/forget it. It's not easy to find a lot of info on these skimmers, but it seems that the few posts I do read about them is always very positive. I think they might be overlooked because they are not "sexy" or trendy.
mojo~
Skimmer Guy
No a bad skimmer, they are a little dated and not the most efficient. Again not a bad skimmer. Just not cheap and their are many more efficient options.
Just my two cents.
built well though
Hey Mojo, I'm very curious if you have experienced this with your skimmer's production or spoken with people that have.
First a little background relating to my question... I've been carbon dosing for going on a year now. I only dose with vodka and I also dose Brightwell Aquatics MB7. I find it quite amazing how well it works; I get hardly any microalgae on the glass, corals are healthier looking, I feed a good amount so the fish are fat and happy, and best of all I water change much less frequently. And the only reason I do a water change every 4 to 6 weeks is just because I feel some additives may be replenished through the salt, the nitrates and phosphates certainly don't need lowered. I do also run carbon and GFO through the media reactor.
Anyhow, to my skimmer related question...
It's been months since I've really seen the skimmer work all that much. I almost feel like with these bacteria driven systems that the skimmer is becoming less important. I have an ATB 1050A, have borrowed my buddy's 840 with the thought that the 1050 was too much, and the skimmer I replaced a few months ago was a Lifereef VS24. And none of them get much production, if any, no matter how much I work to dial it in. I have to dial in for a very wet skimmate to get just a small amount. I have a 125 DT, about 40 gallons of water in the sump, and a somewhat heavy fish load..... 17 fish of which 3 are tangs. And I feed about 5x/day... a mix of frozen, pellets, seaweed and flakes.
So, it would seem I would get some production based on my bio-load and feeding routine, but do these enhanced bacterial colonies so many of us now strive to obtain perhaps minimize the value of a skimmer?
First a little background relating to my question... I've been carbon dosing for going on a year now. I only dose with vodka and I also dose Brightwell Aquatics MB7. I find it quite amazing how well it works; I get hardly any microalgae on the glass, corals are healthier looking, I feed a good amount so the fish are fat and happy, and best of all I water change much less frequently. And the only reason I do a water change every 4 to 6 weeks is just because I feel some additives may be replenished through the salt, the nitrates and phosphates certainly don't need lowered. I do also run carbon and GFO through the media reactor.
Anyhow, to my skimmer related question...
It's been months since I've really seen the skimmer work all that much. I almost feel like with these bacteria driven systems that the skimmer is becoming less important. I have an ATB 1050A, have borrowed my buddy's 840 with the thought that the 1050 was too much, and the skimmer I replaced a few months ago was a Lifereef VS24. And none of them get much production, if any, no matter how much I work to dial it in. I have to dial in for a very wet skimmate to get just a small amount. I have a 125 DT, about 40 gallons of water in the sump, and a somewhat heavy fish load..... 17 fish of which 3 are tangs. And I feed about 5x/day... a mix of frozen, pellets, seaweed and flakes.
So, it would seem I would get some production based on my bio-load and feeding routine, but do these enhanced bacterial colonies so many of us now strive to obtain perhaps minimize the value of a skimmer?
mojo~
Skimmer Guy
I am actually really suprised you dont get that much out with 17 fish. I too run MB7 and not so much on the vodka. But the theory is that the vodka is your carbon source and it should attract the organics in the water making it easier to skim the organics out of the water.
Just curious. What are you using for a return and whats your flow through the sump?
Sounds like you have the right balance of things going on. Good job.
Mojo~
Just curious. What are you using for a return and whats your flow through the sump?
Sounds like you have the right balance of things going on. Good job.
Mojo~
revclyburn
Active member
Hey everyone,
just a quick question about filteration. Currently I have a 55 g, I took my 90 down and haven't gottent o set it back up. Anyway, I've let it go for a minute and now I want to get it back together, it's a mess. My question is, would a HOB refugium and a skimmer, be sufficient filteration. I have a sump that I would rather use, but it won't fit in the stand I currently have, so the HOB seems to be the best way. And I also don't like using a 10 gallon tank, don't trust the glass with my youngins missing around in the stand.
Anyway, what are your opinions, thoughts, ideas?
Rev
just a quick question about filteration. Currently I have a 55 g, I took my 90 down and haven't gottent o set it back up. Anyway, I've let it go for a minute and now I want to get it back together, it's a mess. My question is, would a HOB refugium and a skimmer, be sufficient filteration. I have a sump that I would rather use, but it won't fit in the stand I currently have, so the HOB seems to be the best way. And I also don't like using a 10 gallon tank, don't trust the glass with my youngins missing around in the stand.
Anyway, what are your opinions, thoughts, ideas?
Rev
I have 2 1.5" drains/1" returns and a Red Dragon internal pump rated at 1200 gallons (800ish by my calculation when figuring for head pressure). And there's plenty of flow in the 120 DT with 2 MP40W's.
I suppose it's a good problem to have considering how healthy the tank's inhanbitants are and have been, but one does hope to see their fancy skimmer work like the thoroughbred it's supposed to be. And I know this skimmer does work well because I put it my friend's sump while I borrowed his 840. Just kind of strange that I've had as little output as I have for the past several months.
I suppose it's a good problem to have considering how healthy the tank's inhanbitants are and have been, but one does hope to see their fancy skimmer work like the thoroughbred it's supposed to be. And I know this skimmer does work well because I put it my friend's sump while I borrowed his 840. Just kind of strange that I've had as little output as I have for the past several months.
Everything in my 180 loves my 40's. As soon as I get two replacement power supplies, I'll get the second two back in action.
I believe the the extra flow helps skimming as well (or so it seems).
Maybe the flow justs boosts the metabolism of my fish, and I feed a bit more.
I believe the the extra flow helps skimming as well (or so it seems).
Maybe the flow justs boosts the metabolism of my fish, and I feed a bit more.
If you wanna save some money and get a skimmer thats proven to work, look up Vertex/Euro-reef smallest model. I believe its the ER-80 or Vertex In-80. All I know is 80 is in its name and its the smallest size.
Hey Mojo, excellent thread!
I am planning my build and am presently at the following numbers:
165g display
55g sump
50-100g rubbermaid fuge, for chaeto/mangrove/dsb/lr
I will probably stock mod-heavy, as I do like an active tank. LPS to start, and maybe SPS down the road. A real mixed reef.
Considering vodka dosing once it gets rolling, and I know you need a good skimmer for that.
Recommendations? I'd like to stay below $500, but eagerly await your advice.
Thanks!
I am planning my build and am presently at the following numbers:
165g display
55g sump
50-100g rubbermaid fuge, for chaeto/mangrove/dsb/lr
I will probably stock mod-heavy, as I do like an active tank. LPS to start, and maybe SPS down the road. A real mixed reef.
Considering vodka dosing once it gets rolling, and I know you need a good skimmer for that.
Recommendations? I'd like to stay below $500, but eagerly await your advice.
Thanks!
garrett_ta2000
New member
ETSS downdraft skimmer
ETSS downdraft skimmer
I bought an ETSS downdraft skimmer from a buddy of mine for $50. . . It's in great shape. I'm not sure what size it is. all I know is it needs an Iwaki 70 or similiar sized pump to operate. . .I'm setting up a 125 display, 75 sump, 20 fuge, and a 20 frag tank (240 gal. all together). Are these good skimmers and is this skimmer going to be big enough for my setup or should I go with something else?
ETSS downdraft skimmer
I bought an ETSS downdraft skimmer from a buddy of mine for $50. . . It's in great shape. I'm not sure what size it is. all I know is it needs an Iwaki 70 or similiar sized pump to operate. . .I'm setting up a 125 display, 75 sump, 20 fuge, and a 20 frag tank (240 gal. all together). Are these good skimmers and is this skimmer going to be big enough for my setup or should I go with something else?
solitude127
Proud user of IO Salt!
Mojo, Can you put the volute for the ATB skimmer pump on the K2 skimmer pump?
mojo~
Skimmer Guy
The bubble blaster 5000ss I think it is would work well and is under $500. check out reef specialty they have one with external pump and one with pump inside the skimmer.
mojo~
Skimmer Guy
Well without knowing the model its hard to say. but with that big of a pump it will be way more than enough. High energy use but good skimmers none the less.
STEELERFAN747
Active member
I don't know if someone has discussed this as I did not read the entire thread but does anyone use the Tunze 9005? If so how do you like it and how quiet is it?
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