Skimmer Q&A Thread

[reefdude135]

Has anyone looked at the more recent Hang-On-Tank designs? I have a 90g that needs a skimmer, and we're not able to put in a sump. I know the BakPak is probably too small.... Remoras a re a mixed bag at best. I see that a new AquaMaxx HOB-XC Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer is about to come out 90g rating, built-in heater chamber) but I don't know much about the brand. Any HOT recommendations are appreciated!

 

[chercm]

need some advice on which skimmer should i choose for the 2x2x2ft ?

Deltec 1455
Vertex omega 130
Coral box D700 from Fish street
Skimz SM163

I plan to use polyp lab reef resh

 

[darb85]

I have an SCA-303 skimmer and it has stopped efficiently producing bubbles. I thoroughly cleaned it including running it in vinegar/water mix for a day. It worked ok but then suddenly stopped producing bubbles. I cant get it to work well at all now. at best bubble production is half of what it was before.

pulled the pump and cleaned again but no go.

at a loss. any helP?

 

[Kolognekoral]

I have an SCA-303 skimmer and it has stopped efficiently producing bubbles. I thoroughly cleaned it including running it in vinegar/water mix for a day. It worked ok but then suddenly stopped producing bubbles. I cant get it to work well at all now. at best bubble production is half of what it was before.

pulled the pump and cleaned again but no go.

at a loss. any helP?

If a skimmer stops producing bubbles, then the air intake would be suspect. Look for a cloged line/inlet. Otherwise, it could be the pumps is failing and simply not pulling.

j.

 

[Mark426]

Has anyone looked at the more recent Hang-On-Tank designs? I have a 90g that needs a skimmer, and we're not able to put in a sump. I know the BakPak is probably too small.... Remoras a re a mixed bag at best. I see that a new AquaMaxx HOB-XC Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer is about to come out 90g rating, built-in heater chamber) but I don't know much about the brand. Any HOT recommendations are appreciated!

I am in the same boat...ended up with a Reef Octopus BH-90. It is awesome for a HOB. A friend has a Reef Octopus BH-200 that he is more than happy with. I can easily recommend both.
No personal experience with Aquamaxx skimmers but most seem happy with theirs. Remoras are way down on my list. I handled an eshopps skimmer and it seemed like cheap junk....I am sure others will disagree...justs my two-cents.

 

[MedRed]

JNS/Aquamaxx have turned me into believers with their ConeS CO series of skimmers.

Day 2 and 2 days of skimmate
<iframe width="960" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zTMQjb28UFM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Day 4 and 4 days of skimmate
<iframe width="960" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6lxDZtYqihc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Day 13 and 4 days of skimmate
<iframe width="960" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ovp9CGHM034" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[cwschoon]

JNS VS 1. HOB SKIMMER help please

JNS VS 1. HOB SKIMMER help please

Just set this up. Micro bubbles are insane! Should this subsist after the skimmer gets broken in? A few days perhaps? No chemicals in tank.
Thanks.

 

[jbeanz]

Hey guys running an Aquamaxx Cone 2 on my 120. For those of you running the same skimmer at what water depth do you see it pulling the best skimmate? Right now I have it in 8 inches and I'm getting tea colored stuff.

 

[MrCaveman]

180g mixed reef, heavy bio load.

I really want one of the aquamaxx skimmers but they cant keep the product in stock...

I want the quietest, most reliable pump with best warranty and customer service so please help me narrow the choices down a bit

So here's my other choices in no particular order:
- JNS Cone 3
- RLSS R8-u
- Reef Octopus Elite 200
- SSA ES2 or CS2
- SWC 250 (Dual PSK 2500 pumps)
- Tunze 9415 (I like the design and quality but they're so small!)

 

[MxReEfEr92]

180g mixed reef, heavy bio load.



I really want one of the aquamaxx skimmers but they cant keep the product in stock...



I want the quietest, most reliable pump with best warranty and customer service so please help me narrow the choices down a bit



So here's my other choices in no particular order:

- JNS Cone 3

- RLSS R8-u

- Reef Octopus Elite 200

- SSA ES2 or CS2

- SWC 250 (Dual PSK 2500 pumps)

- Tunze 9415 (I like the design and quality but they're so small!)

You should check out the ATB 1050 or elegance 200 if you want ultra quiet, top notch customer service and top notch quality.

 

[paperdesk]

I picked up a used Reef Octopus nwb-200 that I've just put into the sump for my 90g tank. It sits in 8" of water.

Question one: Is this skimmer too large for that size tank?

Question two: The pump seems a bit loud. I have three impellers (two the same design and one different), and two pumps, and have tried different configurations and nothing changes. The noise is from the pump itself, and doesn't go away when I lift it off the glass.

 

[Zacktosterone]

hey mojo i have a 205 gallon tank and a 30 gallon sump with a skimmer space of 14.5"-16.75" and an adjustable water level of 6"-10".

Planned fish
4 large tangs
1 foxface
2 large angels
13 smaller fish such as blennies, clowns, anthias chrmois, etc
maybe an eel

Corals, mostly sps with some lps

What skimmer would be able to handle my bioload as well as be QUIET in doing so. I have a budget of $500.00-$750.00 I've been looking for 4 months and I can't seem to find a skimmer that i'm confident in.

 

[moondoggy4]

Best C/S

Best C/S

180g mixed reef, heavy bio load.

I really want one of the aquamaxx skimmers but they cant keep the product in stock...

I want the quietest, most reliable pump with best warranty and customer service so please help me narrow the choices down a bit

So here's my other choices in no particular order:
- JNS Cone 3
- RLSS R8-u
- Reef Octopus Elite 200
- SSA ES2 or CS2
- SWC 250 (Dual PSK 2500 pumps)
- Tunze 9415 (I like the design and quality but they're so small!)

Hands down is Tunze, Roger is on the watch 5 days a week, they stock the parts and if it is no longer being made they discount the new stuff to compensate you for it.
Any DC pump does not have a proven history yet.

 

[Fish N Coral]

Hi newb here.

What is the average lifetime for a Skimmer?

I know that it should vary by brand and setup but a guesstimate or personal experience would be nice. I've read countless stories of people spending a good amount for one and then it breaks down on them.

 

[calebtrueblue]

I bought a eshopps psk 150 used and can't find what the optimal sump water height is. Anyone know this? My skimmer will work fine for a few days then go crazy and start overflowing.

 

[Drae]

Hi newb here.

What is the average lifetime for a Skimmer?

I know that it should vary by brand and setup but a guesstimate or personal experience would be nice. I've read countless stories of people spending a good amount for one and then it breaks down on them.

The skimmer doesn't breakdown the pump does. Try to get a unit with a pump that's proven to last as well as perform. Sicce and askol block pumps are great choices. A good skimmer pump should last minimum 3-5 years imo. That's minimum.

 

[Drae]

hey mojo i have a 205 gallon tank and a 30 gallon sump with a skimmer space of 14.5"-16.75" and an adjustable water level of 6"-10".

Planned fish
4 large tangs
1 foxface
2 large angels
13 smaller fish such as blennies, clowns, anthias chrmois, etc
maybe an eel

Corals, mostly sps with some lps

What skimmer would be able to handle my bioload as well as be QUIET in doing so. I have a budget of $500.00-$750.00 I've been looking for 4 months and I can't seem to find a skimmer that i'm confident in.

Look into life reef without the mag drive pump (sicce or askol/luguna pump) and look into jns/aquamaxx. Jmo.

 

[Zacktosterone]

Look into life reef without the mag drive pump (sicce or askol/luguna pump) and look into jns/aquamaxx. Jmo.

What's so good about aquaxx?

 

[Drae]

What's so good about aquaxx?

Performance! They just plain and simply perform. They're quiet, built well and use the sicce shark pumps that are proven to be silent and last. They're also balanced (air/water lph/gph) extremely well. I like in sump skimmers personally and for the price and performance these are hard to beat. A coneS co-3 would be great for 205.

 

[Zacktosterone]

Performance! They just plain and simply perform. They're quiet, built well and use the sicce shark pumps that are proven to be silent and last. They're also balanced (air/water lph/gph) extremely well. I like in sump skimmers personally and for the price and performance these are hard to beat. A coneS co-3 would be great for 205.

How do you know it can handle a heavy bioload