Skimmer Q&A Thread

[BigRedSpecial]

Hey Mojo,

I have a 20g without sump, and need a decent hob skimmer. All you can get around here are Remoras, Bakpaks, etc. I'd like something in the ~$200 cdn range or below if possible, and a point in the direction where I could get said skimmer (available to Canada) would be awesome.

As a side question, my next tank will most likely be in the ~75 range. By any chance would it be reasonable for a skimmer to work well with the 20, yet be of any use in a 75?

 

[dwilly]

Mojo, I got the bubble blaster 1000 for the pump on my IN-100. Thanks for the help. It just came in today. It wasn't too difficult to connect and it seems to be working well. It's very quiet, which I really like. So far it seems like it will be worth the money. I'll provide updates.

 

[KRASHPD]

Hey Mojo,

I have a 20g without sump, and need a decent hob skimmer. All you can get around here are Remoras, Bakpaks, etc. I'd like something in the ~$200 cdn range or below if possible, and a point in the direction where I could get said skimmer (available to Canada) would be awesome.

As a side question, my next tank will most likely be in the ~75 range. By any chance would it be reasonable for a skimmer to work well with the 20, yet be of any use in a 75?

I had a Deltec MCE300 that was great on a 34g Solana and would actually still hold up well on a 75g too. You can find them used on RC for way less then $200 all the time.

 

[Subie]

Hi Mojo:

I was going with a 180g tank (for which you gave me some skimmer input) but the wife agreed to a 300g mixed reef tank I posted a query in another thread but would like your input as well.

The suggestions were:
SWC Xtreme Cone Protein Skimmer 250 1A
Reef Octopus Super Reef 5000 internal skimmer
ATB 1050
Vertex Alpha Cone 250
Deltec Recirc
Trigger System Titan
ATI Power Cone

Of those, what would be your choice? Is there another you would rather go with?

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[mojo~]

Hey Mojo,

I have a 20g without sump, and need a decent hob skimmer. All you can get around here are Remoras, Bakpaks, etc. I'd like something in the ~$200 cdn range or below if possible, and a point in the direction where I could get said skimmer (available to Canada) would be awesome.

As a side question, my next tank will most likely be in the ~75 range. By any chance would it be reasonable for a skimmer to work well with the 20, yet be of any use in a 75?

I would try to find a WM h1 HOB, the new aquamaxx skimmers from marinedepot are the same as the WM skimmers for reference.

 

[E.intheC]

mojo.. have you seen these yet? (Octopus Extreme XS 160)

http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protei...reme-XS-160-Protein-Skimmer/product_info.html

What do you think?

Also, what's your preference between an SRO 1000 and an SWC 120 cone? I see you recommend them all the time but I don't see too much evidence of a favorite really.

Just looking to upgrade my Euro Reef RS 80. Thanks

 

[NyReefNoob]

e that skimmer should work alot better then previous model that had the sicce 2500, which imo was too much pump for that size of body

 

[fishfingers00]

hey
I'm looking for a in-tank skimmer(behind a fake wall) the tank will be a (180L) zeo-vit (sps), possibly with a few anthias (so high bio-load) i was thinking a Tunze DOC Skimmer 9006?

 

[mojo~]

mojo.. have you seen these yet? (Octopus Extreme XS 160)

http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protei...reme-XS-160-Protein-Skimmer/product_info.html

What do you think?

Also, what's your preference between an SRO 1000 and an SWC 120 cone? I see you recommend them all the time but I don't see too much evidence of a favorite really.

Just looking to upgrade my Euro Reef RS 80. Thanks

The new xs series is better just from a pump stand point. Good bang for your buck skimmer. No more rotational issues and the pumps are quiet.

the sro is a little bigger than the swc 120. so that would determine what size tank I would put it on. the sro has a little larger pump and pulls more air and water. Nota lot more but enough to make a difference.

 

[mojo~]

hey
I'm looking for a in-tank skimmer(behind a fake wall) the tank will be a (180L) zeo-vit (sps), possibly with a few anthias (so high bio-load) i was thinking a Tunze DOC Skimmer 9006?

It will be fine if your load is pretty heavy. Pulling 500 lph of air and only having just under 50g of water it may be a tad big at first. Should be fine as it gets stocked up.

 

[fishfingers00]

how many fish would you say would be heavy?

 

[E.intheC]

The new xs series is better just from a pump stand point. Good bang for your buck skimmer. No more rotational issues and the pumps are quiet.

the sro is a little bigger than the swc 120. so that would determine what size tank I would put it on. the sro has a little larger pump and pulls more air and water. Nota lot more but enough to make a difference.

Thanks Mojo. The tank in question is a 40 breeder w/ medium bioload. Minimal rockscape and I want to try the WM Biopellets as well... so it has to handle more than what I have.

 

[shrimphead]

i don't hear any mention on deltec skimmers, don't you get them in the states?

 

[mojo~]

The new deltecs are quite nice. However they are also quite expensive. And most are too large for many of the tanks asked about here.

 

[Claeth]

I have a used coralife 220 skimmer, which after a few mods works great (except for microbubbles). The question that I had was I tried to add some airline tubing to the collection cup drain valve and realized that the valve is actually quite a bit larger than 1/4". I tried heating up the airline and making it stretch, and it works temporarily, but easily falls off if bumped, draining skimmate all over the floor. does anyone know the exact diameter of this line? I can't seem to find any info except that the new skimmer comes with it.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Ever heard of a tape measure? Next size up from 1/4" would most likely be 3/8" If you have some that size try it or just measure it.
Bill

 

[atlfishes]

I'm starting a 180 gallon build, with probably a 80 gallon sump. Sump will be in the basement so space shouldn't be an issue. I probably won't need the skimmer for at least another month, maybe two. I have some time before new skimmers hit the market or to shop for a used one. If your in my shoes what would you be looking for? Do you think it may be worth waiting for the ATI PowerCone? Thanks for the help.

 

[k.tran]

what do you think about the aquamaxx 200-s on a 70g + 70g sump sps system??

 

[mojo~]

I'm starting a 180 gallon build, with probably a 80 gallon sump. Sump will be in the basement so space shouldn't be an issue. I probably won't need the skimmer for at least another month, maybe two. I have some time before new skimmers hit the market or to shop for a used one. If your in my shoes what would you be looking for? Do you think it may be worth waiting for the ATI PowerCone? Thanks for the help.

The ATI looks like it will be a great performer. Might be worth waiting a little to see.

 

[mojo~]

what do you think about the aquamaxx 200-s on a 70g + 70g sump sps system??

The aquamaxx line is the new line that took over teh warner marine skimmers. Great products.