Skimmer Q&A Thread

mojo · 07-16-2009, 12:51 AM

Well, For those who may not know me. I have reviewed many skimmers over on RC. I thought Maybe I could do the same here or at least help some members of R2R.
Here is a short list of some of the skimmers I have owned over the last several years.
Octo Nw 110
octo nw 150
octo nw 200
octoX 160
octoX 200
msx 160
msx 200
ETSS sump buddy 40
Oceanic biocube skimmer
saphire bc skimmer
cpr skimmer
aquaC ev 120
aquaC urchin
aquaC remora
Bermuda bps 3c
Warner Marine s150
Warner Marine s200
Warner Marine as 150
Warner MArine k2 prototype and production
Bubble king Mini 160
ATB 840
ATB 840 v 1.5
Alpha 250
alpha 170
vertex in 100 gen 1
vertex in 100 gen 2
vertex in 180 gen 2
MSX miniS
DAS ex 1

And a couple others along the way. Some i have had a couple times as I used them to hold me over till I got another.

So with that being said. I give a unbiased review on the skimmers and I am a big fan of bang for buck. But really like skimmers that are built well also. Last but not least customer service.

I have become pretty comfortable with skimmers and have a pretty good understanding on them. So if anyone has any questions or needs some suggestions I ll do my best to give you my input.

Mojo~

revhtree · 07-16-2009, 01:05 AM

Hey Mojo great to have you here on R2R and thank you for sharing your expertise!

Have you ever checked out an ORCA 250 skimmer?

mojo · 07-16-2009, 01:09 AM

I havent ran one personally I have checked them out at some frag swaps. They are really pretty nice units for the money. THe move a ton of water making them nice options for larger systems. They are too large for me to run on my little 90g.

revhtree · 07-16-2009, 01:12 AM

I am running one on my 250g and I have no complaints so far. I get about 5g of skimmer nog every 3 weeks or so.

I have never cleaned it or the collection cup in the 3-4 months I have used it. I was wondering is it really necessary to clean it?

amonchak · 07-16-2009, 01:19 AM

Mojo-

In your experience what would be the best skimmer for a 55 gallon mixed reef (bang for buck)? In sump type would be preferred.

Currently have a cheapo JEBO that is not impressive to say the least.

mojo · 07-16-2009, 01:22 AM

As far as cleaning it. Man I would hate to see the neck of it. lol. I would probably clean it every month. as it will start to close up the neck full of nog I would imagine. It should run more consistant cleaning it a little more often. But if it is working for you. I am not sure I would change it. If it isnt broke dont fix it. Ya know.
Mojo~

mojo · 07-16-2009, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amonchak

Mojo-

In your experience what would be the best skimmer for a 55 gallon mixed reef (bang for buck)? In sump type would be preferred.

Currently have a cheapo JEBO that is not impressive to say the least.

Best bang for buck for you would be the the Vertex IN 100. Really a great skimmer and under $200. Euroreef design with a few added features. Make sure you get the Gen 2 model and run it at 7 inches of water and you will be set. Bust bang for buck under 200.
Mojo~

gnoles · 07-16-2009, 09:37 AM

Mojo- Glad to have you here!

mojo · 07-16-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnoles

Mojo- Glad to have you here!

Thanks. Not a problem I may try this out for a while here. Seems like a friendly crowd.

mojo · 07-16-2009, 04:43 PM

just thought I would mention I got a alpha 170 in the mail today. Ill take pics of it with my ATB. I havent seen it yet. my daughter said it was at the house though

aerius007 · 07-16-2009, 04:54 PM

Question for you Mojo. I have a 14g biocube project Ill be starting in the next couple of weeks. Im going to drill it for a sump and need a very small but good skimmer. Not exactly all-in-one nano small, the main reason for doing this is to get a real skimmer, but smaller than a coralife super 65. Possibly something that can run off of an mj1200. Any ideas?

Jon Warner · 07-16-2009, 05:22 PM

mmmm... alpha 170 review should be good.

Fishcrazy06 · 07-16-2009, 05:42 PM

Have you ever ran an Aerofoamer skimmer? Or any info on it? I just started running it but its the first beckett skimmer I have ever owned. Any tips on beckett skimmers?

Eric

mojo · 07-16-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishcrazy06

Have you ever ran an Aerofoamer skimmer? Or any info on it? I just started running it but its the first beckett skimmer I have ever owned. Any tips on beckett skimmers?

Eric

Isnt this a reef concepts skimmer?

If I remember this kinda has the beckett built into the pvc going down into the base of the skimmer. Similar design to a bermuda as far as that goes.
Becketts work well for larger systems and I found that the less I had to shut it off the better. They move a lot of water but just are not as efficient on the smaller tanks.

Should work fine just give it time.
Mojo~

mojo · 07-16-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerius007

Question for you Mojo. I have a 14g biocube project Ill be starting in the next couple of weeks. Im going to drill it for a sump and need a very small but good skimmer. Not exactly all-in-one nano small, the main reason for doing this is to get a real skimmer, but smaller than a coralife super 65. Possibly something that can run off of an mj1200. Any ideas?

well that is a pretty small tank. You could get away with water changes. but if you want to run a sump and a small skimmer. I would probably get one of the Tunze 9002 skimmers. Probably one of the best little skimmers you could get. The urchin would work. but the Tunze would be better for you. Anything else I feel would be too large.
Mojo~