Skimmer Q&A Thread

Mike Ordner said:
Would like to go with an RLSS internal skimmer. DT is 437 gallons using a 40 breeder as sump. Guessing total water volume around 400 gallons. Mixed reef, not overstocked with fish. Would you go with the R-10 or R-12? Depending on which store you research, the R-10 would be perfect size or slightly undersized.
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R12 without a doubt. That skimmer is small for your tank. That's fine though because tanks don't even need sumps to be honest. I'd watch your sump flow though because even anything over 5x tank volume turnover would be a ton of flow for a 40 breeder sump
 
CSS Reef said:
RLSS R6 SOLD OUT
Aquamaxx Cone 2 SOLD OUT

Why is it so hard to get skimmers right now. Any other alternative suggestions for a 120 Gallon tank.
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The RLSS and AquaMaxx/JNS are in high demand right now. They perform well for the money.

Other options to pursue would be the Sea Side Aquatics CS8, fragtastic reef has those available right now. The Skimz SM 161, this is the same skimmer than Jon Warner used for his MF161 design. Lastly you could look at some of the RO models such as the SRO 2000INT if you can keep it in only 6.5" of water, the Diablo XS 200, or the Diablo DCS-170 if you want a DC pump. Of all these I think the Sea Side Aquatics would work best for you, the PSK1000 is a nice pump and the body design is heavily based upon the ATB 840.
 
Anyone have any experience with the BK 300 deluxe? I've heard that the SM are a little better design but have an opportunity to pick up a deluxe for a good price.

This would be on a 400 gallon total volume heavily stocked and fed system. I've currently got an XP 5000 cone which is going a pretty decent job.
 
Just bought a 300 gallon Deep Dimension and in the process of putting together all the equipment. Tank came with a brand new, unopened Kent Marine Nautulis TE skimmer but it sounds like this is too small for this tank. Planning on FOWLR with a medium sized bio-load. Would like something in-sump (Eshoppes RS-300). What skimmer would you guys recommend to get the best bang for the buck?
 
I have owned that sump before, it's only 16" wide. I would go with an external skimmer or a SRO 5000SSS or Aquamaxx 500
 
azjohnny said:
I have owned that sump before, it's only 16" wide. I would go with an external skimmer or a SRO 5000SSS or Aquamaxx 500
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Thanks AZJohnny. I noticed the Aquamaxx 300 is rated for up to 340 gallons, would this require excessive emptying or is the 500 offer something else besides capacity?
 
The aquamaxx cone series is better then the space saving em series. Your best bet would be the aquamaxx or jns (same skimmers) cone 5. The em would work but for larger tanks I recommend the cone series. They're super nice skimmers.
 
Drae said:
The aquamaxx cone series is better then the space saving em series. Your best bet would be the aquamaxx or jns (same skimmers) cone 5. The em would work but for larger tanks I recommend the cone series. They're super nice skimmers.
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Same question on the cone series. The 5 is rated up to 550G. The 3 series 420G and the 2 series up to 350G. With a 300G FOWLR, wouldn't the 2 series be plenty?
 
marin8n said:
Same question on the cone series. The 5 is rated up to 550G. The 3 series 420G and the 2 series up to 350G. With a 300G FOWLR, wouldn't the 2 series be plenty?
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No...the skimmer rating is a maximum gallonage with a light -med bioload. With a 300 gallon fowlr I would go with at least a 8" body and if it were my self a 10" body. Some people think its better to have your skimmer producing skim mate 24/7 with no idle time. IMO if it does that than the skimmer has not caught up to the bio load. I will usually take the max rating and go with half that amount, so the 5 would be good for a 225 gal tank. The idea is to remove organics as quickly as possible before they have a chance to become ammonia and not to worry about whose skimmer can produce the most skimmate

I have a SRO 5000INT on a 180 gal FOWLR and IMO its just right, I also feed kinda messy foods though ( raw oysters, clam on the half shell and mysis shrimp)

I prefer a full bodied skimmer and feel cone skimmers do not offer any advantages. Its always a huge debate what is better a cone or full bodied skimmer


I really like Beckett skimmers they by far can process the most amount of water the fastest but are loud and require pressure external pumps that use a lot of energy
 
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azjohnny said:
No...the skimmer rating is a maximum gallonage with a light -med bioload. With a 300 gallon fowlr I would go with at least a 8" body and if it were my self a 10" body.I will usually take the max rating and go with half that amount, so the 5 would be good for a 225 gal tank.


I prefer a full bodied skimmer and feel cone skimmers do not offer any advantages. Its always a huge debate what is better a cone or full bodied skimmer
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The 5 is good to about 300 or so imo. It's really not a full cone but a hybrid/full body design that works extremely well. I would cut ratings in half for most skimmers but the Aquamaxx cone 5 is a beast of a skimmer. Extremely quiet and efficient.
 
Digging this thread up...

Can anyone suggest any ideas for a 12 gallon long SPS tank with 10 gallon sump and closer to heavily stocked than moderate?

I have an sca-301 (formerly sc-65) ebay skimmer that looks to be perfect for this application. It seems to work well for moderately stocked 20-30 gallon tanks. From my reading, others tend to agree. That means it should be perfect for a 3 fish SPS tank of the size I mentioned.

I ask because I am wondering if there are any better, nicer quality, (or equal but quieter) skimmers to consider as options that I don't know about because I don't know smaller tanks. I would also like to note that I don't consider something like bubble magus or a basic RO skimmer to be in this category. A skimmer that is of 10% higher quality (and overrated by posters here) for 2x the price does not fit this category. It would need to be a genuine step up, if that makes any sense.

Thanks
 
reefer91 said:
Digging this thread up...

Can anyone suggest any ideas for a 12 gallon long SPS tank with 10 gallon sump and closer to heavily stocked than moderate?

I have an sca-301 (formerly sc-65) ebay skimmer that looks to be perfect for this application. It seems to work well for moderately stocked 20-30 gallon tanks. From my reading, others tend to agree. That means it should be perfect for a 3 fish SPS tank of the size I mentioned.

I ask because I am wondering if there are any better, nicer quality, (or equal but quieter) skimmers to consider as options that I don't know about because I don't know smaller tanks. I would also like to note that I don't consider something like bubble magus or a basic RO skimmer to be in this category. A skimmer that is of 10% higher quality (and overrated by posters here) for 2x the price does not fit this category. It would need to be a genuine step up, if that makes any sense.

Thanks
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cad lights pl-100 pipeless skimmer would be a step up for sure, especially if space is an issue...
if not too much of an issue, and you want control and xtra power, the rlss r6-i would fit your 10g sump also, for about $350
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/RLSS-R6-I.html
 
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biecacka said:
Ideas for 240 gallon tank and 70 gallons in sump. 750$ budget

Corey
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RLSS R-10U,
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/RLSS-R10-U.html

or the Oceans By Design Air powered skimmer for $529,
here's the specs;
OBD Signature Series Protein Skimmer Features :
•10” crystal clear cast acrylic tube mixing chamber, with a 5 gallon capacity. Water is feed from an independent pump (maxi-jet 1200). Unlike venturi skimmers, where the pump does double duty by supplying the air as well, we have been able to achieve a 60 second dwell time in the mixing chamber to allow proteins to be mechanically stripped from the water molecule and then reattached to clean air bubbles.
•Air is supplied to the protein skimmer using the ultra-quiet (32db) Alita 40 air pump. The AL40 pumps out 40 lpm (85 scfh).
•2 x 6” kiln fired air diffusers. The micro-pores yield bubbles .09 micron in size. These air diffusers will not react to nutrients in the water and will last for years.
•We have utilized an oversized 10” collection cup to allow for more time between cleanings.
•The protein skimmer is plumbed with 1” clear pvc and sch 80 fittings. A 1” gate valve is used for precise control and ease of use.
•A stylish 3/8” black acrylic lid gives the protein skimmer a clean, polished, professional look
 
Is the RLSS-R6-I with DC3000 pump a good choice for a 90g with 30g sump? I don't know a whole lot about skimmers but this one seems pretty good.
 
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