Skimmer Q&A Thread

[Charlie Davidson]

I just picked up a 180 vertex, I searched the vertex thread, but didn't find info I wanted so I ask here
Were is bubble break set at? (waterlevel to some)

 

[mojo~]

well the water level will be about at the black ring or lower. the bubble break should be about a third of the way up the neck.

 

[Charlie Davidson]

Gotcha ! Is BB were small bubbles get big?

 

[adunne02]

What is WM's new skimmer? The k2 has been out for a while now and is a great skimmer. its only drawback is the stock sicce volute. If it wasnt or that it would be much higher on my list of skimmers.

The super marine 250 is a nice skimmer. is it worth the extra $$$. Well with all the new kids on the block it is hard to say yes to that.

The shallow water the xp2000 requires isnt an issue. Would you still consider it for 75 total gallons?

 

[Hermes`]

Thnks mojo, I figured it would be a Vertex - I'm holding off till I upgrade and go with the 280. Thnks alot

 

[IronVikingMC]

mojo i need to get a skimmer for my 30 gallon tank. what would be the best hob skimmer? thank you

 

[mojo~]

a tunze 9002 would work fine on it
you can hang it inside on the back wall of tank

 

[kensilvey]

Any updates on the cs200 cone Mojo?

 

[mojo~]

yes I will have updates but I can not really review it here. the new pump that will come with it I will have by tuesday. I am really looking forward to seeing what he did with the q1 pump

 

[thompsontwins]

skimmer choice hard descision

skimmer choice hard descision

I would make sure you get something that will cycle plenty of water and air. I would consider the following. The atb large, the MSX 300A or the hurricone Cat 2 if you pla on going bigger.


What do you think of the ATB delux series?
Also what do you mean by a ATB large I found one it was 2000 dollars I found another it was a model 1050 with a lg pinwheel and a small pinwheel
The msx has so many mods pump, cup which is better atb or bubleking or msx hard to spend so much money and not get the best skimmer
thanks for your help
also the RD2 pump for the bubble king is changing in 6 months

 

[thompsontwins]

how about the SWC 2501a

 

[hyolee]

Hi Mojo,

My wife is really sensitive to noise and so I'm trying to cut down the noise in my system piece by piece. I have a 200g mixed reef with 17 fish. My sump level is 7" and I'm looking for something very quiet since my tank is in the living room.

I'm trying to decide between the Vertex IN180, MSX 200, and the ATB 840. Since you've tried all three, how would you rate these 3 skimmers in terms of quietness? I'd only stretch for the ATB if it's a big difference in quietness than the other two. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[mojo~]

WEll all three of those are good skimmers. The Vertex is a good value but its not super quiet. Not loud by anymeans. The atb and the msx use the same motor block. But the ATB uses a thick pvc volute and rubber feet making it the most quiet of the bunch no doubt.

If you want to make the wife happy that is the way I would go.

 

[thompsontwins]

Hi MoJO
I hope you have time to answer my 2 questions above. It has been hard to narrow down a skimmer with all these differnt sellsmen out their pushing what they have in stock.
Thanks for your time. These will be the last of my questions up above

 

[mojo~]

I would look at the ATB 1050a for now it would work when you upgrade but might be a little small. ITs hard to say use this skimmer and then it will work well for a system twice the size. it just doesnt work that way.

When you start dropping some serious money on a skimmer and you need good customer service. And well ATB has the best service I have ever had. I have had good experience with the following as well. Marine solutions, Reef specialty, Warner marine, premium aquatics, Aquarium specialty and others. But when you can deal with the company direct it makes life easier.
When the performance playing field levels out then you look at the other areas that set it apart.The longer I am around skimmers and the more I see. I ont think I would buy a high dollar bk skimmer anymore. I like them, they are built well. But it can be hard to get parts for sometimes and they are expensive. This is my opinion. And you all can agree. I do like the mini's for smalelr footprints and would be happy to own another. But not if I had to apy for it.If you have any issues you have to go through the people you bought it from. I like dealing with the supplier direct whenever possible.

Mojo~

 

[Buganddoug]

I on the same page as you mojo. I think dealing with the company direct it makes life easier when you have qusetion or help with parts.

 

[hyolee]

Thanks Mojo.

I'll consider going with the ATB 840 then. At that price though, I could also get the new MSX 250A or 300A. I am guessing that even though the askoll will be just as quiet (if not more quiet) than the sicce, the air sucking sound on the MSX's will be much louder than the 840. Would you agree?

 

[cobbobby]

The askoll is going to be quieter than the sicce. Even if you get a super quiet sicce the askoll will be better. And for a 200g tank the askoll based skimmer is going to perform better than one sicce imo. It is the best skimmer pump on the market to date.

 

[fredflinstone]

Hi Mojo, I have a similar question as anyone here.
I have a 90G main tank with 15G water in sump. I have some SPS, lots of soft corals and 7-8 fishes. I currently have a ASM G1. Can I get a meshmod and recirc mod or should I wait and get a better skimmer. I am one of those hobbiest who needs to watch the money on the hobby. So getting a new skimmer is questonable at this point. So can I get better performance by just remodding the G1?

 

[mojo~]

I would run the skimmer the way it is designed. Save your pennies and get something worthy of the livestock you keep. I think you will need something that moves a little more air and water. If you are on a budget you can get a nicecone skimmer for $300 or even a cylinder skimmer for around $220. good luck.
Mojo~