Skimmer Q&A Thread

[reefermad619]

Got a Q for you mojo. I've seen that there is now a needle wheel impeller for the atman 2500. One of the sites that sells it says it will increase the performance of the skimmer by 20%. Specifically the BM nac6. You think this is true? Thanks.

 

[mojo~]

well the bm line went to a pinwheels now too. They got rid of the mesh hybrids wheels because they wear out and cancause some start up issues. it may increase some air draw but that usually comes with added load on the pump. the nac 6 pulls around 600 + lph of air which is fine too much air and the bubbles are bigger and actually can decline performance.

the nice thing about pinwheels is they are cheap to try out.

 

[reefermad619]

Thanks mojo!

 

[MineeMarine]

Hi, sorry if this seems a redundant or obvious question, but I'm hopeless with skimmers.

In all my tanks that I've ever had set up, I've never run a skimmer, and have been thinking about it and trying to find the best option for months now...

I am looking for something that can handle 700L probably heavily stocked (tangs are pigs) and the max I can spend is about $900

So, I was considering three? All need to be external.
1. Deltec APF800 is at the top of my price range... They seem fairly good and are rated quite practically. (1000L normal, 750L heavy) $895

2. Reef Octopus Pro Series External 2000X $815

3. The Reef Octopus SRO 300 EXT - I have heard these are good, but I can't find them available anywhere is Australia... So.. I don't think that would work.


Any help would be great, as I'm at a loss really.

Thanks

Edit: I can get the Octopus Pro Series 3000 for $798 down from $935. But I don't know what size tank they can handle or where they have to be setup/

 

[Mr.Mcgibblets]

Octopus Extreme 160 not making bubbles

Octopus Extreme 160 not making bubbles

I emptied my collection cup today and when I restarted the skimmer it is not making any foam. I tried cleaning the pump, hose, and checked all the fittings and nothing I can think of will get it to work properly. Any suggestions on what might be causing this. Thanks

 

[mojo~]

Hi, sorry if this seems a redundant or obvious question, but I'm hopeless with skimmers.

In all my tanks that I've ever had set up, I've never run a skimmer, and have been thinking about it and trying to find the best option for months now...

I am looking for something that can handle 700L probably heavily stocked (tangs are pigs) and the max I can spend is about $900

So, I was considering three? All need to be external.
1. Deltec APF800 is at the top of my price range... They seem fairly good and are rated quite practically. (1000L normal, 750L heavy) $895

2. Reef Octopus Pro Series External 2000X $815

3. The Reef Octopus SRO 300 EXT - I have heard these are good, but I can't find them available anywhere is Australia... So.. I don't think that would work.


Any help would be great, as I'm at a loss really.

Thanks

Edit: I can get the Octopus Pro Series 3000 for $798 down from $935. But I don't know what size tank they can handle or where they have to be setup/

the sro 3000 and the deltec would both do a great job. the sro would def go with the 3000 over the 2000.

 

[mojo~]

I emptied my collection cup today and when I restarted the skimmer it is not making any foam. I tried cleaning the pump, hose, and checked all the fittings and nothing I can think of will get it to work properly. Any suggestions on what might be causing this. Thanks

yes after cleaning the skimmer will have to break in. Has to slime back up a little this is common. No worries. just give it time.

 

[NyReefNoob]

mr mcg question is it not making bubbles at all or just not going high enough

 

[Mr.Mcgibblets]

mr mcg question is it not making bubbles at all or just not going high enough

No bubbles at all, it is like the air intake is clogged only it isn't.

 

[MineeMarine]

the sro 3000 and the deltec would both do a great job. the sro would def go with the 3000 over the 2000.

So, do you by any chance know where I can purchase the SRO's in Australia... That's the main reason I was leaning towards the Deltec, I can get it here.


You think I should stay away from the Octopus Pro Series?

Thanks

 

[mojo~]

No bubbles at all, it is like the air intake is clogged only it isn't.

try blowing in the airline while it is running. Something got out of line. take a couple pics of the venturi and we should be able to tell you whats going on.

 

[mojo~]

So, do you by any chance know where I can purchase the SRO's in Australia... That's the main reason I was leaning towards the Deltec, I can get it here.


You think I should stay away from the Octopus Pro Series?

Thanks

well being that I am in the USA, I am not really sure of what is available there. What other brands do you have in Australia? all else fails I am sure reefspecialty will ship to Australia if need be. Or try premium aquatics.

The Deltec would be just fine. The octo pros are a little older design. Just better for your money out there now.

 

[Mr.Mcgibblets]

try blowing in the airline while it is running. Something got out of line. take a couple pics of the venturi and we should be able to tell you whats going on.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. I removed the airline and started the skimmer and it is working perfectly. I guess I wasn't blowing hard enough haha. Now I can sleep tonight. Thanks again.

 

[weidjd]

How loud are the skimz? I am looking at the 121. Also what water depth would I need?

 

[MineeMarine]

well being that I am in the USA, I am not really sure of what is available there. What other brands do you have in Australia? all else fails I am sure reefspecialty will ship to Australia if need be. Or try premium aquatics.

The Deltec would be just fine. The octo pros are a little older design. Just better for your money out there now.

Thanks a bunch I guess I'll look into international sites and shipping, otherwise go with the Deltec..


In Australia there's pretty much just, Reef Octopus, Red Sea, AquaMedic, AquaC, Bubble Magnus (No Bubble King), Tunze, Vertex and Deltec.... And then knock offs for $60 on ebay


Any suggestions?


What about the Octo Hurricane 1500? It's certainly quite cheap which would be fantastic.

 

[MineeMarine]

Seems like international shipping wont be possible;it's a $230+ on shipping from Premium Aquatics and ReefSpecialty offers no cover on International shipping, claiming "ship at your own risk", so as much as I like the look, price and sound of the SRO's I don't think I can do it.


Though, I found an Australian site selling Skimz and Hydor... Options? Skimz Monzter SM202 seems reasonable

 

[reefermad619]

Do the skimz skimmers actually do rated? Seems like there on the smaller side and are advertised to skim some large volumes. Specifially the 161. Says it uses 13 watts and can handle up to 300gal?! What do you guys think?

 

[MineeMarine]

^^I'd like to know about that too, I'm close to buying the SM202 that's rated 800L - 2000L And my tank will be about 800L... They seem small and maybe even cheap for what they claim to be able to handle.

 

[BulldogMx]

Thanks a lot, one more question and I won't bother you anymore LOL...which one should I get...

Octopus Super Reef Model SRO - 5000INT with the Bubble Blaster HY5000 pump or the Reef Octopus Extreme 350 Protein Skimmer XS series? There is only about a $100 difference between the two.

I have a question like that.

SRO XP5000 Internal Cone VS Reef Octopus Extreme XS350 12" In Sump

The specs says SRO is builded in acrilic, the Extreme isn't?

The cone works better than the Extreme design?

Which one produce less noise?

The repair parts are expensive or hard to find of one of them?

Which one has the better performance overall?

I'll use it in a 300 gal reef mixed, heavy loaded, both fit well in the sump.

Do you have another sugestion? my budget is $1000

Thank you for your answers

 

[mojo~]

Do the skimz skimmers actually do rated? Seems like there on the smaller side and are advertised to skim some large volumes. Specifially the 161. Says it uses 13 watts and can handle up to 300gal?! What do you guys think?

Lol, No.

The 161 for example uses the es 2800pump and it does pull a good amount of air but it would be good at around 75 to 150g in my opinion.
The 201 wouldbe good from 125 to about 220gallon tanks. I am talking display tanks not just volume.

Hope that helps.