Skimmer Q&A Thread
- Thread starter mojo~
- Start date
mojo~
Skimmer Guy
This is what I suggest adam
reefermad619
New member
Hey Mojo, I've got yet another question for ya! I'm setting up an 80gln with 40gln sump. Thinking I might have <90 glns total volume. I have an old ASM G4 that I used to use ony 240 FOWLR. This G4 is massive! I would love to go with a smaller skimmer, and would love to have a lower electricity bill. I was thinking of going with the SWC extreme 160 cone, or a bubble magus na6 or 7. Are the cone skimmers really worth the extra cash over a regular shaped skimmer? I've tries to search myself, but all I find are threads sayin that cones are the newest stuff, and are better 'cuz they're newer. I was also checking out the SWC extreme 200. It's not a cone, bit can handle a bigger load than the 160 cone an is about the same price. I plan to upgrade I. The future to a 150. I was hoping to buy a skimmer that I could use for my future build. Is that a smart thing to do, or should I buy a skimmer for a specific volume of water? I know it's a lot of Qs and look forward to hearing all the Answers. Thanks for the help Mojo. Also, anyone else feel free to chime in. I could use all the extra help.
TheFishMan65
New member
IIRC Mojo says that cones are better becuase the transition into the neck is better so not as many bubbles break gettinginto the cut.
mojo~
Skimmer Guy
The swc 160 is built a little better than the nac 7. Both are good performing skimmers. Same pump atman 2500.
The swc 200 cylinder skimmer is a good skimmer. But the stock sicce volute is directional. it just means you could shut it off and turn it back on and it will perform differently. hard to tell without an air meter or until your cup overflows.
is a cone better. Thats a long time debate here. I thnk one of the best balanced skimmers I have used is a cone. the atb 840. But does that mean because its a cone its better. No! it means that it is well balanced.
The WM k2 skimmer is very well balanced as well, very smooth transition, no turbulence. works great. On the other hand, look at some of the cheaper cones on the market. small cone body and very turbulent. just like a cylinder skimmer. Just not as balanced and they didnt make use of the cone body.
Good example. Look at an old euroreef. No bubble plate no cone. nice smooth transition to the neck. These things worked great and they were very turbulent. They had longer dwell time and moved a ton of water with less air. Just a balanced skimmer. All takes part in it, pump size, air draw, water draw, body size, andneck size as well as design. So Can I say any cone better than any cylinder. Nope.
I have tried almost every skimmer on the market today. I am running a SRO 2000 int and have a wm as 150. And am building a new skimmer just like a bk mini 160. as it is one of my favorites as well. No cones. if I was to bu a cone right now it would be and 840. but thats just me. not just for performance but for service as well.
The sro is a cylinder cone hybrid. Works well and no complaints.
Mojo~
reefermad619
New member
So is it smart to buy a bigger skimmer than I currently need just in case I upgrade in the future? Or should I buy a skimmer based on each individual water volume? Do you think old G4 would be overkill for my set up? Also, out of the 160 cone, nac7, sro1000, which of these will be the quietest skimmer and whIch will carry the biggest load? This is going in the living room and it needs to be silent. Thanks for the help Mojo!!!
Travis1787
Active member
So call me dumb but there is a ? I am wondering ... What exactly is the diff between wet and dry skimming? I mean besides the obvious I mean what are the pros and con of each?
mojo~
Skimmer Guy
The 160 and the nac 7 use the same pump. So you will pull about the same air and water. The swc is built more sturdy and they are both quiet. The sro 1000 has a better quality pump imo but will have a slight hum to it. you will probably be most pleased for your situation with the SWC 160 cone
mojo~
Skimmer Guy
Wet and dry skimming..... To me its a matter of preference. I prefer to skim a little more on the dry side as I dont want to skim too wet and have it overflow back into the sump because I wasnt paying attention.
Dry skimming will have the bubbles break lower in the neck of the skimmer. causing more buid up in the the neck and more to clean when cleaning the skimmer cup
Skimming more wet will pull more lighters skimmate lighter because it has more water mixed in. Skim too wet and you can increase your chances of a accidental overflow. Either way though it is what you are comfortable with. Somewhere in the middle is really what to shoot for.
Mojo~
reefermad619
New member
I've been checking out all these skimmers for what seems like awhile now. I think I'm leaning towards the SWC 160 tube skimmer. It seems to be able to handle a bigger bio load and might better suit my needs for future upgrades. I plan on upgrading to a 150 sometime in the next couple of years and would like to know that the skimmer I choose can come along for the next adventure. Is this a smart thing to do? I would really like to get the SWC 200 tube skimmer, but I feel like it might be too much for my ~80 glns of total volume. So what do you think? The 160 or the 200? The 160 will handle a heavy bioload up to 125gln, while the 200 will hand a heavy load up to 175gln. Do you think these skimmers are both well balanced skimmers? I think they both use sicce pumps. Are these quiet pumps. I only have expirence with sedra pumps. I think these two skimmers might be the best bang for the buck as well. Unless you can suggest something else? Thanks for the help again. I really do appreciate it Mojo! :beer:
mojo~
Skimmer Guy
THe stock sicce pump has rotational issues, nothing bad but it can start backwards which some pumps do. but its volute design allows for it to perform differently if it starts backwards. I did not suggest those skimmers for that reason. The first time your half cup of nog ends up in your sump because it overflowed you will be thinking back to what I said here. I wouldnt go by the ratings that much. a sicce is good for about 125 gallon tank maybe a 150 g tops. it just doesnt move enough water to create enough turnover. a custom volute on a sicce makes for a heck of a skimmer pump.
Travis1787
Active member
Soooo raising the return pipe from your skimmer will cause it to skim dry and the lower it is will make it skim wet
WTyson
New member
Quick Question.
Im upgrading the skimmer on my 40 gal breeder. planning on a med-high load
The two skimmers i am looking at are the
Bubble Magus NAC 6A (199 where i found it, let me know if you know of a better price)
or the Reef Octopus NWB 110 2010 edition. (128 shipped, same as above)
the sump is a 20 gal H with a water level around 9-10" minimum water level for return pump operation is around 5-6"
Im upgrading the skimmer on my 40 gal breeder. planning on a med-high load
The two skimmers i am looking at are the
Bubble Magus NAC 6A (199 where i found it, let me know if you know of a better price)
or the Reef Octopus NWB 110 2010 edition. (128 shipped, same as above)
the sump is a 20 gal H with a water level around 9-10" minimum water level for return pump operation is around 5-6"
mojo~
Skimmer Guy
that is correct. too low and it wont really skim at all and too high and it will overflow. make a very small adjustment and let it sit for a couple hours before making another adjustment.
mojo~
Skimmer Guy
The NAc 6 IMO would be the better choice. smaller footprint and they work really well.
montrealreef
Member
Wow what a great thread! Thanks Mojo!
I have a Bubble King Mini 200 Gen 2. It is great. Built like a tank, super quite, super easy to use (I love how you can effortlessly lift the collection cup off the main body) It is also super easy to clean (you can take the whole thing apart in less than 5 minutes).
Now for the question, the skimmer comes with a pre drilled hole that Royal Exclusiv calls an "absorbate drain". It is 10mm wide and is closed with a removable silicone plug. Has anyone managed to find an adapter or a hose of some sort that would fit in that hole? I'm going crazy trying to find one.
Thanks
sam
I have a Bubble King Mini 200 Gen 2. It is great. Built like a tank, super quite, super easy to use (I love how you can effortlessly lift the collection cup off the main body) It is also super easy to clean (you can take the whole thing apart in less than 5 minutes).
Now for the question, the skimmer comes with a pre drilled hole that Royal Exclusiv calls an "absorbate drain". It is 10mm wide and is closed with a removable silicone plug. Has anyone managed to find an adapter or a hose of some sort that would fit in that hole? I'm going crazy trying to find one.
Thanks
sam
birdman1979
New member
Mojo,
What do you recommend cleaning a skimmer with pump with? I have a BK180 mini that doesn't produce much skimmate, never has in the 5-6 weeks I've had it operating. I wonder if it became clogged? I dose vodka and MB7 so I'm wondering if bacteria clogged the intake or something?
What do you recommend cleaning a skimmer with pump with? I have a BK180 mini that doesn't produce much skimmate, never has in the 5-6 weeks I've had it operating. I wonder if it became clogged? I dose vodka and MB7 so I'm wondering if bacteria clogged the intake or something?
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