Skimmer Q&A Thread

mojo · Sep 3, 2011

with the psk 600's the two pumps will work fine. Hopefully enough. there were a lot of people that replaced the two pumps with one askol. Either or it will be a good fit for you.

oigimsar · Sep 6, 2011

mojo said:
The swc 160 is a good skimmer. But the pump is a atman 2500. its a pretty cheap pump. The Sicce syncra is a better pump and is more quiet as well.

I thought I should get some feedback before pulling the trigger. Here are the ones I have researched and have been recommended in my price range. I am open to other suggestions as well.

SWC 160 (used) $200 - atman 2500
SWC 160 (new) $275 - atman 2500 (modified)
CS1 (new) $255 - syncrapsk600
CS2 $295 - syncra psk1000
BM NAC7 (used) $200 - atman PH2500
ROE XS160 (new)$250 psk600

Going on a heavily stocked, mix reef 75g.
Thanks for any help.

mojo · Sep 6, 2011

I would suggest the sea side aquatics cs1, same pump as the octo but makes better use of the body. That my friend is what I would get. It is actually what I did get for my 75. Mine will be here in the next couple days.but after tomorrow I'll be away from home til after macna..

oigimsar · Sep 6, 2011

mojo said:
I would suggest the sea side aquatics cs1, same pump as the octo but makes better use of the body. That my friend is what I would get. It is actually what I did get for my 75. Mine will be here in the next couple days.but after tomorrow I'll be away from home til after macna..

Thanks, Mojo.

mojo · Sep 6, 2011

No problem.

kracer1025 · Sep 6, 2011

I am currently using a ATB Elegance 200 skimmer. I am planning an upgrade from my 90 gallon to possibly a 180 or 210. Do you think this skimmer could handle a 210 sps tank with probably a heavy bioload.

reef fish · Sep 6, 2011

mojo i need some help with my new SUPER REEF 3000 INTERNAL this skimmer is going on a 150 gallon 60x24x24 and a 40 gallon breeder sump coral say i need to lift it 6 inches i have no space i can only lift it 3 inches what can i do and if i have to sell it what other skimmer would you use ????

mojo · Sep 7, 2011

kracer1025 said:
I am currently using a ATB Elegance 200 skimmer. I am planning an upgrade from my 90 gallon to possibly a 180 or 210. Do you think this skimmer could handle a 210 sps tank with probably a heavy bioload.

it will work better on that size setup than on your 90. I would stick with what you have.

mojo · Sep 7, 2011

reef fish said:
mojo i need some help with my new SUPER REEF 3000 INTERNAL this skimmer is going on a 150 gallon 60x24x24 and a 40 gallon breeder sump coral say i need to lift it 6 inches i have no space i can only lift it 3 inches what can i do and if i have to sell it what other skimmer would you use ????

How deep is your baffle ?

reef fish · Sep 7, 2011

kracer1025 · Sep 7, 2011

mojo said:
it will work better on that size setup than on your 90. I would stick with what you have.

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate your help.

adam87 · Sep 9, 2011

mojo said:
Yeap that skimmer will do fine. If you add on a frag tank or get a really heavy load you may want to go with a5000. but a 3000 would be a great fit.

Thank you mojo. :)

mojo · Sep 9, 2011

No problem

xmetalfan99 · Sep 12, 2011

I am looking for a new skimmer due to some bad restart issues wit my current skimmer pump. If I don't clean the shaft every 2-3 weeks, I have the restart issues. A new pump would cost me roughly $120. I figure for a littl emore I could just buy a new better skimmer.

Requirements:
quiet (as silent as possible)
rated to a 150G tank
cone
low electrical use
Runs in no more than 8" of water (I don't want to redo my sump)
Skimmer costs no more than $450
largest possible footprint is 12"x11"

The new WM skimmers look nice and I like their features, but I would like a long term silent skimmer with no pump restart issues.

mojo · Sep 12, 2011

xmetalfan99 said:
I am looking for a new skimmer due to some bad restart issues wit my current skimmer pump. If I don't clean the shaft every 2-3 weeks, I have the restart issues. A new pump would cost me roughly $120. I figure for a littl emore I could just buy a new better skimmer.

Requirements:
quiet (as silent as possible)
rated to a 150G tank
cone
low electrical use
Runs in no more than 8" of water (I don't want to redo my sump)
Skimmer costs no more than $450
largest possible footprint is 12"x11"

The new WM skimmers look nice and I like their features, but I would like a long term silent skimmer with no pump restart issues.

Honestly, For the money. The AVAST would work well but its a kit. If you call them I am sure you could work out something
AVAST Marine Works - CS1 Cone Skimmer Kit - Product Details
The next best thing which uses the same psk 1000 pump and is a cone and basically fits the bill is the Sea Side Aquatics CS2
SoCal Tropical Fish Outlet : Sea Side Aquatics CS2 Skimmer [SSACS2] - $349.99 Superior fish supplies :

Both will work great. I suggest these because the pump really works great. Nice small bubbles. Super quiet.

I just got the seaside aquatics skimmer and was playing with it today. I was really suprised at how easy it comes apart for cleaning, even has a small foam pad under the pump for more noise reduction. Seams really thought out.

Mojo~

cubsare1 · Sep 20, 2011

How do you know when you have the proper depth for the skimmer? Most manufactures state a 3-4" difference, would it be best to get a air meter or just watch bubble size? I have a nwb 150 and just trying to get optimal performance, Its in a rubber made sump so adjusting it is pretty easy. Thanks for any help

mojo · Sep 30, 2011

You can run the skimmer in water as deep as you can. When you get to the water level being too deep the skimmer level will over flow. once you lower it back down to where the skimmer looks be be at about the right level. ( valve wide open of course) Then lower the water level 1 to 2 more inches. This will give you optimal water level. If you run it right at the upper level you will have no room for adjustment. too low and you have to close your wedgepipe or adjustment valve almost all the way. Also never run your water level below your bubble plate. This causes too much backpressure on your skimmer. I have seen this done at a LFS. they can only run like 4 to 5 inches of water level or there sumps overflow. They cut performance down to about half in doing this.

sorry for the delay in response. Must of missed it.

Mojo~

jelly · Oct 15, 2011

this may be a stupid question but whats the best way to adjust a skimmer. should the air be wide openor some what closed? when your adjusting a skimmer what are you looking for besides small bubbles?

mojo · Oct 16, 2011

Start off with the wedge pipe or valve all the way open. let the skimmer run for a couple hours to over night. Once you let the skimmer run start to adjust the vlave or wedgepipe closed until the water level is just below the neck of the skimmer. Now this can very by skimmer, water level and load on the tank. Now that is the water level in the skimmer. Not the bubbles in hte neck. The bubbles in the neck will get bigger and pop. They should pop about 2/3 the way up the neck and you should get a foam head about 1/2 in to 1 in depending on the skimmer and how much head the pump can handle. I hope this is clear as mud.