Skimmer Q&A Thread

Steve Hwang · May 1, 2011

Are HOB skimmers just as efficient?

The biggest priority for me is noise however

dustinc · May 1, 2011

Thanks for your help!

dustinc · May 1, 2011

Do you think that I would see a performance difference between the 121 standard or the 181 cone? I'm not tight on space but if performance would be the same, I'll save $100 bucks and get the standard model.

mojo · May 1, 2011

I would save the $100. They will both work well but $100 better ??? I would save the $100

UncleJT · May 19, 2011

mojo, what is your opinion these days on the current version Octopus Extreme XS160's for tanks less than 90gal? AS has them on sale for $280 right now which is a darn attractive price. Do they run ok in 10" of water?

agoodloe · May 29, 2011

Mojo, I am curious to know on how to determine if a skimmer is to small for an aquarium?

mojo · May 29, 2011

UncleJT said:
mojo, what is your opinion these days on the current version Octopus Extreme XS160's for tanks less than 90gal? AS has them on sale for $280 right now which is a darn attractive price. Do they run ok in 10" of water?

the current version is the best yet. The pump is much better and fits the body size better. it also has a much better transition to the neck too.

mojo · May 29, 2011

agoodloe said:
Mojo, I am curious to know on how to determine if a skimmer is to small for an aquarium?

the biggest factor is knowing the pumps and the performance. Water through put , air draw and neck size.

jimmy b · May 30, 2011

one that can handle a heavy load for a 90. Budget, 225-500$ range I think.
Any suggestions.

mojo · May 30, 2011

jimmy b said:
one that can handle a heavy load for a 90. Budget, 225-500$ range I think.
Any suggestions.

The SRO xp 2000, THe JNS sk2, and the vertex in 180. All in range and all work well.

skinz78 · May 30, 2011

OK here is one for ya, I have a Super Reef Octo 2000 running in 5.5" of water and I have to remove the gate valve so it doesn't go crazy. Am I not running it deep enough or too deep? Where I have it right now without the gate valve it runs way too dry for my liking, I dump it every 3 days because it quits filling the cup due to too much detritus build up in the neck and the cup is only 1/3 of the way full.

mojo · May 30, 2011

sounds like you are in the middle. too much restriction but not enough without it. With out the gate valve you could raise the water to 6 or 6.5 usually you are totally fine at 5.5 in with the valve. is this the xp or the int version? Might be something in the water or epoxy . Just some guesses. I know you are familiar with skimmers and how all this works. tell me more, how long have you been running the sro? how old is the water in the setup. Is it all new ? or is it just small water changes? and conditioners, vodka, mb7 , prime ect... what food? LEts figure out what it isnt so we can figure out what it is.

If you run it at 5 inches does the pump suck air from the water surface ? If not try to run it there and get caught back up on the system.

skinz78 · May 30, 2011

This is the INT version. I haven't epoxy'd anything for quite some time, probably 3 or 4 months now. I do use Super Glue gel from time to time though, it has been about 2 weeks since I used it. I have been using this skimmer for about a month now, the tank is about 6 months old. I do small water changes, and I don't use any vodka, mb7 , prime ect... I use a DIY 2 part, Kalk, one drop dayly of Brighwells Iodine, and Brightwells Mag. I feed a DIY food that consists of many different types of blended up seafood, Spirulina pellets, nori, and garlic.

I haven't tried to run it at 5" yet, I will add some eggcrate to the top of the skimmer stand and see what that does.

jimmy b · May 30, 2011

What about the SWC 160 or 180. Would either be ones you'd suggest for my 90.

mojo · May 30, 2011

jimmy b said:
What about the SWC 160 or 180. Would either be ones you'd suggest for my 90.

well the 160 wouldnt be bad, I with a new setup I would spend the extra $$ and make sure you get something you want. There are a lot of SWC backers here for sure and Luke is a stand up guy and backs his product. The pump is just a inexpensive pump. The pump is the heart of the skimmer.

The 180 uses the psk2500 pump...Sicce. I honeslty like the atman 2500 pump on the 160 over the sicce psk 2500
The new sicce syncra pumps are really nice. No rotational issues and perform well. That is why I suggested the JNS sk2. The new octo XS series uses these same pumps too.

A lot of skimmers will be good on a 90 but I have my top choices listed above.
hope that helps

mojo~

jimmy b · May 30, 2011

Ranked in the order you listed...SRO being first choice. Does the Space saver design affect performance at all on the SRO. Im very new to skimmers and going to go with your opinion. If I went as high as say 600$ does that change your opinion. Seems like such a range of prices its all to confusing to me.
thanks.

mojo · May 30, 2011

yes. The atb 840 v2 is a perfect fit.
Second choice is the JNS sk2 and the SRO 2000

on some skimmers the the sump saver style can reduce reaction time and to keep reaction time the raise the skimmer and that creates more head pressure. Not a huge issue but if you want to split hairs I prefer a external pump on most skimmers. But the best sump saver IMO is still the bk mini 160

if you can pick one of those up used that might be a great deal too

Mojo~