Skimmer Q&A Thread

[msderganc]

Thanks guys, I'll continue to experiment. My biopellet reactor is just going near my intake, not plumbed in.

For air, it's a 5/16 tube and I'm running it about 15 feet through 1/2 in tubing to get it outside.

I'm also running the second port to a CO2 scrubber activated by a solenoid when my pH gets low (to increase oxygenation). I had the same issues with the skimmer before I made those mods, though.

 

[msderganc]

Could someone recommend a few skimmers for a 190g display, ~260g system, with heavy stocking?

 

[Drae]

Could someone recommend a few skimmers for a 190g display, ~260g system, with heavy stocking?

In sump or external? Atb 1050 or a jns sk5 would be nice. Maybe a lifereef svs-30 with a mazzei venturi and a sicce syncra or askoll pump.

 

[msderganc]

In sump or external? Atb 1050 or a jns sk5 would be nice. Maybe a lifereef svs-30 with a mazzei venturi and a sicce syncra or askoll pump.

In sump, I should have specified.

 

[Drae]

All of the skimmers I mentioned would work great.

 

[msderganc]

All of the skimmers I mentioned would work great.

Thanks! What's the equivalent AquaMaxx skimmer to the JNS?

 

[Drae]

Thanks! What's the equivalent AquaMaxx skimmer to the JNS?

The cone 5. That skimmer works really well. A LFS here in Vegas skims a 400 with one! I think it's a little undersized for the 400 but their tank looks great.

 

[msderganc]

Try this, lower the bubble level in the skimmer to below the neck about and inch or two....see if it starts producing nice foam. Also be sure the air line is free of any buildup by running warm water through the air line.Also the sro moves about 425gph if your flowing much more through the sump, well, that can have a profound effect too.

So, I had almost given up on the skimmer (SRO-XP 3000int), and was about to order a brand new ATB 1050.

Just before I did, I decided to pull the SRO out and give it a good deep clean just to make sure. Well, I'm not sure what I did, but it's a week later and the thing is pulling super dark skim very consistently. Strangely, I do a similar deep clean on it every three months or so. I've also got an automatic neck cleaner, and I do a light cleaning every two weeks. It's never skimmed like this before.

I'm not sure why this time was different, but maybe there was something coating the inside and preventing proper bubble formation. Regardless, it's skimming like a beast now, and that saved me ~$1000. :dance:

 

[westreef]

Aquamaxx cone 1

Aquamaxx cone 1

Anybody knows whether they still produce Aquamaxx cone 1? If not, do you know why.

 

[Drae]

Anybody knows whether they still produce Aquamaxx cone 1? If not, do you know why.

They still make that skimmer. It's their smallest, non hob, skimmer they produce.. Usually on back order.

 

[westreef]

Thanks. If you go to their website, they do not list that model, that's why I was wondering.

 

[Sandman II]

Skimmer Help

Skimmer Help

Looking for a skimmer. 90 gal mixed with med load. The space available in my refugium is 10.5 x 7.5 x 13. This space currently holds a sock. Upon purchasing the skimmer, should I remove the sock or run both?

 

[ajbeau]

Anybody have any experience with the Aquamaxx hob-xc skimmer? It looks like a neat skimmer with the dedicated heater column. Just trying to see if anybody has used it and if they like it or not.

 

[Drae]

Looking for a skimmer. 90 gal mixed with med load. The space available in my refugium is 10.5 x 7.5 x 13. This space currently holds a sock. Upon purchasing the skimmer, should I remove the sock or run both?

7.5 is the width? 13 water level?

 

[Drae]

Anybody have any experience with the Aquamaxx hob-xc skimmer? It looks like a neat skimmer with the dedicated heater column. Just trying to see if anybody has used it and if they like it or not.

I heard the cobalt pump is a little noisy. I would get the hob1 with the sicce. You can still fit a heater in there.

 

[westreef]

They still make that skimmer. It's their smallest, non hob, skimmer they produce.. Usually on back order.

Yes, they still make this skimmer. I have just ordered one. Hope this is better than my current skimmer.

 

[Sandman II]

7.5 is the width? 13 water level?

Correct.

 

[Drae]

Correct.

Go with the em200 aquamaxx. You'll need to raise the skimmer up about 4" though.

 

[chartwell]

Looking for suggestions for a 75 gallon display with a 30 gallon sump with a good-sized skimmer compartment. Will just have hardier fish and corals, no SPS. Would like to spend around $300.

Was thinking Reef Octopus 150, but am seeing suggestions in this thread for some other brands, like AquaMaxx?

Thank you!

 

[Drae]

Looking for suggestions for a 75 gallon display with a 30 gallon sump with a good-sized skimmer compartment. Will just have hardier fish and corals, no SPS. Would like to spend around $300.

Was thinking Reef Octopus 150, but am seeing suggestions in this thread for some other brands, like AquaMaxx?

Thank you!

Aquamaxx isn't the only capable skimmer on the market. I like them but I also like a few other budget skimmers... Look at the sea side aquatics cs1 for a 75. Well balanced and comes with the sicce psk 600. Lifereef, Aquamaxx, Tunze, and jns make good units also.