Skimmer scammers?
- Thread starter somebloke
- Start date
jason2459
Well-known member
Keep in mind some people don't think so and some people don't use a skimmer at all and some believe they do more harm then good.
jason2459
Well-known member
Or you're like me and buy one every 1-2 years or less because you have fun trying and testing them out. Though my current one has so much flexibility it may last me a while (besides being the best performer by far...) I've already done quite a bit of testing and changes with it and plans for many more. [emoji1]
Well, just so you know there's differences of opinion and expierence, I decided 20 years ago they were useless. And I found it an amusing confirmation later that of the two oldest coral farmers in the US (Steve Tyree and Tropicorium) had come to the same conclusion at the same time and as well Julian Sprung stopped using skimmers in the late '90s. But if you still believe one is necessary here's Feldman, et al, review of skimmers, note their conclusion is "bubbles are bubbles":
Protein Skimmer Performance, Pt 1
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/aafeature2
Protein Skimmer Performance, Pt 2
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/1/aafeature
And I find it curious that even though their research has provided the skimmer manufacturers two different potential metrics letting consumers be able to objectively compare one model or brand to another like they can with pumps (gph) or lights (Kelvin, Par), no one has adopted them.
Protein Skimmer Performance, Pt 1
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/aafeature2
Protein Skimmer Performance, Pt 2
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/1/aafeature
And I find it curious that even though their research has provided the skimmer manufacturers two different potential metrics letting consumers be able to objectively compare one model or brand to another like they can with pumps (gph) or lights (Kelvin, Par), no one has adopted them.
jason2459
Well-known member
Yep, a bubble is a bubble. But the smaller, more density, and dwell time are important as those articles point out and can greatly differ from skimmer to skimmer.
And overall skimmers are terrible mechanical filters as the articles out there point out and people come to say about 30% efficient.
I like that though. I don't use any other form of mechanical filtration and don't want to. To me the skimmer is just enough. I also leave the detritus in my sump to build up like mud. It ends up as food and home for something.
I find a skimmer much more useful for aeration. Which for me is very important and far from useless to help boost pH which it does very successfully.
And overall skimmers are terrible mechanical filters as the articles out there point out and people come to say about 30% efficient.
I like that though. I don't use any other form of mechanical filtration and don't want to. To me the skimmer is just enough. I also leave the detritus in my sump to build up like mud. It ends up as food and home for something.
I find a skimmer much more useful for aeration. Which for me is very important and far from useless to help boost pH which it does very successfully.
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CrayolaViolence
New member
Did they write any articles on the subject. I'd like to read them. Also, what do they use in their systems if they don't use a skimmer?
I have run without. Certain things (that are natural filters) grow well.
I have run with a small one. Again, same result.
I have run with a not-so-good larger one. Did ok.
Then I had a large powerout that left me with a monster nitrate problem. Spent a year and many bucks trying to fix that. Changed skimmers to a pretty-good one, and the nitrate problem literally dropped tens of points overnight and kept dropping, until it's optimum.
Depends on a lot of factors. Depends on what you've got. Depends on what you need.
Not equipping your tank with a sump so you can use a good one if you need it is not the best move for the future.
But novices can get by quite often without one---until they need one badly.
I have run with a small one. Again, same result.
I have run with a not-so-good larger one. Did ok.
Then I had a large powerout that left me with a monster nitrate problem. Spent a year and many bucks trying to fix that. Changed skimmers to a pretty-good one, and the nitrate problem literally dropped tens of points overnight and kept dropping, until it's optimum.
Depends on a lot of factors. Depends on what you've got. Depends on what you need.
Not equipping your tank with a sump so you can use a good one if you need it is not the best move for the future.
But novices can get by quite often without one---until they need one badly.
jason2459
Well-known member
Agree. And it is amazing how much better a good balanced skimmer is, doesn't have to be expensive, compared to one that is not. Even expensive ones could be junk if not done right.
Those articles listed above have some classic solid skimmers being tested. I'd expect them to all perform about the same and still compete with the latest greatest skimmers of today. The article does a great job showing that shape, bubble plates, needle wheels, etc make little difference. But take say that precision marine and get a taller model even with the same pump and I would bet it out performs the rest of that group due to greater dwell time.
jason2459
Well-known member
I've used several cylinders, a cone, a few hybrid cylinder with cone on top, and a curve. Made me realize shape doesn't mater so much but there are definitely very nice cone skimmers out there.
Most all, that were any good, produced pretty much the same looking and consistency of skimmate. At least for me.
Except one. My current skimmer produce the most amazing very thick and sticky kind of dry skimmate. Its also the first non-needle/pin wheel skimmer I've use (besides an airstone skimmer I made.) My current skimmer couldn't be any more of a cylinder.
Most all, that were any good, produced pretty much the same looking and consistency of skimmate. At least for me.
Except one. My current skimmer produce the most amazing very thick and sticky kind of dry skimmate. Its also the first non-needle/pin wheel skimmer I've use (besides an airstone skimmer I made.) My current skimmer couldn't be any more of a cylinder.
FamilyTank
New member
Good reading so far.
But to get back on topic, abit.
I do find that the manufacturers of skimmers are fairly proud of their skimmers and charge as so. I feel that those making ATS systems charge a bunch for one of the easiest diy projects you can have in any aquatic system.
But to get back on topic, abit.
I do find that the manufacturers of skimmers are fairly proud of their skimmers and charge as so. I feel that those making ATS systems charge a bunch for one of the easiest diy projects you can have in any aquatic system.
