Skimmer Q&A Thread

[lhm nole]

Mojo

Setting up a 75 gallon zoa soft coral tank what do you recommend for a hang on skimmer? If I decided on adding a sump what would you recommend then?

Thanks

 

[westmoorenerd]

coraljunky, I'm running a SWC 160 on about 80g of water and would recommend it in a heartbeat.

 

[mojo~]

as you can see it builds up on the chamber walls and hardly makes it into the collection cup, i cleaned it two days ago and i pulled more sludge off the chamber walls than what was emptyed from the cup.

And ive cleaned it twice now and each time has been the case where it all collects to the chamber wall instead of going into the collection cup.

raise the water level up in the skimmer so the big bubbles breakabout 1 to 2 inches from the topp of the neck

 

[mojo~]

Hello,

I have a basic custom built skimmer, its 22 inches tall, and 8 inch diameter, with a 3 inch neck at the top. The input pvc line comes in about mid way up on the body, and the output tube is located at the bottom. It had a Gen-X 2400 needle wheel pump on it that just died. It has always done a really good job, but when the pump died I thought maybe getting a bigger better pump might improve its effectives. I have it on a 180 Gallon reef with SPS, LPS, Zoas and softies.

I asked in a separate thread and somebody recommended Aqua Medics 2500 pump, I read in previous pages of this thread a Bubble Blaster 3000 is a good pump. Some people seem to like the Octopus 3000 pumps. I read the Sicce can be loud and some people don't like the Sedras.

What do you think would be a good replacement pump; the skimmer sits in about 9 inches of water in my sump.

Thanks for the help.

the tunze 9410 or 9420 hydrofoamer.

 

[mojo~]

Hey mojo,

My actual volume is 70g including my sump. Mostly sps with a couple clams, 1 shrimp, and 3 fish. SWC 120 or 160 cone?

Thanks in advance

swc 160 or sro 1000

 

[mojo~]

Mojo

Setting up a 75 gallon zoa soft coral tank what do you recommend for a hang on skimmer? If I decided on adding a sump what would you recommend then?

Thanks

WM h1 or h2


in sump vertex in 1900, sro 1000, swc 160

 

[lukinrats]

Mojo~

Is there some sort of recommended rates for different water volumes?

Such as:

100 gallons = X# scfx, or X# lpm
180 gallons = X# scfx, or X# lpm
Etc
Etc

Thanks
NathanS

 

[dwhanc00]

With that water volume and budget I would look at the super reef octo 5000 series or a Warner Marine AS 300. The MSX 300A would aslo be on my to look at list.

Mojo~

Mojo:

How do you like the octo 5000 external cone? Worth the extra cost vs. the super reef 5000?

 

[usefulidiot213]

Hey Mojo,
I am setting up a 180gal. It will be a mixed reef with a pretty heavy fish load. I have been reading a lot about the new Octo Extremes with the bubble blaster pumps. Would the Octo Extreme 3000 be a good fit? Or would you recommend something else?

 

[rdlisby]

Mojo~

Thanks for the info; I'm going to order the Tunze 9420 hydrofoamer.

Really appreciate the help!
Ryan

 

[daniel89]

raise the water level up in the skimmer so the big bubbles breakabout 1 to 2 inches from the topp of the neck

in order to do that it means id have to drain the sump down a few inchs and glue in another peice of glass which will take 24 hours to cure 0o

Any other advise?

 

[mojo~]

in order to do that it means id have to drain the sump down a few inchs and glue in another peice of glass which will take 24 hours to cure 0o

Any other advise?

you adjust the wedgepipe to raise the water level in the skimmer. Has nothing to do with the water level in the sump.

 

[daniel89]

its turned all the way up with the extended piece in it and its not high enough lol :O

 

[capitor]

color of skimmate

color of skimmate

I had a 125 reef ready with a 40 gal sump, was using a euroreef cs-es series 6-1. I set the tank up and this skimmer only produced a light coca colored skimmate. I only had live roce with a deep sand bed and a few frags and a few fish, I dont think I set this aquarium up properly, because it failed several moths after setting up, it started well with purple coraline all over the rock, then stayed that way for a while, then the whole thing died, i am wondering if possibly skimmer was wrong, or possibly I had my metal halides too close, or if 1200gph was enough flow....I want to set this tank up but do it right this time...any suggestions especially about skimmate will be appreciated, also I looking into getting new skimmer and EuroReef has changed their name and they have new skimmers Reef Dynamics, they are fairly inexpensive but do they work well, if not, what skimmer should I get?

 

[mojo~]

its turned all the way up with the extended piece in it and its not high enough lol :O

You turn the wedge pipe not turn it up.I think you are talking about something else. you open and close the wedge pipe. if closed it will over fill the cup. the pipe that goes into the top of the T should have an angled cut on it and you turn it to adjust the water level inside the skimmer. open= water level low. closed all the way will overflow the cup all day long.

 

[mojo~]

I had a 125 reef ready with a 40 gal sump, was using a euroreef cs-es series 6-1. I set the tank up and this skimmer only produced a light coca colored skimmate. I only had live roce with a deep sand bed and a few frags and a few fish, I dont think I set this aquarium up properly, because it failed several moths after setting up, it started well with purple coraline all over the rock, then stayed that way for a while, then the whole thing died, i am wondering if possibly skimmer was wrong, or possibly I had my metal halides too close, or if 1200gph was enough flow....I want to set this tank up but do it right this time...any suggestions especially about skimmate will be appreciated, also I looking into getting new skimmer and EuroReef has changed their name and they have new skimmers Reef Dynamics, they are fairly inexpensive but do they work well, if not, what skimmer should I get?

the flow through the sump shouldnt be that fast. The skimmer was a little small and its hard to tell why it failed. I run an ehiem 1260 on my 90 gallon. My sump is about 38 gallons. 20x28. nice wide sump. slow flow

 

[kikireef]

I have a 125 gallon tank with about 30 gallons in the sump. I have a pretty heavy bioload and am keeping mainly sps. Can you recommend a good skimmer for my needs that comes in somewhere under or near $300? I am on somewhat of a budget but don't want to skimp too much on it since....well...its pretty important. lol

I am looking for an internal skimmer and have about 16" x 12" to work with

 

[mojo~]

I have a 125 gallon tank with about 30 gallons in the sump. I have a pretty heavy bioload and am keeping mainly sps. Can you recommend a good skimmer for my needs that comes in somewhere under or near $300? I am on somewhat of a budget but don't want to skimp too much on it since....well...its pretty important. lol

I am looking for an internal skimmer and have about 16" x 12" to work with

Vertex in 180
SRO octo 2000 would be nice at $350

 

[E.intheC]

Mojo, you've been really helpful lately. I appreciate it.

One more quick question:

The Deltec ap600 and Warner Marine AS 150 are both available for about $250 and $200 respectively. (Used of course)

Considering I have the Vertex IN 100 right now, would you upgrade? (I could probably sell the IN 100 for about $150-160. If so, which you you pick?

Thanks again for the input.

 

[mojo~]

I would pick the WM as 150. I am actually running one on my tank at the moment. I am not sggesting on the fact its what I have. It well balanced. It moves a lot of water through it and pull a fair amount of air for a 6 inch body skimmer. The Deltec is ok but not quite the performance of the WM AS150. both would be a step up from the Vertex though.

Just my two cents. I posted pics of my as150 in my build thread if you care to take a look. 90g miracles rimless

Mojo~