Skimmer Q&A Thread

I really like the SM 200. it is a beast of skimmer for sure. it is one that makes me drool for sure.
 
Mojo, give me your opinion please. Should I upgrade my WM AS200 to an ATB 840 v1.5. Im wondering if it will be considered an upgrade? Give me your opinion please. Thanks
 
The wm as200 is a beast of a skimmer. The only upgrade would be that it uses less power and is a little more efficient. The WM as200 cycles more water and pulls 950 lph of air. ITs and amazing skimmer and I wouldnt consider it to be much of an upgrade IMO.
 
The ATB has had a better balance and Just plain works well. Water/air/ body/neck are all balanced out really well. Great customer service as well.

The newer 170, are better, however you not only adjust the water level you have to adjust the nozzle on the pump to get it adjust properly. The pump they use is a beast of a pump but its hard to detune it that much and keep it from surging. The had to make a new pinwheel and a adjustable nozzle to help get rid of this issue that haunted the first 170's out.
 
mojo~ said:
The ATB has had a better balance and Just plain works well. Water/air/ body/neck are all balanced out really well. Great customer service as well.

The newer 170, are better, however you not only adjust the water level you have to adjust the nozzle on the pump to get it adjust properly. The pump they use is a beast of a pump but its hard to detune it that much and keep it from surging. The had to make a new pinwheel and a adjustable nozzle to help get rid of this issue that haunted the first 170's out.
Click to expand...

OK, one more to add to the mix. The ATB 840 versus the Warner Marine K2?

Thanks,
Ken
 
mojo~ said:
well bubble size has a little to do with it. But you should be able to lower the water level and skim dry. just be patience. depends on the pump as well and the amount of air draw and a balance to the neck air ratio
Click to expand...

It's an Urchin Pro with the MagDrive 3 pump. The reason I chose it is because the water level in my refugium is 13" deep. I started with a Euro-Reef but it would flood every 6 hours or so. I sold it and went to the Urchin b/c my tank is only 70 gallons with 6 small fish. I had one of the Tunze's on there before the Urchin but the motor went on it in a year or so. I think it was the 9010. I have a ball valve after the MagDrive but no matter how I adjust it it always seems to skim wet. Any suggestions?
 
Killagoby, they make a different cup for those that go up to a mag 5 or 7. You might try that. It's quite a bit taller. I'm not sure if it's too tall for the mag 3 or not.

Todd
 
mojo~ said:
The atb just simply works well and has great customer service.

But let me ask you about the water level in your sump. this will help narrow it down further.

The atb I would say 6 to 7 inches
WM as 150 6 to 8
Vertex in 180 7 to 9.

I would go ATB, WM , vertex in that order
Click to expand...

Well, I was thinking and after seeing the skimmer at my friend´s home, besides beeing able to choose among them (regarding the prices)...
Placed my order for the ATB yesterday.
Thanks again!!

This thread helped a lot to choose my new skimmer.
Keep the good work.
Great!
Thanks again.
 
Hey, I have a 60g hex with a 10g sump and was wondering what would be a good skimmer for it. I was looking at the Octo 150 or 200 which do you think would be better.
 
im setting up a rimless 17 gal sps system and was wondering what skimmer would be best for it, price isnt an issue either, why cant ATB just make a baby cone haha
thanks
- rick
 
svpbeast said:
Hey, I have a 60g hex with a 10g sump and was wondering what would be a good skimmer for it. I was looking at the Octo 150 or 200 which do you think would be better.
Click to expand...

the octo 150 would work fine. the 200 is just too big physically.
 
rick88 said:
im setting up a rimless 17 gal sps system and was wondering what skimmer would be best for it, price isnt an issue either, why cant ATB just make a baby cone haha
thanks
- rick
Click to expand...

17g. just do water changes or if yo uare dead set on a skimmer I would say the tunze 9002
 
TexasTodd said:
Killagoby, they make a different cup for those that go up to a mag 5 or 7. You might try that. It's quite a bit taller. I'm not sure if it's too tall for the mag 3 or not.

Todd
Click to expand...

I've got the larger cup. Aqua C just sent me the ball valve to help tune it in b/c after I cleaned it recently it was overflowing. I have been playing with that to see if I could skim a bit dryer. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind skimming wet. It actually cuts down on the cleanings of the cup. I just wanted to know why I always skim wet. Even with my Tunze and especially with my old Euro Reef. It was prone to flooding...
 
you would have to raise the other skimmer s up. I always had lighter skimmate from the urchin I had. it still worked. No sense putting a big pump on it to just choke it back.
 
Hey, sorry to bother you again. Would the octopus extreme 160 be worth the extra money, or should I just get the 150??

Thanks again
 
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