Whats hot in skimmers right now?

**NeveSSL** · 03-04-2012, 06:49 PM

Hi all,

Skimmers seem to come and go. Whats hot with skimmer in MTRC right now? It seems like the SWC cone skimmers are getting some attention. Personally, I'm a huge fan of Tunze, but I'm definitely open to other options.

Bill, what are you running on your tank now days?

Brandon

**Dowtish** · 03-04-2012, 07:17 PM

I believe this is what Bill is working with.

Vertex Alpha 170 Internal Cone Protein Skimmer

**ToXIc** · 03-04-2012, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by Dowtish

I believe this is what Bill is working with.

Vertex Alpha 170 Internal Cone Protein Skimmer

Drool......

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**NeveSSL** · 03-04-2012, 07:50 PM

Nice. That's flipping expensive, though. Wonder what they go for used? Probably still $500 or so. Ouch.

I do love that it only runs at 18w. However, ROI may not add up.

Brandon

**BCT182** · 03-04-2012, 08:24 PM

Yeah those red dragon pumps are hawt!

**Dowtish** · 03-04-2012, 09:55 PM

I personally am really happy with my SWC. I here that they are coming out with a new and improved model soon. so maybe around the time you are ready, they will be available. Reef Octopus is the other one used most in the club though.

**gmoney243** · 03-04-2012, 10:42 PM

Should be more like what's hot in filtration right now. And with fuel prices saving money is what's hot Algae Turf Scrubbers + LEDs = low carbon footprint tank

**NeveSSL** · 03-04-2012, 11:01 PM

Turf scrubbers have been around a while. Maybe I'll have room to try one this time around. They've always intrigued me, but I've never really had room.

And LEDs are 100% happening.

Brandon

**poolkeeper1** · 03-05-2012, 04:30 AM

Originally Posted by NeveSSL

Hi all,

Skimmers seem to come and go. Whats hot with skimmer in MTRC right now? It seems like the SWC cone skimmers are getting some attention. Personally, I'm a huge fan of Tunze, but I'm definitely open to other options.

Bill, what are you running on your tank now days?

Brandon

Yup, Alpha 170 W/Red Dragon Pump It makes all other Skimmers i ever had look like toys! Well worth the 500.00 I paid used for it.
Bill

**gmoney243** · 03-05-2012, 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by NeveSSL

Turf scrubbers have been around a while. Maybe I'll have room to try one this time around. They've always intrigued me, but I've never really had room.

And LEDs are 100% happening.

Brandon

yea i know scrubber been around since like 70s i think but they are making a come back lol. dont really need to be all that big unless u build a acrylic 3d scrubber ... i like mine and recently got rid of my skimmer because it was causeing my phos to go back up. im guessing it was because i was removing to much organics before it became nitrates for the algae to use so it was basically starving my algae of nitrates. i even had algae turning white but now its all green again since removing the skimmer couple days ago. just my opinion and experiences with scrubbers but i do not recommend running them in conjunction unless your just now adding on a scrubber on an established system. also i think they are less maintanence then a scrubber/bio pellet combo it takes like 5mins a week to clean the screen and put it back. water changes have become once a month or so things just to replace trace elements, but in a fowlr tank you wouldnt even need to change water just run scrubber + carbon lol.

**mixer911** · 03-05-2012, 10:04 AM

I ran a TAS for about a 6 months a few years ago on my old 49 gal tank. It was working great until I had a dino outbreak. Not sure where it came from, but one reason I took it offline.

As far as Hot Skimmers, If you get one and want to sell it let me know

**gmoney243** · 03-05-2012, 10:44 AM

dont be trying to scare people Rick it had nothing to do with the scrubber

**NeveSSL** · 03-05-2012, 11:29 AM

Thanks, Bill. I will definitely keep that skimmer in mind.

Mike, that is a very interesting idea. The great thing is that I will probably be building this tank up as I can afford to buy each part for it, so that will be a couple of months, which may be the perfect excuse to start a scrubber and use it since I won't be in a big hurry.

Are there any guides or threads that you used for yours?

Brandon

**gmoney243** · 03-05-2012, 12:31 PM

all you could ever need to know can be found at algaescrubber.net but basic guidelines is a 3x4" screen 12 sq.in lit by 12wats total of cfl/t5 can scrub 1 cube of food per day each linear inch needs 35gph flow through real flow. but that easy to tell if u have enough flow by looking at the way it looks when it comes off the bottom. so as you can see a scrubber doesnt have to be too big to scrub a lot depends on how much you feed per day, but you can build one bigger than you need or build one to adjust as you need its very flexible. that site has lots of info and lots of peoples build threads using all types of lighting and designs.

**NeveSSL** · 03-05-2012, 12:44 PM

Sweet. Thanks for the link and info!

Brandon

**mixer911** · 03-05-2012, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by gmoney243

dont be trying to scare people Rick it had nothing to do with the scrubber

Just telling it how it was. Once the scrubber was gone Dinos were gone also. Was really weird. I am just to lazy to have a scrubber. Took too much cleaning for me

**NeveSSL** · 03-05-2012, 03:02 PM

Sorry, Rick. I missed your post earlier.

I'm thinking cleaning a scrubber once a week vs cleaning a skimmer and more water changes sounds better, IF it will work the way I want it to. Plenty of research still to do.

Brandon

**mixer911** · 03-05-2012, 04:15 PM

Yep, six of one and half dozen of the other. I think the scrubbers are cool to play with and the concept is great, but I found that in my case it was more work for me. Water changes are still needed unless you want to dose trace elements, mag and all the other fun stuff that will get depleted.

I know you and you will be wanting a skimmer......

**NeveSSL** · 03-05-2012, 04:16 PM

Probably.

But its cheap enough to give a shot before dropping $500 on a skimmer.

And you can even do LEDs on your scrubber, too...

Brandon

**gmoney243** · 03-05-2012, 07:15 PM

Yep I know rick just messin with ya lol. Yea def cheaper and maybe more work. But personal preference. Cleaning can go up to like 10days apart. For me its just all about the saving in upfront costs and even running costs of skimmer pumps+ bio pellets to get the same results. Some people just like gadgets tho

I see why people like skimmees tho they are cool and with them you are clearly producing nasty smellin waste and with a scrubber it just seems like your growing algae which is what a skimmer tries to prevent lol