Skimmer Q&A Thread

Hi- looking for a new skimmer and am somewhat limited in sump space. I have a 75G tank, just starting out but plan on having corals down the road. I utilize a Proclear aquatics wet dry filter and protein skimmer as my sump. I replaced the bioballs with active carbon, but just don't think the skimmer is up to snuff. I would like to use the existing space in the sump instead of a HOB skimmer. Do you know of anything that would be a real upgrade that would fit- the space is 4"w by 8"long, so I know that is fairly limiting, but would like to know what my options are opposed to plumbing something in or HOB.
 
Hi Guys,

I have two questions. First I have an Oceanic 30g (not a cube) and I would like to fill it with corals and LR. I am looking for the best HOB Skimmer I can find. I got the VisiJet one and it is a POS. I also have an Eheim PRO Canister filter on this tank as well with a Current T5 6 tube fixture.

I am looking at the following two models:
Super Reef Octopus SRO-LX1000S HOB skimmer
SWC XTREME HANG ON TANK

I know these are overkill for this tank, but I would like to be able to use it temporarily on other tanks I have which include 2 other 30g, a 150 and a 125. I do plan on getting skimmers for the 150 and 125 but I need to figure out what to get. Price is not that much of a factor I want GOOD performing skimmers.

Second question:
For the 125 and 150 I want to get the best skimmers I can, but the Wet Dry filters are not large enough to house most of the in sump skimmers I see advertised like the AquaC 180 or?? What is a good external skimmer or should I just add sumps to both the tanks and use in sump skimmers? ALso what is the best skimmer I can get for these tanks? I know this is a tricky question, but I would value you guys input. Price is not that much of a factor, I want good performance above all.

I have kept SW and FW aquariums since i was 8 and I am now over 40, but I never had the money to go reef tanks before the last few years.

Thank you very much for your input. Have a great day.

Will
 
IME without mods Hang ons=1)Warner Marine H2X
2) Deltec MCE600
Octos usually have to be modded to work properly-I've had 2 (300DBH,BH 100F)

External =ATB external small (about $1300 bucks though $$$)
 
please help with ss65

please help with ss65

I signed up to be able to search in order to find a fix for my problem but for some reason it wont let me so im just going to ask. I recently set up a super skimmer 65 (the new packaging) hanging on a 10gal refugium for my 55 gallon fowlr tank thats slowly converting to a reef tank. My question is that even with the valve all the way open it wont skim very much and i think that the water level in the refugium might be too low. If i shut off the tank return pump which obviously raises the water level in the refugium then it will produce some skimmate (sp?). Does this sound possible? Do i have to take the refugium apart and make higher walls or can i just get a bigger pump? Thank you very much in advance for your help and ill try to answer any questions as quick as possible.
 
Last edited:
question, i seen this thread started on here and cant find it...the person had a problem w their skimmer water level changing in the neck of the riser and it caused a very wet skimmate. then it would mysteriously drop back down, i too have had mine slowly rise over a few days and not sure what the cause is. could i get some help or the link to that thread?! thanks
corey
 
I was recently given an old skimmer body. It has the collection cup and a built in airline, but no pump and it also doesnt have the sponge filter on the return. Ive never used a skimmer before and really have no idea if its a good one. (dont have a pic yet) It looks alot like the ASM skimmers, but maybe an older model because the inlet is on the very bottom of the skimmer. The diameter of the skimmer is 6 1/4" around. It has a teardrop shape to the bottom foot, with the foot included the footprint is around 8" or so. I have a mag5 and rio 2100 I could hook up to it.

I also came across a coralife super skimmer 220gal. model, lightly used for about 6 months for $100 with everything.

1st : If the old pump is an ASM what model is it and would it be sufficient for a 180gal with a moderate bioload?

2nd : Which is the better of the two skimmers?

3rd : Is it worth buying the new skimmer or should I try to get the old one up and running?
 
biecacka said:
question, i seen this thread started on here and cant find it...the person had a problem w their skimmer water level changing in the neck of the riser and it caused a very wet skimmate. then it would mysteriously drop back down, i too have had mine slowly rise over a few days and not sure what the cause is. could i get some help or the link to that thread?! thanks
corey
Click to expand...

SUmp level fluctuating? Do you have an ATO (auto top off) ? This will cause the foam head to raise and lower slightly.

Tivo
 
Drewbaby said:
I was recently given an old skimmer body. It has the collection cup and a built in airline, but no pump and it also doesnt have the sponge filter on the return. Ive never used a skimmer before and really have no idea if its a good one. (dont have a pic yet) It looks alot like the ASM skimmers, but maybe an older model because the inlet is on the very bottom of the skimmer. The diameter of the skimmer is 6 1/4" around. It has a teardrop shape to the bottom foot, with the foot included the footprint is around 8" or so. I have a mag5 and rio 2100 I could hook up to it.

I also came across a coralife super skimmer 220gal. model, lightly used for about 6 months for $100 with everything.

1st : If the old pump is an ASM what model is it and would it be sufficient for a 180gal with a moderate bioload?

2nd : Which is the better of the two skimmers?

3rd : Is it worth buying the new skimmer or should I try to get the old one up and running?
Click to expand...

get an ATB econo 840 and be done with it! Excellent skimmers!

2nd : Which is the better of the two skimmers?
ASM is the better of the two.
 
The ATB econo 840 may be an excellent skimmer, but its about 3 times my truck payment a month so any other suggestions pertaining to the 2 skimmer options I have??
 
Drewbaby said:
I was recently given an old skimmer body. It has the collection cup and a built in airline, but no pump and it also doesnt have the sponge filter on the return. Ive never used a skimmer before and really have no idea if its a good one. (dont have a pic yet) It looks alot like the ASM skimmers, but maybe an older model because the inlet is on the very bottom of the skimmer. The diameter of the skimmer is 6 1/4" around. It has a teardrop shape to the bottom foot, with the foot included the footprint is around 8" or so. I have a mag5 and rio 2100 I could hook up to it.

I also came across a coralife super skimmer 220gal. model, lightly used for about 6 months for $100 with everything.

1st : If the old pump is an ASM what model is it and would it be sufficient for a 180gal with a moderate bioload?

2nd : Which is the better of the two skimmers?

3rd : Is it worth buying the new skimmer or should I try to get the old one up and running?
Click to expand...

Neither one of those skimmers will work well on a 180. You will need to buy new or a better used one. The ATB is a nice skimmer at 665 but you could get away with some thing like a Super Reef octo 3000. That will be a little cheaper. Or a vertex in 180 or prefferably a 280.

Running a 180g tank is not cheap nor is good equipment.
 
If I run a refuge would either the ASM or the Coralife Super Skimmer 220 be sufficient for the time being then when I get more money saved up buy a better skimmer?
 
so the water level in my sump will affect the water level in my skimmer. my skimmer is an in sump and is fed via a seperate pump, so how does water level in sump effect it?
 
biecacka,

Not an expert, but yes the water level in the sump affect the level in the skimmer. As the water goes up there is more head pressure one the pump and more water will get into the skimmer and water will be higher.
 
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