Skimmer & Skimmate ?

NewSchool04

NewSchool04

New member
I've never used any other skimmers besides these two. A Euro-Reef ES5-2 and CS5-2. Both 20" tall, 5" body and both powered by a Sedra 3500. The smallest of the small ER's but man I've had a lot of success with both these guy's on my old set up which was a 75 and 30 cube plumbed into eachother and now with my 180.
I keep thinking that I'm underskimming my bigger system and I was wondering how much skimmate everyone is pulling.

These pics are after two 1/2 days of skimming, about 1.5 cups of skimmate not counting the sludge in the cup and neck. It's disgusting stuff and the skimmers usually go about 3 days before I clean, always the same production.

CIMG4874.jpg


CIMG4876.jpg


I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on a larger skimmer, the BM 200 and I'm just wondering if I'm messing with something that doesn't need to be fixed.

I only have 5 fish now but plan on adding more.

What do you think?
 
I have the BM 200, its a big cup,it will fill in about 4 days, i dont usually go that long, as 2 days of gunk is about all the stink factor i can take. Yours appear to be doing a great job though, so tough to call. I dont think you would regret the BM, its by far the nicest skimmer i have owned, if nothing else the wide neck and easy to clean big cup make daily maint a snap. If you want to see the BM200 running just shoot me a PM. Tim.
 
Why not get a remote container that will hold a gallon or so.

I empty mine every 2 weeks.
I think it is 5 liter or something.

I think my skimmer is doing a good job.
I leave it off when I travel, when I get back it has 1-2 days of skimmate like yours, then it is back to normal.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10632856#post10632856 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by homebrewdude
Why not get a remote container that will hold a gallon or so.

I empty mine every 2 weeks.
I think it is 5 liter or something.

I think my skimmer is doing a good job.
I leave it off when I travel, when I get back it has 1-2 days of skimmate like yours, then it is back to normal.
Click to expand...

Remote containers are great for vacations and work travel but I'm not a big fan of them for everyday tank maintenance. I've found that skimmers really slow down production when their necks get covered in sludge and if you're not cleaning it, you're not getting the best out of your skimmer.

I'd bet if you cleaned your skimmer cup and neck every 3 - 5 days you'd notice a huge increase in the amount of skimmate you're pulling.
 
Thanks for the offer Napervegas, if I decide to move forward with the BM 200 I'll give you a call.

How much skimmate would you say it's pulling every two days compared to mine? That's what I'm worried about. Sure, mine are working great but what if I could double that or what if there is double the amount of crap in the tank that mine can't even get to b/c they are two small?
 
I was cleaning my skimmer cup every other day, when I first put the rock in, now that the tank is stable the skimmer takes 2 weeks to get as dirty as yours.
 
Those EV's are very finicky skimmers. The guy that I bought my old 75 from had an EV-120 and I could never get the thing to work. On and off depending on what seemed like the skimmers mood! I bought the ES5-2 a month after setting up the tank b/c I was so frustrated.

See if anyone you know has an extra needle wheel skimmer hanging around that you can do a test with, see which style you like best. I'd guarantee that the your system should be pulling way more skimmate than what you currently are.
 
Pat, whats the footprint on one you would recommend for my 40? Its time to upgrade mine. I want to make sure theres room in yet to be built sump. Let me know buddy... especially if you plan to upgrade and want to sell one ;)
 
I think the problem with the EV type skimmers is not using the correct pump.

I started with a mag 7 like the mfg suggested.
I upgraded the pump and have no problems setting it up to skim.

My water is very clear and I have no algae problems.

What types of things can I check to see if I am pulling enough?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10633284#post10633284 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by homebrewdude
I think the problem with the EV type skimmers is not using the correct pump.

I started with a mag 7 like the mfg suggested.
I upgraded the pump and have no problems setting it up to skim.

My water is very clear and I have no algae problems.

What types of things can I check to see if I am pulling enough?
Click to expand...

I'm not really sure on what you would check to see if it's pulling enough. I just know from my experience and with me running these two small skimmers, they always pull this amount of skimmate. When I ran one with just the 75, it pulled just the same. When I added on the 30 and got the other skimmer, they both pulled the same amount.
I can't figure out why they wouldn't perform the same on your tank. I wish I could loan them out to you so we could experiment!!

You going to Doubledown's frag bag thingy? I thought I saw you post something about bringing home made hooch.
 
Actually my reason for choosing the EV-180 was the footprint.
It fits under my stand and in my sump, and I run the sump water level rather high.

I am not sure if I am going to the frab bag, need to find a place for 2 kids.
 
Hey Newschool, I am almost in the same boat as you. I am setting up a 180 and trying to decide what skimmer to run. I basically have it narrowed down to a BM 200 and the Sequnence snapper that is not out yet. In all honest if you don't mind cleaning two skimmer cups every 2-3 days, and your parameters are low and steady, why bother changing?

Homebredude - the aquac can skim like champs when tuned in with the right pump. I had a 120 for 3 years and still use it every so often.
 
JRaquatics, I can tell you one thing: the BubbleMaster pumps are far more efficient for equivalent air draw than are the Reeflo skimmers. The 200 uses one Sicce, which a Kil-a-Watt shows at under 30watts. The Snapper will run at about three times that.

For my money, though, I would pay difference and get the BM250.

If you are interested in a BM250 at a great price, I'm selling one in a couple of weeks. Pat has first dibs but in case he decides not to, shoot me an email and I'll keep youp posted.
 
Ostrow, let me know if Pat decides not to get the Bm250. Can you send me a PM with what you are asking for it?

The only thing I like more about the sequence skimmers are that the are recirculating, taller, cheaper and pumps/parts are easy to get.

Why are you getting rid of the skimmer?
 
those look to be doing a fine job, assuming your po4 / no3 are in check...?

if it ain;t broke... :)
 
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