Skimmer Q&A Thread

[gooyferret]

Mojo,

I have the xp3000 SRO on my 180 and its skimming like a maniac! Awesome skimmer.

 

[daveb1979]

i have a 40 breeder with a tunze 9002 and its not going to cut it so i was wondering if i should add another 9002 on the other side of the tank since the 9005 is 300 i could just add a 9002 for about 150 bucks would two 9002 be as good or better then the 9005 any toughts would be great

 

[MarineGirl411]

Ferret got any nog shots??? =) Is it a total water volume of 180? Or a 180 gallon reef?

 

[mojo~]

Mojo,

I have the xp3000 SRO on my 180 and its skimming like a maniac! Awesome skimmer.

yeap good fit. Same size as the atb 1050

 

[mojo~]

i have a 40 breeder with a tunze 9002 and its not going to cut it so i was wondering if i should add another 9002 on the other side of the tank since the 9005 is 300 i could just add a 9002 for about 150 bucks would two 9002 be as good or better then the 9005 any toughts would be great

why do you think the 9002 wont be enough. ITs kind of boder line. depends on stock level. Yes you could just add another.

 

[kikireef]

2 questions.

1st. You recommended a SRO 2000 for my system which is looking like a good fit for my sump and my needs. I am running an ASM 2 currently. I was wondering what would make the SRO 2000 a better skimmer since they are both rated up to 200 gallons. I haven't had much experience with different skimmers which is why I am curious

2nd. My ASM skimmer is having a hard time getting started after being unplugged for cleaning. I have to blow into the airline tubing to get it to start sucking air. Is there a way to fix this? I did a thorough cleaning about a week ago with a vinegar run through for about 3 hours. The needle wheel has about 2 or 3 needles broken off. Could this cause that problem?

Thanks

 

[AaronReeph]

Hey Mojo!
Thanks so much for all the information you provide to people in this thread, it really helps for those of us that are not as familiar with the protein skimmer line up...

I currently have a Vertex IN-100 on my 55 gal w/ 40 sump that I am pretty happy with. I am upgrading to a 180 gallon display this summer with a 55 sump. Could you give me a recommendation on a good skimmer?

I was looking at the ATB 840 or the Super Reef Octopus XP 3000 (both in sump). Do you have a preference between these two or can you suggest something better near this price range? (+/- $150ish)

Like I said I am pretty happy with the Vertex but I would be willing to pay more for something a little easier to adjust and/or that stays better adjusted. (And I'll need something bigger for the new system anyways)

Thanks!

 

[kikireef]

Just got the SRO 2000sss. Still breaking in but man....this thing is a beast compared to my ASM G2!!!!

 

[cmaxwell39]

Long time lurker here on RC, but I finally joined and have a skimmer question. I currently run two tanks a 75 mixed and a 50 breeder SPS. I had to take down the 50 because of a bad dictyota infestation, and am considering one of two options while I have it torn down.

Option 1:
Install a basement sump and plumb both tanks into one system. Sump would probably be a 90 gallon or something similar.

Option 2:
Sell of all of my current livestock and equipment upgrade to a larger tank. Would be in the 150-190 gallon range, once again with about a 90ish gallon sump.

I am looking for a skimmer to do either option and I have it narrowed down to a few choices and would like some input on them.

MSX250A
Vertex IN-280
SRO 3000 (is the XP worth the extra $150)

I would love to get a ATB 1050 but don't think the budget will allow it this go round. Please give me some pros and cons on my choices and maybe what order you would rank them. Thanks.

 

[mojo~]

I would go MSX 250A or the SRO 3000. the have made the SRO with a long transistion so its hard to say if the full cone is really worth it. My vote is the SRO 3000 but both are good.

 

[ksed]

I agree with Jesse. With the SRO skimmers having the long transition, the benefit of a full cone are questionable.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Thanks guys. Would there be any others you would recommend with a maximum budget of $500-600. Thanks again.

 

[jeepguy242]

Cant beat a reef octo for the price, they are really quality built skimmers that out perform many other higher priced skimmers. i agree with mojo also, the long half cone design on the 2010 octos really dont justify paying more for the cone design, i believe the trick is the bubble blaster pump that is on the sro's

im planning on upgrading mine to a BB..

just my .02

 

[nikesb]

i have roughly a 13 x 10 foot print for a skimmer in a small 10g sump. just finished transferring from a 10g to a 34g and would like a better skimmer than a cpr bak pak. if possible, i would like to keep it in sump, any suggestions?

 

[lzolnier]

Hey Mojo

I love my Bubble Magus BM100v2. It skims very well indeed. I've had it for about 8 months.

What I want to know is whether there are any useful mods out for this skimmer, particularly, whether its possible to upgrade to a different pump, like Eheim, Sicce etc, just to squeeze out more performance out of this good skimmer. I know that the body is specifically made for the Atman so this might be difficult. IMO BM should either place their pumps externally (which they do on some of their models but not this one) or leave more room in the skimmer body, so the user can upgrade their pumps when they want. If there are pump mods out there for this skimmer, can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[mojo~]

Thanks guys. Would there be any others you would recommend with a maximum budget of $500-600. Thanks again.

I would probably just go with the SRO 3000 1st choice, msx 250a second then that CAT 1. all in your price range.

 

[mojo~]

Hey Mojo

I love my Bubble Magus BM100v2. It skims very well indeed. I've had it for about 8 months.

What I want to know is whether there are any useful mods out for this skimmer, particularly, whether its possible to upgrade to a different pump, like Eheim, Sicce etc, just to squeeze out more performance out of this good skimmer. I know that the body is specifically made for the Atman so this might be difficult. IMO BM should either place their pumps externally (which they do on some of their models but not this one) or leave more room in the skimmer body, so the user can upgrade their pumps when they want. If there are pump mods out there for this skimmer, can anyone point me in the right direction?

If it works well I would leave it alone. If the pump ever fails and you want to replace it you could look at a small ehiem but for the cost you could get a whole new skimmer.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Thanks Mojo and everyone else. Now I just have to price everything to see if I can afford to do a full upgrade or just going to combine two systems into a common sump. Thanks you all for your time and input.

 

[mborkush]

I was wondering if anyone has any set up experience with a SWC MX300 skimmer. Nice skimmer, just cant seem to get it to form any real foam. I bought it used from a fellow reefer. He said it worked fine for him. For me its just bubbling water below the cup. I have it set up per the mfg. recommendations and been tweaking the out let pipe a pinch up to 3 times a day (1st, with coffiee, 2nd with a sandwich, and 3rd with a few beers at night) for almost 2 weeks now. Im not sure what's going on here. Its in 9" of water in sump, constant Via foat top off. Its in with an established mixed reef, loded with stuff to be skimmed. This is a replacement for an ETSS skimmer. ~300 gal. system volume. I just ordered a gate valve to change the out let pipe over and some mesh to do the pumps. It is running the 2x Sicce PSK-2500 pumps with needle wheels. Any thoughts or help is appreciated!

 

[OceanLandlord]

Hey Mojo,
Was hoping you could recommend a new skimmer for my 300gal DT with a 70 gal sump. Preferably with an external skimmer. I previously had a custom 30 gal sump with 2 custom skimmers but have since upgraded sump and would like to go with more efficient skimmers.