Skimmer Q&A Thread

mojo · Jan 18, 2011

I played around with it a ton to find the right height. On the elegance 200 7.5 in is the sweet spot.

WrasseSandwich · Jan 25, 2011

anyone have opinions on the Super Reef Octopus XP 1000 SSS ??

cichlidtx · Jan 25, 2011

mojo, my SWC150 bmk keeps overflowing. Do you have some input on why this may keep happening. I setup it up at 8" deep in the sump. Can you shed some light on how you dial this in and any other advice would be appreciated.

kuyatwo · Jan 25, 2011

Mojo

I am upgrading from 65 gallon to a 140 gallon. I currently run an I tech 100. I was thinking on going I tech 200 or the new ati power cone skimmer when it comes out. What's your opinion on itech skimmers compared to other skimmers you have tested and what skimmers would you also recommend.

kracer1025 · Jan 26, 2011

Mojo,

I have a 100 Gallon sps tank with a fairly heavy bioload. If you had a choice between the new ATB Elegance 200 or the Bubble King Mini 160 which would you choose. Or is there another skimmer that you would recommend for this size of tank. I have a 35 gallon sump and my skimmer section is 14x14.
Thanks

mojo · Jan 26, 2011

kuyatwo said:
Mojo

I am upgrading from 65 gallon to a 140 gallon. I currently run an I tech 100. I was thinking on going I tech 200 or the new ati power cone skimmer when it comes out. What's your opinion on itech skimmers compared to other skimmers you have tested and what skimmers would you also recommend.

the 100 is fine for what you have but will be too small for the 140. The 200 would be fine but the ati 160 would be good the atb 840, the sro 2000 vertex in 180 would all work well on the 140 too. if you are happy with the itech then getting another would be less scary. Make sure you get te tunze pump. it makes the skimmer.

mojo · Jan 26, 2011

kracer1025 said:
Mojo,

I have a 100 Gallon sps tank with a fairly heavy bioload. If you had a choice between the new ATB Elegance 200 or the Bubble King Mini 160 which would you choose. Or is there another skimmer that you would recommend for this size of tank. I have a 35 gallon sump and my skimmer section is 14x14.
Thanks

Thats really tough. I like them both and the elegance is a great skimmer. But the ease of use of the mini 160 is hard to beat.

The 160 pulls about 700 lph of air where the elegance pulls 1300 lph. honestly the elegance will need a pretty heavy loaded 100 to perform well. the 160 I would say works best from 75 to 125g reef tanks. where the elegance would range from 100 to 200 gallons. if that helps

mojo · Jan 26, 2011

cichlidtx said:
mojo, my SWC150 bmk keeps overflowing. Do you have some input on why this may keep happening. I setup it up at 8" deep in the sump. Can you shed some light on how you dial this in and any other advice would be appreciated.

where is the air valve set ? make sure its all the way open. Not sure why swc adds these air valves. kind of a pain really.

Open the wedge pipe so the water level is just below the taper going to the neck. Let it sit there for a day. then make very small adjustments.

cichlidtx · Jan 26, 2011

mojo said:
where is the air valve set ? make sure its all the way open. Not sure why swc adds these air valves. kind of a pain really.

Open the wedge pipe so the water level is just below the taper going to the neck. Let it sit there for a day. then make very small adjustments.

I have the air valve almost all the way clockwise. Is clockwise all the way open? I had the water level at the base of the of cup. I will lower it to the taper and if you will let me know on the air valve setting. Thanks again for the help.

kracer1025 · Jan 26, 2011

Mojo,

Thanks for the reply. What if I take the Elegance out of the running and add the Vertex Alpha 170. The Alpha would give me a bit better contact time I would think with the external pump, or would you still choose the mini 160.

nivram · Feb 6, 2011

I am running a Tunze 9010 on a 65gal tank with a heavy bio-load. Do you think I would see improvement by running a SWC160 or Super Reef Octo 1000SSS over the Tunze?

Marvin

mojo · Feb 6, 2011

probably not a huge difference. I would go with the SRO 1000sss if you were going to change. it would keep the small foot print and uses a much better pump over the atman.

afboundguy · Feb 15, 2011

I have an Octo Extreme 160 with the awesome Sicce 2500 and it's getting way to loud for my liking. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a replacement pump? I'm looking into the Sicce Syncra pump and would like to stay in the $100-$150ish range but main thing is it needs to be silent and fit under the skimmer... I'm thinking of spending the money and getting the Eheim 1103 pump because of all the reviews...

Any input is greatly appreciated...

dougers31 · Feb 15, 2011

Mojo, what's your opinion of the vertex 100 skimmer? I've heard the design works well but that the pump may be an issue.

slice · Feb 15, 2011

General Skimmer settings question (skimate)

Great thread!

I have a CPR Aquafuge II PS, a Bak-Pak skimmer integrated into a HOB refugium. I don't have any personal experience with any skimmer except this one. I have switched out the original Rio 600rv for the Accela pump, which is much more powerful and seems to be doing a much better job.

I empty from 1/4" to 1/2" (sometimes more) medium dark green "tea" from my cup twice a day; before leaving from work, again when I get home. There is sludge buildup in the neck and on the underside of the cup cover that is cleaned once a week. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside whenever I empty the cup, knowing that crap is no longer in my tank.

I run the venturi air line wide open most of the time. It is noisey.

I've read that "wet skimming" is "aggressive" skimming, which is what I want...I think...(?)
My meager google skilz has not found the answer to my question:

What should I try to set my cup level for? Wet skimate or drier sludge? What are the advantages/consequences of both?

Thanks in advance!

EDIT
Wouldn't you know it, just after I post this, I get good hits from googling "wet versus dry skimming"...I still would like your thoughts.

toejam · Feb 18, 2011

Hey mojo, would upgrading my sedra 9000 pump on my wm s200 to a sedra ho 9000 be worth it? MD has the modded pumps as replacement pumps for the aquamaxx am250. Get a new pump or replace it with the new aquamaxx am250 skimmer?
I do have 340g of water, maybe the am500, yaaa.

LILBUDDHA · Feb 19, 2011

Sine you do this so much . When r you getting up with John @WM to get a hold of the new MF- Series . I like to see your thoughts on the Eden pump .

mojo · Feb 19, 2011

it would allow more flow and air. from 600 lph to 1000 but you have t change the elbow and the inlet going into the body. not an easy task by anymeans. your skimmer isnt bad. the am am 250 is a little more current and will perform slightly better.

mojo · Feb 19, 2011

LILBUDDHA said:
Sine you do this so much . When r you getting up with John @WM to get a hold of the new MF- Series . I like to see your thoughts on the Eden pump .

These were suppose to be out already but last I heard was some time in march. A skimz design with a few wm touches

mojo · Feb 25, 2011

Had to update my list up top a little. I think I am caught up for now. but if anyone has any question just let me know. I get a ton on the other forums but would rather answer them here. less political and well its a Q&A forum not a debate. lol. Have a good weekend ...

Mojo~