Skimmer Q&A Thread

[mojo~]

Got a MSX-200 skimmer that needs a new pump.
My psk-2500 is grinding sometimes and loudly humming the rest of the time. [recently just cleaned it out ,to be sure of no gravel.]

Im not sure which is the way to go the BB-HY2000 the BB 3000.
Or the Sicce Syncra 1000. <not sure where to buy this one.

Any personal use comments about these anyboby wants to share is appreciated.

the bb 3000 would be too large. the 2000 would be perfect. The 1000 syncra isnt bad the the msx 200 body is better suited with the bb2000 IMO
Mojo~

 

[mojo~]

Are you running the mesh wheel that the ati's came with or a pinwheel ? this will make a difference how it starts. Some times the pinwheel is kind of stiff on the magnet and will have a hard time starting. I have been through so many sicce 2500's it isnt funny. I think I have worked with them more than the person who designed it. lol.

let me know ill do what I can to help.

Mojo,

There is no mesh in the pump, the pump that I bought has an impeller in it. But that's the part that I replaced, I just bought a stock psk 2500 so not sure if it has a pin wheel or not. But it doesn't look like the pin wheels or mesh that I see on a lot of other skimmers.

Thanks for the help!

what color is it ? is it yellow? can you take a pic ?

 

[t11t5]

you can cut it. They try to keep it at water level. But I like to run mine under water.

:beer:

 

[Aflac01]

The BM Nac 3 and the ocean force 100 might work. double check footprint but the NAC 3 is pretty small and should be just fine.

unfortunatly both of those are too big for the space available.....

 

[holdyourlight]

hey mojo

looking for your choice of skimmer for a 300-350 gallon frag system. corals will be fed but there will only be 1-4 fish, so the load fish wise should be very very light. haven't decided on internal or external yet so recommendations both ways would be great

 

[Marshall1385]

I posted this in a thread but haven't gotten any hits so I thought I might try here... I've got a coralife ss that I'm looking to replace. I,ve been looking at the octopus needlewheel 150 but I heard the design on this model has been changed 4 times this year. I hear that brand has a pretty good rep but wanted to see if this model is reliable since its had so many changes. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Here is the address to the exact model...


http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protei...lewheel-150-Protein-Skimmer/product_info.html

 

[NyReefNoob]

marshall what size tank how many fish ect ?

 

[Marshall1385]

its 75g w/ 20g sump. i've got about 70lbs of rock so i know my vol is lower than that. approx 9 fish with the biggest being prolly my false perc (all are community fish). i feed pellets and flakes almost every day and frozen foods once a week.

forgot to say... i'm trying to stay under the $300 mark.

 

[micromicro]

I have a 85g system with all SPS and feeding a lot. I am looking for a new skimmer.
I am looking at the ATB 840.
It's a very nice skimmer but is it going to work on a 85g?? Or is it going te be overkill?

 

[mojo~]

the 840 would work wonderful on your setup.

 

[micromicro]

Thx Mojo for your reply.

 

[chem368]

Hi, I have a question about feed pump recommendations. I am working to setup my new Vertex EX 180 skimmer and need to determine what size feed pump I need to use.

My tank is 150 Gal with a 20 Gal sump/fuge. The skimmer will be sitting about 2-3 feet above the sump so I need to account for the head loss when sizing my feed pump.

Anyone have some good recommendations? I hear you want ~2X your water volume per hour.

Thanks.

 

[mojo~]

thats correct a.1.5 to 2x system volume. a mj 1200 might be a good choice

 

[mojo~]

hey mojo

looking for your choice of skimmer for a 300-350 gallon frag system. corals will be fed but there will only be 1-4 fish, so the load fish wise should be very very light. haven't decided on internal or external yet so recommendations both ways would be great

sro 5000
octo xtreme xs 250
hurricone cat 2
swc 1a cone

take a look at those to start

 

[mojo~]

I posted this in a thread but haven't gotten any hits so I thought I might try here... I've got a coralife ss that I'm looking to replace. I,ve been looking at the octopus needlewheel 150 but I heard the design on this model has been changed 4 times this year. I hear that brand has a pretty good rep but wanted to see if this model is reliable since its had so many changes. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Here is the address to the exact model...


http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protei...lewheel-150-Protein-Skimmer/product_info.html

they havent changed 4 times that model has been the same for lat 6 months. just other lines using same body.sro int series for example

 

[Mouse]

How long should one expect a skimmer to do the job?
Yes I know that is a loaded question, with tons of variables, but there is a reason I ask. Years ago, i got a skimmer for the 125g, a Euro-Reef ES6-1b (blem). never set up the tank and the skimmer is still 'new' in the box. At the time they were one of the top skimmer makers on the market, but last I checked in her I was told the skimmer was "crap" "wouldnt keep up with anything" etc etc.
Has the need to posses the newest gadget taken over the need for equipment that does the job?

 

[mojo~]

I wouldnt say it s bad by any means. Just more refined pumps out there now. But its paid for so it looks pretty good to me. lol. it would do fine on your tank as long as its not too heavily stocked. but a light to medium load would still be ok for the skimmer

 

[holdyourlight]

hey mojo

looking for your choice of skimmer for a 300-350 gallon frag system. corals will be fed but there will only be 1-4 fish, so the load fish wise should be very very light. haven't decided on internal or external yet so recommendations both ways would be great

anyone? gotta figure something out real soon

thanks!

 

[mojo~]

sro 5000
octo xtreme xs 250
hurricone cat 2
swc 1a cone

take a look at those to start

posted this above for you....

 

[holdyourlight]

posted this above for you....

sorry, somehow my page didn't refresh correctly and i missed that, thanks very much

i think it's between:

sro 5000
octo xtreme xs 250

could you explain the differences in these two skimmers? which one is better? i know the extreme is on 2 sicces, i had a xtreme 160 a few years ago and hated the sicces but am guessing they are better now?
i have a sro 2000 cone on my other tank, and love the bubble blaster so far