Skimmer Q&A Thread

[Rickyrooz1]

Mojo, I'm setting up a 100 gallon frag tank with a 30 gallon sump. I may eventually add another 100 gallon tank to the system. I plan to keep a few fish in the tank to control algae and provide nutrients to the corals. I am stuck on the Vertex IN-180 for the tank because of the price and it draws 720 LPH of air but I already have one and the pump is very unreliable and inconsistent. I recently switched it out for a Bubble Blaster 3000 and I have no complaints. The other option for the tank is to use the Super Reef Octopus 3000 but this is an extra $115, is this skimmer worth the extra money for growing frags? Also, is it true that this skimmer draws 55 SCFH (1,557 LPH) as stated on Reef Specialty? If so then it's definitely worth the extra money.

 

[kube]

Mojo and skimmer experts,
Looking at getting a decent skimmer for my 125 gallon tank, fish only, med-heavy bio load.....looking at these three possibly

Used Reef Octopus 300 Pro

or

Octopus Extreme XS 200 Protein Skimmer

or

Super Reef Octopus 2000 Internal Protein Skimmer

Any others that I should consider in the 300 dollar price range ?

 

[JG1]

mojo,

What do you think about the KZ small revolution skimmers?

I'm running ZeoVit in my tank and using an ATB 840 v2.0 . The Zeo guys claim that these mesh wheel/pinwheel/needlewheel skimmers are not zooplankton friendly and they remove too many elements in a Zeo tank.

I'm debating trading in my ATB for one of these as I'm reading the Zeo guys get better colorations and PE with the KZ skimmers.

 

[mojo~]

hey mojo, thanks for this forum first of all. i have followed a few of your skimmer builds they were impressive. my question is about a reef devil. i have a rio 14hf pump on it and it doesnt skim at all. i have the water level about a third of the way up the clear tube with 6 bio balls in the downdraft. the foam seems to turbulant to build. do you think the pump is to much, not enough. i have a medium stocked 75 gallon mixed reef tank. thanks, robert

how long has the skimmer been setup? these take a while to break in. the pump should be fine. you can always ty taking a bioball out too. but if it isjust been fired up give it a week or two to slime up

 

[mojo~]

Mojo, I'm setting up a 100 gallon frag tank with a 30 gallon sump. I may eventually add another 100 gallon tank to the system. I plan to keep a few fish in the tank to control algae and provide nutrients to the corals. I am stuck on the Vertex IN-180 for the tank because of the price and it draws 720 LPH of air but I already have one and the pump is very unreliable and inconsistent. I recently switched it out for a Bubble Blaster 3000 and I have no complaints. The other option for the tank is to use the Super Reef Octopus 3000 but this is an extra $115, is this skimmer worth the extra money for growing frags? Also, is it true that this skimmer draws 55 SCFH (1,557 LPH) as stated on Reef Specialty? If so then it's definitely worth the extra money.

the 180 would be fine. but to answer your question.... yes the 3000 does pull a ton of air over 50 scfh. although the sro 2000 int would work fine on a 100g. but if u add the second 100g would require the 3000.

 

[mojo~]

Mojo and skimmer experts,
Looking at getting a decent skimmer for my 125 gallon tank, fish only, med-heavy bio load.....looking at these three possibly

Used Reef Octopus 300 Pro

or

Octopus Extreme XS 200 Protein Skimmer

or

Super Reef Octopus 2000 Internal Protein Skimmer

Any others that I should consider in the 300 dollar price range ?

actually the 300 pro would be a little large but both the other two would be great

 

[gannmann9876]

how long has the skimmer been setup? these take a while to break in. the pump should be fine. you can always ty taking a bioball out too. but if it isjust been fired up give it a week or two to slime up

i bought it used. the bubbles in the chamber are pretty big. i have a aquamaxx am 100 as well i bought the reef devil to try the down draft which should i go with.

 

[mojo~]

mojo,

What do you think about the KZ small revolution skimmers?

I'm running ZeoVit in my tank and using an ATB 840 v2.0 . The Zeo guys claim that these mesh wheel/pinwheel/needlewheel skimmers are not zooplankton friendly and they remove too many elements in a Zeo tank.

I'm debating trading in my ATB for one of these as I'm reading the Zeo guys get better colorations and PE with the KZ skimmers.

there are many people with great tanks that use needlewheel skimmers too. the atb 840 v2 is a great skimmer. ad 'i think it would be a step down going to the kz skimmer. However I have read the claim of zeo users you talk about. I dont agree with needing this type of skimmer. I will also say I am not a zeo expert. The kz skimmers are nice and do work well but are a little more finiky to feedings but not terrible. hope this helps. I dont think you will get better color from your coral based on your skimmer.

ill have to read up again on this theory and refresh my memory to be sure.

mojo

 

[mojo~]

dbl post

 

[mojo~]

i bought it used. the bubbles in the chamber are pretty big. i have a aquamaxx am 100 as well i bought the reef devil to try the down draft which should i go with.

the am 100 is a better skimmer. the reef devils were notorious for be hard to get dialed in. the sump buddy skimmers were better downdrafts. but the am 100 should start skimming in a day or two

 

[NyReefNoob]

so mojo are you on the waiting list for the new bubble master ? and have u tinkered with switching pumps on the in100 yet,

 

[mojo~]

I just got the pump for a new atb elegance 200 body will be here tomorrow. not on list for the new ati.

 

[gannmann9876]

do you prefer needle wheel skimmers? i have tried a few different types and i like the aqua c ev series but the am 100 does a nice job too. just wanted to get your imput.
thanks for your help!!

 

[mojo~]

I do for tanks up to about 250g. after that then the beckets become another good choice.

 

[moondoggy4]

Sorry I have not followed closely Are you just getting the ATB pump or the entire skimmer.

 

[KrazyOnetime]

I have A 250g DD tank (280-300 total) that will be all SPS with Med stocked with fish. My question is what skimmer would be best for my tank? I have a Pacific coast Octopuss now with the old needlewheel oct 3000 pump that works well with the mesh mod but my new tanks water volume is past its max. I want to keep my water as clean as possible since i'm loading it with SPS. I have a chance to snag up a SWC 250a (askoll) not the cone but the other one with the regular body for a good price (300) bur I'm thinking that I would be maxing it out also with my 300g water volume. I've been looking at the SRO XP 5000I and the SRO 5000I but thats alot of dough. How do these SRO's compare with the SWC 250a and what is the best coarse of action as I dont want to spend any money on a skimmer thats not the right one for my set-up. If i'm going to upgrade I want to upgrade not kinda upgrade. Thanks

 

[mojo~]

the swc 250 a would actually be a pretty good skimmer. That body 10" with the askoll pump are really well balanced. I would save your money and get the 250A. the 5000 would work, as well as the ATB 1050A, the msx 250 1a cone, the hurricone cat 2, the bk mini 200 gen 2, and the vertex in 280.

Mojo~

 

[Gangous]

Quick question sorry if I'm interrupting but I finally got my percision marine bullet 1 skimmer dialed it took like 2 months to get it broken in and then my mag drive went so I had to wait for new one I decided to soak the skimmer and parts in a vinegar bath after 2 weeks no skimmer I finally get it set back up and I'm starting from square 1 again does it need to break in again why is it so tough to get it dialed in ???

 

[mojo~]

yea it will take some time to get slimed back up.

 

[adam1980]

Hi Mojo, Hey i just got a aerofoamer 848 about 2 months ago. I can not get this thing to skim consistently. It either skimmes to wett or two dry. Have you or anyone else heard anything about these skimmers? Here is a little bit about my system, i have a 100 gallon tank up stairs then i have two sumps in the basement were the aerofoamer works.(reef concepts) I have it pulling and returning into a 55 gallon tank. I only have about ten fish. Is it possible that i just dont have the bio-load for this skimmer. It has a iwaki 100 pump. I know this is a bit of overkill but i do have a 200 gallon in the garage that is going to be taking the place of the 100 soon. Anyways if you have any suggestions or thoughts please let me know. Thanks.