Rate my skimmate

[TokenReefer]

For some reason I thought your tank was new; sorry, sometimes I read too quick lol. Def follow @Rmckoy to dial it in...

Can I ask you where you got your sump? Think I've seen it on a YTer's channel...

 

[Rmckoy]

I believe it should work exactly like your external skimmers - this is an external skimmer (I have it in the sump because of space issues.)

So, the gate valve can control water level inside the skimmer.

I had a reef octopus a few years ago and loved it . I swore at that time I would never use another in sump skimmer .
it started to leak and couldn’t find plumbing fittings of that odd size anywhere in Canada . Even on reef octopus website there isn’t much information available at that time .
I am currently using a mrc skimmer and again . Love it . It’s a beast and works amazing

the good thing about external skimmers is you don’t have to worry about them flooding your sump to break in
I have mine set where the inside of the cup will collect a thick sludge around it which needs to be cleaned weekly .
but the collection cup it drains into which also has a float ball which cuts the air off when it’s full essentially stopping all foam production .
I lifted the collection container up off the floor to show the colour inside

 

[Rmckoy]

It’s too wet for my taste, i shim more on the dryer side. Darker green

Taste …. Years ago I siphoned a mouthful of dark skimmate by accident .
I never lost my lunch so fast … ever !

 

[homer1475]

Yup I agree, little to light for my liking.

I prefer my skimmate to be dark green like @Rmckoy pointed out.

 

[Rmckoy]

If it smells like raw sewage it’s correct

 

[homer1475]

I get dead fish, or low tide smell. Never really raw sewage, or human sewage smell.

Why do we not have a puking emoji for the likes?

 

[D3DPrintedThingz]

the skimmate looks a little clean - you might have too high of a water level. If you turn your skimmer on and the cup fills within the first 10-30 minutes, you are skimming too wet.

e.g. my skimmer runs for 2-3 hours before I see anything spilling over into the cup, and the water is thick, almost like hair gel, and never see through.

if there is a way to "lower" the water level inside the skimmer tube, you should be able to pump it up full speed.

The bubbles have to travel about 8" up before they tip over into the collection cup.

Also remember to turn your skimmer off during maintenance, my sump fills up about 5" when I turn return off cause of the siphon for 10-20 seconds, and that causes the skimmer to make a MESS REAL FAST.

 

[Rmckoy]

I get dead fish, or low tide smell. Never really raw sewage, or human sewage smell.

Why do we not have a puking emoji for the likes?

Not ever being close to a ocean to smell what low tide smells like
I don’t get dead fish but the sewage smell is what I am yelled at every time I dump the container in the toilet .

 

[homer1475]

Also remember to turn your skimmer off during maintenance, my sump fills up about 5" when I turn return off cause of the siphon for 10-20 seconds, and that causes the skimmer to make a MESS REAL FAST.

Good PSA right here! ^^

 

[bluecheese]

For some reason I thought your tank was new; sorry, sometimes I read too quick lol. Def follow @Rmckoy to dial it in...

Can I ask you where you got your sump? Think I've seen it on a YTer's channel...

I got it from Custom Aquariums. Because of the way the aquarium stand was built in the wall, I had to go with a modular sump that could be put together piece by piece. I wouldn't be able to fit a 40 breeder under the tank because of the vertical supports.

 

[D3DPrintedThingz]

Good PSA right here! ^^

It took me about 5 times - I ended up reworking all the power strip plugins so the skimmer is right next to the return, so my dumb butt doesn't forget a sixth time. There is literaly nothing worse than an overflowing skimmer, especially when it's get 3" of skimmate in it already

 

[bluecheese]

The bubbles have to travel about 8" up before they tip over into the collection cup.

I just measured, the top of the water is about 9" below the top of the collection cup overflow.

 

[Rmckoy]

I just measured, the top of the water is about 9" below the top of the collection cup overflow.

I don’t think water depth would matter .
the unit is completely seamed and requires a pump to full the skimmer ?

 

[homer1475]

With external skimmer, it doesn't matter what depth.

Were talking about internal skimmers where water depth dictates how the skimmer skims.

 

[ReefCheef]

Tank’s been running since August 2021. First time using a skimmer.

Reed Octopus 110ext Recirculating Skimmer.

I just put the skimmer in the sump yesterday afternoon and let it run undisturbed all night. From what I understand, there is usually a break-in period for new skimmers.

I just don’t know if the skimmate is too wet, just right, or a normal product of a skimmer breaking in.

Personally I prefer to run a dryer skimmate. You're pulling out a lot of water running it wet like that, and if done consistently it will change your salinity. Even moreso in a smaller tank. How you're doing it is fine, as long as you keep in mind salinity will change much more than running it dryer.

 

[Rmckoy]

With external skimmer, it doesn't matter what depth.

Were talking about internal skimmers where water depth dictates how the skimmer skims.

I agree but it was mentioned above that it’s the same principal as my external skimmer where water level is controlled with a gate valve .
so can this skimmer be used in both applications or is it strictly a external skimmer placed in the sump just because there is space restrictions outside the tank ?

 

[D3DPrintedThingz]

I just measured, the top of the water is about 9" below the top of the collection cup overflow.

I'm sorry OP - ignore me - I think we have two different types of skimmers.

Mine was gifted to me as well, it took my over a month to get it hooked up and figured out. You'll get it figured out :)

 

[Reeftransport]

Thanks. I figured since this the first time skimming this tank, it would get fairly nasty at first. I feed my fish a lot, so I expect a good bit of junk being skimmed out multiple times a day.

Some skimmer take longer to break in.
Something is better then nothing

 

[TokenReefer]

I got it from Custom Aquariums. Because of the way the aquarium stand was built in the wall, I had to go with a modular sump that could be put together piece by piece. I wouldn't be able to fit a 40 breeder under the tank because of the vertical supports.

Ah yes these are really cool! Thanks for the link ;) I'd consider one of these. How long have you had it? Are you satisfied? Very curious; sorry to divert the thread

 

[homer1475]

I agree but it was mentioned above that it’s the same principal as my external skimmer where water level is controlled with a gate valve .
so can this skimmer be used in both applications or is it strictly a external skimmer placed in the sump just because there is space restrictions outside the tank ?

It was my understanding the OP has an external skimmer, but placed in the sump to conserve on space?