Skimmer Q&A Thread

[Nizz]

You should be fine. But if it idles more then skims after break in. You could have nothing to skim or the skimmer is just too big.

 

[1life4dataking]

yea i thought that but I'm kinda worried becuase i'm running phosban and i have real good flow and my phosphates are high and my nitrates so i was hoping that it was sum unsettling poop or something that was causeing it. but i guess not

 

[worm5406]

I recently got a RO-2000 skimmer...

I put it on tonight. Made dinner ate and cleaned up. Left the bubbler running and had not really tuned it except for the bubbles to just be hitting the lip.

This is what I came back to (an hour and a half later, and yes dinner was good):

<table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From FishTank 2012

WOW.. Did not think that would happen. So, I played with the height a bit thinking this was wet skim... (yea it is) but it got even more watery, so I raised it a bit to make it go back to producing like it was. The layer actually had a watery layer on top. Hard to see due to the flash though. Sorry.
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<table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From FishTank 2012</td></tr></tbody></table>

Humm... Where are the directions to set it up? I youtubed it but no real directions on fine tuning it. I DID NOT EXPECT ANYTHING TO COME OUT AT ALL AT FIRST! Everyone else I have seen have had to wait like a week befoer ANYTHING even came off. Is this normal? NO I did not wash it out or anything.
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[1life4dataking]

Looks better them mine lol it aint even doing that on mine dnt know if this will help but go to coral vue.com they wil have a manual for it

 

[brob22]

sro 1000 for a hevy stocked 75gal?

the atb840 i have on now seems t big as its not pulling anything out
what would be the best skimmer i could put on the system?

help is always appreciated

 

[LinkinReef]

Anyone running a skimmer on a 34g solana? I'm looking to add a sump to this small tank so even an in-sump skimmer would be great. Any recommendations?

 

[canesfan44]

sro 1000 for a hevy stocked 75gal?

the atb840 i have on now seems t big as its not pulling anything out
what would be the best skimmer i could put on the system?

help is always appreciated

I would try contacting ATB first. It's a great skimmer and should be working well on a heavily stocked 75g plus sump. I think something is probably wrong or not working right.

 

[brob22]

thanks for the response

 

[Mels Reef]

Hey Mojo,

This is a great thread and appreciate the time you have put into this. I have a 210 display with a 100 gal sump. I just installed a pellet reactor and would like to upgrade my skimmer. My bio load is not heavy but would like to get it that way. I am looking at the ATB 1050 v1.5, but I noticed you recommend a few skimmers for equivalent water volume. Is the 1050 worth the extra $$$ over the Reef Octopus Cone? If you had your choice what would your top 5 be regardless of cost?

Hey everyone

I posted the above a few weeks ago. Does anyone have experience with the ATB 1050 v1.5 on a 210 display and 100 gal sum or is the SRO 3000/5000 better. Not sure if the 5000 would be to much skimmer. I would like to increase my bio load but need to upgrade my skimmer. I currently have a dnwb 200 which is basicly a SRO 3000 without the BB pump. Would it be better to just upgrade the pump, or is the ATB that much better? Thanks for any help.

 

[moondoggy4]

Mels Reef have you tried contacting Coral Vue they are a sponsor here, I just read that there is a backorder on the 5000 model until October. I would look at the 3000 model. Have you tried to post in general or lighting and filtration section.

 

[mojo~]

Hey everyone

I posted the above a few weeks ago. Does anyone have experience with the ATB 1050 v1.5 on a 210 display and 100 gal sum or is the SRO 3000/5000 better. Not sure if the 5000 would be to much skimmer. I would like to increase my bio load but need to upgrade my skimmer. I currently have a dnwb 200 which is basicly a SRO 3000 without the BB pump. Would it be better to just upgrade the pump, or is the ATB that much better? Thanks for any help.

Hi Mel, The ATB 1050 1.5 is a fine skimmer for sure. Is it worth the money ? that is the eye of the beholder. I really like ATB skimmers and the customer service they provide. The SRO 3000 is a good skimmer and the bb pump makes all the difference over the 200 you have that uses the octo 3000 turbine still pump(basically a aquamedic ocena runner 3500).

Top 5 for me would be (your setup)
BK SM 200
JNS sk5
atb 1050 A
sro 3000 xp or int
and bk mini 200 gen 2.

on more of a budget the vertex in 280 and the octo xs 250 would do well too.

 

[coralreefdoc]

Mels. I would personally suggest the following:

1. Bubble King SuperMarin 200 (maybe 250 very high bio)
2. ATB 1050A v1.5
3. Royal Exclusive Vertex Alpha 250 Kone
4. Reef Octopus XP3000 INT Cone
5. Reef Octopus XP3000SSS Cone

Hope this helps and reaches you in good timing

 

[coralreefdoc]

Mojo. Beat me to the punch, my friend !

I was in the middle of, well life in general , and by the time I posted you already put out your list/reply ... Its nice to see we share similar views/choices ! Take care. Excellent thread

 

[mojo~]

The alpha just isn't *** well balanced in my opinion. The 200 alpha is better than the 250 from my experience.

 

[coralreefdoc]

Ive heard similar statements/opinions regarding the Vertex Alpha 250/300s balance issues ... Perhaps they just have Vertigo ?!?

In all seriousness, would you elaborate on this claim for everyones knowledge, Mojo ? It seems to me the problem originates from the body/Kone design being too small in the mid-point region, for the matched power/efficiency of the incomparable Red Dragon pump, creating turbulence/inconsistency issues in the neck of the two largest skimmers in the Alpha series ...

Originally, I placed the XP3000 for my 3rd choice, as the XP series are excellent skimmers, particularly for their price point. Ultimately, its tough to recommend them above the Alphas, on paper at least.

 

[mojo~]

I would rather have a jns sk5 over any vertex skimmer. Good build, performance, at a solid price.

the body to neck ratio is of on the alphas. And the pump on the 250 just doesn't pull enough IMO. I have hashed all this out many times. No need to bring it up again.

 

[mojo~]

Dbl post

 

[Mels Reef]

Mels Reef have you tried contacting Coral Vue they are a sponsor here, I just read that there is a backorder on the 5000 model until October. I would look at the 3000 model. Have you tried to post in general or lighting and filtration section.

Hey moondog, I did contact Coral Vue just to see what was needed to upgrade my dnwb 200 to use the bb 3000. They have a plumbing kit for $35. Take out the old and put in the new. They seem to have good customer service with a quick responce time.

 

[Mels Reef]

Hi Mel, The ATB 1050 1.5 is a fine skimmer for sure. Is it worth the money ? that is the eye of the beholder. I really like ATB skimmers and the customer service they provide. The SRO 3000 is a good skimmer and the bb pump makes all the difference over the 200 you have that uses the octo 3000 turbine still pump(basically a aquamedic ocena runner 3500).

Top 5 for me would be (your setup)
BK SM 200
JNS sk5
atb 1050 A
sro 3000 xp or int
and bk mini 200 gen 2.

on more of a budget the vertex in 280 and the octo xs 250 would do well too.

mojo and coralreefdoc, thanks for the reply. I just looked at the JNS sk5, what pump is being used on that? Just in general for the skimmers you listed, what is the average life span for the pump. I know every pump and situation is different but just wondering what your experience has been.
Thanks

 

[Picano]

Im setting up a 75g sps dominate reef with a moderate bioload. I want to feed heavy and carbon dose. Can someone suggest an octopus skimmer that is my best option?