Skimmer Q&A Thread

[noboddi]

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

Easy to make a skimmer stand with some egg crate, PVC, and cable ties. Its much easier to deal with too deep, than too shallow.

I personally like to make my stands out of aquariums. I go to Lowes and have them cut glass panels that I use as baffles, and use silicone to make a sump. Cheaper than the AHDI ones - maybe 10 bucks for the glass. But if you want an AHDI, just make a stand for the skimmer.

 

[tingleyl]

Yeah, I'd make a stand for the skimmer in a heartbeat, problem is my stand is only 25.5" high, and my skimmer is 21.5" high, so I can't elevate it enough to get it at the right depth on the ADHI sump/fuge. Going to have to go back to the drawing board.

Probably have to go the custom route, just trying to find the maximum sized volume container I can fit into my stand.

Easy to make a skimmer stand with some egg crate, PVC, and cable ties. Its much easier to deal with too deep, than too shallow.

I personally like to make my stands out of aquariums. I go to Lowes and have them cut glass panels that I use as baffles, and use silicone to make a sump. Cheaper than the AHDI ones - maybe 10 bucks for the glass. But if you want an AHDI, just make a stand for the skimmer.

 

[waldomas]

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.

By "one of the new silence series" do you mean a Tunze?

 

[mojo~]

Well Tunze is basically a Sicce silience series pump. The just havent hit the us yet. I have had to my research global to make sure you all are getting the best info available.

Same builder The Tunze version is caled the hydrofoamer. ITs an amazing skimmer pump. Highly suggest it. just costly. the 9420 is worth the extra $$$ the 9410 is good for smaller neck like 3 to 3.5 in neck. Any larger neck size and I would go with the 9420 pump. Very quiet. I had to mod my 9410 to boos it up to 1000lph but still a great pump. And you get Tunze service.....

 

[TheH]

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.

Hi mojo, all those skimmers are 8" body except the AS150. I need less than a 6.5" body otherwise it won't fit through my stand. The largest diameter skimmer I can fit through my stand is 6.5" although my sump has room for a 13" x 24" skimmer. The water level is 10" and max height is 24.5".

Do you still recommend the AS150? That's almost the price of the K2 and it's a previous generation warner marine.

 

[mojo~]

Then I would say go with the as 150

 

[cvd55]

Ok im setting up my first saltwater tank
What skimmer would you reccomend for a 120gal dt with a 30gal fuge
i dont want to break the bank maybe $300 if i can get away that cheap
I would like it to sit in the sump Thanks

 

[mojo~]

Well first choice is ATB 840 1.5 $665
Bk mini 180 $999
ok now to those in the price range and will skim well
The Super reef octos with the bubble blaster are nice
The Vertex in 180
The cs 200
The SWC 160 cone thats coming out will be really nice and will fall in your budget too.

 

[OldNemo]

Hey Mojo

You get that SWC 120 cone up and running yet? If so, any comments??

Thanks

 

[cvd55]

Thank you. I wish i had a grand to spend on a skimmer but i think my wife would kill me.
Looked up The SWC 160 cone and i think when it comes out that will be the one i buy thanks again for the help

 

[sbleile]

I am setting up a 335 Gallon Reef aquarium, 600 gallons twv, and it will have a pretty big bio load. What skimmer would you suggest?? Back on page 52 I asked about the Hurricone Cat 2, but I'm open to other options.

 

[mojo~]

I would think the cat 2 would be work ok on the smaller side. maybe a MSX 300A would be better. Larger body lots of air and water movement too.

 

[jb61264]

Hey Mojo..

I have about 8 x 14 space in my sump...don't laugh but my budget is right at about $200...but since I'm running a Red Sea Berlin skimmer with a Mag 7 right now, just about anything is an upgrade

Is there anything better that I should be looking at other than the Reef Octopus NWB-150?

 

[mojo~]

so your display is about 75gallons?
Here is where I would be looking.
Vertex in 100
The swc 160 cone
The cs200 budget model
maybe the grey seas aquatics compact 6

Those are all around $200 to $250

 

[mojo~]

Shoot. I forgot. The NA6 is under budget and would be perfect. Teh na7 is really nice for $250 as well. That would probably be the way I would go. Getting over cold.... slipped my mind for a minute. And I am running a NA7 too. Running the swc 120 on one tank and the na7 on another .

 

[grandp10]

I have a 75 mainly sps w/ a high bioload. I am looking to spend no more than $400. I was thinking xp2000 cone, super reef Octopus 3000 or 2000, possibly Vertex 180. I have an MSX200 right now but I want a good upgrade. What would be an awesome upgrade for performance, is the SRO3000 too big or good to go, this is the skimmer I am leaning more towards getting. I did not know if the V 180 is really an upgrade. I do not necesarilly like the shallow water depth on the Xp2000. I am also planning for the future of a bigger tank in a few years. Any help is very appreciated. Thanks alot!

 

[cet98]

Running the swc 120 on one tank

and???....what's your opinion on this unit Mojo?

 

[Neogenocide]

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!

Waldonas,

Thanks for your reply. I'm building my sump around that water depth.


Scott

 

[drparker]

Wow some great info in this thread I learned a lot and want to double check my thoughts.

I've currently got a 75g mostly SPS tank and a 56g mixed reef. The 75 is using a ASM g1x with mesh and recirculating mods the 56 has an Urchin copy.

I'm planning to re-do my sump / fuge and hook both tanks into the same system using an RKE controller. I'm going to use 40g breeder for the sump and 35g for the fuge. I assume that my little ASM can't handle the combined load.

So if I've got it right I should be looking at the BK Mini 200, WM K2, WM as200, ATB 1050, Vertex in-250. The price difference for the BK and ATB above the others would take the money I have for a T5 upgrade but I can live with the current lights.

I currently have the controller shut down the skimmer when I feed and bring it back after 30 minute delay, I like the K2 and have found it priced at 699 but the reverse start would be problem, unless I changed to running the skimmer 24/7. If it matters I only feed Rod's food. So this then leads me toward the AS200 or Vortex?

So the real question run skimmer during feedings and get the K2 or continue to shut it down and get the AS200 or third, bite the bullet and go for a BK or ATB?

Thanks again for your time to answer the questions in this thread.

 

[boring]

i have a euro-reef RC-135 on my 120. needless to say the sedra 5000 has started to leak and needs to be replaced. just wondering if theres something better i can put on this or if its even worth fixing. guess im just looking for some other ideas here if you have any recommendations. thanks in advance


Jeff