Skimmer Q&A Thread

[KyleC]

Can anyone help? I've a blue marine 300 litre skimmer... was working fine... then today it's overflowing no matter what I do... the only thing that stops it overflowing is if I place my finger in front of the pump intake... it's sitting at the correct water level etc.

Edit.. working now. Sponge for water out had clogged.

 

[reeftivo]

Can anyone help? I've a blue marine 300 litre skimmer... was working fine... then today it's overflowing no matter what I do... the only thing that stops it overflowing is if I place my finger in front of the pump intake... it's sitting at the correct water level etc.

Edit.. working now. Sponge for water out had clogged.

glad you figured it out. i'm not familiar with blue marine skimmers. HMMM? i love looking at new skimmer tech ;)

 

[zjs6631]

Hey everyone, I just bought a octo classic 100-HOB used off the marketplace. It seems to be missing the top mount piece and the plastic cup that goes on the defoamer. Would anyone know how to source these parts and the best place to order them?

 

[reeftivo]

know your part :) https://reefoctopus.com/catalogue/

coralvue has some stuff https://www.coralvue.com/protein-skimmer-parts

 

[reeftivo]

also marineandreef.com

 

[reeftivo]

Hey everyone, I just bought a octo classic 100-HOB used off the marketplace. It seems to be missing the top mount piece and the plastic cup that goes on the defoamer. Would anyone know how to source these parts and the best place to order them?

that skimmer needs a long soak in a 5% citric acid solution. most likely will need knew washers too on the intake and output sides to avoid water on the floor

 

[zjs6631]

that skimmer needs a long soak in a 5% citric acid solution. most likely will need knew washers too on the intake and output sides to avoid water on the floor

Thank you for all the info! I have it soaking now. I'll make a list of parts including the washers and try to get it going. It was only $15, so I have some wiggle room to get it working.

 

[reeftivo]

Thank you for all the info! I have it soaking now. I'll make a list of parts including the washers and try to get it going. It was only $15, so I have some wiggle room to get it working.

10-4

those are big but good performing HOBs because the reaction chamber has more volume with the external pump.

good luck and report back

 

[SamSantoyo]

Hi! thanks in advance for your help.
I'm going through a quite enjoyable process of setting a 100gal tank for my seahorses and some upcoming soft corals.
Already 4 ponys in there having a blast, still... took the not so great decision (but works for me atm) to use a Fluval FX6 to filter it for now (time wise).

Therefore, I do need to pick the best hang-on skimmer for it, new stock will come soon and the bioload will start to build up.

Any recommendations? I need one that can balance quality vs noise; aiming for one suitable for 200 gallons at least.

 

[reeftivo]

Hi! thanks in advance for your help.
I'm going through a quite enjoyable process of setting a 100gal tank for my seahorses and some upcoming soft corals.
Already 4 ponys in there having a blast, still... took the not so great decision (but works for me atm) to use a Fluval FX6 to filter it for now (time wise).

Therefore, I do need to pick the best hang-on skimmer for it, new stock will come soon and the bioload will start to build up.

Any recommendations? I need one that can balance quality vs noise; aiming for one suitable for 200 gallons at least.

I would look at the Ice Cap K3-150 or the reef octo classic 2000

 

[SamSantoyo]

I would look at the Ice Cap K3-150 or the reef octo classic 2000

This was exactly what I needed, thanks indeed!

 

[reeftivo]

This was exactly what I needed, thanks indeed!

The tank sounds great. Welcome to the forums and start a tank build thread. Many of us would enjoy seeing a cool sea horse system. Happy reefing!

 

[1000rrstunna]

So debating on a skimmer for the new tank… will be about 575 gallons total water volume

looking at the $700 aqua max coneS co-6 the $600simplicity 8000dc as my budget models to get me going the first year or so… maybe forever if they do the trick the deltec 3000 dc version as middle price at $1300and possibly a bubble king Deluxe300 with the sale at brs right now for $2100 as my high end option
Cost doesn’t always make things better. Any opinions on items listed ?

 

[reeftivo]

if you dont mind cleaning those bubble tubes on the CO6 then i would lean towards that one. it has an askoll block and they last. i would stay away from internal pump skimmers since you have a big tank which means big waste. you'll want easy access to the pump. BKs are great but a hefty investment. if Ultrareef had a bigger typhoon (sicce SDC pump) option i would suggest looking at those but sadly they don't. Another brand that uses the Sicce SDC is ATB and they may have some that you might want to consider (12.5 elegance comes to mind).

all the skimmers you looked at have more good reviews than bad with their smaller counterparts.

hopefully someone else can chime in with some hands on experience with monster tank skimmers. You may want to check and see what others are running in this thread https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/monster-tanks-400g.1046/

 

[Gribbles]

When choosing a skimmer, I go by the total system volume and not just the DT volume correct? I'm upsizing from a small tank.

Researching for a skimmer for a waterbox infinitia frag 125, any recommendations for something in the same price range as a nyos quantum 160?

 

[reeftivo]

When choosing a skimmer, I go by the total system volume and not just the DT volume correct? I'm upsizing from a small tank.

Researching for a skimmer for a waterbox infinitia frag 125, any recommendations for something in the same price range as a nyos quantum 160?

check out the deltec 600i

i think they still may be on sale through deltec usa
review

 

[reeftivo]

When choosing a skimmer, I go by the total system volume and not just the DT volume correct? I'm upsizing from a small tank.

Researching for a skimmer for a waterbox infinitia frag 125, any recommendations for something in the same price range as a nyos quantum 160?

DT volume not total system

 

[RWhitt907]

Just set up my sump, got a ConeS-Q2 Skimmer and I can't get the adjustment knob to turn at all, so it immediately fills the collection cup and overflows.

Anyone had this issue before?

 

[reeftivo]

i haven't seen this issue with the CO series before. Have you contacted the seller?

sounds like a rare one off issue. maybe the acrylic rod swelled and froze up.

check with seller

 

[fredward]

Hi. So I got a used Vertex Omega 150 skimmer with a Varios 4s skimmer pump and I'm having trouble tuning it. thats a 6" body skimmer. older and discontinued but quite nice and has all the same features as most the skimmers today. The factors at play here may include; my system is still new at just over 2 months old with only two clownfish and 3 small snails, I have a reefmat auto filter roller (heard they are so effective it really cuts down what's left for the skimmer), the sump water lvl is 12" so I have the skimmer on a stand to get it to a better lvl, and I think the pump is oversized for the skimmer. The similar sized reef octopus skimmers come with the varios 2s. My main problem is its not creating a nice foam head, the bubbles just pop violently at the top of the water lvl. the skimmer performs better if i block the inlet of the pump slightly which would increase air to water ratio. And if I don't run the pump at max power the venturi will often loose siphon and it will just move water, no air. The best I have been able to do is collect some skimmate on the walls of the cone in the cup. I just don't know if I need to change the sump lvl, or decrease speed, or air or what and I have a feeling this is going to be a difficult problem for someone to help via a forum. thanks for the help

So I guess my main issue is I want to run the pump at a slower speed but if I turn it down it wont pull air through the venturi and I dont know why