you probably need to replace the air stone, or the air line is clogged or kinked. The airstones are to be replaced every month or so.
Skimmer Q&A Thread
- Thread starter mojo~
- Start date
you probably need to replace the air stone, or the air line is clogged or kinked. The airstones are to be replaced every month or so.
the new vertex omega 150 is most likely gonna be the skimmer to beat.. they should be out this month and you can pre-order one from some of this sites vendors at a discount. Now you probably do not need this powerful of a skimmer and for a less you could get a skimmer with a sicce psk600 pump like a seaside aquatics cs7 or eshopps s150 cone(same skimmer really just check around and get the one with the best price). The octopus xs160 is another good skimmer, but, it will splash the sump with the output so for quiet you will need to add either the output kit they sell or google search 'reef octopus output mod' and you'll find a few ways to direct the water down into the sump inexpensively.
There are a few others that are less costly than those mentioned above, but, in the end the sicce should prove the quieter pump and offer better longevity than going with say a bubble magus with the atman pump. Hope these choices are ok as 'not breaking the bank' to me means a good value skimmer that is worth buying over the cheapest one can get. The skimmers all mentioned offer a small footprint and run in about 8" to 10" of water...
If you felt you might increase the bioload to the med to high side, then spend a little more now and choose the next size up with a psk1000 pump..or most definitely go for the vertex omega 150.
that skimmer will work, but, you will find an sro1000int(with new venturi) will prove better. My personal favorite is the reef dynamics ins80 for a smaller tank (like 30 to 55gal) and also the seaside aquatics cs5.5 cone is an excellent choice if you need a small footprint and have a deep water level in the sump. These three will give you over 100lph air for every 10gal of water and have a nice sized neck... a lot of air per gallon. You could overstock,overfeed(within reason), and run carbon dosing(or pellets) and not overload these skimmers on a 40.
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Clownin Aroun
YouTube name- KNGRNGS
perfect. keep the pump clean with a vinegar bath every few months. Perhaps replace impeller annually for longevity. Great value skimmer.. even heavy stocked the sro3000 series(be it int or xp cone) will be plenty too. Move up to an sro5000 you get more air and a little more water throughput vs the 3000...really any of these should handle your tank well.
I want to also say the reef dynamics ins250 or even 300(which are in your budget) but the cost is up there with the sro xp cones. The mfg of the cone raises the price up as does the reef dynamics being hand crafted here in the US. SRO pumps have the best warranty(3 years vs 1). The reef dynamics pumps are good, with strong well made impeller assemblies and really should last as long as the bubble blaster. Eco Plus has a strong following in the hydroponics and fountain world(with which they are originally marketed).
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Clownin Aroun
YouTube name- KNGRNGS
So the XS 250 should be more then enough for a big bio load 200 gallon tank? Should i worry about having two pumps vs one? This would be the best choice for me?
Clownin Aroun
YouTube name- KNGRNGS
How about one that is 11x11 or smaller?
Bolo Tran
New member
Just set up the SSA cs5.5 last night and looks pretty well built. I have a couple of questions though
1)the water inside of the reaction chamber seems to be very turbulent. Is this supposed to be normal or is it supposed to be a very smooth transition from the bubble plate all the way up?
2) there was a brown o-ring that i attached a picture to that I could not figure out where it's supposed to go. Is this an extra or am I missing something?
1)the water inside of the reaction chamber seems to be very turbulent. Is this supposed to be normal or is it supposed to be a very smooth transition from the bubble plate all the way up?
2) there was a brown o-ring that i attached a picture to that I could not figure out where it's supposed to go. Is this an extra or am I missing something?
staggeringwade
New member
I still have not purchased a skimmer yet for my 240. I read the specs on the Aquamaxx cone 2 and 3 at MD. The specs seemed very over exaggerated.
I know Mojo has nothing but great things to say about the cone 2.
I assume the cone 2 is a little small for a 240 that will be heavily stocked at some point?
It's a decision between with the Aquamaxx cone 3 or the SRO 3000 now.
I cannot finish my sump until I purchase one of these since they both require different depths.
I know Mojo has nothing but great things to say about the cone 2.
I assume the cone 2 is a little small for a 240 that will be heavily stocked at some point?
It's a decision between with the Aquamaxx cone 3 or the SRO 3000 now.
I cannot finish my sump until I purchase one of these since they both require different depths.
staggeringwade
New member
I still have not purchased a skimmer yet for my 240. I read the specs on the Aquamaxx cone 2 and 3 at MD. The specs seemed very over exaggerated.
I know Mojo has nothing but great things to say about the cone 2.
I assume the cone 2 is a little small for a 240 that will be heavily stocked at some point?
It's a decision between with the Aquamaxx cone 3 or the SRO 3000 now.
I cannot finish my sump until I purchase one of these since they both require different depths.
I know Mojo has nothing but great things to say about the cone 2.
I assume the cone 2 is a little small for a 240 that will be heavily stocked at some point?
It's a decision between with the Aquamaxx cone 3 or the SRO 3000 now.
I cannot finish my sump until I purchase one of these since they both require different depths.
It is strong choice. dual pumps are fine. 11x11 footprint...can't think of anything small enough unless you want to go to an etss downdraft skimmer. Great skimmers just takes a powerful high watt pump to run it.
Well my problem is already purchased it and have it installed.its been on for like 6 days and is not skimming much unless I have the gate valve almost all the way closed. Now I am finding out that the skimmer will not operate and is way to big for my tank.... I can't return it either. Is there a smaller pump I can put on it to work better for my size
I am thinking the o-ring goes where the pump attaches to the skimmer body. The air line where it is attached to the wedge pipe does not look right..looks kinked. Should be straight down from the elbow.
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no your ok. this is a setup issue/as well the skimmer has to break in too. First, what depth is it in the sump?
did you clean the skimmer in a vinegar water solution before installing?
I would watch the video, however, I cannot get it to work on my computer. see above post about the air line...
Anyways, as the skimmer is breaking in, it might be a little more turbulent. Also, the skimmer may be in a little too shallow of water currently. I know I suggested 9" and it may end up that is need to sit a little deeper depending on the bioload.
is the wedge pipe open all the way, or did you adjust it some? If so, how much? If you could just post a pic of the skimmer body that will be fine.
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The pumps not the problem, it's the 4" neck on a 40 gallon tank. You'll never have the bio load for this skimmer to work right. It will skim just not optimally. I'm in the same boat...sometimes buying bigger doesn't mean better.
well... the cone2 would produce very impressive skimmate..unfortunately it is a little small and you will most likely find it will not keep up, thus nutrients rise. Great skimmer in the 120 to 150 gal range.
What happened to the vertex in280? offers same air, more water throughput and a larger reaction chamber than above. The extra water and reaction chamber will be quite beneficial in both speed of organic removal and capacity to skim more.
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