Skimmer Q&A Thread

[hairy_frogfish]

No, not trying to write an article. I'm not at all in reef business or magazines, and do not even have a blog. :angel: just spent lot of time to try to understand how these picky things work, and what makes them run less nicely than what they should do ;) and still feeling parameters are missing.

 

[reeffanatic]

Anyone ever use a myreefcreations MR2 Skimmer with beckett injection in a sump? Don't do it! lol.Its a micro bubble monster.I tried putting a 3inch sock on the outlet without tieing it closed so it doesn't have backpressure and it still pushes tons of bubbles out.My sponge in my sump only reduces the micro bubbles a little.My last hope is to attach a fitting to the outlet of the skimmer and tie a media bag to it and see if that works without to much backpressure or I'm taking the skimmer out and using it external in which I didn't want to do.Super nice built skimmer but was made for external use only to run thru multiple bubble traps.Whats the best skimmer I can use in a sump with about 9-10 inches of water?

 

[Poeticlydead]

Sup Mojo good to see this thread still going here. Hey Troy glad your contributing too.
Hello to the rest of the people here.
(Sorry don't post often usually just sit back and read but any informed and well explained opinions are welcome.)

So I am looking for a new skimmer for my current 90g and was hoping to get some ideas to help narrow the search. This is going on a 90g mixed reef (moving toward more sps dominate tank) with 20L sump. My bioload is medium right now but that is more or less because I know the current skimmer wouldn't handle more. Oh yeah and of course I'm looking for something in a reasonable price range (lets say $250.00 max). With all things considered what do you guys think?

 

[mojo]

for the money, the vertex in 180 would be a good choice.

 

[Poeticlydead]

for the money, the vertex in 180 would be a good choice.

What about the issues with the pumps on the vertex? Have they fixed that?

What is your opinion on the Reef Octo 150 cone?

 

[Poeticlydead]

Anyone have any experience with the Reef Octo 150 cone or the vertex 180?

 

[Troylee]

Vertex are great skimmers alot of my friends use them with the so called bad tar pumps but none of them have had any issues... Not sure if they changed it out or not...

 

[mojo]

he shaft compound had been changed in the gen 2 's

 

[moto826]

where do i adjust my vertex skimmer to the water in on the black thing in there
like where should the bubbles be hope this makes since

 

[mojo]

I believe you just want to turn the wedgepipe. the grey tube sticking up out of the T. it is a valve like assembly that will allow you to adjust your water level

 

[Poeticlydead]

I believe you just want to turn the wedgepipe. the grey tube sticking up out of the T. it is a valve like assembly that will allow you to adjust your water level

I believe he is asking how high to adjust the water level.

 

[AD87]

Mojo, I plan on desiging a system where the tank is turned over 16 to 20 times per hour and ran through a sump with an insump skimmer. Do you see any issues with that. I am lost of a good skimmer choice 65 gallon cube, 90 gallons total volume. I was thinking of the Super Reef Octopus 2000, or do you think the 1000 will do, heavy bioload?

 

[m and m]

Any one know what the correct depth a BK mini 160 should be in?

 

[RBursek]

Mojo,
I guess you liked it here, stuck around, and volunteered to be a PRO! Thanks, it is a nice place, the Rev runs it nicely, and pretty hands off, but has added allot of nice things here lately.

 

[Troylee]

Any one know what the correct depth a BK mini 160 should be in?

The ideal range is 7.5" to 10"... According to the manual.. The deeper you go the more air and wattage draw you get..

 

[AD87]

I plan on designing a system where the tank is turned over 16 to 20 times per hour and ran through a sump with an in sump skimmer. Does anyone see any issues with that for one? Two I am lost of a good skimmer choice 65 gallon cube, 90 gallons total volume. I was thinking of the Super Reef Octopus 2000, or do you think the 1000 will do, heavy bio load?

 

[swannyson7]

Sorry if this has already been covered, but I own a Octo Extreme 200 and am in the process of upgrading tanks to a 180. I know the skimmer is rated to a 225 tank with average bioload, but I was hoping to get a little more bang for my buck. Would upgrading the pump from the Sicce with mesh to the bubble blaster 3000 make a significant difference, or would you reccomend saving my pennies and opting for a larger skimmer? Thanks for the help!!
Scott

 

[Troylee]

I don't have experencie myself with it but have been reading about people doing it with great sucsess... Maybe mojo has tried this..:)

 

[mojo]

The ideal range is 7.5" to 10"... According to the manual.. The deeper you go the more air and wattage draw you get..

yeap I agree. ran mine about 8 inches. great skimmer

 

[mojo]

I would think the the 3000 would work but push the body and neck to the limits. it would work for you but be prepared to raise the skimmer to some shallower water. probably around 6 to 7 inches with the bb 3000 pump.