Ranchhand02
New member
I am wanting to upgrade my protein skimmer and I am looking at a Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer. Is this a good skimmer? What other sugestions do you have for an in sump skimmer? I have a 75 gallon tank.
Skimmer selection
- Thread starter Ranchhand02
- Start date
Everyones Hero
New member
I've had 3 skimmers:
Seaclone- It sucked.
AquaC Urchin- Good.
Octopus Recirc- Very Good.
Is your tank a fish only or a reef tank?
Seaclone- It sucked.
AquaC Urchin- Good.
Octopus Recirc- Very Good.
Is your tank a fish only or a reef tank?
Ranchhand02
New member
fish and a few corals
walkthedog
New member
Get a quality skimmer. With skimmers you really get what you pay for. If you get a cheep one then expect to be messing with it constantly trying to get it to work well. Again... Don't speed $$$ on a Deltec unless you really know what you want to do. Unless you get a used skimmer (which is a good idea) you will have to spend a few hundread to get a good one. Others might chime in and disagree but that is how I view it. Do a little research and look in the used forum for a good deal. But again, don't waste your money on crap. As far as the needle weedle go ... They are OK but I would look for a pin weel skimmer If I was you. I think they perform better.
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Bulldogger2008
New member
Would you recommend the 200 for a 125 gallon tank. My freaking Nitrates won't come down. No, I do not have a skimmer yet. The Tank has been running for nearly a month. All my other parameters are good.
Fizz71
FragSwapper
200 for a 125 is pretty good. Ratings are usually not very accurate so that's a good range.
One thing though...It's been my experience that a skimmer is no fix for lowering nitrates--you need a good fuge/dsb/rdsb or just some serious water changes. A skimmer will help, especially if you're overfeeding. But IMO I don't relate "Skimmer" to a solution of "High Nitrates". I'm curious what others have to say on that.
One thing though...It's been my experience that a skimmer is no fix for lowering nitrates--you need a good fuge/dsb/rdsb or just some serious water changes. A skimmer will help, especially if you're overfeeding. But IMO I don't relate "Skimmer" to a solution of "High Nitrates". I'm curious what others have to say on that.
Bulldogger2008
New member
Well I have a 125 thats being filtered by 2 magnum 350's, 4 bio wheels and 2 power heads, one low and one high. The Nitrates are around 35-40 ppm. They came down once on my first 20% water change last week and now their back up. I feed every 2-3 days. I also use 2 caps of bottled Photoplankten twice a week for my corals and anenomes. I add calcium when its below 400 and I also use Iodine and Strongium for corals etc... So why are my Nitrates freakin high?
Bulldogger2008
New member
Oh I was going to ask you, do you need a sump to run that 200 skimmer. I know absolutely nothing about skimmers. Well the ones you hang on the back are self explanatory but the 200 has some big tubes on the side and top etc... how do you hook it up etc... I want to be able to run it while using my Magnum 350's.
Everyones Hero
New member
I would think a skimmer would at least help with nitrates. It helps remove oils, excess food, fish waste, ect. Things that would otherwise go through the nitrogen cycle & eventually cause nitrates to rise.
But I agree- use it in conjunction with other waste/nitrate removers & water changes. I have a small fuge with some Cheato in it. I still clean my glass every few days but it's not nearly as much if I weren't running a skimmer & fuge.
But I agree- use it in conjunction with other waste/nitrate removers & water changes. I have a small fuge with some Cheato in it. I still clean my glass every few days but it's not nearly as much if I weren't running a skimmer & fuge.
Bulldogger2008
New member
how do i hook the 200 up? is it like a canister filter, outlet, inlet? I know absoluyely nothing about the skimmers
Everyones Hero
New member
Skimmers come in 3 different types:
-Hang on back (self explanatory)
-In sump- Sits inside the sump. Generally uses one pump to pump water & air into it.
-Recirculating- Uses either gravity feed or a small pump to pump water into the skimmer & another pump to circulate water/add air.
Both in sump & recirculating skimmers need a sump.
-Hang on back (self explanatory)
-In sump- Sits inside the sump. Generally uses one pump to pump water & air into it.
-Recirculating- Uses either gravity feed or a small pump to pump water into the skimmer & another pump to circulate water/add air.
Both in sump & recirculating skimmers need a sump.
Bulldogger2008
New member
sound like i need a sump, how do they work and how much and what sump would you recommend with the 200. Hey I'm leaving from work, will be home in about 1 hour, will talk to you later, thanks for the advice.
Everyones Hero
New member
There is an inlet area, usually a 1/2" fitting that takes vinyl tube. That's where the water/air mixture goes into the skimmer.
Then there's usually 1.5" PVC tubing with a ball valve & T connector. That is the output.
Use a pump to pump water into the input, the air rises & forms a foam that comes out of the very top of the skimmer. That's the waste. Then the water goes out through the outlet, back into the sump/tank.
EnglishRebel
Retired Rebel Reefer
Ranchhand02
New member
I have found a Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer for a 125 gallon tank that I can get for $75 and I was wondering if I should buy it or not. I have a cheap skimmer now and I am having trouble keeping ti set right, and I do not think that it is big enough for my tank, that is why I am wanting to upgrade.
Ranchhand02
New member
What would you recomend for my 75 gallon tank?
