Skimmer Q&A Thread

Hi guys I'm currently in the middle if a 105 rimless build with a 100 gal basement sump. The tank will be sps dominated with a medium to heavy bio load. I found a really good deal on a atb 1050 v1.5 that I don't want to pass up. Will this skimmer be too big for my application to perform well? It's cheaper than the 840.
 
Galaxyreef said:
Hi guys I'm currently in the middle if a 105 rimless build with a 100 gal basement sump. The tank will be sps dominated with a medium to heavy bio load. I found a really good deal on a atb 1050 v1.5 that I don't want to pass up. Will this skimmer be too big for my application to perform well? It's cheaper than the 840.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, yes, that skimmer is better suited to a 200-250g tank. You can still try, but it is going to idle a lot and won't be able to start skimming until a decent amount of organics have built up.
 
I have been using this Bubble Magus 260 on my 180 gal heavily stocked reef + 30 gal sump for a couple of years but both Aquabee 2000/I pumps are dead/dying. Is the skimmer salvageable if I retrofit another pump onto it? Also, I am using it in my sump so I am wondering if a retrofitted pump could simply draw water from the sump. I would need to close up the 3 unused ports. Skimmy, Drae, others...do you think this is workable? If so, what pump would you recommend?
 

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Knishfish said:
I have been using this Bubble Magus 260 on my 180 gal heavily stocked reef + 30 gal sump for a couple of years but both Aquabee 2000/I pumps are dead/dying. Is the skimmer salvageable if I retrofit another pump onto it? Also, I am using it in my sump so I am wondering if a retrofitted pump could simply draw water from the sump. I would need to close up the 3 unused ports. Skimmy, Drae, others...do you think this is workable? If so, what pump would you recommend?
Click to expand...

How were you feeding the skimmer? The skimmer is definitely salvageable. That looks like an external recirc.
 
I don't see any reason you couldn't retro fit 2 different pumps on that skimmer to get the same exact performance as it was already getting. I would try to get new pumps that are as close as possible to the aquabee's specs. Eheim makes good pumps for recirculating skimmers , I would look at those.
 
For water supply, I'm using a valved down Mag 18 which first goes through my chiller than into the skimmer.

My concern with getting recirculating pump (i.e. eheim) is that it would be tough to retrofit because I would have to worry about both input and output and getting the fit just right. Any idea which eheim would work? Are they just standard eheims with air supply or do they have needle wheel/pin wheel versions?
 
They make a needlewheel version of their pumps. Reef dynamics sells a version that I bet would fit. They come with the recirculation plumbing already. They're very pricey though.
 
salvageable

salvageable

Knishfish said:
I have been using this Bubble Magus 260 on my 180 gal heavily stocked reef + 30 gal sump for a couple of years but both Aquabee 2000/I pumps are dead/dying. Is the skimmer salvageable if I retrofit another pump onto it? Also, I am using it in my sump so I am wondering if a retrofitted pump could simply draw water from the sump. I would need to close up the 3 unused ports. Skimmy, Drae, others...do you think this is workable? If so, what pump would you recommend?
Click to expand...

They're have been several threads on the availability or( lack there of) of Aqua Bee pumps. There are some available in Canada called Red Devil pumps, you could try Deltec you could try Bubble Magnus, I would remove the pumps make the skimmer a internal only skimmer place two Tunze 9420 pumps or the Sicce Synra pumps or the new DC pumps on it.
 
moondoggy4 said:
They're have been several threads on the availability or( lack there of) of Aqua Bee pumps. There are some available in Canada called Red Devil pumps, you could try Deltec you could try Bubble Magnus, I would remove the pumps make the skimmer a internal only skimmer place two Tunze 9420 pumps or the Sicce Synra pumps or the new DC pumps on it.
Click to expand...

Good idea. Cheaper by far.
 
Full cone versus half cone, and the price. The actual performance difference is negligible at best with the half cone probably edging out the cone by am immeasurable amount. With the exceedingly large neck, you will need a big bio-load to keep a stable foam head.
 
I'm on the market for a skimmer for a 34g Solana tank. Is there another skimmer besides the Tunze 9002 and the CADLights PLS-50 that can fit in the back chambers of the Solana?
 
I have a H&S A200 on my 215 gallon mostly SPS tank. I am planning an upgrade to a 300 or 400 gallon tank. I know the A200 is supposed to be rated up to 300 gallons but is it still a good skimmer. How much better are the new skimmers compaired to what I have now. If I were to buy a new skimmer for my 300 or 400, which one should I get.
 
LinkinReef said:
I'm on the market for a skimmer for a 34g Solana tank. Is there another skimmer besides the Tunze 9002 and the CADLights PLS-50 that can fit in the back chambers of the Solana?
Click to expand...
What chamber dimensions are you working with? The JNS WS 1 may be an option.
 
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