Skimmer Q&A Thread

[mojo~]

hmm it did it always work this way. You may just want to pull the pump out and give it a good cleaning and see what you have. air tubing may have salt creep buildup blocking the air intake.
it seems like you need to raise the water level but you said its already running wet but yet your not gettting much skimmate. try cleaning the pump out and maybe raising the water level just a little. give it a shot and let me know what you get and we can go from there.

Mojo~

 

[Nap]

Here's a couple pics of my new AS200. I just emptied/cleaned the collection cup last night (only 9 hours before these pics were taken). It's been going for almost a week and is now starting to pull some gunk. It's sitting in about 7 1/4 inches of water right now (I am thinking of lowering it a half inch or so).

Considering the volume of air I am surprised it has taken as long as it has to start skimming effectively. I have been slowly adjusting it in an attempt to skim dryer as the only way I've been getting skimmate is by keeping it pretty wet. Got any tips or tricks I could try?

And the collection cup...

 

[tanks2u]

great thread mojo, I also liked reading through the T5 thread as well. anyway, I have been using a Bermuda skimmer (not the Rogue, the older model) with a Rio 1100 pump on it. I had been using it on a 30g cube tank, but I always had a hard time dialing it in. whenever it seemed to start working good something would throw it off and then it wouldn't skim anything. I've now thought about replacing it with a Remora. Should I give the Bermuda a 2nd chance, or go with the Remora since I know it is rated for a 20-75g tank? it will initially be a FOWLR tank, but eventually I plan on putting corals in. thanks for any feedback you can provide.

*EDIT - Ok, since I wrote the above, I've browsed other threads referencing HOB skimmers and a lot of other members don't seem to have much love for the Remora's. Any recommendations for a HOB?

 

[LouPhoenix]

The Deltec MCE600 is worth every penny. Tunze is good as well, but the MCE600 is the least intrusive that I know of... the only things that dip into the display are the intake pipe and the output. I find myself cleaning nasty gunk off the collection cup every 2 or 3 days.

 

[tanks2u]

someone else on another thread also recommended the MCE600

 

[tanks2u]

wouldn't the MCE600 be overkill for a 30g tank?

 

[mojo~]

the deltec would be ok in my opinion. great skimmer but a little big for your setup. it puls around 400lph of air. should be a good fit but they are costly. Check out tunze skimmers. and the rogue you have should work ok. Ifnot check out the Warner Marine h2 i think it is. Octopus makes some nice hang on the backs too.

 

[tanks2u]

the deltec looks nice, but not sure I want to drop that much cash on just the skimmer. I also have been reading up on the WM H1 and HX2, as well as the Octopus BH 1000 or 2000.

 

[mojo~]

the wm are nice I cant say much about the octo's

 

[tanks2u]

Ok, so for a 30g tank would you pick the H1 or HX2?

 

[mojo~]

I think you would be happy with the H1. The HX2 is nice but it uses twice the pump of the H1. I thnik for long term performance on your 30g save the extra $$$ and get the H1. If you are planning on a bigger system soon maybe spend the extra. These skimmers are not heavily over rated like some of the skimmer lines out there. IMO go with the H1 for around $229.

 

[rs1831]

Hey Mojo,
I have a question about my Octopus 1000 hang on the back skimmer. It has a filter sponge in it and I am wondering if it is needed? It seems as thought it would be dirty quickly and cause an increase in nitrates. Plus, how often should I clean my skimmer?
Thanks,
Roland

 

[jonnybravo22]

Skimmer Mechanics

Skimmer Mechanics

Hello--


So I've recently heard that I probably shouldn't buy the skimmer i've wanted (ATB Econo 840) because it's too much for my system. I have a 30g w/ 15g sump and very low bio load (at the moment only 2 young clowns; plan is to add a bit more later).

What i was told is that since the system is small and the load is low, the skimmer will very quickly pull out everything in the water, then from that point on there won't be enough junk in the water to create a decent foam and it will just accumulate gunk in the neck of the skimmer. do others (mojo) agree with this logic? sounds simple enough to me.

secondly - if the above is correct, what in-sump skimmer recommendations do you guys have for this system?? was willing to pay for the econo so i want whatever is best. liked the idea of a cone but need something that will actually work on a regular basis and fits a small footprint. any help is appreciated.

 

[mojo~]

I agree with the logic, for that small of a water volume I would suggest maybe the vertex in 80 or 100. Another great choice but a simple design would be the Warner Marine S 125. Other than those two the only other higher end little skimmer would be a tunze skimmer. Check those out and see what you think.

 

[jonnybravo22]

appreciate the feedback, thanks.

on the atb forum i saw something about an "ATB small" that's supposed to have the smallest footprint -- know anything about that / is it comparable to the ones you listed (researching them now).

 

[Rwinfrey]

If you wanted ATB you could run the multi it is nice

 

[Aqua Keepers]

What about DIY skimmers? Who's got the better designs/plans out there?

 

[mojo~]

I have thought about a DIY skimmer as well. But most are becket style because they are easy to duplicate. Good luck though. Sorry I couldnt be more help. If I could only make my own skimmer. It would be heaven.

 

[mojo~]

Happy Mothers to all those whom it applies to. Dont make her clean the skimmer cup today.

 

[gooyferret]

Well Mojo I just ordered a MSX200 and will have it on wed....Cant wait to get that beast setup!