Skimmer Q&A Thread

[dragenfire0]

yes but my tank setup is a veiw throu tank and the space i have the skimmmer will fit and it will be fed by gravity from the tank . or should i need to feed by pump

 

[mojo~]

I would feed it via a second small pump. That way you can get a constant flow through your skimmer. You will be happier in the long run if you do this.

 

[gorey]

Hey mojo how are you? Im looking to maybe replace my gen1 vertex 100 with a gen2 vertex 180 or a SRO 1000. What do you think would be a better fit for my overstocked 75g with a 30g sump?


Thanks,
Jeff

 

[mojo~]

sro 1000 or swc 160 cone

 

[mojo~]

nac 6 or nac 7 too

 

[FranktheTankTx]

Mojo -

Is the MSX 250A still considered a good skimmer? I have it on my 'New Tank Setup' list for my 115g. Don't mind overkilling it - as I really want a good, solid, dependable, quiet skimmer.

 

[sjm817]

I'll take a stab at that question. The MSX250A is a great skimmer, but is way too big for a 115G. You need 2x that size for it to work well.

 

[FranktheTankTx]

I'll take a stab at that question. The MSX250A is a great skimmer, but is way too big for a 115G. You need 2x that size for it to work well.

Well thank you! Recommendation??? Was considering staying away from the Sicce pumps - thus skipped over the MSX 200. Unless your opinion is positive towards them?

Again, solid performance, quiet, reliable, easy to work with are important to me.

 

[sjm817]

The SWC 160 cone seems to be getting a lot of good reviews. The Octopus SRO and XP cones with the Bubble Blaxter pumps as well.

 

[FranktheTankTx]

Perhaps the SRO 2000???

 

[sjm817]

Yes, that would be good. My only caution is noise level. There are the comments of noisy pumps out there including mine. Mine is an XP 3000 cone. The issue with it s the pump plugs into a socket in the body with no isolation. The whole skimmer resonates and hums pretty good. From what I can tell from the pics, the SRO uses a union connection instead of the socket which may be better.

 

[kendo]

Hi mojo, I currently have a BK 160 mini running on my 60 gallon cube and it works awesome. I just got a new 120 gallon and was wondering what your thoughts are on this skimmer running on a 120 gallon. Any other suggestion?

 

[yuzaki]

i want to know how to decide on getting a skimmer? do i base it on my display tank or the whole water volume (DT and sump) or number of LS?

my DT is 180gals and have bigger sump of 250gals.

 

[gasbatalla]

Mojo-

I have a 90gal display tank with a 38gal sump will it do well overstocked with a ER RS-180?

 

[mojo~]

Hi mojo, I currently have a BK 160 mini running on my 60 gallon cube and it works awesome. I just got a new 120 gallon and was wondering what your thoughts are on this skimmer running on a 120 gallon. Any other suggestion?

I would keep the 160 and enjoy it on your 120 as well.

 

[mojo~]

i want to know how to decide on getting a skimmer? do i base it on my display tank or the whole water volume (DT and sump) or number of LS?

my DT is 180gals and have bigger sump of 250gals.

How much of the system has a load in it. I include display and fuge and anything that might be load to the system. if you have a 10 g tank with a goby in it. and a 200 gallon sump or would you get a skimmer for the 10 gallon or for a 210 gallon tank. you would only have docs being produced from your LOAD. 10 gallons.

 

[mojo~]

Mojo-

I have a 90gal display tank with a 38gal sump will it do well overstocked with a ER RS-180?

yeap that would work well.

 

[GregsReef28]

What are your thoughts on a Precision Marine Redline 100 running in a 20 gallon sump under a 45 gallon cube? predominantly LPS with a light fish load. If not what other skimmer under $ 250 would you recommend?

 

[mojo~]

I think it would work well actually. only other small foortprint skimmer would be the NAC 6 or the swc 120

 

[roni]

hope someone can help...i've been out of the hobby for a couple years and the choices in skimmers are bewildering to me.

i'm setting up a 180 gallon mixed reef. will probably stock heavily on fish and feed frequently.

my last skimmer on a 240 was a beast made my Aquatic Systems Design (10" diameter, 24" tall, 3 pump NW) and handled everything well.

On this tank, I only have the space under the 180 to play with so i need an in sump skimmer.

I'd like to stay under $750. I was looking at a used Deltec 702 versus an SM 250. I can bump it up a little but with a new house and new baby, probably need to keep the reefing budget down a little.

What about the other skimmers on the market?

I hear good things about the Octopus Super Skimmer

http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protei...00-Internal-Protein-Skimmer/product_info.html

the i-tech skimmers


http://www.i-techskimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150

and the saltwater connections skimmers

http://saltwaterconnection.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=34

anyone want to share their likes and dislikes? i've tried reading through the respective threads but it's hard to find people with the same bioload/sump restrictions.

thanks in advance.