Skimmer Q&A Thread

[mojo~]

wow, informative.....lol Thanks for pointing that out tangtang

 

[thompsontwins]

Delima

Delima

now I am down to ATB12.5
BK DELUX 300
WHAT ABOUT THE NEW DELTEC?

In Sump Version - Deltec SC 2560 - This stands for Twin Chamber, body diameter 10" and total height 24"



Significantly exceeds performance of AP-902 (1200 lts of air )
Footprint 10.5" by 13"
Total air produced - 1500 to 1600 lts/hour
Power consumption 29W-31W
Water level in sump - 7" min 10.5" max
Neck diameter 5.5"
Outlet pipe 2" out
Patented Twin Chamber bubble chamber
Tank Suitability 530g heavy stocking 630g normal stocking
Remote drain of skimmer cup
Air silencers
Micro adjustable skimmer setting
High water flow through the skimmer
Optional self cleaning system
New colour scheme
No feed pump required, skimmer draws water directly from the sump.

 

[mojo~]

I would probably choose between the deltec or the ATB. and I would choose the ATB because of the awesome customer service you get with it. I dont have much info on the deltec but all second hand rescourses have told me its a little harder to get parts. Honestly I know if it was something I had to have right away. And I told victor from ATB that. I would have it right away. No questions asked.

They are all sweet skimmers. THats just my 2 cents.


Mojo~

 

[ksed]

+2
Support from Victor is unmatched.
I have ATB1050 very happy with it. Very well balanced skimmer.

 

[Steve Campbell]

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?

Thanks Mojo~, Nothing really wrong with the skimmer, it was just an idea I had while the skimmer was apart to put a new pin wheel in. The old pin wheel had the inner fourth row of pins removed after a snail climbed in.

I had recently read somewhere about custom volutes for needle wheel pumps and how they are more efficient than standard pump volutes. Does anyone know what features are desirable for custom volutes for pin wheels?

 

[mojo~]

The volutes you might have read about are those on a sicce pump and the askol pumps.

The sicce custom volutes help eliminate the reverse startup performance difference. and the ones and the askoll pumps are because the stock one doesnt allow room for much of a pinwheel.

 

[chads120]

This a great thread but a monster. I'm sure it's already asked but, what is wrong with over skimming? If you replenish elements and do water changes. I know we can only pull so much scum out. I would like to have a healthy low nutrient tank. And I would like to buy one good skimmer and be done with it. If it's too big can I just shut it off for a hour or two when I feed?

So for example if I have a 300 gallon tank and start with a green chromis and don't add anything for a month. Then add a new fish or coral every other month. My load is very low at first (don't even need a skimmer?). But eventually I have a high bio-load and need a good skimmer. If I buy one that will work when the tank is full, at the start I will be over skimming. But will it work? This is just an example that can be applied to any tank size.

Also there was a thread that you talked about putting a Bubble Master 250 on a 180 gallon tank. And how that is over skimming. You said something about loosing or not producing a good head of foam (I can't find the quote). Would turning the skimmer off for a amount of time make up for the large size. Then adjust the time off to work for the tanks need. So get a big skimmer and shut it off while feeding and turn it back on after a undetermined time.

Thank you Mojo for your time to explain the basics of skimming over and over to us newbs.

 

[mojo~]

Also there was a thread that you talked about putting a Bubble Master 250 on a 180 gallon tank. And how that is over skimming. You said something about loosing or not producing a good head of foam (I can't find the quote). Would turning the skimmer off for a amount of time make up for the large size. Then adjust the time off to work for the tanks need. So get a big skimmer and shut it off while feeding and turn it back on after a undetermined time.

Thank you Mojo for your time to explain the basics of skimming over and over to us newbs.

I wouldnt say a ATI BM 250 is too much for a 180 at all. I Would say that would be about right.

The biggest problem with oversizing your skimmer is that it will have a hard time maintaining the head of foam and it just will sit in the neck. Not really a tank issue as much as it is a performance issue just pulling anything out.

 

[chads120]

Is the foam head issue because of lack of nutrients in the water? If so would you then build up to the amount needed to produce the right foam?

 

[shluffer]

Would skimming wet aleiviate the issue of overskimming? You may need to skim very wet and top off frequently, but if that's a solution you are ok with, why not?

 

[chads120]

Good question.

 

[mojo~]

THere will be a point where the a larger skimmer will not pull more than a smaller one that already removes everything that is really there to be removed. The smaller one with a smaller neck will actually pull out more as it doesnt need many docs to maintain a foam head and pull nog. THe problem really comes when it is really undersized. leaving a lot in the tank. I think going to large will actually do the same thing. Because levels will have to be high enough for it to pull at all. You can skim more wet but i dont think that is really going to change that much. you are better off getting something better balanced for your system. If you skim too wet and then you get a spike in doc's then you may overflow your cup. Kind of a pain to adjust a skimmer that is way to large.

 

[TexasTodd]

Hey Mojo,

What have you noticed on different skimmer pumps adding heat to your system?

A friend said he thought the pump on his BK was adding a lot of heat. The shaft on his skimmer pump broke and he had to wait a few days for a replacement, he said his chiller was running all the time and then hardly ran at all while his pump was down (Red Dragon).

But, I've talked to others running Red Dragon / Laguna pumps that have no heat issues.

I just wanted to see what you've observed. Maybe my friend's pump is not operating properly or something.

Thanks,

Todd

 

[TLParker]

Mojo,

I have just purchased a Octo 150 DNW and was wondering how high should the water come up on the neck?

I also was wondering is this to big for a 40 breeder with a 30 gallon sump?

 

[jk1nole]

I intend to go back and read this thread, but it is enormous. I just set up my first SW tank two weeks ago. It is 65 gallon (bought everything used). I think I have a Current USA Fission Skimmer. How good is this skimmer? Can I get by with it for awhile? I just have inverts and a couple frags right now. It will mainly be a reef tank. I've been told by my LFS to look into an Octopus or Vertex instead.

 

[mojo~]

Hey Mojo,

What have you noticed on different skimmer pumps adding heat to your system?

A friend said he thought the pump on his BK was adding a lot of heat. The shaft on his skimmer pump broke and he had to wait a few days for a replacement, he said his chiller was running all the time and then hardly ran at all while his pump was down (Red Dragon).

But, I've talked to others running Red Dragon / Laguna pumps that have no heat issues.

I just wanted to see what you've observed. Maybe my friend's pump is not operating properly or something.

Thanks,

Todd

All pumps will put out some sort of heat. Some more than others. From my experience I have not had any issues with the Red dragon pumps. I have only used 5 different red dragons but maybe your buddies has something wrong and that is why the shaft broke. I had more issues with return pumps than skimmer pumps.

 

[A. Grandis]

What is the best skimmer for a 75gal. overstocked?

I have an old Berlin in the sump right now.

I was thinking about the AquaC EV 180 or the DOC Tunze 9410.000.
They are in the price range I wish to pay.

I need to know the best for my tank, even if not one of these 2.
Thanks so much...

 

[mojo~]

Mojo,

I have just purchased a Octo 150 DNW and was wondering how high should the water come up on the neck?

I also was wondering is this to big for a 40 breeder with a 30 gallon sump?

The water level will below the neck. Should be in the transition area. Just let it run wide open for a day or two so you dont end up pverflowing it.

The skimmer will do fine for you

 

[mojo~]

I intend to go back and read this thread, but it is enormous. I just set up my first SW tank two weeks ago. It is 65 gallon (bought everything used). I think I have a Current USA Fission Skimmer. How good is this skimmer? Can I get by with it for awhile? I just have inverts and a couple frags right now. It will mainly be a reef tank. I've been told by my LFS to look into an Octopus or Vertex instead.

Yea it will get you by for now. Save up and read, the read some more. Make sure you get what you want. The vertex in series is a really nice bang for the buck skimmer.

 

[mojo~]

What is the best skimmer for a 75gal. overstocked?

I have an old Berlin in the sump right now.

I was thinking about the AquaC EV 180 or the DOC Tunze 9410.000.
They are in the price range I wish to pay.

I need to know the best for my tank, even if not one of these 2.
Thanks so much...

Well for a really overstocked 75, These are the ones I would look at.

ATB 840
Vertex in 100 or 180
The tunze 9410 is nice
Warner marine S 150 or AS 150


Good luck, Mojo~