Skimmer Q&A Thread

Well first you will want the water to be a constant level. and a swc 120 is simply too small. Not enough water turnover. I would look at a external skimmer that will turnover enough water to match your volume.

The reason the water height in the sump varies is evaporation... I lose ~3g a day during the summer. What about a SRO-XP1000SS? That would fit in my sump... it would be a little underpowered for the system, but I don't feed more than once a day and my system is only lightly stocked.
 
I just started a thread but I feel my question fits here.

Would a G1x with a mesh mod and gate valve mod be big enough for a 90g with a med-heavy bioload and some sps?
 
skimmer recommendation

skimmer recommendation

I am looking for a recommendation for a replacement skimmer. I have a 75g display, 20 fuge, 20 gallon sump. 100 gallons of water. Sps corals and medium bio load. Been running a aquamedic turboflotor 1000 mulit.

Considering a super reef octopus xp cone or a bubble magus. Not sure what size or which one. Any other suggestions?

space is somewhat limited in my sump and am running 9 inches of water.

Thanks
 
bpro32 no that wont be enough skimmer unless your going fishless

natureboy the swc 160 cone or nac7 would be a nice fit the octo's seem to run best in around 6" of water, i used the vertex in180 which i absolutely loved but was just a tad too much skimmer for my 80g heavy stocked system, the new octo extreme 200 looks to be a killer skimmer also or if ya can wait on the new bm160 to come out
 
AquaC EV 180 to a SWC 160 cone?

AquaC EV 180 to a SWC 160 cone?

Would a move from an AquaC Ev180 (with Mag 7) to the newer SWC 160 Cone be a step up, down or sideways?

I have a 120 gallon FOWLR (maybe reef in future) with 30 gallon sump. I estimate ultimately a medium to heavily bio-load. The EV180 seems very turbulent and does not look like it is giving me as fine of bubbles as the newer cones would produce.

Also, am I to understand that an SWC 180 Cone is not desireable because of the pump utilized?

... or other (economical) suggestions of same price range (i.e. can't afford over $400) would be appreciated.

Thank you, Todd
 
i'm looking to start a 125g(48x30x20) with a 30-40g sump.

can someone recommend me 2-3 skimmers to look at for under $300. I imagine light-medium bioload. just some LPS and a few fish(2 tangs, 2 clowns, and a couple of other small fish).

I know bigger is better for the sump, but for ease of access and skimmer functionality, which should I use? i have an empty 29g tall(30x12x18) and a 40g breeder(36x18x16)?

The stand will be about 34-36" tall.

I also might need room later down on the road for a reactor. So the 40g breeder might be too big underneath the stand?
 
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I just picked up the NAC7 and really like it, its only been running since Sunday and its already pulling out some dark stuff and its super foamy! :) Says its rated for 130-180gal. You could also look at the SWC160, most of the skimmers under or around $300 are fairly the same.. If you look around you'll find some threads on here for bubble magus owners and vertex owners and prob SWC owners, and can read some good reviews on each.
 
Would a move from an AquaC Ev180 (with Mag 7) to the newer SWC 160 Cone be a step up, down or sideways?

I have a 120 gallon FOWLR (maybe reef in future) with 30 gallon sump. I estimate ultimately a medium to heavily bio-load. The EV180 seems very turbulent and does not look like it is giving me as fine of bubbles as the newer cones would produce.

Also, am I to understand that an SWC 180 Cone is not desireable because of the pump utilized?

... or other (economical) suggestions of same price range (i.e. can't afford over $400) would be appreciated.

Thank you, Todd
bump
 
Either the Tunze 9002 or the swc 120 cone.

Any preference between these two? These are the two skimmers I am considering. The thing I like about the Tunze is I believe it is smaller so that would leave more room in my sump for fuge area.

Thanks!
 
I am looking for a recommendation for a replacement skimmer. I have a 75g display, 20 fuge, 20 gallon sump. 100 gallons of water. Sps corals and medium bio load. Been running a aquamedic turboflotor 1000 mulit.

Considering a super reef octopus xp cone or a bubble magus. Not sure what size or which one. Any other suggestions?

space is somewhat limited in my sump and am running 9 inches of water.

Thanks

At 9 inches of water I would go with the new Octo extreme xs series 160.
 
Would a move from an AquaC Ev180 (with Mag 7) to the newer SWC 160 Cone be a step up, down or sideways?

I have a 120 gallon FOWLR (maybe reef in future) with 30 gallon sump. I estimate ultimately a medium to heavily bio-load. The EV180 seems very turbulent and does not look like it is giving me as fine of bubbles as the newer cones would produce.

Also, am I to understand that an SWC 180 Cone is not desireable because of the pump utilized?

... or other (economical) suggestions of same price range (i.e. can't afford over $400) would be appreciated.

Thank you, Todd
if what you have is working for you then I would keep it. The swc 180 uses the old sicce psk 2500 that has the rotational issue but is still an ok skimmer pump. I just dont like the volute.

The AquaC is going to move more water than the pump on the swc 160. The atman 2500 pump is a good inexpensive little skimmer pump but like the sicce it does not move a lot of water. Good to about 120 gallon tanks.

The SRO 2000 int would be good, the Octo XS 200 , Vertex in 180, the swc 160 cone or the SWC bmk 150, THe BM NAC 9 would be nice !
 
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i'm looking to start a 125g(48x30x20) with a 30-40g sump.

can someone recommend me 2-3 skimmers to look at for under $300. I imagine light-medium bioload. just some LPS and a few fish(2 tangs, 2 clowns, and a couple of other small fish).

I know bigger is better for the sump, but for ease of access and skimmer functionality, which should I use? i have an empty 29g tall(30x12x18) and a 40g breeder(36x18x16)?

The stand will be about 34-36" tall.

I also might need room later down on the road for a reactor. So the 40g breeder might be too big underneath the stand?


Vertex in 180
Octo X XS 200
CS 200 cone
BM NAC 9
 
Any preference between these two? These are the two skimmers I am considering. The thing I like about the Tunze is I believe it is smaller so that would leave more room in my sump for fuge area.

Thanks!

Big difference in my opinion, The Tunze 9002 is great for the super small spaces in Nano cubes. it skims good for nano skimmers. But the 120 is a bit larger and is more typical sump style skimmer. Moves a little more water and air. If you have room the SWC 120 is better choice. The bm NAC 3 uses the same atman 1100 pump and is in between the swc 120 and nac 3.

Mojo~
 
Mojo, I have the BK180 gen 2 I bought from you, but it seems to pull very little. I'm thinking if the ATB 840 v2.0 skimmer would be better suited for my tank? It's a 75g with a 20g sump.
 
it may be just a little big. The atb has a smaller neck and will pull out more consistant on a smaller tank. Icant remember the size of the tank off hand sorry.
 
If the mini 180 is too big yes. what size is your setup again , and load

75g with 20g sump sps with 6 fish that eat 3 times a day. Planning to upgrade to a 125 I have sitting around. Unless there is something better for my setup and future setup? Thanks!
 
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