Skimmer Q&A Thread

I posted in my own thread and was directed here for Skimmer q and a.(duh) I was given a asm g5, it's in great shape. Out of the two sedra 9000 pumps only 1 works (900 gph). I would like to use this on my new 75. After its all said and done it will have 100 gal total. I guess my q being will work? Or would It be too much? For some quick info the bottom part is 9" wide 22" tall. It then tapers off to a 4" cone that is 8" tall, and then of course into the collection cup. Hope this is enouph info to make a referral. Tia.
 
MOJO need help!

MOJO need help!

Please help me get a great skimmer. I have an SPS tank with very heavy bioload. The tank is 150 gal total. I have limited skimmer space, need an insump model. Space is about 13"x12" max. 24 height. I have owned: euroreef RS-135 best of them so far., ATI 200 never worked well, BK mini 180 never worked well, and last was a Euroreef 150 from the new company. Please, from your experience what skimmer will get me clean water, Thanks in advance!
 
I have a question about my skimmer. I got a Bak Pak 2 protein skimmer from someone. So I hooked it up and it works fine from what I can see but the only problem is that when the water is done with the process and comes back through the tube it creates a ton of bubbles. I was wondering why this is? My friend told me I don't want the bubbles as they can be harmful to fish and I'm trying to figure out what do about it? any ideas? the skimmer is rated for a 60 gallon tank
 
First time posting...long time reader. I am setting up my first mixed reef tank and I'm trying to decide on a skimmer. I have a 90 with a 30 gal sump I'm assuming my total volume will be around 100gal +/- once all my live rock is in the tank and estimating med bioload with a Ocean Runner 3500 return (900gph). I am currently looking at the NAC6 & Octopus NWB 150. I am tying to stay under $250 so between these two I still have a little head room but haven't found anything else in this range that seems to be any better than these two. My LFS is pushing the Reef Dynamics INS100. Am I right with the BM NAC6 as my first choice?
 
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I posted in my own thread and was directed here for Skimmer q and a.(duh) I was given a asm g5, it's in great shape. Out of the two sedra 9000 pumps only 1 works (900 gph). I would like to use this on my new 75. After its all said and done it will have 100 gal total. I guess my q being will work? Or would It be too much? For some quick info the bottom part is 9" wide 22" tall. It then tapers off to a 4" cone that is 8" tall, and then of course into the collection cup. Hope this is enouph info to make a referral. Tia.

That skimmer will be way too big for your system. one sedra 9000 pump skimmer is too much really. and only running it at half will be way out of balance. I would get something more suited for your tank.

SWC 160
ATB 840
Octo extreme 160
BM nac 6/7
 
Mojo, I have a 130 system, currently running an euro reef rs180, but I don't like it much, which other options would you recommend?
 
Please help me get a great skimmer. I have an SPS tank with very heavy bioload. The tank is 150 gal total. I have limited skimmer space, need an insump model. Space is about 13"x12" max. 24 height. I have owned: euroreef RS-135 best of them so far., ATI 200 never worked well, BK mini 180 never worked well, and last was a Euroreef 150 from the new company. Please, from your experience what skimmer will get me clean water, Thanks in advance!

ATB 840 2.0
ATB 1050 A might be just a little too big.

SRO xp 2000
Octo Extreme Xs series 200


Those would be my top choices if it was me shopping around for one.

Have to make sure on foot print but the ATB would be the way to go.
 
I have a question about my skimmer. I got a Bak Pak 2 protein skimmer from someone. So I hooked it up and it works fine from what I can see but the only problem is that when the water is done with the process and comes back through the tube it creates a ton of bubbles. I was wondering why this is? My friend told me I don't want the bubbles as they can be harmful to fish and I'm trying to figure out what do about it? any ideas? the skimmer is rated for a 60 gallon tank

Give it a couple days to settle down. It will buld up a slime coat and settle down. Typical with all skimmers when newly setup.
 
Mojo, I have a 130 system, currently running an euro reef rs180, but I don't like it much, which other options would you recommend?

Well first off what dont you like about it? this will help me guide you to something you like better.

SRO 2000 int, ATB 840 2.0, Octo X 200XS, SWC 160, BM NAc 7 are the choices I would go with.
 
Well first off what dont you like about it? this will help me guide you to something you like better.

SRO 2000 int, ATB 840 2.0, Octo X 200XS, SWC 160, BM NAc 7 are the choices I would go with.

The Gen-X 4100 pump is really loud, it really makes a difference when I turn off the skimmer, and just the return pump and koralias are running it doesn't even feel like the tank is there. (Tank is besides my bed on an open stand). I don't know if upgrading to the eheim makes much difference, depending of the cost I think is better to get another skimmer? Also I don't know if it happens with all the skimmers but every time it shuts off, I need to recalibrate because it starts overflowing, same thing when power goes out and I am not at home so it's really a PITA. Just a couple of thoughts. Thanks again.
 
That skimmer will be way too big for your system. one sedra 9000 pump skimmer is too much really. and only running it at half will be way out of balance. I would get something more suited for your tank.

SWC 160
ATB 840
Octo extreme 160
BM nac 6/7

What makes a Skimmer to big? Is it the size of the neck? Is there anyway to hack this thing up and make it work? Maybe make an insert to have the cone be 2" in diameter rather than 4"? Smaller pump? Thanks for your input.
 
hey mojo quick quetion

I posted a thread about a week ago and got mixed answers but this is my dilema.I have a 55g with a 40b sump, currently i am runnin a msx 300 (i kno its too big) and i plan on a very heavy bioload but my quetion is will it skim properly?i get a pretty consistant head foam juss not alot of skmate right now(only thing in tank is one clownfish and kole tang) or will i have constant problems with this setup.the only way i could switch skimmers is by totally dismantling the whole tank and starting over.What do you recomend?Thanks for any info it will be appreciated..
 
bigrig no it won't when people say you cant get to big of a skimmer it isn't true, the skimmer wont pull consistant example, as much as i love the vertex in180 it is just to much skimmer for my 80g system would pull good for a day or so then not be able to get a head on it and i have a heavy fish and coral stocked tank and feed alot, getting a skimmer that is size appropiate for you tank will do more then a oversized skimmer, my das ex 1 pull's more and more constitantly then my vertex did and the vertex is and was a much better skimmer
 
What makes a Skimmer to big? Is it the size of the neck? Is there anyway to hack this thing up and make it work? Maybe make an insert to have the cone be 2" in diameter rather than 4"? Smaller pump? Thanks for your input.

Well the skimmer itself is all about balance. And the skimmer to your load is also a balance. too much load for your skimmer and it will skim always and never get caught up. Too big and it will skim like mad for a day or two maybe and then barely do anything.

Too large of a neck too little nutrients not enough water volume. all lead to a skimmer being too large. Air to water is important too.
 
hey mojo quick quetion

I posted a thread about a week ago and got mixed answers but this is my dilema.I have a 55g with a 40b sump, currently i am runnin a msx 300 (i kno its too big) and i plan on a very heavy bioload but my quetion is will it skim properly?i get a pretty consistant head foam juss not alot of skmate right now(only thing in tank is one clownfish and kole tang) or will i have constant problems with this setup.the only way i could switch skimmers is by totally dismantling the whole tank and starting over.What do you recomend?Thanks for any info it will be appreciated..

The vertex will be too large for the 55g. THe vertex in 100 would be a better fit. the 180 will run and skim but you will find it will be harder to dial in properly and you will end up with more sludge in the neck than in the cup. The 180 is a good skimmer but there are much better fits of skimmers that you should look at.

Swc 160
Bubble magus Nac 6/7
Vertex in 100
SRO 100

just to name a few that would be better for you. You can still use the 180 and get by. but dont expect cup fulls of dark nog out of it.

Mojo~
 
The vertex will be too large for the 55g. THe vertex in 100 would be a better fit. the 180 will run and skim but you will find it will be harder to dial in properly and you will end up with more sludge in the neck than in the cup. The 180 is a good skimmer but there are much better fits of skimmers that you should look at.

Swc 160
Bubble magus Nac 6/7
Vertex in 100
SRO 100

just to name a few that would be better for you. You can still use the 180 and get by. but dont expect cup fulls of dark nog out of it.

Mojo~

??I think you got us mixed up,im currently running a msx300 on my 55g
 
I was reading what my reef noob said
sorry for that. the msx 300 is even bigger. and just simply way too large for your setup. that thing is like a 5 gallon bucket. You are going to have to change it out. that thing will skim 6 of your tanks. Still give youthesame suggestions.
 
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