Skimmer Q&A Thread

[mojo~]

I have an Aqua C urchin pro, I think its a POS! or my water is too high.
I'm looking to upgrade my 75 bow/20g sump. My two choices so far are the Reef Octopus NWB-110 or Warner Marine MF 161. I have 7.5"x7.5" with a little extra for maybe a pump next to my overflow. The other part of the equation is it has to sit in 10" of water. The NWB has a nice price point but I am more interested in getting the right skimmer for the job. It's a reef with 7 small fish.
thanks

10 inches of water... The ASM g2 or the new ASM gc-3 would work in that water depth. The Bubble magus NAC 6 maybe as well. The WM mf is a good but the pumps are still a little hit and miss. Some get good ones and some get ones that are noisey. It is a great skimmer. And if its not what you like Jon warner will take care of you I am sure.

 

[mojo~]

Hey mojo!

I have a 180 DT and a 40B sump. Bio load is an emperor angel, two tangs, pair of clowns, LPS and SPS.

I am currently running an algae scrubber and need to add a new skimmer. I had an Aqua ev240, but hated it. I was looking at the skimz monster 201, the WM MF201, or the Avast CS1 with the recir. mod. I would love to do the RO XP3000 int but I think it is out of the price range. Suggestions?

what about the sro 3000 INT. its cheaper than the xp model with same pump ?

 

[mojo~]

Ok so here goes. hope everone gets good laugh. I have used two seaclones with good success with only minor mods. Well I think my second one is finally about to croak. What is a decent skimmer that I can get for hopefully well under 200 150 or lower be even better. Or with having such tight budget should I search craigslist and find a free one and run same mods. I have had success by way of patients which I feel most dont have. My skimmate is currently comming out really really wet. I dont know if anyone actually knows what green tea is supposed to look like but its just a tad lighter then that. and get half collector cup to cup a day. Thanks in advance.

I assume HOB skimmer. THe aquamaxx hang on the back and the sro Hob are some of the best out right now. Try to find a used one maybe.

 

[andrewbram]

Mojo I have a place in my sump that I can use a hang on back or actually put it in. I use the sea clone as a hang on back in there because imo they work better that way. I saw an eshops hang on back or one that's in sump but know nothing about skimmers. As far as used stuff there isn't much to be had where I live so any other suggestions based on my info thanks again.

 

[bif24701]

Mojo,
As I talked about before, I have a Sump Buddy 40 on my system with a Mag 7, 4 bios balls and its skimming the best I've seen.

My question: Is this enough skimmer for my 120 soon to be full SPS, with a 40g sump, 40g Refug? I also have a lot of fish. My nitrates seem to be geating lower with carbon dosing but I still need a good skimmer to handle the extra load of that as well. Should I just fork up the dough for the SRO 2000xp INT?

Thanks so much

 

[bif24701]

Mojo,
As I talked about before, I have a Sump Buddy 40 on my system with a Mag 7, 4 bios balls and its skimming the best I've seen.

My question: Is this enough skimmer for my 120 soon to be full SPS, with a 40g sump, 40g Refug? I also have a lot of fish. My nitrates seem to be geating lower with carbon dosing but I still need a good skimmer to handle the extra load of that as well. Should I just fork up the dough for the SRO 2000xp INT?

Thanks so much

 

[mojo~]

Mojo I have a place in my sump that I can use a hang on back or actually put it in. I use the sea clone as a hang on back in there because imo they work better that way. I saw an eshops hang on back or one that's in sump but know nothing about skimmers. As far as used stuff there isn't much to be had where I live so any other suggestions based on my info thanks again.

THe Eshopps hob is pretty entry level. Whichisnt bad. it would be a step up from the seaclone for sure.

 

[andrewbram]

I looked at that aquamax and it looks nice and like I could put it to use and within budget. So its either aquamax that you recommended or Eshops. Thank you So much for your help.

 

[mojo~]

Mojo,
As I talked about before, I have a Sump Buddy 40 on my system with a Mag 7, 4 bios balls and its skimming the best I've seen.

My question: Is this enough skimmer for my 120 soon to be full SPS, with a 40g sump, 40g Refug? I also have a lot of fish. My nitrates seem to be geating lower with carbon dosing but I still need a good skimmer to handle the extra load of that as well. Should I just fork up the dough for the SRO 2000xp INT?

Thanks so much

The thing is the sumpbuddy does move a good amount over water. The downdraft isnt bad at all. Its just more power hungry. If it isnt broke dont fix it. Is the SRO 2000 a good skimmer... yes. Would your tank be worlds apart better for it. ..... I really doubt it. What you have is pretty good. If I was buying new I wouldnt go that way just for power consumption and noise. but performance is still pretty good.

Mojo~

 

[biecacka]

mojo its the sedra 9000 on my Geo
corey

 

[MTWiley]

Would you mind giving me a list of the your top 3 choices for skimmers for my new tank. It's going to be a Solana XL 67, and I'd like to keep a mixed reef that's mostly SPS.

 

[jgraz]

MOJO,
Need your assistance here. I am in the process of setting up a 20H SPS dominant reef. I have built a 10 Gal sump as seen here.

This is with the skimmer BM Nac3.5 in place

As you can see its pretty tight. The first chamber is at 9 3/8" high and second will overflow the 3rd at 7 3/8".
1st) Will the overflow bubbles cause problems for the skimmer pump?
2nd) Would I benefit from moving the skimmer to the 2nd chamber forgoing the small fuge that I was planning.
Im hoping to be able to leave as is. Im planning on using the 2nd chamber as either a reactor chamber for GFO/GAC w/live rock or as a tiny fuge for Cheato only. Your thoughts would be more then welcomed. Thanks in advance
John

 

[reeftivo]

a filter sock off the drain will solve the issue with bubbles to the skimmer. Still tight though! You may not get the performance you want from the skimmer unless the output and pump intake are un-impeeded. You could always just run rubble with chaeto in the return chamber with a lamp, then run the skimmer in the 2nd chamber. You would lose some pods that way but the fuge area would still be effective at helping with nitrient reduction.

The GFO/Carbon could still be used in a small tlf reactor and hung on the inside of the second chamber, still giving room for the BM skimmer.

Just my .02

Tivo

 

[mojo~]

mojo its the sedra 9000 on my Geo
corey

Chances are the pump is just wearing out. Might be a good time to upgrade the pump.

 

[mojo~]

Would you mind giving me a list of the your top 3 choices for skimmers for my new tank. It's going to be a Solana XL 67, and I'd like to keep a mixed reef that's mostly SPS.

Sea side aquatics cs1, Sro 1000 , and the octo xs 160.

 

[mojo~]

yea pretty much what tivo said.

I would run a filter sock. just make sure the inlet of the pump doesnt suxk it up.

 

[biecacka]

it has a new pump on it......im just struggling with trying to find the appropriate water level to maximize the skimmer
corey

 

[reeftivo]

quick thanks to Mojo for his review and comments on the MF 121 skimmer!

hadn't had time to get any pics up but it's breaking in nicely

pic in a.m. after cleaning the night before

Thanks again!

tivo

 

[MTWiley]

Thanks Mojo, I really appreciate it.

 

[mojo~]

it has a new pump on it......im just struggling with trying to find the appropriate water level to maximize the skimmer
corey

sorry. I would imagine no less than 8 inches and no more than 10 water level.

One thing to try is set the skimmer so it is running its gate valve wide open if it has one or the stand pipe all the way down. raise the water level until its about to overflow. This will be the max water level but you will have little to know adjustment. Then drop it about 1 inch from there. That is usually optimal. That way there isnt too much head pressure and you still have some room for adjustment.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I hope this makes sense.

Mojo~