Skimmer Q&A Thread

[rgonzalez]

Mojo,

Sorry, meant to ask you if the Reef Octopus SWC NW 200 is going to be enough skimming power for a 90 gallon (30 gallon sump) reef tank with medium bio-load?

Question:

Just purchased a Reef Octopus SWC NW 200 Protein Skimmer. Does anyone know if this piece of equipment works best with a clean or dirty neck? Any experiences?

 

[Names Brucey]

Mojo,

What are thoughts on a Reeflo 200 on a 180 with a medium load? Are these good skimmers compared to Super Reef Octopus 5000 or SWC 250A? Thanks.

 

[Johnny C]

Wow, you are a busy guy! :lmao:

Do you think the NAC7 is worth the extra $80-100 for a heavy stocked 75G system (vs. the NAC6)? Thanks in advance.

PS- I've heard a few not-so-good things about the Atman pumps, but then again a lot of good in general. Thoughts?

 

[mojo~]

For a 90 gal SPS only w/29 sump, dosing vodka/MB7:

Considering Vertex IN180 but worried about the pump so my other choices are SWC Xtreme 200 (I like the custom pin and impeller), GSA cone skimmer w/Sicce, or Octopus extreme 200. What do you guys think?

I would rather use the Vertex over the Stock sicce pump. At least thats my opinion.

 

[mojo~]

Mojo,

Sorry, meant to ask you if the Reef Octopus SWC NW 200 is going to be enough skimming power for a 90 gallon (30 gallon sump) reef tank with medium bio-load?

It doesnt pull the air that some newer ones do but makes up for it in the amount of water it processes. Good entry level skimmer for sure.

 

[mojo~]

Mojo,

What are thoughts on a Reeflo 200 on a 180 with a medium load? Are these good skimmers compared to Super Reef Octopus 5000 or SWC 250A? Thanks.

The reeflo is a pretty large skimmer. I dont know that you need to go that large. I would probably go with the super reef octo or the msx 250a. both will do great for you

Mojo~

 

[mojo~]

Wow, you are a busy guy! :lmao:

Do you think the NAC7 is worth the extra $80-100 for a heavy stocked 75G system (vs. the NAC6)? Thanks in advance.

PS- I've heard a few not-so-good things about the Atman pumps, but then again a lot of good in general. Thoughts?

Yea I was worried about the ATMAN pump as well. So far it is pretty good. Performance wise I think the NA6 would perform as well as the NA7. just my two cents. Some cone bodies are really good at making use of the cone shape. The ATB and K2 are prime examples of this. Some are more turbulent. I like the NA7 ok but I dont know that it is worth the extra $$ or not. I think the NA6 would do fine. I like the NA7

 

[Johnny C]

Thanks for the reply, I think the NA6 is gonna be perfect. Post some new pics on your build thread, it's inspiring my build!

 

[OldNemo]

No I have not purchased the Octo 160 yet, but it was at the top of my list as the LFS sells them and raves about them. Is the Vertex quieter even with the newer pinwheel on the 160? Since I am going SPS, I want to make sue I have even skimmer. Space is limited. Plus I like the price of the Vertex better.

have you tested the SWC 120 or 160? My tank will not be set up until February at the earliest. Do you know anything about the pumps? Size wise they look perfect but I want to make sure I get something efficient for a 40 g SPS with heavy bio.

Thanks

Mojo - Thoughts on my follow up question above? Thanks alot!

 

[cykenp]

I would rather use the Vertex over the Stock sicce pump. At least thats my opinion.

Ok thanks alot mojo!!! You are awesome btw!!
I think I will get the Vertex and if something goes wrong with the pump maybe swap it for a sicce pump.

Another question, do you like the SWC pinwheel for the Sicce pump?

 

[tntneon]

hey mojo ,
what do you think of a bubble plate that is up-side down ?
making it down draft , to improve contact time ?

greetingzz tntneon

any thoughts or regards ?

 

[mojo~]

OldNemo,
The swc cones are not out yet but I will be getting the 120 version here really soon. Earlier than the production models. I ll let you know when I find out more.

cykenp
The SWC wheel is good. I prefer the ATB large and the Warner marine Red demon wheel for really pushing the pump. But the swc wheel is a nice balance for that pump.

 

[mojo~]

any thoughts or regards ?

I think I would leave it alone. just my 2 cents.

 

[OldNemo]

OldNemo,
The swc cones are not out yet but I will be getting the 120 version here really soon. Earlier than the production models. I ll let you know when I find out more.

QUOTE]

Mojo - Thanks alot! But I am going to go with the Vertex In-100 for my 40 br with 20g sump until any "bugs" are worked out of the SWC cone, if any.

Thanks again!

 

[mojo~]

np, its a good bang for buck skimmer. you will like it.

 

[nj_evoIXgsr]

mojo since it looks like your the resident skimmer expert. first and foremost, sorry if i ask a stupid question.

i did note that you sold your sump buddy and may have limited experience or did not note this issue.

i have the skimmer body 10inches (stable of water height baffle) the pump, quietone 4000 780gph stays within ~6inches water height, which is in range of the recommended gph. i did note if the water rises in the pump section it will cause the skimmer to run wild and flood my floor (MULTIPLE TIMES). i say about every 3rd day of it working fine. it stops producing in the tower and dumps MASSIVE microbubbles. I noted both water heights being fine. takes about 24+ hours before it starts running properly again. it's confusing the hell out of me. so hopefully you may be able to figure something i can try.

 

[mojo~]

The quiet one is not a pressure rated pump really and will change a lot depending on pressure where the pump is sitting ect.. A mag drive, ehiem, or ocean runner would be a better pump to use. The 4000 is rated at 1017 gph I though

 

[nj_evoIXgsr]

crap your right. maybe i was thinking of quietone 3000. i will get a hold of a mag 7 since you had yours running properly and see how that turns out.


btw, thanks for the amazingly quick answer! i figured i'd be waiting for a few hours.

 

[jpc763]

Hey mojo, great thread!

I couldn't find an answer to this after searching for a half hour...

I have a Gen 1 Vertex In250. My resun pump has been nothing but trouble. I have had the impeller replaced twice and the ceramic shaft one more time. I had the whole body replaced once and now the impeller is frozen again.

Is there a suitable replacememt for it out there?

 

[cykenp]

Hey mojo,

wondering what your thoughts are about a Beckett skimmer? I was considering a MRC1 maybe...