Skimmer Q&A Thread
- Thread starter mojo~
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Spartanman22
New member
Thanks for all the help. I have no experience with ATB products. How well does it compare to the Vertex Omega 150? I know the Omegas can be finicky when dialing in, but they seem to be rock solid once properly adjusted. My concern is that it's real hard to find any reviews on the ATB Nano One.
jason2459
Well-known member
That's disappointing. Why not something higher end like Abyzz from Germany?
jason2459
Well-known member
Mixed reviews and for a skimmer that's supposed to be highly rated like ATB or Bubble King you'd think they would choose a higher quality pump as that's the heart and soul of the skimmer. Looks like one of the two got it right...
For something like the aquamaxx or bubblemagus the jebao may be perfectly fine.
PRDubois
New member
All bad Jaebo reviews come from the 1st version the pump or the DC series. We are using the DCT which uses a different harder plastic then the originals. Also the electronics have been changed. Jaebo is also swapping out the DC pumps they sold for the DCT ones.
jason2459
Well-known member
Balance between the air/water draw, ability to get a fine bubble, body size (height/diameter), and neck diameter/height among other things I'm sure. All to allow for a consistent and reliable foam head. But I've become less and less convinced that the actual shape of the body maters.
Good to know they are actively working on fixing things but time will tell on the reliability. I would still think ATB would want a better quality or more established pump manufacturer.
ghostshrimp
New member
Can anyone please recommend a budget skimmer for a 70 gallon tank? I am new to this hobby and I would like to have a skimmer that is both good and cost effective. Thanks!
Swope2bc
New member
ghostshrimp
New member
Have you been using it? If yes then how's your experience with it?
Carlos Roberto
New member
I have a 85g display tank and 20g sump. Im planning to get a heavy stocked aquarium .
Im looking for a good skimmer that can hold up the run
And im thinking about to get 1 of these two:
- Reef Octopus Classic 110INT Protein Skimmer
- AquaMaxx ConeS CO-1
What do you think?
Chees,
Carlos GarcÃa
Im looking for a good skimmer that can hold up the run
And im thinking about to get 1 of these two:
- Reef Octopus Classic 110INT Protein Skimmer
- AquaMaxx ConeS CO-1
What do you think?
Chees,
Carlos GarcÃa
Swope2bc
New member
It's my first skimmer, but was recommended to me by others here when I asked the same question. I have 70g total water volume and it is skimming like a little champ! It seems well built, has a built in drain option and is relatively easy to adjust. I pull pretty dry skim and empty about every 3rd day or so. I'm very happy with it, but have nothing else to compare it to other than the recommendation I was given.
bernie lyons
New member
skimmer
skimmer
Hi corey,'An MTC dual mazzei venturi will be your best choice as it has more contact time than pinwheels and will allow you to adjust the air/water parameters separetely .
skimmer
Hi corey,'An MTC dual mazzei venturi will be your best choice as it has more contact time than pinwheels and will allow you to adjust the air/water parameters separetely .
ghostshrimp
New member
Ok thank you!
jason2459
Well-known member
Going to be trying out yet another skimmer...
I couldn't pass up a deal on an Aquamaxx EM300. I came across one in the used selling section of this forum but there was some delays in communications and I came across an even better deal for the same skimmer from someone else. lol I feel bad for the original seller to move on to a second one so if anyone is interested there's a listing I bumped earlier for the em300.
I've been eyeing a few skimmers and looking out in the used market for them like the life reefs, mtc, and the aquamaxx line. Possible try out a different reef octopus or if a really good deal on an ATB showed up. There is a nice reef octopus up for sale in the sale section too for a decent price.
I like the EM300 as it's similar to the SRO 3000 with a little smaller height but with what I think are some improved differences and I hope turn into better consistency which I didn't have with the SRO.
The outlet pipe on the SRO had to be modified so it didn't have a jet of water streaming out it's pipe and that was an easy fix with a pvc T and vent pipe up the top. The EM300 (btw looks like the Seasside ES2 is made by the same people which would be JNS possibly) has a low at the base outlet with a tall vent pipe and water level adjustment. It works really well with my current Seaside ES2. This improved outlet design also allows for a much improved smaller footprint in the EM300 over the SRO with the same body diameter which is 8" in both.
The SRO is slightly taller in the overall height which is desperately needed as the air draw with the hy3000 is about 100 lph higher then on the shark 3 at the recommended setup. Which is why I was thinking of trying the SRO out again with a neck extension. But I got the EM300 for cheaper then I would purchasing the neck extension and new hy3000 pump. With the shark 3 producing slightly less air I'm hoping to make for a better balanced skimmer. Also, the recommended water height is lower with the EM300 at 8-9" compared to the 6-7" with the SRO which I did not like. I hope this also helps create more stability.
The other thing I just hated with the SRO is the press fitted bottom that easily fell off. The EM300 much like my current seaside skimmer and looks like exactly the same kind of base uses thumbscrew attachment.
I'm glad I got a hold of one the EM300's. I don't know if I exactly like the new cones Q series that looks to possibly replace the EM series which replaced the AM series. Big thing I don't like is the neck tapering in the Q's which ATB did in their Elegance line but I think the ATB design of that tapering is much better by being tapered along the entire neck. The Q series "hybrid" cone starts lower in the body then the EM series reducing total volume in the body, steps straight up which the ATB design tapers right away in the neck(more compatible for neck cleaners btw), and then half way up the neck steps to a taper again.
I just feel the EM series is better balanced with body volume and neck sizing with the same pump. I could be totally wrong and time will tell. But I've already seen some mixed reviews on the Q series though which I've seen much MUCH more positive then negative on the EM series. I wouldn't mind seeing if I can get the bubble plate used in the Q3 and trying it out on the EM300 since they are the same exact pump and main body diameter.
I am very very very happy with the Seaside Aquatics ES2 and will keep it around in case I don't see the same kind of performance and consistency with the EM300. They are actually very similar in looks besides the ES2 being a full cone. The EM300 will provide about 300 lph of more air draw and a bigger body to hopefully be at least slightly more productive. I should have the EM300 next week and will look forward to side by side shots with the SRO 3000 and ES2.
I couldn't pass up a deal on an Aquamaxx EM300. I came across one in the used selling section of this forum but there was some delays in communications and I came across an even better deal for the same skimmer from someone else. lol I feel bad for the original seller to move on to a second one so if anyone is interested there's a listing I bumped earlier for the em300.
I've been eyeing a few skimmers and looking out in the used market for them like the life reefs, mtc, and the aquamaxx line. Possible try out a different reef octopus or if a really good deal on an ATB showed up. There is a nice reef octopus up for sale in the sale section too for a decent price.
I like the EM300 as it's similar to the SRO 3000 with a little smaller height but with what I think are some improved differences and I hope turn into better consistency which I didn't have with the SRO.
The outlet pipe on the SRO had to be modified so it didn't have a jet of water streaming out it's pipe and that was an easy fix with a pvc T and vent pipe up the top. The EM300 (btw looks like the Seasside ES2 is made by the same people which would be JNS possibly) has a low at the base outlet with a tall vent pipe and water level adjustment. It works really well with my current Seaside ES2. This improved outlet design also allows for a much improved smaller footprint in the EM300 over the SRO with the same body diameter which is 8" in both.
The SRO is slightly taller in the overall height which is desperately needed as the air draw with the hy3000 is about 100 lph higher then on the shark 3 at the recommended setup. Which is why I was thinking of trying the SRO out again with a neck extension. But I got the EM300 for cheaper then I would purchasing the neck extension and new hy3000 pump. With the shark 3 producing slightly less air I'm hoping to make for a better balanced skimmer. Also, the recommended water height is lower with the EM300 at 8-9" compared to the 6-7" with the SRO which I did not like. I hope this also helps create more stability.
The other thing I just hated with the SRO is the press fitted bottom that easily fell off. The EM300 much like my current seaside skimmer and looks like exactly the same kind of base uses thumbscrew attachment.
I'm glad I got a hold of one the EM300's. I don't know if I exactly like the new cones Q series that looks to possibly replace the EM series which replaced the AM series. Big thing I don't like is the neck tapering in the Q's which ATB did in their Elegance line but I think the ATB design of that tapering is much better by being tapered along the entire neck. The Q series "hybrid" cone starts lower in the body then the EM series reducing total volume in the body, steps straight up which the ATB design tapers right away in the neck(more compatible for neck cleaners btw), and then half way up the neck steps to a taper again.
I just feel the EM series is better balanced with body volume and neck sizing with the same pump. I could be totally wrong and time will tell. But I've already seen some mixed reviews on the Q series though which I've seen much MUCH more positive then negative on the EM series. I wouldn't mind seeing if I can get the bubble plate used in the Q3 and trying it out on the EM300 since they are the same exact pump and main body diameter.
I am very very very happy with the Seaside Aquatics ES2 and will keep it around in case I don't see the same kind of performance and consistency with the EM300. They are actually very similar in looks besides the ES2 being a full cone. The EM300 will provide about 300 lph of more air draw and a bigger body to hopefully be at least slightly more productive. I should have the EM300 next week and will look forward to side by side shots with the SRO 3000 and ES2.
My observation as a skimmer designer has shown that everything else being the same, the skimmer that produces the smallest air bubbles will be the most efficient.
During the days that needle wheel impellers were infused with thin nylon wire(enkamet),very small bubbles were produced along with huge amount of foam.
Unfortunately the enkamet fell apart quickly so the experiment was abandoned.
During the days that needle wheel impellers were infused with thin nylon wire(enkamet),very small bubbles were produced along with huge amount of foam.
Unfortunately the enkamet fell apart quickly so the experiment was abandoned.
Quiverfull
Member
I have a new set up 37gallon with 20 gallon small custom sump (all equipment I previously had approx. total water volume about 50 gallons). I want to make this an SPS only set up but the largest effective skimer footprint I can accommodate in this sump is 5 x 9 inches. I have an old AquaC 120 but have had issues getting it to skim properly (might be overskimming for this size water volume). I am seriously considering the Sea Side Aquatics CS3.5 with Sicce SK200 needlewheel pump as this has a footprint of only 4.6 x 6.6 inches and would fit. It is a cone design, has a diffuser plate and can be disassembled for cleaning - all nice design features. It is 4 inches in diameter. Any thoughts, recommendations, etc. Are there any HOB skimmer that would be better? What about an external skimmer for this size tank (not a real fan of this)?
Thanks
Thanks
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