Third Time's A Charm!

Isnt what a skimmer pulls kind of relative??

I mean that is going to depend on each tank....to say that one skimmer pulls more when its seen on another tank is is not really comapring apples to apples.

A really good skimmer can be seen as not pulling much if its on a clean system that does not have many issues. My skimmer does not pull as much now that I am running a filter bag that my drains dump into.

Any skimmer will pull more if its on a tank that has a lot to pull...

Great thread and discussion!

ein
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10698263#post10698263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by einsteins
Isnt what a skimmer pulls kind of relative??

I mean that is going to depend on each tank....to say that one skimmer pulls more when its seen on another tank is is not really comapring apples to apples.

A really good skimmer can be seen as not pulling much if its on a clean system that does not have many issues. My skimmer does not pull as much now that I am running a filter bag that my drains dump into.

Any skimmer will pull more if its on a tank that has a lot to pull...

Great thread and discussion!

ein
Click to expand...

That is a VERY good point, you can really only compare what happens on your tank, how the same skimmer works on another tank may be totally different.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10698263#post10698263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by einsteins
Isnt what a skimmer pulls kind of relative??

I mean that is going to depend on each tank....to say that one skimmer pulls more when its seen on another tank is is not really comapring apples to apples.

A really good skimmer can be seen as not pulling much if its on a clean system that does not have many issues. My skimmer does not pull as much now that I am running a filter bag that my drains dump into.

Any skimmer will pull more if its on a tank that has a lot to pull...

Great thread and discussion!

ein
Click to expand...



What you're saying is true. Since we almost always see skimmers on different tanks, we never get a true comparison. I had an ASM G5 that I ran on my tank. I got decent skimmate production, but it wasn't really great. I have since taken that skimmer off my tank and put it on my maintenance account. That tank is much dirtier than mine, and the skimmer rocks. I could post pics of what it pulls and people would think it was the best skimmer around. The question is, would a better skimmer hooked up to my tank have performed the way the ASM did on my maintenance tank? That is what I wish I could answer.

The fact that so few scientific tests are performed on skimmers and other reef products accounts for most of the snake oil on the market. Skimmers are especially prone to hype because anyone can post pics of a skimmer with crazy funky nog in the cup, if they are skimming a dirty enough system. I really wish there were people scientifically testing skimmers who weren't selling skimmers. Maybe then I could make an easy decision.



As things stand, I am left with rumors, hype and a few measurements that supposedly predict a skimmer's performance.

Body Diameter - The wider the better
Height - The taller the better (as long as the pumps can handle it)
Flow Rate - Slower flow in comparison to the body increases the skimming "power"
Pump - Less wattage and higher air output are better
Bubble size - Smaller bubbles are better
Maintenance - Thumbscrews are a pain
Looks - A good looking skimmer has to be better right?
Cost - Apparently more expensive is better :rolleyes:


Am I at all convinced that the above really mean anything? No

But what else can I do?



Brad
 
Do what you feel is right, I know easier said than done. All the options you mentioned are great ones, I dont think you will go wrong with any of them.
 
honestly I like octo, it is the in sump model so I can't say much for the pumps having trouble starting or randomly stopping. I think if the pumps are having that many problems somethings wrong and the company would warranty the pumps. Honestly if given the chance I'd love to compare a deltec to my octo, I haven't ran many of the big skimmers but I've seen alot of them in action and I feel there performance is very acceptable. You have to remember that tanks only going to get as dirty as you let it. If water changes and management of livestock are kept within the means of the skimmer or skimmers I don't see you having any problems.
 
I did actually run an Octo DNW 150 against an AP600, the octo is about 1.5 times bigger, used twice the power. The Deltec won, even though it was smaller, it pulled out more nog. The Octo was also mesh modded.

You are right though Jason, there is more to it than simply what skimmer you use. There are alot of ways to keep your water quality optimal.
 
I would love to come up with an additive that could be measured by a test kit. Then a small test sump could be set up and the skimmer ran for a specified period of time and the water re-tested...to find out how much it pulled. This could be a repeatable test that skimmers could be measured by and thus a standard set....

Hmmm....got me thinking now

ein
 
I think any of the skimmers in the league you are talking about will be plenty powerful enough.. Whether one is better than another.... you would never know without trying them all. I think any of them will get the job done.
 
2 days till the tank gets here!

Here is a drawing of the hole layout and the bracing for the display. The 6 smaller holes are for cords, and the 2 larger holes are for returns. I only plan on using 1 of the return holes, and the other will be a backup hole.

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/dascharisma/bradbtop.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>


Brad
 
Volunteers needed!

A few of my big friends have decided they would rather work or be out of town than help move the tank in. So, it looks like I need to turn to the reefing community to find people devoted enough to actually show up. The plan is to meet at my house in Ankeny at 2:00 on Sunday. If anyone would like to help, please pm me and I can get you directions. Beer will be served after the tank is in place.


Brad
 
if i had the extra time i'd love to help, if i can get my deck hand rails on saturday morning i might come down
 
Well it looks like we have plenty of people to move the tanks in now. According to JJ we should even have plenty of people to stand around and watch.


Now I am engaged in last minute preparations. I am removing a section of fence today, removing the railing on my deck stairs, and having the window removed.


Here are pics of the styrofoam that will support the tanks. It is 3/4." I used an adhesive to glue the display styrofoam in place. Hopefully it will stay put when the tank is being put into place.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/dascharisma/IMG_8843Large.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>




Here is the sump piece.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/dascharisma/IMG_8846Large.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>



Brad
 
Here we go. The long awaited (by me at least) tank move in!

Here is JJ pulling into my across the street neighbor's driveway to back the uhaul in. The neighbor's kid hit JJ's truck with a baseball.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/dascharisma/IMG_8864Large.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>


Here is the sump going in.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/dascharisma/IMG_8871Large.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>


Here is the sump going through the window. There are blankets padding the bottom and sides of the window opening. They made moving the tanks in easy. The tanks even slid right on the bottom blanket.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/dascharisma/IMG_8874Large.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>


This is the sump going into place. It fits perfectly in its new home.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/dascharisma/IMG_8878Large.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>



Brad
 
Now for the tank.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/dascharisma/IMG_8879Large.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>



Here is the display going through the window. There were only a couple inches on each side but it went in no problem.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/dascharisma/IMG_8884Large.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>


Here it is waiting for the guys in the basement to take over.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/dascharisma/IMG_8890Large.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>


Here we are trying to adjust the tank on the stand.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/dascharisma/IMG_8894Large.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>


Here is as close to the mermaid shot as you are going to get. I am peeling off the protective paper from the inside of the tank. The tank is so big that I truly had to get inside to get all the paper off.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/dascharisma/IMG_8908Large.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>


Brad
 
Before we get to the final pics (I still need to go take them), I want to say thanks to everyone who helped.

Cagri
ZLTFUL
Slovan
Tinytool
Philby

All these club members showed up to help. I could not have done this without them. Thanks guys. -



Brad
 
I just came across this one. I had to post it for comic relief. Don't ask what Phil and I were doing.:confused:
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/dascharisma/IMG_8904Large.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

Brad
 
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