Skimmer Q&A Thread

I have this skimmer and really need to put it in the sump. Is there a problem with doing this and if not --- do I still need a feed pump or will it maintain the necessary water from the sump? Thanks for the help.

Eddie

you can run it internal and yes you still have to run the feed pump.
 
Hey mojo,

Please help, I am in need of your expert opinion. I need the best skimmer I can get for my 90 gallon display w/ a 40 gallon sump.(mixed reef some softies, some sps but mostly lps) the sump section is a little small 9 x 13. Would like to to stay at around $300 but can stretch it a little b/c I don't want to have to buy twice. I have read that it is best to go plus 1 or double the skimmer rating b/c the tank will be bare bottom. Am I going to big??No upgrade planned. I have seen that you are recommending the seaside aquatics cs1 or is the cs2 a better choice?? I like the looks of the sro-200int but it is little high on price but willing to send if it's better for my tank in the long run. Would like to have the ability to run a heavy bio load someday. I am open to ANY recommendations. If I could something used for the right price that would be nice, but I haven't got lucky on that end.

Thanks
 
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Mojo, advice please, I am having some second thoughts on weather I bought enough skimmer. I have a 90gal display (SPS Heavy Bioload) with a 30gal sump...I would estimate total H2O volume around 100gal. I have a 9"X11" space in my sump for a skimmer and currently am running a BM NA6A. I just ordered a a Skimz SM 161 from Aquacave last night and was debating hard on stepping up to the SM 201 but would have to do some sump modifications to make it fit. I plan at some point to move to a 120gal display but not in the foreseeable future. Do I have plenty of skimmer with the SM161? Should this be a considerable upgrade from the BM NA6A? Thanks!!
 
you can run it internal and yes you still have to run the feed pump.

Thank you, mojo-- is it possible to run a line off my drain line to feed this skimmer -- i am using a dart for my return in a 300gal or should I get a separate pump?

eddie
 
Hey mojo,

Please help, I am in need of your expert opinion. I need the best skimmer I can get for my 90 gallon display w/ a 40 gallon sump.(mixed reef some softies, some sps but mostly lps) the sump section is a little small 9 x 13. Would like to to stay at around $300 but can stretch it a little b/c I don't want to have to buy twice. I have read that it is best to go plus 1 or double the skimmer rating b/c the tank will be bare bottom. Am I going to big??No upgrade planned. I have seen that you are recommending the seaside aquatics cs1 or is the cs2 a better choice?? I like the looks of the sro-200int but it is little high on price but willing to send if it's better for my tank in the long run. Would like to have the ability to run a heavy bio load someday. I am open to ANY recommendations. If I could something used for the right price that would be nice, but I haven't got lucky on that end.

Thanks

The ssa cs1 will work just fine. if it was really heavy stocked then I would say jump to the cs2. THe SRO 2000 int is a good choice too. Just depends on what you are looking for. I wouldnt hesitate to run the SSA cs1 on your tank at all.
 
Mojo, advice please, I am having some second thoughts on weather I bought enough skimmer. I have a 90gal display (SPS Heavy Bioload) with a 30gal sump...I would estimate total H2O volume around 100gal. I have a 9"X11" space in my sump for a skimmer and currently am running a BM NA6A. I just ordered a a Skimz SM 161 from Aquacave last night and was debating hard on stepping up to the SM 201 but would have to do some sump modifications to make it fit. I plan at some point to move to a 120gal display but not in the foreseeable future. Do I have plenty of skimmer with the SM161? Should this be a considerable upgrade from the BM NA6A? Thanks!!

Na you will be ok with the 161. The sm161 uses the larger 2800 pump which is the same pump they use in the sk201. It will be just fine. Yes it will be an upgrade. it will cycle a little more water and a good amount more air. I would stay with what you ordered. I had the sm 201 and its pretty good size. I had it on a 6ft 125 tank and it was more than enough skimmer for that tank.
 
Thank you, mojo-- is it possible to run a line off my drain line to feed this skimmer -- i am using a dart for my return in a 300gal or should I get a separate pump?

eddie

you can but I would never suggest doing that. if it surges at all then your skimmer will overflow.
 
Mojo, I am looking for a good quality skimmer for a 60 gallon display tank with ~12 gallons in the sump. As far as bioload, whatever 3 full sized silversides per week would qualify as (I'd say moderate to high). Price is a consideration, but I'd like to hear the best choices and then decide which one I'm going to go with.

Thank you in advance,
Gary
 
Cad Lights TIA-1220

Cad Lights TIA-1220

Hey Mojo,
Posted this in a new thread, but just found this thread. I am setting up a 90 gallon reef with a 30 gallon sump. Looking for a good quality skimmer and found a few reviews on the Cad Lights TIA-1220. Any thoughts on this Skimmer? Very few review on this one, but the specs sound quite nice. Thanks for you help and input.
 
Mojo, I am looking for a good quality skimmer for a 60 gallon display tank with ~12 gallons in the sump. As far as bioload, whatever 3 full sized silversides per week would qualify as (I'd say moderate to high). Price is a consideration, but I'd like to hear the best choices and then decide which one I'm going to go with.

Thank you in advance,
Gary

The sea side cs1 would be good as well as the SRO 1000 . THose are the 2 I would be looking at.
 
Hey Mojo,
Posted this in a new thread, but just found this thread. I am setting up a 90 gallon reef with a 30 gallon sump. Looking for a good quality skimmer and found a few reviews on the Cad Lights TIA-1220. Any thoughts on this Skimmer? Very few review on this one, but the specs sound quite nice. Thanks for you help and input.

well it looks like a knock off of the sc series that are on ebay that are Bubble magus Knock offs. All are pretty inexpensive skimmers. I would pass on them for now. Main reason is I had poor at best customer service on my order from them. Spent around $1000 on my order and could never get the same story twice from them. I would not want that service again on a skimmer or a tank.

I can only speak from past experience.

There are just so many other skimmers to spend your money on that I have had great experience with as well as good customer serive. Thats where I would be spending my money.
 
well it looks like a knock off of the sc series that are on ebay that are Bubble magus Knock offs. All are pretty inexpensive skimmers. I would pass on them for now. Main reason is I had poor at best customer service on my order from them. Spent around $1000 on my order and could never get the same story twice from them. I would not want that service again on a skimmer or a tank.

I can only speak from past experience.

There are just so many other skimmers to spend your money on that I have had great experience with as well as good customer serive. Thats where I would be spending my money.

Thanks for that info. Do you have any that you would recommend for my setup. I would like to get a skimmer that will handle a heavy bioload, even though at first it will be light. I want something that will last and that I won't have to upgrade a couple months down the line.
 
The Sea Side cs2, the JNS SK2, and the SRO 2000 would be my top 3 choices with what is out there right now.
 
I just bought a Cadlights 70 gallon, 36" long x 24" front to back x 18" high. Its rimless, so around 65 gallons, plan on having about a 30 gallon sump. Question is.. What skimmer should I look into getting? Decently priced. Thanks!
 
I have an ETSS Sump buddy skimmer and every morning it loses its foam head for hours. Not until the late evening does the foam return. Is this common to ETSS skimmers, all skimmers, or is there some problem? I've removed my filter socks and installed this trap to calm my skimmer section. I just don't understand why it won't skim during the day. So frustrating.
IMAG0654.jpg
 
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