Skimmer Q&A Thread

[mojo~]

I have a Life reef CA reactor on my 500+ gallon system, and am very pleased with the equipment and Jeff's remarkable customer service.

I am currently using a stock Reeflor Orca 250 skimmer with the Baldor pump.

I have been studying the LifeReef VS3-60 or VS3-72 simmers as a replacement for the Orca.

Has there been a review of either of the LifeReef skimmers on this thread?

Any VS3 series users out there with a review?

Many thanks.

LL

I dont see a huge increase over the ORca. The VS3 skimmers are well built but not the most efficient in design. For the cost of the vs3 60 or 72 you could get something that is a lot more efficient in design and power consumption.

I would consider the following for your system and keep it around the same price.

The alpha 300
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...&Product_Code=VX-PS-A300&Category_Code=Vertex

 

[Lightsluvr]

I dont see a huge increase over the ORca. The VS3 skimmers are well built but not the most efficient in design. For the cost of the vs3 60 or 72 you could get something that is a lot more efficient in design and power consumption.

I would consider the following for your system and keep it around the same price.

The alpha 300
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...&Product_Code=VX-PS-A300&Category_Code=Vertex

I need an external (recirculating) skimmer.

Can you clarify how the Life Reefs are inefficient? Five to 6 feet of contact looked pretty efficient to me. From the standpoint of power consumption, the LifeReefs use Blueline 40-HD-X pumps - 130 watts. The ORCA Baldor pump is surprisingly rated at 90 watts (Surprised me!) That's not as effidient, unless the additional contact time means better skimming... ?

Other thoughts or suggestions?

LL

 

[mojo~]

Well back in the day it was all reaction time. But as the skimming process has been researched more and more their are actually two types of DOCs removed from your system. those attracted to the air water mixture and those repelled by it. So having a turbulent skimmer that just keeps it swirling around doesnt mean it will remove more. Having everything moving upwards is equally important as the in a tall skimmer it also give the DOCs time to fall off as the air bubbles collide and actually get bigger as they go up. The added height also creates added head pressure. Too little contact time isnt good. But too much is overkill and not needed. Its more of a balance than anything. I get a kick out of skimmer companies that have the same pump and put it on several skimmer bodies and change the rating of the skimmer. There can be a slight difference but not a 100 gallon difference as some claim. The sicce pump for example is used a lot. But its biggest drawback is the amount of water throughput it has. To me a 150gallon tank is its limit. I dont think you need a 5ft or 6ft tall skimmer but thats my opinion. Reef specialty had some upgrades to the orca that were pretty good. might be cheaper to upgrade it than replace it.

 

[mojo~]

Also where ever there is a step the bubbles break premature. Not to mention a becket will not pull the same amount of air as a venturi pinwheel combination. look at the life reef where the neck is. There is no smooth transition to the neck. if they could make that more gradual it would help and look at the small neck. The neck is the determing factor to the amout of air the skimmer will handle. I would want a skimmer that will pull a good amount of air on that size system. This is just my two cents. I think that having a good skimmer with great service is important. However I talk to a lot skimmer manufacture's and they all claim to have the best skimmer on the market. I can say that is pride speaking. Its pretty common to have a lot of pride in equipment. Its back to the ford vs chevy mentality.

Good luck with your purchase. These are my opinions and thats about all I can give you. I try to educate myself on as many skimmers out there as possible and how the skimmers actually work and try to reproduce what happends in nature. Not just what looks the best or what a salesman tells me.

 

[Lightsluvr]

Well back in the day it was all reaction time. But as the skimming process has been researched more and more their are actually two types of DOCs removed from your system. those attracted to the air water mixture and those repelled by it. So having a turbulent skimmer that just keeps it swirling around doesnt mean it will remove more. Having everything moving upwards is equally important as the in a tall skimmer it also give the DOCs time to fall off as the air bubbles collide and actually get bigger as they go up. The added height also creates added head pressure. Too little contact time isnt good. But too much is overkill and not needed. Its more of a balance than anything. I get a kick out of skimmer companies that have the same pump and put it on several skimmer bodies and change the rating of the skimmer. There can be a slight difference but not a 100 gallon difference as some claim. The sicce pump for example is used a lot. But its biggest drawback is the amount of water throughput it has. To me a 150gallon tank is its limit. I dont think you need a 5ft or 6ft tall skimmer but thats my opinion. Reef specialty had some upgrades to the orca that were pretty good. might be cheaper to upgrade it than replace it.

Well reasoned answer...thanks!

LL

 

[sevenkillers]

Hi Mojo,

Its funny I have been searching for someone's opinion on a good skimmer, and a stumbled upon this thread.

I currently had a 300 Reef Gallon Deep Dimension tank, 40 Gallon frag out tank, 40 gallon refugium plus my sump.
My Current skimmer is Reef Octopus 300.

Here are the changes:
My 300 Gallon will become FOWLR, and I am adding a 150 Deep dimension to the system, and it will be a reef.

I am adding a 72" x 25 x 18 sump, it will replace my existing sump.

Do you think my current skimmer is adequate?
Would you recommend adding a 2nd skimmer to the system?
or would you just add 1 bigger skimmer.
I would say my max budget would be around $2500.00 lower if possible.



The Reef Octopus replaced a twin beckett down draft skimmer which I still have, and it is rated for 2000 Gallons.

Thanks!

 

[mojo~]

Well if you want to save some money I would just add a second skimmer. I would get something like the msx 300A just like what you have but with the askol pump. Run both skimmers. Otherwise you are looking at dropping a big chunk of money.

If you wanted to get one skimmer I would suggest the Bk supermarin 250 or 300. You could sell off your other two to help cover the cost. Or you might be able to get away with The VERTEX alpha 300. IT uses dual redragon pumps and will move enough water to handle your system volume. THat might actually be the best best for your money.

Mojo~

 

[sevenkillers]

Well if you want to save some money I would just add a second skimmer. I would get something like the msx 300A just like what you have but with the askol pump. Run both skimmers. Otherwise you are looking at dropping a big chunk of money.

If you wanted to get one skimmer I would suggest the Bk supermarin 250 or 300. You could sell off your other two to help cover the cost. Or you might be able to get away with The VERTEX alpha 300. IT uses dual redragon pumps and will move enough water to handle your system volume. THat might actually be the best best for your money.

Mojo~

Thanks I might go with the vertex

 

[DannyHennig]

mojo, I was just wondering if you have any opinions on the Bubble Magus 250s? I know its a knockoff, but seems to get pretty good feedback. Any inherent design flaws?

Cheers mate, appreciate it.

 

[sage_commander]

Check out the Tunze 9005 for a good in sump small footprint skimmer Not sure what your load is but this would be a good start.
Or maybe even the greay seas compact 6

Thanks for the reply. I was also looking at the Deltec MCE300, which appears to be around the same price as those you mentioned.

My load is pretty light right now, just a clown pair and various inverts. I'd like to add at least a couple of fish in the future but I want to get skimming first.

 

[rkaires]

I need an external (recirculating) skimmer.

Can you clarify how the Life Reefs are inefficient? Five to 6 feet of contact looked pretty efficient to me. From the standpoint of power consumption, the LifeReefs use Blueline 40-HD-X pumps - 130 watts. The ORCA Baldor pump is surprisingly rated at 90 watts (Surprised me!) That's not as effidient, unless the additional contact time means better skimming... ?

Other thoughts or suggestions?

LL

An ATB large external would work well for you and use half the watts.

http://www.atbskimmers.com/products...one Skimmers&item=Large External Cone Skimmer

 

[thompsontwins]

Atb

Atb

what is the difference ATB LARGE OR ATB 12.5 DELUX SAME PRICE

 

[Volcano1]

IIRCC the Delux versions are the newest technology/generation. Triple cone design being the biggest factor.Some cosmetic upgrades,and some minor features added.
I should have one next week, but don't have a non - delux version to compare.
I'm sure someone else can be more specific and chime in.

 

[mojo~]

The deluxe is taller and adds the double bubble plate as well. THe bubble plates sit lower in the body and use more of the cone body too. Just a more effecient version of what they already had. They are really nice units.

 

[thompsontwins]

Thanks Volcano and MOJO for the input

 

[mojo~]

lots of info in the ATB forum page on all the atb skimmers really. No problem.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Skimmer pump volute modification advice

Hi all you skimmer guru's,
I have a Bubble Magus, BM150, that runs an Aquabee 2000/1 that has flapper valve tpye arrangement in the top of the volute and I was thinking of removing this in an attempt to improve performance. Here is a quick drawing to show what I have. The one on the left is the existing view, the middle a cutaway and the drawing on the right shows my intended aulterations.

This is the actual photo, the flapper valve structure is the piece in the top of the volute.

 

[matt_a]

informative

 

[mojo~]

THe insert is there for a reason. It prevents it from running in reverse and keep the performance more consistent. think it would be better off left in there. Whats wrong with the skimmer that you need to mod it should be first be the question?

 

[tangtang clown]

informative

Why are you going to every thread and saying informative. I just got 5 emails from RC about new posts and they were all you saying the above. If you want to increase your number of posts, read some threads that you are interested in and respond accordingly.
:blown: