Skimmer Q&A Thread

lYlaximus said:
http://www.tylermerrick.com/blog/index.php/2009/10/08/modifing-the-coralife-super-skimmer-css/

Just bought the Super Skimmer as it was the only Skimmer I could get from Dr Fosters and Smith that would fit (with a little modification) into the back compartment of my 24 gallon aqua pod.

The article is obviously a bit old but do the modifications it recommends still hold true?
Click to expand...

even know that was written about 3 years ago it all still holds pretty much true with what I read. I am sure it will do fine. good lluck with your setup.
 
At what point would you recommend going to the Octopus 5000 instead of the 3000? I have seen you pretty much always recommend the 3000 for a 180g display regardless of additional water volume. I have a 180 display with a total system volume of ~350 gallons. Would you still suggest a 3000?

I also noticed you said the Skimz and WM are good skimmers besides the fact that their pumps are not proven. If you disregarded this doubt, would you take the a comparable WM/Skimz over the Octopus (I believe you would have to go to the largest model in the line)?

Final question (for now) - I find many people swear by downdraft skimmers and others swear them off. I know the pros and cons. Once again, would you take the Octopus over an ETSS 900 strictly based on performance? Based on what I have read here, you would not take the ETSS over an Octopus due to the monthly running cost, but I was curious what your opinion was based on performance only.

I have to say that this is a great thread and I truly appreciate you taking your time to answer so many questions. I feel bad - I only read back about 40 pages of this thread and feel that there is a good chance you may have already answered something like this. I apologize if it was further back in the thread.

Thanks again - Cheers!
 
kawicivic said:
At what point would you recommend going to the Octopus 5000 instead of the 3000? I have seen you pretty much always recommend the 3000 for a 180g display regardless of additional water volume. I have a 180 display with a total system volume of ~350 gallons. Would you still suggest a 3000?

I also noticed you said the Skimz and WM are good skimmers besides the fact that their pumps are not proven. If you disregarded this doubt, would you take the a comparable WM/Skimz over the Octopus (I believe you would have to go to the largest model in the line)?

Final question (for now) - I find many people swear by downdraft skimmers and others swear them off. I know the pros and cons. Once again, would you take the Octopus over an ETSS 900 strictly based on performance? Based on what I have read here, you would not take the ETSS over an Octopus due to the monthly running cost, but I was curious what your opinion was based on performance only.

I have to say that this is a great thread and I truly appreciate you taking your time to answer so many questions. I feel bad - I only read back about 40 pages of this thread and feel that there is a good chance you may have already answered something like this. I apologize if it was further back in the thread.

Thanks again - Cheers!
Click to expand...

around 300 gallon display. it just depends on what you are doing with the other water volume. is it frag tanks or refugiums ect..

I would still pick the sro over the skimz for now. I have had 3 skimz/ wm skimmer. the one with the 5000 pump is by far the best pump. But saw the best performance from the sk201

and yes based on performance I would still go sro over the etss for your tank. something larger 500g plus I might go downdraft as the pinwheel pumps will have a hard time moving enough water.
 
mojo~ said:
around 300 gallon display. it just depends on what you are doing with the other water volume. is it frag tanks or refugiums ect..

I would still pick the sro over the skimz for now. I have had 3 skimz/ wm skimmer. the one with the 5000 pump is by far the best pump. But saw the best performance from the sk201

and yes based on performance I would still go sro over the etss for your tank. something larger 500g plus I might go downdraft as the pinwheel pumps will have a hard time moving enough water.
Click to expand...

75 gallon rock and macro fuge and 60 gallon frag so sounds like I will fall into the 3000 line. Do you have any preference of regular, cone, or space saver?

thank you for your quick response and input on the other two items.
 
One more additional question. I see you talk about the jns sk3 as well. Would you select this or the octopus for the tank described above.

Also my sump is at about 11 inches but I have plenty of room to raise the skimmer if needed. It looks like the octopus runs best in approx 6 inches of water? What about the sk3?

Thanks again for letting me pick your brain!
 
Ok I have a 210 Gallon mixed reef tank, I have a 30 gallon sump and a 30 gallon refugium. So basically 270-300 gallons. Got 2 MP40 Vortechs. Will have a big load in it.

Canary Blenny
Magnificent Fox Face
Midas Blenny
Naso Blonde Tang
Powder Blue Tang
Powder Brown Tang
Tomini Tang
White Cheek Tang
Sailfin Tang
Yellow Tang (a school of 3 possibly)
(x5)Yellow-Head Jawfish
(x20) Assorted species of Anthias
(pair) Blue-Throat Trigger
Spotted Bristletooth Tang
Yellow Belly Regal
pair of mandarin gobys
Orange sleeper goby
Orange spotted goby
Mimic Tang
Royal Gamma
x4 Chromis

100 hermits
100 snails

What would be best skimmer for my situation?
 
Mojo,
My wonderful wife got me a seaside aquatics cs2 for my 90 gallon DT w/ 40 gallon sump(tank not set up, will be mixed reef) from what I have read, it seems like a good fit for my set up, but would like to your thought's Mojo "the skimmer master"!

Also, tank will not be set up for a while, found we are moving soon, storage tips please.

Thank you Mojo!!!!

Phil,
 
mojo~ said:
THe sro 2000, Seaside aquatics cs2, aquamaxx am 250 JNS sk3. Those are the ones I would look at.
Click to expand...

refreshing : my tank is 135galon and i've a limited high of 23" under the stand.

what About a tunze 9011? it have a great footprint for me but it will be good for me?
 
kawicivic said:
75 gallon rock and macro fuge and 60 gallon frag so sounds like I will fall into the 3000 line. Do you have any preference of regular, cone, or space saver?

thank you for your quick response and input on the other two items.
Click to expand...
75g worth frag tank ect.. I would do a2000 XP. 3000 is a bit large
 
kawicivic said:
One more additional question. I see you talk about the jns sk3 as well. Would you select this or the octopus for the tank described above.

Also my sump is at about 11 inches but I have plenty of room to raise the skimmer if needed. It looks like the octopus runs best in approx 6 inches of water? What about the sk3?

Thanks again for letting me pick your brain!
Click to expand...
the sk2 would do fine.
They run well about 8 to 9 inches
 
Gtownguy487 said:
Ok I have a 210 Gallon mixed reef tank, I have a 30 gallon sump and a 30 gallon refugium. So basically 270-300 gallons. Got 2 MP40 Vortechs. Will have a big load in it.

Canary Blenny
Magnificent Fox Face
Midas Blenny
Naso Blonde Tang
Powder Blue Tang
Powder Brown Tang
Tomini Tang
White Cheek Tang
Sailfin Tang
Yellow Tang (a school of 3 possibly)
(x5)Yellow-Head Jawfish
(x20) Assorted species of Anthias
(pair) Blue-Throat Trigger
Spotted Bristletooth Tang
Yellow Belly Regal
pair of mandarin gobys
Orange sleeper goby
Orange spotted goby
Mimic Tang
Royal Gamma
x4 Chromis

100 hermits
100 snails

What would be best skimmer for my situation?
Click to expand...
I would go with a Atb 1050a, then a Sro 3000 or JNS sk5 those will all work well.
 
mojo~ said:
75g worth frag tank ect.. I would do a2000 XP. 3000 is a bit large
Click to expand...

Sorry - that was in addition to my 180 gallon display. so 180 +75 fuge + 60 frag + ~25 sump. I should have been more clear - you had commented on my tank a few posts before this one.
 
mojo~ said:
I would go with a Atb 1050a, then a Sro 3000 or JNS sk5 those will all work well.
Click to expand...

thanks for your help mojo,

2 questions for you:

Firstly, what is your take on a Avast CS1 Cone Skimmer, the one you build your own to save money? Can it compare to the Atb 1050a at all?

Secondly, Do you see any problem stocking a tank of my size with all the fish i have listed? I figured as long as my skimmer is top notch it should do very well?

Also forgot to tell u my measurements of my sump spot reserved for my skimmer:
15in from front to back
13in from side to side
with 8in of the bottom of skimmer to be underwater

I can fit a skimmer that is as high as 23in height

Thanks for your help again
 
Gtownguy487 said:
thanks for your help mojo,

2 questions for you:

Firstly, what is your take on a Avast CS1 Cone Skimmer, the one you build your own to save money? Can it compare to the Atb 1050a at all?

Secondly, Do you see any problem stocking a tank of my size with all the fish i have listed? I figured as long as my skimmer is top notch it should do very well?

Also forgot to tell u my measurements of my sump spot reserved for my skimmer:
15in from front to back
13in from side to side
with 8in of the bottom of skimmer to be underwater

I can fit a skimmer that is as high as 23in height

Thanks for your help again
Click to expand...

the avast isnt bad but it is not a 1050a . Not even close. not bad in its own right but just totally differnt league
 
sorry I forget due to the high # of pms i get on top of this and answering questions on other forums.
then yes the 3000 xp or the 5000 int.
 
Mojo,
My wonderful wife got me a seaside aquatics cs2 for my 90 gallon DT w/ 40 gallon sump(tank not set up, will be mixed reef) from what I have read, it seems like a good fit for my set up, but would like to your thought's Mojo "the skimmer master"!

Also, tank will not be set up for a while, found we are moving soon, storage tips please.

Thank you Mojo!!!!

Phil,
 
mojo. would u see any problem stocking my tank with all the fish i have listed as long as i had the 1050a

Canary Blenny
Magnificent Fox Face
Midas Blenny
Naso Blonde Tang
Powder Blue Tang
Powder Brown Tang
Tomini Tang
White Cheek Tang
Sailfin Tang
Yellow Tang (a school of 3 possibly)
(x5)Yellow-Head Jawfish
(x20) Assorted species of Anthias
(pair) Blue-Throat Trigger
Spotted Bristletooth Tang
Yellow Belly Regal
pair of mandarin gobys
Orange sleeper goby
Orange spotted goby
Mimic Tang
Royal Gamma
x4 Chromis

100 hermits
100 snails
 
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