Skimmer Q&A Thread

[MyOwnGrowOp]

I have a Super reef octopus 2000xp and I am having a hard time setting it. I was told to put it in 6" of water (I had it in 7") and now the output is almost all the way out of the water, I'm just having a hard time, it either barely gets anything in the cup over 24 hours or else it overflows the cup a quarter turn of the gate valve later... What's the trick?

 

[cubsfan16]

Thanks Mojo, I was a little skeptical after reading your concerns about the 2800 pump but it sounds like this was resolved....is there a way to tell if the unit I receive has the updated magnet assembly? Thanks!

Ugh, just received my Skimz 161 and set it in a tub of RO and vinegar and the pump wouldn't start. I removed the propeller housing and reseated the housing, then it started but sounded unbalanced and wasn't creating any bubbles. Going to call aquacave in the morning and hopefully i can just swap out the pump.

 

[bif24701]

Ugh, just received my Skimz 161 and set it in a tub of RO and vinegar and the pump wouldn't start. I removed the propeller housing and reseated the housing, then it started but sounded unbalanced and wasn't creating any bubbles. Going to call aquacave in the morning and hopefully i can just
swap out the pump.

Check the impelled and the bearings of each end of the shaft. Look for cracks, poor seating, improper alignment, or debry.

 

[mojo~]

do you dose anything? I have had the same exact skimmer. Never had that issue. do you feed at that time ? ect.

The skimmer loses its head for most of the lighting period, so yes. Doesing vinegar now about 45 ml a day 15 in am, 15 in afternoon, and 15 late night before bed. Thats all, no kalk right now. I am having a hard time getting it dialed in. Over night I get several oz of tea colored skimmate, so it skimmes then well I suppose. I have heard that ETSS skimmers produce more wet skimmate than other types, is that true. Should I not be worried for the lack of skimmingp in the day? What pump do you have on the sump buddy 40? Thank you so much.

try not dosing for a week. I used a mag 7.also only use 3 or 4 small balls.

 

[mojo~]

Hi mr mojo, I have a RO DNW150 skimmer on a105gal tank. Is it possible to change the pump from RO 2000 to RO 3000 to get better performance? Space is a problem for me so I can't get a 200 model.

Well simply put...no.lol that pump is really big.it will cause your skimmer to over flow besides the fact the out put is bigger and won't line up.the 150 isn't bad.a mesh mod would be a better option.

 

[mojo~]

Hello MOJO !!! I'm setting up a new tank, a 120 DT with a 40 gallon fuge. I want to make the tank quiet and energy efficient. I will use a Beananimal style coast-to-coast overflow. Is there any very good skimmer that could be gravity-powered by the overflow ? What would you recommend if such a skimmer exists ? I have room either in-sump or out of sump. Whichever would do a better job skimming a moderately-stocked FOWLR now which I hope to upgrade to mixed reef.

Thanks !!!

Not fully gravity powered.you could get a Sro 2000 ext..and feed it with your overflow

 

[bif24701]

try not dosing for a week. I used a mag 7.also only use 3 or 4 small balls.

What difference dose more bio balls vs less bin balls? I need to get is things dialed in

 

[cubsfan16]

Check the impelled and the bearings of each end of the shaft. Look for cracks, poor seating, improper alignment, or debry.

I did, and the one thing I noticed was that the shaft did not go all the way through the impeller to seat in the nose of the end piece (housing)...I wasn't sure if this was by design or if the shaft was broken...I didn't find any broken pieces. I should have some more time tomorrow to take a closer look at the impeller...I figured if the motor turned the problem must be somewhere in the impeller / bearing / housing area.

 

[bif24701]

I did, and the one thing I noticed was that the shaft did not go all the way through the impeller to seat in the nose of the end piece (housing)...I wasn't sure if this was by design or if the shaft was broken...I didn't find any broken pieces. I should have some more time tomorrow to take a closer look at the impeller...I figured if the motor turned the problem must be somewhere in the impeller / bearing / housing area.

I'll beat that's the problem. If you can get aholed of the manufacturer you could ask them. Otherwise, try to take it apart and put it back together the way you think is better.

 

[epsaxon]

I have a 150g mixed reef with a medium bioload. My current skimmer is a SWC Xtreme 180 Cone with the PSK2500. I believe the impeller is the MSX (dark grey and similiar to a PPW) with stock SWC inlet reducing venturi. I have had this for about six months and have never been able to get it to work properly no matter how deep it is, how much I adjusted the water outlet/airflow or opened the pump looking for damage. Too much air flow and the pump sounds like a rock grinder. Back down the air or lower the skimmer to quiet the pump and it doesn't pull enough air. Should i try a new pump (must be 220v 50Hz, perhaps Tunze Hydrofaomer 9420) or try the RD pinwheel and different inlet reducer? One other thing, is the skimmer needs to be as plug ang play as possible after break in as I will be travelling for work and the wife has to maintain everything. So, would it be better to buy a larger capacity 'plug and play' skimmer (such as the Tunze Master DOC 9420) instead?

 

[MyOwnGrowOp]

I have a Super reef octopus 2000xp and I am having a hard time setting it. I was told to put it in 6" of water (I had it in 7") and now the output is almost all the way out of the water, I'm just having a hard time, it either barely gets anything in the cup over 24 hours or else it overflows the cup a quarter turn of the gate valve later... What's the trick?

Bump. Anybody? Getting frustrated with 1/6 cup of skim mate a week that isn't that dark

 

[mojo~]

What difference dose more bio balls vs less bin balls? I need to get is things dialed in

the less balls the more air it will pull. Ido not sugest more than 4 or less than three. just works best with 3 or 4 small bioballs.

 

[mojo~]

I have a 150g mixed reef with a medium bioload. My current skimmer is a SWC Xtreme 180 Cone with the PSK2500. I believe the impeller is the MSX (dark grey and similiar to a PPW) with stock SWC inlet reducing venturi. I have had this for about six months and have never been able to get it to work properly no matter how deep it is, how much I adjusted the water outlet/airflow or opened the pump looking for damage. Too much air flow and the pump sounds like a rock grinder. Back down the air or lower the skimmer to quiet the pump and it doesn't pull enough air. Should i try a new pump (must be 220v 50Hz, perhaps Tunze Hydrofaomer 9420) or try the RD pinwheel and different inlet reducer? One other thing, is the skimmer needs to be as plug ang play as possible after break in as I will be travelling for work and the wife has to maintain everything. So, would it be better to buy a larger capacity 'plug and play' skimmer (such as the Tunze Master DOC 9420) instead?

I would get something different that a psk 2500 ran skimmer if you will be traveling like you said.

 

[mojo~]

Bump. Anybody? Getting frustrated with 1/6 cup of skim mate a week that isn't that dark

skimmate doesnt have to be dark. tell me more about your tank.

 

[SkullV]

mojo~ what do you think of the Cadlights TIA 1150? I am not considering purchsaing one, but I just don't understand how a skimmer that only pulls 283l/h of air can be rated for a 90-120g tank. Any insight?

 

[DownwardDawg]

the jnscan run a little deeper than the cs2. around 8 in on the ssa cs2 but the the jns couldprobably go to 10in.

Perfect. It's scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

 

[cubsfan16]

I'll beat that's the problem. If you can get aholed of the manufacturer you could ask them. Otherwise, try to take it apart and put it back together the way you think is better.

I called Aquacave and they confirmed that they had replaced the impeller that fixed the noise issue and agreed the issue was likely an issue with the impeller. They are sending me a replacement pump. I think it is worth noting I received the skimmer yesterday and I have received confirmation that the replacement pump is due to be delivered tomorrow...big :thumbsup: to Aquacave. I hope this resolves the problem. I am impressed with the build quality of the skimmer I just hope I had a lemon.

 

[epsaxon]

Oops!

 

[epsaxon]

I would get something different that a psk 2500 ran skimmer if you will be traveling like you said.

That is the best option as I am in Vietnam and get multiple power cuts per week. Mojo I know you have tested many skimmers so is there any you can recommend that are as hassle free as possible? I like the simplicity of the Tunze Master DOC but I do not like the price however if that is the only alternative then I'll bite the bullet.

 

[MyOwnGrowOp]

skimmate doesnt have to be dark. tell me more about your tank.

It's a 120 gallon (4x2x2) with a 40 gallon sump. There is a bit over 100lbs of LR In it. The tank has been running for 5 years with an ASM G2 on it. There are 10 fish total, a regal tang, yellow tang, 2x perc clowns, 2x barred goby, 3x yellow tailed damsel, and a six line wrasse so nothing huge. It's a mixed reef, mostly LPS, zoas, and rics, and just a few sps. The ASM was taken out about 2 weeks ago when te pump crashed, so I got a SRO 2000xp to replace it so the tank has been skimmerless for about 3 weeks so there is some algae has built up and the SRO just has been impossible to set. One hour it's producing large black bubbles, then the next the skimmer is only half full of water... Next to no bubbles. Any other questions just ask