Skimmer Q&A Thread

mojo · Dec 5, 2010

I believe that was around 7inches. Going off memory there. but tha pumps pulls a ton of air. Great skimmer there.

Eternal · Dec 5, 2010

Hi,

I have a royal reef aquariums cs200 and I was thinking about getting a new pump for it. I have been looking at the tunze hydrofoamer. Do you happen to know which one would work the best?(12w?/16w? or bigger)

Thanks in advance

mojo · Dec 5, 2010

the 9410 would be fine you could run the cs 200 a little deeper with it. otherwise the 9420 will work well too.

dustinc · Dec 18, 2010

Hey, I am building an Elos 70 (55 gallons) SPS tank. I'm having lifereef build me a custom sump and I'm tryin to figure out the skimmer I want to use. I have access to a Deltec APH525, PM Bullet 1, and lifereef small skimmer for about 150 each. I have been planning on using a SWC 160 cone. Which of these 4 skimmer will work best for my skimmer. I have to make the right decision because my custom sump will be made around this. Thanks!

jascymcl · Dec 18, 2010

hello, Mr. Mojo Thanks for the quick answer the other day,but i have another question for you.I have buddy who is selling a PSK-75 eshopps gen 2 skimmer, but the pump is bad and i cant find the pump for that skimmer here. I was told these pumps were via aqua pumps,which I understand are manufacture by resun wich are easy to come by down here.Which resun pump is equal to the via aqua???thank for any help.

Troylee · Dec 18, 2010

dustinc said:
Hey, I am building an Elos 70 (55 gallons) SPS tank. I'm having lifereef build me a custom sump and I'm tryin to figure out the skimmer I want to use. I have access to a Deltec APH525, PM Bullet 1, and lifereef small skimmer for about 150 each. I have been planning on using a SWC 160 cone. Which of these 4 skimmer will work best for my skimmer. I have to make the right decision because my custom sump will be made around this. Thanks!

I have never played with
Life reef but deltec and the swc are both great little skimmers.... Most people on here is gonna say the swc skimmer ftw!!!! Should be a perfect fit for your tank....;)

Troylee · Dec 18, 2010

jascymcl said:
hello, Mr. Mojo Thanks for the quick answer the other day,but i have another question for you.I have buddy who is selling a PSK-75 eshopps gen 2 skimmer, but the pump is bad and i cant find the pump for that skimmer here. I was told these pumps were via aqua pumps,which I understand are manufacture by resun wich are easy to come by down here.Which resun pump is equal to the via aqua???thank for any help.

What size tank are you putting this on???? Those resun pumps suck and tons of issues when vertex first came out... I would look for a different brand pump that's similiar in size and affordable..."if it's worth it" new that skimmer is only like 110$.....

mojo · Dec 18, 2010

I agree, I believe the resun "king" pump is also similar to the sedra 3500 or the eco pump hat sunlight supply carries. I agree for the $$spent you would be better off getting a new unit. The problem vertex had at first was the compound of the ceramic shaft was too soft. causing it to wear and heat up. Causeing the pump to lock up all together. This has been resolved but its hard to get past a problem that people see from the start. Great skimmers and have had 5 vertex in skimmers and 2 alphas. THe vertex in 180 and 280 are really hard to beat. The in 100 is really good but could use about 200 lph of air more than the 420 the pump puts out. THe 180 i have found to be under rated and actually pulls closer to 900 lph of air rather than the 700 ish its rated at.

Sorry I kind of got off the subject a bit but all in all. The eshopps are too bad of a skimmer. but you are better off buying a whole new skimmer.

Mojo~

dustinc · Dec 19, 2010

Mojo,

Just wondering if you have any experience with Deltec APH525 or LifeReef skimmers? I'm building a system of around 70ish gallons and I bought the Deltec for $120 brand new that has just been sitting a LFS for a few years but they have a life reef for the same amount. Just unsure of what I should do or if I should ditch both and go a completely different direction.

Lenny · Dec 20, 2010

Mojo,

I'm looking for advice as I need to purchase a skimmer for a 360 gallon reef system. The tank is a 220 and the sump is a 120 custom. The tank will have a heavy bio load. I originally posted this under the Newbie section and got some great responses. However, I want to be sure that I get the right skimmer before I spend my $. Please help :bigsmile:

cichlidtx · Dec 20, 2010

Mojo, I just setup a SWC150 bmk on my 40br and was told to open the air valve to the maximum during the break in phase. My question is do I rotate the dial clockwise or counterclockwise for max air. Thanks for you help.

larry davis · Jan 9, 2011

mojo i was thinking about buying the volute and pinwheel that warner marine uses on there sedra pumps.sorry i left out that i have a asmg3 do you think this would help.if so where can i order one

mojo · Jan 9, 2011

Lenny said:
Mojo,
I'm looking for advice as I need to purchase a skimmer for a 360 gallon reef system. The tank is a 220 and the sump is a 120 custom. The tank will have a heavy bio load. I originally posted this under the Newbie section and got some great responses. However, I want to be sure that I get the right skimmer before I spend my $. Please help :bigsmile:

I would look at the atb 1050a, the sro 5000 series, the vertex in 280 and the vertex alpha 200 would all be on the top of my list

mojo · Jan 9, 2011

larry davis said:
mojo i was thinking about buying the volute and pinwheel that warner marine uses on there sedra pumps.sorry i left out that i have a asmg3 do you think this would help.if so where can i order one

the only way to get one of those would be to get it from jon warner himself

kels · Jan 18, 2011

i just got a super reef xp2000 for my 150g and i have it in 6 1/2 of water and its been going alright. the question is how long does it take to break in? and whenever i feed frozen it dies but is it supposed to do it too when i feed dry pellets?

kracer1025 · Jan 18, 2011

Mojo,

I have been considering the new ATB Elegance 200 for my 100 gallon sps tank. Do you think that the 200 would fit into a 14 1/4x 14 1/4 sump or would I need to go with the pro model. I would like to stay with the external pump of the standard vs the pro if possible, but am unsure if this would be possible with my current skimmer section.

mojo · Jan 18, 2011

kels said:
i just got a super reef xp2000 for my 150g and i have it in 6 1/2 of water and its been going alright. the question is how long does it take to break in? and whenever i feed frozen it dies but is it supposed to do it too when i feed dry pellets?

As far as food goes. The frozen food most likely has more oils in it. Causing a difference in the surface tension of the water.

mojo · Jan 18, 2011

kracer1025 said:
Mojo,

I have been considering the new ATB Elegance 200 for my 100 gallon sps tank. Do you think that the 200 would fit into a 14 1/4x 14 1/4 sump or would I need to go with the pro model. I would like to stay with the external pump of the standard vs the pro if possible, but am unsure if this would be possible with my current skimmer section.

I have mine in a 20g long sump. Skimmer area 14 x 12 should be a nice fit.

Mojo