Skimmer Q&A Thread

[TommyBelfast]

Here is a new one. I run a fowlr, and I will never add any coral. A couple reefers have stated that downdraft, beckett or sprayinjection skimmers are much better than needlewheel/venturi skimmers for fowlr tanks. Any truth to this?

I think the argument had something to do with the fact that fish poop is much more fibrous than coral slime...

My 100 fowlr has heavy poopers: tang, butterfly, and an angel. I was thinking about changing to a new skimmer.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15604582#post15604582 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TommyBelfast
Here is a new one. I run a fowlr, and I will never add any coral. A couple reefers have stated that downdraft, beckett or sprayinjection skimmers are much better than needlewheel/venturi skimmers for fowlr tanks. Any truth to this?

I think the argument had something to do with the fact that fish poop is much more fibrous than coral slime...

My 100 fowlr has heavy poopers: tang, butterfly, and an angel. I was thinking about changing to a new skimmer.

I dont think it has to do with how the bubbles are made. Most FOWLr tanks are pretty large and this is when downdraft or beckett skimmers narrow the efficiency margin. They process a lot of water but us a more power to do so. IMO they are a little more tempermantal than pinwheel skimmers. Usially take longer to recover after feedings ect... There are some really nice ones for sure. And if I had a large system I would consider it. But for your tank at 100g. I would look at something like a atb 840, Vertex in 180 or maybe one of the new cones from coralvue coming out soon.

Mojo~

 

[slicegolfer]

Greetings -

I am planning out a new tank which will be a SPS tank. Measurements will most likely be 30x20x20, totaling 52 gallons. I am planning on a 20L as a sump, but this may change.

Which skimmer would you suggest? I have been looking at:

Reef Octopus Extreme 160
Warner Marine AS150

Which would you suggest, or is there another model I should consider over these two?

Thanks

 

[TheFishMan65]

Hey Mojo,

I have the read the entire thread and found it very interesting. However, I am a DIYer and really don't have a couple hundred dollars (or more ),and if I did would rather spend iton fish or coral. I am getting back in the hobby and have a SeaClone 100 from 10-15 years ago. From what I read here and some other threads it doesn't sound like the industry has any real standard for tests. So a lot of question if you don't mind:

1. Isn't the idea to saturate the water with fine bubbles and skim the top of the foam? What has really changes in the last few years? Is it just better bubbles and/or longer mixing times?
2. As I said I have been out of the loop. What is a wedge pipe why is it better than a ball valve?
3. Are you still at 1.5 times tank volume for water flow through the protein skimmer? Some say 3-5 and all the water should go through the skimmer before entering the refugium. What is your $.02.
4. I found this one, but just checking. How much air per gallon or water? 1 air to 1-2 water
5. How long should water be in the skimmer?
6. What is the best way for tiny bubbles? I think you believe that pin wheels are as good as mesh, but is there a better way?
7. Why do you place the protein skimmer sitting in water? Is this just to reduce the head pressure?
8. Okay I had to look this up. SCFH is standard cubic feet per hour. But are you guys really measuring that? The meter I saw looked like it would only work at 60 degrees and 1 atmosphere (or whatever it was calibrated for). I think the difference is minimal, but I should point out that when converting to liter per hour (LPM) depending on what conversion you use you could be off by almost 10 percent.[/list=1]
   I suppose what I am really asking is can't you make one that is almost as good as what is out there?
   
   Thanks in advance!

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15608433#post15608433 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slicegolfer
Greetings -

I am planning out a new tank which will be a SPS tank. Measurements will most likely be 30x20x20, totaling 52 gallons. I am planning on a 20L as a sump, but this may change.

Which skimmer would you suggest? I have been looking at:

Reef Octopus Extreme 160
Warner Marine AS150

Which would you suggest, or is there another model I should consider over these two?

Thanks

I like the Warner mariine of the Octo X for a couple reasons.
IT processes more water, the twist lock neck and the big reaction chamber for a smaller skimmer.
However its a little large for your setup. The 160 might be a better fit for you to be honest.

Mojo~

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15630409#post15630409 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TheFishMan65
Hey Mojo,

I have the read the entire thread and found it very interesting. However, I am a DIYer and really don't have a couple hundred dollars (or more ),and if I did would rather spend iton fish or coral. I am getting back in the hobby and have a SeaClone 100 from 10-15 years ago. From what I read here and some other threads it doesn't sound like the industry has any real standard for tests. So a lot of question if you don't mind:

1. Isn't the idea to saturate the water with fine bubbles and skim the top of the foam? What has really changes in the last few years? Is it just better bubbles and/or longer mixing times?
   
2. As I said I have been out of the loop. What is a wedge pipe why is it better than a ball valve?
3. Are you still at 1.5 times tank volume for water flow through the protein skimmer? Some say 3-5 and all the water should go through the skimmer before entering the refugium. What is your $.02.
4. I found this one, but just checking. How much air per gallon or water? 1 air to 1-2 water
5. How long should water be in the skimmer?
6. What is the best way for tiny bubbles? I think you believe that pin wheels are as good as mesh, but is there a better way?
7. Why do you place the protein skimmer sitting in water? Is this just to reduce the head pressure?
8. Okay I had to look this up. SCFH is standard cubic feet per hour. But are you guys really measuring that? The meter I saw looked like it would only work at 60 degrees and 1 atmosphere (or whatever it was calibrated for). I think the difference is minimal, but I should point out that when converting to liter per hour (LPM) depending on what conversion you use you could be off by almost 10 percent.[/list=1]
   I suppose what I am really asking is can't you make one that is almost as good as what is out there?
   
   Thanks in advance!

1. 
   
   
   
   
   Yes you are correct. It is believe that the less turbulance the better the skimmer performs. I do believe that once it turns from water and air to just bubbles you want them all to rise up . keep the turbulence out of the neck as well.
   
   The wedge pipe is a easy cheap way to get the adjust of the skimmer. Its a piece of pvc cut at a 45 degree angle that slides into a machine out T fitting
   
   The 1.5 turover is pretty accurate IMO. Not really adjustable on the skimmers most use now. But if you are going recirc that is where I would start.
   
   I havent really heard how much air per gallon. I have seen one post on this and it really has more to do with the air, water, design of the skimmer. its not al about the air.
   
   I like the ease of the pinwheel. I think you might be able to get a finer bubble with mesh but sometimes the added work it sometimes causes for little gain isnt always worth it.
   
   Well most of the skimmers are designed in sump now. The pump on the skimmer feeds the skimmer with water and air. So with this in sump style skimmer you no longer a feed pump like you would on a recirc model.
   
   I use a dwyer flow meter to measure SCFH and it actually work pretty well. I use a RMB meter.

 

[rroselavy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15630813#post15630813 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
I like the Warner mariine of the Octo X for a couple reasons.
IT processes more water, the twist lock neck and the big reaction chamber for a smaller skimmer.
However its a little large for your setup. The 160 might be a better fit for you to be honest.

Mojo~

Mojo-

What are your thoughts about appropriate neck size? I see people putting the Octo Ext 160 on their 60g, 50g, and even 35g tanks. Isn't the neck size of the 160 a bit too big for those systems?

IIRC, the AS150 neck size is slightly smaller at 3.5". I am thinking that a 3.5" neck is as large as I would want to go on a typical 52g.

 

[mojo~]

i have an octo X 160 on my 57 right now and its not bad . pulls a lot of air but doesnt cycle as much water aas the as 150 does, 35g, its a bit too large for that to run well. I wouldnt put it on anything smaller than what I have really.

I am actually in the process of just building my own skimmer. I am getting material together now. working on some drawings ect... we will see. This will not be your average DIY skimmer by anymeans. So we will see how it goes. I am bulding this to match my system. 6 inch body 4 in neck, 800 lph only about 20 in tall. Those are all rough so we will see.
After so many skimmers and all that I like and dislike I just want to melt all those ideas into one.


Happy skimming.

Mojo~
lol

 

[Orr2003]

It is time to replace my energy hog MRC MR-7 skimmer.
So I am looking for skimmer recommendations for my 400g DT.
And I am looking for in sump skimmer.
Tank Overview

400g Display
100g Stock Tank Sump
550Lbs Liverock


Fish Load

Powder Brown Tang
Yellow Tang
Coral Beauty
5 - Green Chromis
2 - Clowns
lyretail anthias
Spotted Mandarin
Hawkfish
2 - Spotted Cardinalfish


I have around 50 small SPS colonies.


Beckett skimmers are really the only type I have used over the years so this is where I need some help.

Question

1. Would the SWC/MSX 300A be able to handle my system?

2. How well built is the SWC/MSX 300A?


I have picked this skimmer due to its fair price tag, as I believe skimmers in general are WAY OVER PRICED.

yeah sure if I wanted to spend $2000+ I could get a ATB Large or BK 300, but that is just out of the question.

3. Will the MSX 300A compare at all to these HIGH PRICE TAG skimmers?

Thanks

Orr

 

[mojo~]

I think with your stock list the msx 300A will do just fine. The build quality is good. Its not a bk but you will save a lot of money and be happy with the performance.

 

[Waterobert]

Mojo any thoughts on ATB deluxe series. They look cool but will they outperform regular ATB cones?

 

[tdawgnjlo]

Hey Mojo,

Do you think a WM AS150 has a chance at skimming a 150 gallon tank adequately? I really don't want to upgrade the skimmer if I don't have to. Are there any mods that i could make to enhance its capability to handle the 150g tank?

I went to WM yesterday and Jon didn't have any demo's or blems in the K2 or AS200 size. I really don't want to spend any more money if I don't have to.

Thanks

 

[steelcity]

I have everything up an running. I have the octopus 800s. I turned my return elbow to face the side in the tank so I get more flow with it. However I have some bigger bubbles that make their way to the surface and then pop which then sends water/salt on to the light. They are not microbubbles but pencil eraser size. Kind of like what pop bubbles/fizz does when you pour it and then pick it up to drink it real fast.

Anybody else with the 800s have this problems. Still have them when I point the elbow straight back and then it gets on the back glass.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15633518#post15633518 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Waterobert
Mojo any thoughts on ATB deluxe series. They look cool but will they outperform regular ATB cones?

I thik the deluxes will perform a little better as they use the whole cone body.The bubble plate is flush at the bottom and allows for increase in reaction time. very nice skimmer.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15638548#post15638548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tdawgnjlo
Hey Mojo,

Do you think a WM AS150 has a chance at skimming a 150 gallon tank adequately? I really don't want to upgrade the skimmer if I don't have to. Are there any mods that i could make to enhance its capability to handle the 150g tank?

I went to WM yesterday and Jon didn't have any demo's or blems in the K2 or AS200 size. I really don't want to spend any more money if I don't have to.

Thanks

It will push the limits of the skimmer for sure. It does process more water than most skimmers in its size. As long as you dont have a crazy fish load I think you will be ok. I would agree tahtthe as 200 would be a better fit though.

 

[mojo~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15644994#post15644994 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steelcity
I have everything up an running. I have the octopus 800s. I turned my return elbow to face the side in the tank so I get more flow with it. However I have some bigger bubbles that make their way to the surface and then pop which then sends water/salt on to the light. They are not microbubbles but pencil eraser size. Kind of like what pop bubbles/fizz does when you pour it and then pick it up to drink it real fast.

Anybody else with the 800s have this problems. Still have them when I point the elbow straight back and then it gets on the back glass.

how long has it been running. You might just ahave to wait for it to break in a little and it perform totally different.

 

[jefl]

I am setting up a 125 reef heavy on the live rock as in Tampa Bay Saltwater method. In the line of corals I plan mostly on softies. Want to keep the bioload at a medium level. Was looking mostly at Super Reef Octopus. Is the 5000 overkill here? Should I wait for the 2000 series to be released? Would rather spend money now and not have to upgrade any time soon. Had turbofloater on last fish only 75gal tank but need to upgrade now. Thoughts?

 

[mojo~]

the super reef octo is a little overkill but I think it will be fine. I think you will be happy with it. It is a beast.

 

[jefl]

Any thoughts on a more appropriate one on this setup? Are there any general guidelines people use for size such as pick one that is rated as handling 2x your tank volume, etc?

 

[jefl]

How about Vertex 180?