Skimmer Q&A Thread

[s2nhle]

Hi all,
I would like to seek for your advice on choosing between aquamaxx co-1 and used skimz sk 181 kone. Which one is better? Thanks,

 

[moondoggy4]

which

which

i have a 120 gallon medium to heavy ish bioload.

Looking at rlss r6i or Vertex 150 or Skimz Leopard 183.
would these be adequate? Or do i need to go bigger

I know that the Vertex 150 will work because that is what I have on my 120 with a lot of fish , PBT ,two blue jaw triggers purple tang, aust. harlequin tusk and other small fish.

 

[Drae]

Hi all,
I would like to seek for your advice on choosing between aquamaxx co-1 and used skimz sk 181 kone. Which one is better? Thanks,

Aquamaxx are great skimmers. I don't have any experience with skimz but I can vouch for the aquamaxx line.

 

[s2nhle]

Thanks Drae.

 

[rownsurf]

Been running a JNS SK3 with good results the last few years, but last week it stopped producing bubbles. Checked needlewheel and it seems ok, but not spinning unless I prod it a bit and then it'll stop erraticly. The inside of the chamber where the needlewheel rests also has some raised areas and I'm not sure if this area is supposed to be smooth. Anyone have experience with this skimmer and similar problems? Any ideas on how to fix or if I just have to buy a whole new pump??

 

[scarpenter]

no micro bubbles anymore

no micro bubbles anymore

my skimmer has been on life support for a while. Now the it seems the pump is not turning the needlewheel fast enough to cut those large bubbles into micro bubbles. Anyone have any suggestions to fix other than buying a new pump? it just produces boiling water size bubbles...i have a video but can't get it to upload.

 

[feh]

Having a hard time choosing a skimmer. I am having a custom sump built that is 20.5 x 22 x 14. Pic below. The filter sock in the skimmer compartment really makes things tight. This will be going under a Reef Savvy 50 gallon cube 24x24x20. Also sump will be euro braced. I'm guessing about an inch width on that.

I've been looking at Tunze 9006, SSA CS3.5, CS5.5, ES5, Skimz 121. I really like the ES5 and I'm wondering if the pump can be turned so its inline with the return/water level adjustment pipe. If that is the case depending on the height of the filter sock holder I'm thinking I might be able to squeeze it in there. Any ideas? Would love some input from the skimmer pros. I'm planning to go 8.5" to 9" with running water depth.

 

[peppe7577]

hi all, can some one tell to me if a double cone 180 is extreamley big for a 45g full sps and fish ora i can manage for it? ora a vertex omega 150 is better?

 

[FlyPenFly]

EShopps S-150 vs XP1000sss

In a heavily stocked 80 gallon total system would you be better off using a XP1000sss or an eShopps S-150.

The psk-600 has far better water draw specs than the Bubbleblaster 1000 pump at 247gph vs 150gph. Air draw is pretty close and the wattage is double on the sicce.

 

[Notjohnwayne]

The Reef octo

I purchased the Vertex Alpha 250 for my 250 gallon and the thing is an absolute beast! Silent as well

 

[jdamon]

I thought I had made my decision for a skimmer for my 150... I would like the ATB elegance 200 pro as it is nice and supposed to be quiet. They are available directly from ATB, but that is international and I am a bit worried that I may not be able to get parts? The pump is an airstar DC, but I have not seen that for sale here in the states. The LFS suggested the octopus POV as it has the DC pump as well, but I saw a few people saying it was loud. So, should I just buy the ATB from Austria and take my chances, or is there another quality skimmer that would be recommended that is quiet? Thanks!

The 150 will have a total volume of 180 or so and I plan to heavily stock the tank.

 

[sneeyatch]

Anyone going to be trying out the new Octo line coming out next month? There's 2 different new SSS skimmers that look like Bubble King knock-offs sort of (visually) but will be running the Aquatrance pumps and have a wedge pipe? I love Octos, but am NOT a fan of the gate valves on them. I've used wedge pipe designs in the past and love them.

I want to get the 150 model but my 90 gallon isn't set up yet, so there's no real rush for me to get it.

Coralvue's website and Aquarium Specialty have them on their sites already, they're just not available yet.

 

[FlyPenFly]

Footprint: 7.3″ x 9.45″ | Body Diameter: 6″ | Height: 20.8″
Max Flow: 140gph
Max Air: 480L/H, 17SCFH

Compared to an XP1000sss
Body Size: 6″
Footprint: 9.5″ x7.5″
Total Height: 20.5″
Air Draw: 540 lph / 19 SCFH*
Water Draw: 565 lph / 150 GPH*

Pros:
wattage is very good for those numbers.
recommended sump depth is 2 inches deeper than the xp1000sss which is nice if you run a deeper sump and don't want to or can't use a stand.

 

[sneeyatch]

I don't think sump depth will be a problem, if anything I think I may still need to add a stand which is no big deal.

I can't wait for these to come out and see what the reviews are like.

 

[feh]

I had the builder adjust the sump so I can squeeze the SSA ES5 in. Problem resolved. Heh.

 

[AdamSabina]

Anybody running the bubble magus NAC9? If so what water depth are you running? I'm trying to get the best work out of this skimmer but so far it hasn't proven to be very consistent.

 

[jbeanz]

Will an aquamaxx cone 2 be enough for a mixed 120g reef? I have been seeing good reviews for the aquamaxx brand my budget is no more then $300.00

 

[azjohnny]

For your budget an Aquamaxx EM200/Cone 2 will be as good as it will get for you

 

[Drae]

Will an aquamaxx cone 2 be enough for a mixed 120g reef? I have been seeing good reviews for the aquamaxx brand my budget is no more then $300.00

The cone 2 would be great for a 120. Either one would work though.

 

[wcharon]

Has anyone upgraded from a Reef Octupos SRO 1000-SSS to a Vertex Omega 150??? I will like to know how best of performance it was.

Thanks in advance...