Skimmer Q&A Thread
- Thread starter mojo~
- Start date
reef dynamics ins135.
smaller pump and skimmer. get the 5.5
staggeringwade
New member
I have a 210 gallon reef tank, 40 gallon breeder as a sump. It will be heavily stocked slowly over time.
Looking to purchase a great skimmer only once, budget $600.
I noticed that an online retailer is selling the Aquamaxx AM350 for $399. And the Hydor Performer 2005 for $300. Are these good skimmers or are they outdated models nobody wants because technology has advanced further with skimmers?
I was initially and still am considering the the RO XP3000, or SWC Extreme 230.
I'm open for any other skimmer brands as well, I live in a town and state with no reef shops that sell any quality anything so I have zero experience with brands of skimmers.
Although I have owned several "Great Skimmers" recommended by others that were very poor performers.
I need a pretty quiet skimmer, its going into my tv room.
Should I wait until 2013 to see whats new? My aquarium won't be running until next spring.
Thanks
Looking to purchase a great skimmer only once, budget $600.
I noticed that an online retailer is selling the Aquamaxx AM350 for $399. And the Hydor Performer 2005 for $300. Are these good skimmers or are they outdated models nobody wants because technology has advanced further with skimmers?
I was initially and still am considering the the RO XP3000, or SWC Extreme 230.
I'm open for any other skimmer brands as well, I live in a town and state with no reef shops that sell any quality anything so I have zero experience with brands of skimmers.
Although I have owned several "Great Skimmers" recommended by others that were very poor performers.
I need a pretty quiet skimmer, its going into my tv room.
Should I wait until 2013 to see whats new? My aquarium won't be running until next spring.
Thanks
Mr D smack
Active member
Any thoughts or knowledge this Octopus RPS-3000?
staggeringwade
New member
What about vertex in 280? Do they need new pumps or do they run fine as is now days. They are going for $399 nowadays, although discontinued.
I would get one. the euro reef transition they copied is the holy grail of transition design for a cylinder skimmer. Their main pump issue was with cheap impellers in a few models. the pump will be fine... keep it clean and in good working order.
skimz were hot for a few months then bam impeller problem... then they disappear... warner marine makes his version and it dissappears into 'perpetual backorder' canadian distributor takes skimz body and replaces pumps with sicce(why toss the original pump?).... skimz track record is suspect. Seeing as the sicce is proving to be good... if one wants a skimz I would get it with the sicce seen a page or two back.
Bolo Tran
New member
Well. I ordered the SSA for a steal! Not sure if I can mention price or where I got it from but it was considerably cheaper than everywhere else so pm me if you want details or let me know if I can announce it here
So how many inches of water should I have this running at? Also when I receive it should i give it a vinegar bath or should drop it into my sump and let it go?
So how many inches of water should I have this running at? Also when I receive it should i give it a vinegar bath or should drop it into my sump and let it go?
Which model? the 5.5? they are best in somewhere between 8 to 10 inches of water. I would go for 9" to start. This may have to be 'tweaked' after breaking in.
Vinegar bath... the plus, the skimmer will not act quite as crazy for the first couple days as without... the negative, the break in period can go much longer than simply rinsing off the skimmer really good and dropping in sump. Break in period will be related to nutrient levels in tank.. ULN and new tanks it may take two months before the skimmer 'slimes' up.. If the tank has a lot of bacterial element, it may only take a few days to couple weeks. Best to run the skimmer dry, with the wedge pipe fully open or mostly open and foam being produced in body till the skimmer gets it's slime coat.
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NyReefNoob
skimmer freak
swcc i would suggest doing a little more research, the skimz pump is coming from the same factory as the sicce pump, and if you actually ever seen one in person you might be suspect it is the same pump 
i was actually a beta tester for skimz. and the canadian supplier tossing the pump ? and replacing with a sicce ?
how many of these skimmers that your reccomending have YOU actually used ? as someone who has had around 30 skimmers now from er to bk and about everything inbetween. ive never understood people making a reccomendation if you havent used it or commenting on one's they havent used
i was actually a beta tester for skimz. and the canadian supplier tossing the pump ? and replacing with a sicce ?how many of these skimmers that your reccomending have YOU actually used ? as someone who has had around 30 skimmers now from er to bk and about everything inbetween. ive never understood people making a reccomendation if you havent used it or commenting on one's they havent used
NyReefNoob
skimmer freak
and where is mojo ? one of the only people who has used and tested more skimmers then me
moondoggy4
Team RC
Mojo stated a while back that he is taking a break from this thread. Newlywed.
NyReefNoob
skimmer freak
ty moon, lol and i know you've had a ton of skimmers as well, i took almost a year off myself
EllieSuz
Premium Member
My apologies if this has been asked and answered already. I have a SC 302 and it's been working just great for I guess at least a year. Yesterday I took it out of the sump and ran some vinegar and water solution through it and cleaned it. I did not take it apart. Now it's overflowing clear water. The collection cup fills in a second or two and blows the lid off the cup and just boils bubbles over the cup. I've cleaned it before without any problem. Any ideas?
NyReefNoob
skimmer freak
ellie, make sure outlet is completely opened and that the airline isnt clogged at all, personally other then every great once in awhile i would clean the pump but never the skimmer body, the one thing we all wait for is for the slime build up on a skimmer so that it settles in. is the body still feeling up with same amount of bubbles ? really sounds like air line is clogged or partially clagged and did you take pump apart and make sure nothing is in the impellar itself
swcc i would suggest doing a little more research, the skimz pump is coming from the same factory as the sicce pump, and if you actually ever seen one in person you might be suspect it is the same pump
how many of these skimmers that your reccomending have YOU actually used ? as someone who has had around 30 skimmers now from er to bk and about everything inbetween. ive never understood people making a reccomendation if you havent used it or commenting on one's they havent used
I have used plenty of the skimmers I talk about either the skimmer or in the case of the made in china clones a representative one. the internet is a great way to find info on many a product be it good or bad.. this thread alone supports the problems with the skimz as well as countless others. till the views shift I personaly feel it is best not to not buy a product with issues behind it vs one that has solid support be it my own experience and those of others. the canadian skimz.... guy just presented it in this thread a page or two back. reminds me of the eshopps cones... with tha great output design and air adjustment skimz came up with. Not to mention it was reported on elsewhere as I was researching more into more skimz a while ago... yeah mojo is taking a break I guess. be aware that owning and running a skimmer for a couple of weeks cannot speak of the longevity of the skimmer and you will note that he also uses use reports of longevity as well. This last week two people are currently reporting problems with their skimz in a thread found right here in this section. they point to impeller issue... and we shall see if they post back on the fix. so if you don't agree with my opinion that is fine...I am just helping along with reasearch I have done be it web or first hand. it is up to the person to decide ultimately what he wishes to choose. I also try to help by interrelating mojos past reviews as well as your and many others. If you want to tallk about you experience more.... do so. I have my opinion and experience and you yours. In the end we want the same thing which is to be helpful with our research and personal experiences. I sure do not mind a difference of opinion either.. makes for good discussions. You may also note I never said anything about how the skimmer is from performance... just the reported impeller issues. Even if the block is the same as sicce the only moving part in these pump is the impeller assembly... change it for the good or bad and you get different results... case in point sedra vs the other rebadged sedra pumps. or sicce vs Tunze. change the impeller assemble be it rotor shaft or impeller and drastic changes are made to the pump that affect it good or bad.
article about the skimz and sicce pump... http://blog.aquanerd.com/2012/06/aqua-digital-csc-protein-skimmer-line.html
Aqua digital also noticed that the skimz have " 'THE ABILITY' to pull huge air volume numbers but in reality that amount of air was totally useless"... this can be seen where many users had to turn the air way down to get the skimmer to work really well.
Aqua digital also noticed that the skimz have " 'THE ABILITY' to pull huge air volume numbers but in reality that amount of air was totally useless"... this can be seen where many users had to turn the air way down to get the skimmer to work really well.
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