Skimmer Q&A Thread

[legolas100]

oh i almost forgot.tHE nw pump came with some rubber seals. Make sure there is NOT one in the venturi, where the air water goes in. This will block the air and cause the pump to pull too much water and overflow as well. Check that out. un screw the inlet of the pump. should be grey. with a threaded collar.


Mojo~

what is the venturi?

 

[mojo~]

the inlet on the skimmer pump

 

[mojo~]

Hello everyone, thought i would try here first instead of starting a new thread.

Iv had a Warner Marine Hx2 HoB skimmer on my tank for around 2 months now, it works great and i couldnt of been happier with my choice until about a week or so ago when i started getting TONS of micro bubbles. I know micro bubbles are a usual thing for a new skimmer, but i didnt have any problems for the first 2 months of it being on there, and i dont think they take that long to break in anyway?

The only thing iv done to the skimmer was put a bit of foam in the return overflow to keep big bubbles from entering the tank, which works well. I did this long before the micro bubbles started showing up though so i dont think its the problem, and it doesnt get any better when i take it out.

I know i should expect some micro bubbles from any HoB skimmer, but its getting to the point where im just not happy looking at the tank anymore, they are just EVERYWHERE!

So please help me find the problem, i dont understand what would cause them to become so bad all of the sudden like they have.

Lemme know if you need anymore info about the tank to figure this out.

Thanks

Pull off the venturi or run warm water through the air line. Probably ok and give it a little more time. if that doesn work take a pic and post it please.

 

[HCO]

Ok, I went for the SWC 160 cone

Thanks Mojo!

 

[ronkhoo]

This may be a double post.

My old DAS BX-1 has finally come to a rest with a dead pump. Since I have been out of the skimmer tech for a few years. compare to SWC or Vortex 160, is the DAS still a good skimmer that worth its $140 replacement pump.

many thanks, Mojo.

 

[mojo~]

if you like it and its working for you I say replace the pump. If it works for you then I would stick with it.

if you want to upgrade then consider the swc cone or the SRO 1000.

 

[Stickboy97]

Mojo?

Mojo?

Mojo, I did a search and it seems you highly recommend the H2 HOB skimmer. I wasn't looking to spend quite that much for a skimmer. What else would you recommend?

I have been looking at the Octopus BH 2000 & the Eshopps PSK100H. Which would you recommend? or another that is under $200? Along with how well it skims I need it to be quiet. Or is the H2 that much better?

I have a 75g FOWLR in my office with a dwarf lion & a juv majestic angel on the way. I may add a small tang in the future. Don't worry the angel & tang will only be in this tank for a year or so, then they get to go into the new 180g at home.

Mojo, can I get your opinion on this?
Thanks

 

[mojo~]

THe bh 2000 would be just fine. tHe h2 is a little better but the bh 2000 is a nice choice too.

 

[ronkhoo]

if you like it and its working for you I say replace the pump. If it works for you then I would stick with it.

if you want to upgrade then consider the swc cone or the SRO 1000.

So Mojo, are you saying SWC Cone 160 or SRO 1000 is an upgrade to my BX-1; where the Vertex 100/180 is not as good as my BX-1 ?

Thanks for the clarification.

Ron

 

[Stickboy97]

Thanks, is the bh 200 better than the eshopps?

 

[scubasteve06]

Mojo this is directed for you to dissect for me. I have a 72x18x20 that I am going to be setting up as a reef tank. I am starting with 40 pounds of live sand and around 60 pounds of live rock. My question is what to do for filtration. It is not drilled and I don't have the funds really for a wet/dry or HOB fuge. Would a good say 150-200 gallon rated skimmer ONLY do the trick? And if it didn't would adding a say Emperor 400 that I have laying around and ditch the cartridges and use media bags filled with phosphate be my best option?

 

[mojo~]

Mojo this is directed for you to dissect for me. I have a 72x18x20 that I am going to be setting up as a reef tank. I am starting with 40 pounds of live sand and around 60 pounds of live rock. My question is what to do for filtration. It is not drilled and I don't have the funds really for a wet/dry or HOB fuge. Would a good say 150-200 gallon rated skimmer ONLY do the trick? And if it didn't would adding a say Emperor 400 that I have laying around and ditch the cartridges and use media bags filled with phosphate be my best option?

I assume you are still going to run a sump? I run skimmer filter sock carbon and gfo.

Ran that way for long time. Just started running biopellets. No fuge for me.

 

[mojo~]

Thanks, is the bh 200 better than the eshopps?

From my experience the users are happier with the octo

 

[mojo~]

So Mojo, are you saying SWC Cone 160 or SRO 1000 is an upgrade to my BX-1; where the Vertex 100/180 is not as good as my BX-1 ?

Thanks for the clarification.

Ron

I would say your bx 1 and the vertex in 100 are really similar in performance. the sro 1000 and SWC cone would be a small upgrade yes. maybe not in quality but in performance yes

 

[Stickboy97]

From my experience the users are happier with the octo

Thanks for the info!

 

[MarineGirl411]

Let me ask you...... I am interested in the SWC 250 1A skimmer with the askoll pump for my 180+ tank. What is better that or the Octo extreme 3000 Xp or the SWC? I have heard people like the SWC because the askoll performs better than the BB pump and is quiet. LMK. TY Mojo.

 

[Ancelot]

NAC7 v Reef Octopus NWB 200 v A150-F2000/I

NAC7 v Reef Octopus NWB 200 v A150-F2000/I

Sorry guys,
I've been pondering over these 3 skimmers for a darn long time! My tank is a 50gallon with a 20 gallon sump. Thinking of going full fledged sps.

However between these 3: which will you choose?

Adv:

NA7 - cone shaped, stability of bubbles is guaranteed and the price is cheap.

NWB200 - half coned shaped, stability of bubbles more or less guaranteed, price is slightly higher than NA7 but plus point is, i am using a reef octopus now. love it

A150-2000/I - german craft. need me to say more? hahaha

Disadv:

NA7 - meshwheel i heard breaks easily

NWB200 - tuning of water level is an ***

A150-2000/I - the ab pump is of the old generation. a replacement shaft with needlewheel costs $150

Based on above, what do you all think?

I am kinda leaning towards the NWB200 cause of its structure and perhaps price and performance.

LMK what you all think.

Happy Reefing,
Marc J.

 

[mojo~]

Let me ask you...... I am interested in the SWC 250 1A skimmer with the askoll pump for my 180+ tank. What is better that or the Octo extreme 3000 Xp or the SWC? I have heard people like the SWC because the askoll performs better than the BB pump and is quiet. LMK. TY Mojo.

Both would work great. The SWC 250 would be a bit more quiet. but both would work well.

 

[mojo~]

Sorry guys,
I've been pondering over these 3 skimmers for a darn long time! My tank is a 50gallon with a 20 gallon sump. Thinking of going full fledged sps.

However between these 3: which will you choose?

Adv:

NA7 - cone shaped, stability of bubbles is guaranteed and the price is cheap.

NWB200 - half coned shaped, stability of bubbles more or less guaranteed, price is slightly higher than NA7 but plus point is, i am using a reef octopus now. love it

A150-2000/I - german craft. need me to say more? hahaha

Disadv:

NA7 - meshwheel i heard breaks easily

NWB200 - tuning of water level is an ***

A150-2000/I - the ab pump is of the old generation. a replacement shaft with needlewheel costs $150

Based on above, what do you all think?

I am kinda leaning towards the NWB200 cause of its structure and perhaps price and performance.

LMK what you all think.

Happy Reefing,
Marc J.

The NAc 7 would be my choice. Not built as good as the a150 but I believe it is better balanced and will perform well for you. I liked the NAC 7 I had. Build wasnt as heavy as I like but it performed well.

Mojo~

 

[sjm817]

Both would work great. The SWC 250 would be a bit more quiet. but both would work well.

More than a bit more. I have used both and currently have a XP 3000. Its a good skimmer but is not a quiet skimmer like the SWC Askoll.