Skimmer Q&A Thread

[tav]

Mojo, when you tested the Sump Buddy a while back did you happen to do an air draw test? I'm curious for comparative purposes.

Thanks.

 

[mojo~]

I didnt back then. I wish I would have. I would be really curious. I am sure it pulled pretty good I would guess aound 2o to 25 scfh if I had to guess

 

[tav]

Maybe some other SB 40 user out there happens to have that number. I just ordered one of these and plan to use a Quiet One 3000 with it. I'm looking forward to some good skimming performance when I get it installed.

 

[shleprock30]

Where and what kind of meter should you use to test the air draw (yes I am to tired to do all the research), I know it is a Dwyer but not more then that. If it is not outrageously expensive I will get one and test my Sump Buddy..

BTW.. I am running the 3 mini balls like you suggested mojo and it is stable as can be.

 

[mojo~]

thats awesome that wher I found mine to work the best. very good skimmers just really simple.

 

[TheNomadRhodes]

Can some body please tell me how I can mod my Aqua Euro USA 400s water outlet pipe, I would like to mod it with a valve in place of the slid pipe.
Can any one please help me with this?

 

[mojo~]

post a pic so I can see what we are working with

 

[TheNomadRhodes]

As you can see i'm limited on space here.
What I wanted to do was find a way I can put like a 90degree angle so I don't have to worry about water splashing out of the pipe and out of the sump, but still be able to control the skimmer level..
Any ideas?

 

[HOBrien]

Any suggestions as to a skimmer for a heavly stocked 200gallon FOWLR tank? My max in budget is only a messely $250.

I was looking at the Pacific Coast ps-2000 and ps-3000. Your thoughts on those?

 

[wayne_sreef]

Need option on ATI BM300 likes and dislikes.

 

[moondoggy4]

Hey Mojo I bought a used Euro Reef CS8/2 about 6 months ago prior to that skimmer I had a ER CS5/3. The tank is a 120 mixed reef with a 30 gallon ER sump. Prior to upgrading my 5/3 would pull out one cup in 3-4 days chocolate syrup skimmate out. Then I got the older style 8/2 with sedra 5000 and it would make a lot of dirty bubbles but never any skimmate. Then in three days the neck would get so dirty I had to clean it. So I upgraded the impeller and the voulte. Then I put a gate valve mod on it still no improvements. My nitrates are up to 100 PPM so I pulled the 8/2 and put the 5/3 back in and I was pulling 2-3 cups a day med tea color skimmate. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[96p993]

I just got in a Bubble Magus 160...Im really impressed with the build quality and its potential right out of the box. The Aqua Bee is a great pump but Im looking for some possible changes to make but havent seen much on modding this particular pump...just wondering if you had any suggestions or knew of a thread that dealt with this pump and or skimmer. I have read all the pages of the BM owener thread.

Thanks

 

[tinnghe]

it would be a good idea to place a post a link to all the new cone skimmers too many of them out there.

what would you recommend for a 150 heavily stock mix reef? i have the msx 200 and love it, but i think it is too small want to upgrade.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14550635#post14550635 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TheNomadRhodes
Can some body please tell me how I can mod my Aqua Euro USA 400s water outlet pipe, I would like to mod it with a valve in place of the slid pipe.
Can any one please help me with this?

Where the stand pipe is you can cut it off about 1 inch above the elbow and glue a adapter to standard PVC then you will put in a T fitting and coming out the side of the T is where the Gate valve would go. And you will put a piece about 4 to 5 " coming out of the top of the T I ll if I can find a pick to hlp show what I am talking about.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14552515#post14552515 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HOBrien
Any suggestions as to a skimmer for a heavly stocked 200gallon FOWLR tank? My max in budget is only a messely $250.

I was looking at the Pacific Coast ps-2000 and ps-3000. Your thoughts on those?

the ps 3000 would work for a FOWLR but I would get something something a little better. Like a msx 250 or a warner marine s 200. I know they are out of your budget. but for your size tank you need to have something that will move enough water through it. You might want to consider a ETSS sump buddy skimmer. They will cycle alot more water than a standard pinwheel skimmer. I would go with something better than what you are looking at. Keep an eye out for a good used one.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14552648#post14552648 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wayne_sreef
Need option on ATI BM300 likes and dislikes.

The ATI skimmers were a great skimmer when they came out. THey are built pretty chea in my opinion. Not really my choice for the $$$ You would be much better off with a MSX 250 or 300.Just my 2 cents.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14553611#post14553611 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by moondoggy4
Hey Mojo I bought a used Euro Reef CS8/2 about 6 months ago prior to that skimmer I had a ER CS5/3. The tank is a 120 mixed reef with a 30 gallon ER sump. Prior to upgrading my 5/3 would pull out one cup in 3-4 days chocolate syrup skimmate out. Then I got the older style 8/2 with sedra 5000 and it would make a lot of dirty bubbles but never any skimmate. Then in three days the neck would get so dirty I had to clean it. So I upgraded the impeller and the voulte. Then I put a gate valve mod on it still no improvements. My nitrates are up to 100 PPM so I pulled the 8/2 and put the 5/3 back in and I was pulling 2-3 cups a day med tea color skimmate. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

Not sure but if you are getting a dirty neck then you should raise the water level in the neck. IT make take some time for the new skimmer to break in.Might take more than three days. Give it a week and see if it does any better. And try raising the water level just a little bit as well.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14553686#post14553686 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 96p993
I just got in a Bubble Magus 160...Im really impressed with the build quality and its potential right out of the box. The Aqua Bee is a great pump but Im looking for some possible changes to make but havent seen much on modding this particular pump...just wondering if you had any suggestions or knew of a thread that dealt with this pump and or skimmer. I have read all the pages of the BM owener thread.

Thanks

Check the DAS and Deltec forums as they use the same pump. About the only thing I would do to an aquabee is maybe mesh mod it. but be careful that your skimmer can handle the extra air volume. THe aquabee usually likes just a little bit of intake restriction as well. check out those forums and htat should help.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14553755#post14553755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinnghe
it would be a good idea to place a post a link to all the new cone skimmers too many of them out there.

what would you recommend for a 150 heavily stock mix reef? i have the msx 200 and love it, but i think it is too small want to upgrade.

Well I believe you are pushing the limit of the 200. you will want something that cycles a little more water. what is your budget? Here are a list of skimmers I would suggest that would be a step up
Bubble king mini 200 gen2
Warner Marine AS200
the New Alpha vertex cone will work very well.
ATB econo 1050
Warner Marine K2

All this will work very well. and would be a step up from the 200 you could go with a MSX 250 as well. As it will add a second pump.

 

[HOBrien]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14554684#post14554684 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
the ps 3000 would work for a FOWLR but I would get something something a little better. Like a msx 250 or a warner marine s 200. I know they are out of your budget. but for your size tank you need to have something that will move enough water through it. You might want to consider a ETSS sump buddy skimmer. They will cycle alot more water than a standard pinwheel skimmer. I would go with something better than what you are looking at. Keep an eye out for a good used one.

Ok What about the SWC Extreme 200?