Skimmer Q&A Thread

[xmai77]

I have a 29 gallon DT and will be adding a 15 gallon sump. I plan on having 4-6 fish with a mixture of coral. Is the Tunze DOC 9010 overkill for my tank?

 

[layer3switchguy]

Mojo and the thread:

Any thoughts on the new Warner Marine MF-201? I need a new skimmer, and really like the look of it, and at $450 it's a much better pricepoint than the Bubble King 180 I'm also considering!

My tank is a 120g SPS with 7 fish, and I plan to expand that to 9-10 over then next few months... Is the BK 180 really that much better?

 

[mojo~]

Mojo,

Is the only difference between an external skimmer and an internal skimmer the fact that one is in the water and one isn't? If I get an external skimmer instead of an internal skimmer it really doesn't make a difference, right?

What skimmer would you recommend, preferally external if it will be just as good as internal, for a 120 gallon reef with a 40 gallon sump?

Stocking will be 2 tangs, a few wrasses, goby, pair of clowns, mag foxface, and maybe a gramma or some other smaller fish down the line.

I was thinking maybe the SRO-2000ext but was wondering about the ATB 870 and some of the other skimmers.
Thanks

The ext will need a seperate feed pump for the skimmer. But other than that. They are similar. In theory the ext should handle slightly more than the same model internal.

 

[mojo~]

I have a 29 gallon DT and will be adding a 15 gallon sump. I plan on having 4-6 fish with a mixture of coral. Is the Tunze DOC 9010 overkill for my tank?

Yes overkill, You should look at the 9002. it is much more suited for your needs.

 

[mojo~]

Mojo and the thread:

Any thoughts on the new Warner Marine MF-201? I need a new skimmer, and really like the look of it, and at $450 it's a much better pricepoint than the Bubble King 180 I'm also considering!

My tank is a 120g SPS with 7 fish, and I plan to expand that to 9-10 over then next few months... Is the BK 180 really that much better?

the mf201 is pretty much the exact same as the skimz sm 201. With that said I have had it and it is a good skimmer. For not much more money you can get the ATB 840 v2. It would do very well too. I dont think you will be dissapointed with the mf 201. The eden 5000 pump is pretty good so far. Dont know much long term. its pretty good size. 8 inch body but not very tall. short and stout.

 

[leekevin]

mojo i have a swc 160 cone skimmer a lot of people say the atman pumps wont last is there another pump i can use without to many mods

 

[mojo~]

nothing plug and play. The psk 600 would be a good retro if it will line up.

 

[sneaton]

just get a spare atman for 50 bucks...ive had my swc 160 for 10 months running constantly and its a beast....30 hours of diarrhea skim

 

[leekevin]

hey mojo thanks for the quick reply

 

[aandfsoccr04]

Mojo
What skimmer would you recommend, preferally external if it will be just as good as internal, for a 120 gallon reef with a 40 gallon sump?

Stocking will be 2 tangs, a few wrasses, goby, pair of clowns, mag foxface, and maybe a gramma or some other smaller fish down the line.

I was thinking maybe the SRO-2000ext but was wondering about the ATB 870 and some of the other skimmers.
Thanks

 

[xmai77]

Yes overkill, You should look at the 9002. it is much more suited for your needs.

The thing is that I can get the 9010 used for a good price. Would it help if I skimmed for a few hours a day? Turn it on when I leave for work then turn it off when I get home?

 

[walnuts24]

I have had a BC 29 up and running for about 6 months with no protein skimmer just weekly water changes. I am upgrading to a 40 breeder and need a recommendation for a protein skimmer.

What protein skimmer would you recommend for a 40 breeder?

 

[hotshot619]

I am planning to add to my cycling 46 bow and I need a recommendation for a skimmer. The bioload will most likely be a flame angle 2 clowns and a mandarin goby. I will have a CPR Aquafuge Large (5 gallons) filled with Miracle mud, and cheato. I don't have a sump but I could make a 10 gallon fit under the stand if it is a better idea then running a HOB type. I have looked at Remoras HOB, Aquamaxxx, and Reef Octopus in sump. I will also be running a BRS Carbon, Phosphate reactor if that matters. Thanks

 

[Saltwatercoral2]

Im needing a skimmer for a 90 gallon tank and a 40 gallon sump.. heavy stocked.. what do ya recommend?

 

[mojo~]

Mojo
What skimmer would you recommend, preferally external if it will be just as good as internal, for a 120 gallon reef with a 40 gallon sump?

Stocking will be 2 tangs, a few wrasses, goby, pair of clowns, mag foxface, and maybe a gramma or some other smaller fish down the line.

I was thinking maybe the SRO-2000ext but was wondering about the ATB 870 and some of the other skimmers.
Thanks

The sro 2000 ext would be a great choice for sure. Great pumps for running external too.

 

[mojo~]

The thing is that I can get the 9010 used for a good price. Would it help if I skimmed for a few hours a day? Turn it on when I leave for work then turn it off when I get home?

No, as the tank will have to maintain a certain load before it will even start to skim. Just too large. you will get a dirty neck and very little nog if any in the cup

 

[mojo~]

I have had a BC 29 up and running for about 6 months with no protein skimmer just weekly water changes. I am upgrading to a 40 breeder and need a recommendation for a protein skimmer.

What protein skimmer would you recommend for a 40 breeder?

if your load is light you can still just do water changes. Just change slightly more water. But a good skimmer for a 40 br would be the SRO 1000int , the tunze 9005/6and the vertex in80

 

[mojo~]

I am planning to add to my cycling 46 bow and I need a recommendation for a skimmer. The bioload will most likely be a flame angle 2 clowns and a mandarin goby. I will have a CPR Aquafuge Large (5 gallons) filled with Miracle mud, and cheato. I don't have a sump but I could make a 10 gallon fit under the stand if it is a better idea then running a HOB type. I have looked at Remoras HOB, Aquamaxxx, and Reef Octopus in sump. I will also be running a BRS Carbon, Phosphate reactor if that matters. Thanks

the aquamaxx and the sro Hob are some ofthe best performers out imo. I would go with one of those two and you will be happy.

 

[HOBrien]

Mojo,

How would you go about skimmer(s) for a 1,000 gallon tank that will only be able to have undertank equipment?

 

[mojo~]

Im needing a skimmer for a 90 gallon tank and a 40 gallon sump.. heavy stocked.. what do ya recommend?

popular setup. The atb 840 v2 is an all time favorite for this setup. A couple other cheaper options would be the sea side aquatics CS2 skimmer, the SRO 2000 int, and the octo xs 200.

BAng for buck the cs2 uses the same Sicce syncra psk 1000, which is a great skimmer pump, as the ATB.

And if you are on a super budget you could do a Avast Pegleg cs skimmer and build it yourself.

Mojo~