What is the best skimmer possible?
- Thread starter reef rico
- Start date
Steve973
New member
It might be a good idea to contact various skimmer manufacturers with your specs/needs and see if they have any "blemish" or "test" models that they can sell to you for a substantial discount. These might have minor cosmetic deficiencies, for example, or they might have been run for a short while at their facility for testing. If they are 100% operational and if they sit in your sump, it's really not a big deal and you can probably save about 40%.
ReefRockerLive
GHL Mitras LX7 Club
Without knowing the budget we can't tell you much.
Reef Sponger
In Memoriam
:lol: what's a fortune? for some, $300 is a fortune, while for others, $2,000 isn't.
pjf
Premium Member
Re: What is the best skimmer possible?
- Overflow fed
- Counter current flow
- Recirculating design
- Relatively low price
I'm glad that you are not looking for a skimmer that is "worth a fortune." A skimmer is only the 1st stage in a filtration system. Additional filtration is still needed to remove yellowing compounds and DOC's that skimmers cannot remove. Putting all of your money in a skimmer will only produce marginal returns.
I believe there is consensus that your "beast" of a skimmer should be fed from an overflow or sump to better reach and remove surface proteins and particulate matter. One such skimmer that should be on your short list is the DAS EX1 skimmer which has the following features:
- Overflow fed
- Counter current flow
- Recirculating design
- Relatively low price
I'm glad that you are not looking for a skimmer that is "worth a fortune." A skimmer is only the 1st stage in a filtration system. Additional filtration is still needed to remove yellowing compounds and DOC's that skimmers cannot remove. Putting all of your money in a skimmer will only produce marginal returns.
Hypertek99
In Memoriam
Well the title says what is the best skimmer possible. You will probably not be able to afford it if you have a budget. And what size is your tank???
pjf
Premium Member
There are larger professional skimmers that employ features that one does not see in hobbyist skimmers. While these skimmers may skim larger volumes, I do not know if they are cost-beneficial to you. Here are a few:
• The Deltec AP702 can be fitted with an optional self-cleaning head (http://www.deltecusa.us/proteinskimmers/selfcleaning.php).
• The Schuran Aquaflotor AQ250 can be fitted with the “AquaKat†wetneck (http://www.schuran.com/seawater/profi_abschaeumer_e.html).
• The Turboflotor 5000 has a tall counter-current design (http://www.aqua-medic.com/turboflotor_5000.shtml).
The Deltec and Schuran self-cleaning heads help move foam into the cup. You will not need to wash the neck as often. The Turboflotor 5000’s tall counter-current design provides increased dwell time to allow proteins to attach to a bubble.
It will be great to find a protein skimmer that can do the job of ozone or carbon filtration. Until we find one, current skimmers will simply be a first stage to a carbon reactor that will capture more dissolved organic proteins at a lower cost. The purpose of a skimmer is to keep particulate matter and surface proteins from quickly exhausting subsequent filtration stages.
• The Deltec AP702 can be fitted with an optional self-cleaning head (http://www.deltecusa.us/proteinskimmers/selfcleaning.php).
• The Schuran Aquaflotor AQ250 can be fitted with the “AquaKat†wetneck (http://www.schuran.com/seawater/profi_abschaeumer_e.html).
• The Turboflotor 5000 has a tall counter-current design (http://www.aqua-medic.com/turboflotor_5000.shtml).
The Deltec and Schuran self-cleaning heads help move foam into the cup. You will not need to wash the neck as often. The Turboflotor 5000’s tall counter-current design provides increased dwell time to allow proteins to attach to a bubble.
It will be great to find a protein skimmer that can do the job of ozone or carbon filtration. Until we find one, current skimmers will simply be a first stage to a carbon reactor that will capture more dissolved organic proteins at a lower cost. The purpose of a skimmer is to keep particulate matter and surface proteins from quickly exhausting subsequent filtration stages.
reef / aholic
New member
This might work!!!!
Hypertek99
In Memoriam
LOL WOW that's overkill unless you have a swimming pool.
macawmagic
In Memoriam
hey robolton...if thats a tank on the left that things awesome. I'd love to get a pic of that.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Look in the Royal-Exclusiv.de forums and you can see pics of this project.
