Skimmer Q&A Thread

mojo · Jul 16, 2009

This is the official R2R Skimmer Q&A Thread where the answers to your questions are as concentrated as skimmate!

We will do our best as a community to answer questions you have concerning protein skimmers so ask away!

Thank you!

revhtree · Jul 16, 2009

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 · Jul 16, 2009

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 · Jul 16, 2009

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 · Jul 16, 2009

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 · Jul 16, 2009

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 · Jul 16, 2009

amonchak said:
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 · Jul 16, 2009

Mojo- Glad to have you here!

mojo · Jul 16, 2009

gnoles said:
Mojo- Glad to have you here!

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

mojo · Jul 16, 2009

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 · Jul 16, 2009

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 · Jul 16, 2009

mmmm... alpha 170 review should be good.

Fishcrazy06 · Jul 16, 2009

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 · Jul 16, 2009

Fishcrazy06 said:
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 · Jul 16, 2009

aerius007 said:
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~

aerius007 · Jul 16, 2009

Thanks mojo, thats probably the one I will look into.

143gadgets · Jul 17, 2009

Alpha 200 on 90g tank. 24 hours

mojo · Jul 17, 2009

I am uploading pics of teh alpha 170 on my 90g now. Some side by side with the ATB 840 v 1.5 as well.

mojo · Jul 17, 2009

aerius007 said:
Thanks mojo, thats probably the one I will look into.

no ad if you see something that catches your eye just let us know. I am sure between myself, gadgets and CSMguy someone should be able to help you out.

Mojo~