Skimmer Q&A Thread

Hey Mojo,

I'm busy reading through the thread for any possibility that you've answered a similar question already here somewhere, but I've got a 120 thats moderatly stocked with about a 30 gallon sump/fuge that is in need of some skimmer love. I don't have all that much hight to work with, but the actual footprint I can accomidate is pretty large (about 20 inches square).

Do you have any moderately priced recommendations? I'm probably looking to spend on the cheap side, but don't want to get some peice of junk.

Thanks!

Willis
 
Hi, I have a DAS EX-1, with the aquabee pump. I thought I read somewhere that some of the Deltec skimmers have an Ehiem pump upgrade or something like that. Does anybody know if thats true, or anything about it?

If not is there any way to make it skim better? It skims pretty good, but I think it could be better. Right now I have it fed via gravity from my overflow.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14982782#post14982782 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.
Click to expand...

The problem with DIY skimmer is that when you start you never stop....lol , since you want to get or to see what will be the best...and it's never ended... sometime it's better to buy good one and forget...:)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14992511#post14992511 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by new2u
Hey Mojo,

I'm busy reading through the thread for any possibility that you've answered a similar question already here somewhere, but I've got a 120 thats moderatly stocked with about a 30 gallon sump/fuge that is in need of some skimmer love. I don't have all that much hight to work with, but the actual footprint I can accomidate is pretty large (about 20 inches square).

Do you have any moderately priced recommendations? I'm probably looking to spend on the cheap side, but don't want to get some peice of junk.

Thanks!

Willis
Click to expand...

Well let me point you to a couple option with various prices. The ATB 840 is on sale for $665 from reefspecialty right now with both pinwheels. This would work very well. The Warner Marine K2 would work well also. On the little cheaper end of things.. I would look at the MSX 200 or the Vertex in 180 or 280 if you have room. All of these would give you pretty good performance and give you some skimmer love :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14991043#post14991043 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gooyferret
Well Mojo I just ordered a MSX200 and will have it on wed....Cant wait to get that beast setup!
Click to expand...

awesome, Marine Solutions is great to do business as well.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14992611#post14992611 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luther1200
Hi, I have a DAS EX-1, with the aquabee pump. I thought I read somewhere that some of the Deltec skimmers have an Ehiem pump upgrade or something like that. Does anybody know if thats true, or anything about it?

If not is there any way to make it skim better? It skims pretty good, but I think it could be better. Right now I have it fed via gravity from my overflow.
Click to expand...

You are doing about all you can do. Before I would spend the $$ on a eheim upgrade I would get a new skimmer. Eheim pumps are good but the DAS ex 1 with aquabee is only pulling about 400lph of air and you are controling the water through your feed. Not a bad skimmer. I just didnt care for the build quality of my das skimmer. Not to mention the below par performance of the aquabee 2000/1 pump that I had. it didnt skim bad because it was a pretty good design as far as the nexk to air draw ratio ect... Just better options out there now IMO that s all. Again, I would either keep it the way it is and not drop the money in a pump. Just keep your $$ use it towards other upgrades or another skimmer.

Mojo~
 
Mojo,

Thanks so much for the quick response. I think that if the MSX or Vertex 180 (I don't think 280 would be able to fit in) might work perfectly for the college kid's budget. One more question for you though, would you consider one of them to be more reliable than the other?

I ask because my mother has taken to caring for my tank while I'm away, and while she is doing everything very well fixing equipment always means a visit from me which may be difficult at times. If both of these are a little unreliable is there a more reliable product for another 100-150 deneros?

Thanks so much.

Willis
 
as far as reliable I would say the vertex in 180 would be a little more as their is a slight chance the sicce pump could start backwards and cause a change in skimmer performance. The ATB 840 would do really well and its quiet, set and forget performance is really nice as well. On sale at reefspecialty for 665 with both pinwheels. Not sure if that is outside your budget but it would make a great skimmer for you. There is one on premiumaquatics that was used as a demo for $579 as well if that helps. Good luck and let me know if I can be of any more help.

Mojo~
 
Mojo~

I'm looking for a skimmer (on a budget) for my medium load 90 gallon. What are your thoughts on Marine Solution's Sicce modded MSO NW200? Would I be better off to hold out for a used MSX/Octo Ex? What about an NW150?

Thanks
 
Well I'm in the process of building a randy stacey skimmer, but it'll be on a new tank. So, there won't be a lot to skim out for a while. I understand the wanting to go bigger and better thing, but I think that is something we all go through in this hobby. Regardless of the type of equipment diy or purchased.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14993772#post14993772 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PDAlber
Mojo~

I'm looking for a skimmer (on a budget) for my medium load 90 gallon. What are your thoughts on Marine Solution's Sicce modded MSO NW200? Would I be better off to hold out for a used MSX/Octo Ex? What about an NW150?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Wait and buy the msx 200 or Vertex IN 180. Both of those will be better than a sicce nw200. You will gain a wedgepipe and a bubble plate. Both of which are worth the little bit extra $$. Definitely worth the wait.

Mojo~
 
Hey Mojo~

Im considering the MSX200 as you recommended. i feel that at 300$ it a best bang for my bucks. Dimension fit perfectly too.

Do you know how much air does a Reef Octopus NW200 with mesh mod pull cause that what Im currently have now.
Also the airline in my skimmer creating a lot of noise while the pump doesnt. Do you know how I can fix that? Thanx
 
the nw200 with just a mesh mod usually pulls about 16 to 18 scfh if nothing done to the venturi. once you start modding them out you can pull 30 scfh but it is hard on the pumps.

The air line is noisy on most skimmers if you don't have an air silencer on it. its the vacuum created buy the water being sucked through the opening of the venturi. The msx 200 is a pretty good skimmer for the $$ it will be a better skimmer than the nw 200. The sicce pump is more efficient too. With the bubble plate design its a nice balanced skimmer.
 
you can make one out of pvc. I took some 3/4 in pvs and capped both ends. and drilled a hole on each end. had an airline going in and one coming out. or just buy one from marinesolutions for the extreme skimmers. it will work as well.
 
I posted this in the equipment forum before seeing this thread. Decided to copy/paste here as I think it fits better. Thank you for all your testing Mojo!

I currently have a 150gal tank mostly sps with a medium bio load that I would like to increase eventually. Im moving soon and plan to eventually increase the water volume with a larger tank or adding another display to the same system.
I currently have a meshed nw200 that has done ok. It pulls some nasty skim but I think it is just undersized. I also would like to get away from the start up and durability issues that mesh can have.

I have done alot of reading and think im looking at either the vertex alpha 200 or 250 cone. I dont want to oversize the skimmer to much that it doesn't work well but also dont want to buy a new one in 6 months. Im a sps addict so over sizing to an extent is a must

I guess I just want to be reassured that the 250 is not too much skimmer for my current ~180gal volume but that it will handle a potential of 300 or so.

The price difference isnt much of a concern at this point whats another $200 or so? I just want to make sure my thinking is correct and I dont just want it :P

Thanks!
 
I cant say that I would pick either one with what I know right now. I would give it some time to see how it performs for others. The 2050 would be too big for your 150 but ok for a 300. so if i had to choose one I would get the 200. But I would look at something else right now until more testing is done on the smaller on.
 
Kurt03

i suggest to go with the bigger one , skimmer never collect all the detritus in the system . More flow of water /air will clean better . i did test big con on my 120 gallon it's heavy biolaod ....... i feed it with small pump and also with bigger pump (eheim 1262) the performance twice..... on big body the pump can pull more water and air and the result will be better....
 
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