Skimmer Q&A Thread

CorkPullerPHL said:
Hey Mojo, got a 2 part question for you. . .but first a little background on my new build. I'm putting up a 70 Gallon Aquarium with a basement Sump & Fuge. The sump will be approx 30 gallons and the fuge will be of the cryptic/benthic sort and in the neighborhood of 150 gallons (plywood build). The plan is to have the sump built in above the fuge.

The Q's:

1) Is it optimal to just skim the 500GPH that will come directly from the display's overflow into the sump? In which case I wouldn't need a particularly large skimmer, say: bk 160, Itech 100, or WM as150.

2) Are the WM k2 or atb 840 too big for this setup? I am considering as a back up plan having part of the return from the fuge piped back into the sump. This would give me the opportunity to skim many more GPH if needed.

Thanks! This thread has been extremely helpful. I appreciate how unbiased you have stayed.
Click to expand...

Q1 yes. I would pick the WM as 150 as a great choice. Good water turnover

Q2 no. Both of those are good choices as well. I like the 840 over the k2 for simple fact the volute on the atb is custom and is non directional. The k2 is a nice skimmer though. Both solid performers
 
WI reefer55 said:
Hey, Mojo

I have a 60 gal and 20 high sump that has a skimmer section and a fuge. What skimmer would you recommend I am tight on space so something with a small foot print would be great. I would like to keep it under $200

I've been looking at

msx extreme 160 used
SWC Xtreme 160 Cone

any other small skimmers idk any other than these?

any cheaper ones that preform very well how are the octopus NW?

Thanks
Click to expand...

The swc 160 cone or a MRC ocean force 100 or 200 would work great. The NAC 6 is another great choice
 
Hey Mojo - I have a 120G mixed reef (about 200G total system volume) and I am currently using a Tunze 9010. I have been happy with it but I am wondering if the Reef Octopus 160 would be a significant upgrade? I could redo the sump a little and fit a Reef Octopus 250 in as well, would the 250 be too much?
 
bohlke said:
Hey Mojo - I have a 120G mixed reef (about 200G total system volume) and I am currently using a Tunze 9010. I have been happy with it but I am wondering if the Reef Octopus 160 would be a significant upgrade? I could redo the sump a little and fit a Reef Octopus 250 in as well, would the 250 be too much?
Click to expand...

Almost forgot the intake section of the sump is 10x18 and I have about 16" of clearance over the water line in the sump.
 
bohlke said:
Hey Mojo - I have a 120G mixed reef (about 200G total system volume) and I am currently using a Tunze 9010. I have been happy with it but I am wondering if the Reef Octopus 160 would be a significant upgrade? I could redo the sump a little and fit a Reef Octopus 250 in as well, would the 250 be too much?
Click to expand...

The Reef octo 160 would not be much of an upgrade. THere a re a couple new units coming out the end of march that would work nice for you. internal pump and good amount of flow.

Mojo~
 
its not the performance difference that is an issue. I ahve issue where you have to re adjust the skimmer or it may overflow. Same issue on the msx and octo X treme line. I made a custom Volute for the k2 i have.
 
Both are great skimmers. I am a bog fan of them both. THe ATB is a little more quiet and refined. The WM as 150 uses the sedra 7000 and uses a little more brute force.
 
EuroReef r135 VS Super Reef Octo xp2000 sss???

EuroReef r135 VS Super Reef Octo xp2000 sss???

Hello, I really need some help with making a decision on skimmers. I have a 90gallon reef heavily stocked with a 30g sump. I plan to have the skimmer in sump but I have been hearing both good and bad. Some reefers I ask say the Euro reef r135 is better while others say the Euro reef sucks compared to the super reef octopus xp2000 sss. If anyone reads this please help me make a decison because I am pressed for time. My current 55g is leaking and I have to get the new 90g ready to go to move everything over. Any personal thoughts on which skimmer is better for my setup is really appreciated. Thanks....Don
 
Skimmer Recommendation

Skimmer Recommendation

Mojo,

First off thanks for all the time and effort you put into helping all of us here on RC!

I am setting up a larger tank (175 gal + 50 gal sump) which will house mostly SPS and a medium to large fish load. I have an new in the box Vertex Alpha 200 (older red style) available but I am concerned it may be to large.

In any event what do you think about size and which skimmer I should look at. I'm not really price constrained, my main desire is to get a skimmer that is sized right and will need little adjustment after break-in (Vertex, ATB, or???).

Thanks

Jon
 
Mojo,

I am looking for a new skimmer to go along with my new sump that I am adding to my system. The system is a standard 75 gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump that will be about half full. The tank is light - moderately stocked now but will be stocked heavier down the road. I am looking to stay under $300. I have been looking at the Vertex skimmers and the new SWC cones. What other models should I be looking at? What are your recommendations?

-Matt
 
Jmatt567 said:
Mojo,

I am looking for a new skimmer to go along with my new sump that I am adding to my system. The system is a standard 75 gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump that will be about half full. The tank is light - moderately stocked now but will be stocked heavier down the road. I am looking to stay under $300. I have been looking at the Vertex skimmers and the new SWC cones. What other models should I be looking at? What are your recommendations?

-Matt
Click to expand...

The vertex IN 100, THe Bubble magus NAC 6 or 7, THe SWC 160 cone. are the ones I would be looking at in your budget
 
donstlee said:
Hello, I really need some help with making a decision on skimmers. I have a 90gallon reef heavily stocked with a 30g sump. I plan to have the skimmer in sump but I have been hearing both good and bad. Some reefers I ask say the Euro reef r135 is better while others say the Euro reef sucks compared to the super reef octopus xp2000 sss. If anyone reads this please help me make a decison because I am pressed for time. My current 55g is leaking and I have to get the new 90g ready to go to move everything over. Any personal thoughts on which skimmer is better for my setup is really appreciated. Thanks....Don
Click to expand...

both of those will work great on the 90g tank. Euro reef are good ol reliable skimmers. No worries with them. THE SRO is a nice skimmer too. newer design and will be a great fit for your 90g too. a lot has to do with cost and what you plan to do.
 
JonSadowsky said:
Mojo,

First off thanks for all the time and effort you put into helping all of us here on RC!

I am setting up a larger tank (175 gal + 50 gal sump) which will house mostly SPS and a medium to large fish load. I have an new in the box Vertex Alpha 200 (older red style) available but I am concerned it may be to large.

In any event what do you think about size and which skimmer I should look at. I'm not really price constrained, my main desire is to get a skimmer that is sized right and will need little adjustment after break-in (Vertex, ATB, or???).

Thanks

Jon
Click to expand...
The Alpha would be a good fit. I think the ATB 1050A is a better perfomoring skimmer as the neck, water through put and air are better balanced. But of all the alphas I think the 200 is the best balanced of the alpha series. Just my ...............02
 
Had no luck in an individual post so I'm hoping someone in this thread might be able to help

I have a Euro Reef RS100 and was wondering if anyone else has experience using this skimmer?

I have the skimmer and pump sitting in my sump so it is in about 7" of water. Granted it is creating some good foam and pulling out dark green gunk, but I want to make sure it is operating at peak efficiency.

It seems like with the water level at 7", the water level is only about 1" above the top of the water inlet into the skimmer. It seems to me that if I lowered the skimmer so it was in maybe 8" or 9" of water that there would be more bubbles inside but maybe I'm looking at things incorrectly.

Anybody?

I took at short video with my Palm Pre (they just updated the OS so it can take video) its not very good but if you look closely you can see the water level and how much air is being input into the skimmer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM9o7OvMceg
 
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