Skimmer Q&A Thread

[Bolo Tran]

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.

Lol I have no clue why the airline looks like that in the picture but I assure you it's on straight now.

Right now it's sitting in 8 inches of water. By default my water level in the sump is 9.5 inches but I raised it as I felt it was too deep as most skimmers recommend 8 inch but then again I'm no expert. The wedge pipe has been opened I believe about a quarter turn.

Swcc your computer doesn't play YouTube vids? Maybe you need flash. I'll post a pic and hopefully you can tell me if its set up right. Thanks

 

[swcc]

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.

you are right that sometime bigger is not better. This skimmer is big, but, not too big.

I have read your conversation with Jeremy.. Any chance you also can post a picture of your skimmer running? I know the diablo 160 will work on a 60 gal even with a lighter to medium bioload firsthand.
we can get it working.
I do agree with jeremy's recommendations if you did not already own a brand new diablo. Would hate to see either of you have to buy another skimmer.

 

[swcc]

Lol I have no clue why the airline looks like that in the picture but I assure you it's on straight now.

Right now it's sitting in 8 inches of water. By default my water level in the sump is 9.5 inches but I raised it as I felt it was too deep as most skimmers recommend 8 inch but then again I'm no expert. The wedge pipe has been opened I believe about a quarter turn.

Swcc your computer doesn't play YouTube vids? Maybe you need flash. I'll post a pic and hopefully you can tell me if its set up right. Thanks

I can play youtube videos from their site. Just could not pull your up from where the link directed me? not sure, computers are not my thing.
I mostly want to see where the water and bubble line are and where it is making foam. I suspect the skimmer needs to go deeper in the sump. Oh, does the o-ring seem like it should go where I suggested? I never have taken a 5.5 apart or assembled one. seaside aquatics CS I'm sure can give a definite answer.

 

[Bolo Tran]

Here's a pic. Hope thAt it's clear enough for you determine if things are working right. The YouTube video perfectly portrays how it's running so if anyone else that can chime in it would be awesome

 

[Bolo Tran]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=plcp&v=EDsHNXHyyZY

 

[Daneek155]

you are right that sometime bigger is not better. This skimmer is big, but, not too big.

I have read your conversation with Jeremy.. Any chance you also can post a picture of your skimmer running? I know the diablo 160 will work on a 60 gal even with a lighter to medium bioload firsthand.
we can get it working.
I do agree with jeremy's recommendations if you did not already own a brand new diablo. Would hate to see either of you have to buy another skimmer.

Thanks for the help.. This is my first skimmer and my first reef tank before I got it I did research and that's what I based of over sizing. Hopefully I can make something work... I cleaned the cup 2 days ago

 

[swcc]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=plcp&v=EDsHNXHyyZY

a.ha.." cannot open specific address because micro soft windows does not recognize internet addresses starting with "rtsp" "

 

[swcc]

Thanks for the help.. This is my first skimmer and my first reef tank before I got it I did research and that's what I based of over sizing. Hopefully I can make something work... I cleaned the cup 2 days ago

Ok... ready..hehe..
step one, open gate valve fully...
two...turn off skimmer and remove from sump
three... set skimmer so in 9.5" of water
four... turn back on.
Leave valve open and report back where the water/bubble level is(another pic will be great).

 

[Daneek155]

Ok... ready..hehe..
step one, open gate valve fully...
two...turn off skimmer and remove from sump
three... set skimmer so in 9.5" of water
four... turn back on.
Leave valve open and report back where the water/bubble level is(another pic will be great).

Ok I will be home Saturday And do so. Thanks alot

 

[swcc]

Here's a pic. Hope thAt it's clear enough for you determine if things are working right. The YouTube video perfectly portrays how it's running so if anyone else that can chime in it would be awesome

your getting skimmate...that is good.. go ahead and set it at the bottom of the sump 9.5". it needs to be deeper in the sump.

 

[swcc]

Ok I will be home Saturday And do so. Thanks alot

no problem... the crud accumulating in the neck shows me we can get you running just fine.

 

[BucNtears]

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.

Your thoughts on Sea Side Aquatics CS180S Protein Skimmer?
I need one with the smallest footprint to fit my requirements..

ATM I'm running a Octopus Dual Recirculating 250 Protein Skimmer which to say the least I believe is oversized. The total volume is around 160 with 30-45 lbs of live rock, sps,lps.
The sump is a 75 gallon(not 55) tank size 120.

Thanks

 

[swcc]

It is an updated version of the cs8. Good choice. The additional volume of the cone is a plus.

 

[swcc]

You folks that are looking to get their skimmer set up and dialed in properly.. start a fresh thread on it so your needs can be addressed specifically.

 

[BucNtears]

ok, Thinking this is my last question..

Sea Side Aquatics ES7 vs Sea Side Aquatics CS180S
Both run the PSK 1000 pump, only difference is the body?

lastly does anyone know if SS Aquatics skimmers run quite?

 

[swcc]

double post...

 

[swcc]

ok, Thinking this is my last question..

Sea Side Aquatics ES7 vs Sea Side Aquatics CS180S
Both run the PSK 1000 pump, only difference is the body?

lastly does anyone know if SS Aquatics skimmers run quite?

yeah, the es7 has a cone with a bulb shape..the cs180 is more of a semi cone..I would say the benefits go to the cs180 for contact time. Having experience with a faction of this skimmer and pump..very quiet. The shaft and bearing need to wear together, so maybe some noise(vibrational) for the first week or so. The cs180 give you an option of pump placement If memory serves me.

 

[swcc]

ok, Thinking this is my last question..

Sea Side Aquatics ES7 vs Sea Side Aquatics CS180S
Both run the PSK 1000 pump, only difference is the body?

lastly does anyone know if SS Aquatics skimmers run quite?

I wanted to add something here. If you have a 9.5"x 11.5" footprint and are looking at spending 400 for one of these cones...don't... I can say flat out from experience that a reef dynamics ins135 for the same money runs circles around the seaside aquatics/bubble magus/eshopps cone skimmers. The difference in amount and density of skimmate from the ins135 is quite a bit. It runs as quiet(with the ecoplus pump even) and is built way better(heck the cups lid alone weights more than the entire seaside aquatics skimmer). Also for 50 bucks more, you can get an sro xp2000 cone(if you have the room again at 12.5"x10")
that also is right there with the reef dynamics..so as your now in a 400 dollar price range, I would get the ins135 or xp2000cone before the others listed. Obviously, if there just is not the room, the seaside aquatics, whichever you choose, is your best bet.

I keep wondering...what do y'all have in your sump where you don't have room for a normal sized skimmer for your size tank? My ins135 is sitting in a 10 gal aquarium that I am using for my sump.

 

[BucNtears]

The sumps design allows me an opening the size of a 29 gallon tank for the new internal skimmer.
So I'm limited in space, would you still recommend the Sea Side Aquatics line of skimmers or should I be looking at something else?

Reading about all these skimmers starts to get a tad bit confusing

Thank for the suggestions thus far.

 

[swcc]

The sumps design allows me an opening the size of a 29 gallon tank for the new internal skimmer.
So I'm limited in space, would you still recommend the Sea Side Aquatics line of skimmers or should I be looking at something else?

Reading about all these skimmers starts to get a tad bit confusing

Thank for the suggestions thus far.

well flat out I suggest a reef dynamics ins135, atb 840 and the reef octo xp2000 cone(not the sro2000int) as the best skimmer you could get for performance and price for your tank. measure the sump space and if any fit, choose one...if your space requires a skimmer with pump internal, go for the SSA.