Skimmer Q&A Thread

[mojo~]

Newbie here, with a question for Mojo...

I just got my first tank, 200 gallon. Preparing for a reef tank. Plan on using about a 60 gallon ADHI sump/fuge. The cabinet I will be placing the sump & skimmer in is only 25" high so I'm very concerned about skimmer height, access to dump collection cup & minimal ability to raise the skimmer up to keep it at required running depth.

Will any of the skimmers below work with these limitations, and if so, what would you recommend? Or would you recommend something else entirely?

ATB 840/10.5
RE Vertex 200-250
WM K2 or AS-200

Thanks!

With that volume of water I would go with the ATB 1050A first choice then the WM as 200 as my second choice.

Both will work well. THe ATB uses a cone body and a nicer pump but the WM is simply a beast if a skimmer with the sedra 9000ho pump too.
The ATB will be more efficient and more quiet.

 

[mojo~]

Wow!! What a thread!

From what i've seen in the last few pages, you like the vertex for a 92 gal?
I was originally thinking of an Octopus 160 w/ the sicce (sp.?).

Right now its lightly stocked, however... i'd like to add 1 or 2 more fish and some SPS once I beef up my flow.

Whats your recommendation Mojo?

Yea the Sicce pumps are all different. Some are good some are bad. The only sicce based pump with no rotational issues is the ATB mini airstar. Or one of the new silence series.

The vertex in 180 is a great bang for the buck skimmer for that size tank. First choice is the ATB 840 followed by the vertex.

 

[mojo~]

Bump for Apisto as well. I am curious too. Thanks!

Tehe vertex in 100 is a 6 inch body. The plumbing sticks out 2 in on one side and the pump 4" on the other. givine it a 10x8 footprint. Good bang for the buck unit.

 

[mojo~]

I have a 65 gallon with a megaflow3 sump with a mag 7 who's return is plumbed into a HOB Remora skimmer. A ball valve allows me share the flow of the mag with the skimmer which empties into a sock.

I'm wondering if I could do much better insofar as the skimmer is concerned but I don't have much room under that cabinet at all.

Would going to a Remora Pro be worth it and maybe a more powerful pump? Or is there a better HOB skimmer out there that is approx the same size as the remmora?

Thanks!

I would just use the mag 7 as the return pump and look into a Warner Marine H1. On of the better HOB skimmers on the market in my opinion right now.

Mojo~

 

[NY-Reefer]

Mojo, I hear you r the guy to talk to about skimmers. I am just getting back in the game after a couple years off. Got a 180 gallon that I plan on stocking full. I have a friend from my LFS offering me a good deal on a Octopus Extreme 250. Whats your take on the skimmer first and second for my size of tank? Thanks for any input I can get.

 

[Buganddoug]

Pjewett, Look at the Warner Marine H2 skimmer That is one hell of a hang on skimmer.

 

[OldNemo]

Tehe vertex in 100 is a 6 inch body. The plumbing sticks out 2 in on one side and the pump 4" on the other. givine it a 10x8 footprint. Good bang for the buck unit.

Thanks! Better bang for you buck skimmer than the Ocean Force 100??

Thanks again!

 

[tingleyl]

Thanks Mojo!

With that volume of water I would go with the ATB 1050A first choice then the WM as 200 as my second choice.

Both will work well. THe ATB uses a cone body and a nicer pump but the WM is simply a beast if a skimmer with the sedra 9000ho pump too.
The ATB will be more efficient and more quiet.

 

[mbeast]

does anyone know what would be the best pump to drive a twin becketts skimmer that also acts as my return pump (think of a aqua medic turbo floater 5000 twin height and outlet wise)
at the moment i have a 1/4hp sequence pump which doesn't seem to have as much power since i sat the skimmer higher so the outlet would go into my main tank instead of back to my sump (added 30" to the height / head).

thanks

 

[pjewett]

I would just use the mag 7 as the return pump and look into a Warner Marine H1. On of the better HOB skimmers on the market in my opinion right now.

Mojo~

Will do. So I take it you recommend because it will be more powerful than the remora? I see it has it's own pump so I guess I'll stick with it? Maybe plum the mag7 return into my PO4 instead? Wanted to conserve energy and remove heat from sump so that's why my skimmer shares in 1st place.

Thanks!

 

[TheH]

Hi, I'm looking to replace a 2006 Reef Octopus Needlewheel 150 with another skimmer with <6.5" diameter and <23" tall. This is for a moderate-heavy 155-gallon total volume system.

I asked on my own thread and got some good suggestions, but I'd like to hear your opinion as well. Thanks.

 

[mojo~]

Mojo, I hear you r the guy to talk to about skimmers. I am just getting back in the game after a couple years off. Got a 180 gallon that I plan on stocking full. I have a friend from my LFS offering me a good deal on a Octopus Extreme 250. Whats your take on the skimmer first and second for my size of tank? Thanks for any input I can get.

if its used just make sure the pumps are working well and find out what pinwheels it is using. There actually a pretty good skimmer. Will work for yourt 180.

 

[mojo~]

Thanks! Better bang for you buck skimmer than the Ocean Force 100??

Thanks again!

THE mrc of 100 is tough little cookie. Built very well but smaller. not as much reaction time but will work well. its $100 more and I dont think it will skim $100 more in skimate... lol if that makes sense

 

[mojo~]

Hi, I'm looking to replace a 2006 Reef Octopus Needlewheel 150 with another skimmer with <6.5" diameter and <23" tall. This is for a moderate-heavy 155-gallon total volume system.

I asked on my own thread and got some good suggestions, but I'd like to hear your opinion as well. Thanks.

Well the ATB 840 top choice
Then take a look at the following
Vertex in 180
Super reef octo xp2000
The warner marine AS150

Tell me more. Sump level, and space. That will help as well. Budget? ect..
the super reef octos are pretty ok too. I would look at one of the cones or probably and 8 inch body skimmer.

 

[NY-Reefer]

Thanks Mojo! This is a sweet thread

 

[Neogenocide]

Hey guys,

I've got a Kent Marine Nautilus TE, and am looking for some insight. After searching and not coming up with any information, I'm guessing I bought a low end skimmer . I guess it's a good thing I didn't pay much for it and the mag 9.5 it came with.

Anyway, the instructions don't mention what the water depth needs to be in the sump for it to operate properly. It only says to leave a few inches of water over the intake of the pump. I've yet to build my sump, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[waldomas]

Hey guys,

I've got a Kent Marine Nautilus TE, and am looking for some insight. After searching and not coming up with any information, I'm guessing I bought a low end skimmer . I guess it's a good thing I didn't pay much for it and the mag 9.5 it came with.

Anyway, the instructions don't mention what the water depth needs to be in the sump for it to operate properly. It only says to leave a few inches of water over the intake of the pump. I've yet to build my sump, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Scott

I am currently using that skimmer on my 92 corner. It's not a bad skimmer but I've been skimming kinda wet. It's in about 8" of water in the sump and filling the cup about every other day.

I was thinking about modding it but I think I'll just replace it w/ something better. For the money though, its not bad on a smaller sized aquarium.

I'm interested to hear what Mojo has to say about it!

BTW Mojo, thank you for your recommendations!
Youre doing us all a great service here. I hope this new year finds you well!

 

[tingleyl]

Mojo -

I did some research on the ATB 1050a. Looks like recommended running depth of that skimmer is 8-9". I have serious height issues with my stand.

Will that skimmer still run ok at 12-14"?

 

[PowermanKW]

That ADHI sump/fuge you want is really going to put a damper on just about anything you want to run. 12-14" is pretty deep.

 

[tingleyl]

That ADHI sump/fuge you want is really going to put a damper on just about anything you want to run. 12-14" is pretty deep.

So would I be ahead looking at a smaller sump/fuge with less volume, but less deep?