Skimmer Q&A Thread

[mojo]

how deep is minimum ? How old is tank ? have you added anything to the water lately ? they pull quite a bit of air. So you might have to raise the skimmer with all three pumps running and let the skimmer catch up to the tank and go from there.

 

[numsie]

Hi all I'm new in here but not new with saltwater tanks but I do need an opinion. I right now have a 45g reef/fish tank. When I set it up I had to do some cost cutting and purchased a sea clone hang on skimmer which I hate. I should have put a sump in the stand but I didn't and now short of draining the tank, lifting it and dropping in a small sump I need to use the hang on. So here is my question, if money was NOT an issue, what would be the best hang on the back skimmer you would recommend. It would be great to find one that is somewhat quiet running, built well and easy to adjust, clean and empty when the collection cup gets full. Wishful thinking, maybe!
Thanks Much!

 

[BarbH]

Hi all I'm new in here but not new with saltwater tanks but I do need an opinion. I right now have a 45g reef/fish tank. When I set it up I had to do some cost cutting and purchased a sea clone hang on skimmer which I hate. I should have put a sump in the stand but I didn't and now short of draining the tank, lifting it and dropping in a small sump I need to use the hang on. So here is my question, if money was NOT an issue, what would be the best hang on the back skimmer you would recommend. It would be great to find one that is somewhat quiet running, built well and easy to adjust, clean and empty when the collection cup gets full. Wishful thinking, maybe!
Thanks Much!

I have a Bubble Magus NAC5E which I am using, still in the cycling process so not pulling much yet. From everything that I have read about the skimmer people like it and works well from the start. If hanging it from the back do need to have about 6 inches of clearance, or can hang it from the side.

 

[numsie]

Thank you, i'll check it out

 

[Cope]

Hello Everyone,
I got a HOB Octopus BH-2000 last month and it is skimming great, but I still have a film on the top of my water?? I had a bak pak 2 and was told to get rid of that and get the Octopus. I have a 55 gal FOWLR. (2) clowns (1) yellow tang (5) chromis and a goby. Now I'm wondering if that film is from something beside my not so good skimmer?? any help would ge great. Thank you.

 

[sirjustis]

Hey all! Just purchased a SRO 3000 int. I plan to put baffles in my extra 29 gallon I have. My question is this. At what depth will the SRO work the best? Are there any threads that will leade in the rite direction for this skimmer? Thanks :)

 

[Tony Buck]

I was having the same "film" problem until I added another power head I just wasn't getting enough water movement was all. I put it up towards the top to kinda churn the top water as well as two pointing in the tank that should help.

 

[mojo]

Hey all! Just purchased a SRO 3000 int. I plan to put baffles in my extra 29 gallon I have. My question is this. At what depth will the SRO work the best? Are there any threads that will leade in the rite direction for this skimmer? Thanks :)

the 3000 int would run well around 6 to 7 inches. I would shoot for about 6.5. too high it will overflow. too low and it will sck air from the surface..

 

[mojo]

The Film isnt really from the skimmer itself. it is going to build up on any waters surface if you dont have a surface skimmer. Thats why most reef tanks use overflows. this way you skim the oils and fats that float to the surface of the water.

 

[sirjustis]

Does giving your new skimmer a "vinegar bath" really improve the break in period? What should the ratio be vinegar to water?

 

[mojo]

no itdoesnt improve it at all IMO. I have had so many skimmers over the years some models a couple times. I have actually found that sometimes it will extend breakin. What it will do is help remove any oil from when the body was molded . I honestly stopped giving them Vingar baths and would just rinse them off.

 

[sirjustis]

Thank you mojo :)

 

[greydmv]

A skimmer thread, exactly what I need.

I have a problem, I need a short Skimmer, the sump area in my stand has a a height of 20 inches that is before you add the relative thickness of the acrylic used to manufacture the sump. So I need a skimmer that works well for a 56 gallon tank, with a high bioload, and requires no more than 19 1/2 inches to remove the cup (preferably shorter so I can remove it easily). I would rather stay away from a HOB skimmer however I will consider an external skimmer.

Thanks for everyone's advise and expertise.

Grey

 

[mojo]

A skimmer thread, exactly what I need.

I have a problem, I need a short Skimmer, the sump area in my stand has a a height of 20 inches that is before you add the relative thickness of the acrylic used to manufacture the sump. So I need a skimmer that works well for a 56 gallon tank, with a high bioload, and requires no more than 19 1/2 inches to remove the cup (preferably shorter so I can remove it easily). I would rather stay away from a HOB skimmer however I will consider an external skimmer.

Thanks for everyone's advise and expertise.

Grey

yea that could be a problem. It seems like every skimmer out comes in at 21 in plus.

You do have a option that will leave you extra room too. Check out the Tunze 9006. IT will do a great job for you and has a small footprint. Not to mention Tunze's great service.

 

[nata]

I am thinking of getting a new skimmer..so I need your advise..i have a very heavy stocked 180 and a 75 galon sump..what would be the best fit for me..lots of corals and anemones,few fish..thanks for your help

 

[greydmv]

Mojo, thanks for the insight, this looks like a great fit for my reef build.

 

[FauxinSiles]

Hey mojo,
I've been looking for a skimmer for a 40b 20g sump

Tryna keep it around 200ish,
So like a nac 7, avast cs1 or maybe a sro? Or the eBay nac7 knock off

I think the cs1 and sro might have a too big of a neck 3.75?
I read your post that the nac7 has a neck of 3

Thinking the smaller neck might produce better skimmate in the the earlier not so stocked stages?

But then again I have a few local reefers how have smaller skimmer that do very well
Like a the nac 3.5 and 6

Would I just be better off with a smaller skimmer?

 

[sirjustis]

On a new bubble blaster pump, is a hum normal? I inspected the needle wheel and it appeared to be the new model. With a white shaft. Also do these guys pick up in velocity once they break in?

 

[xmetalfan99]

Mojo,
I am working on a new build. Tank is 60G with a sum that will hold 20G and have a remote 15G frag tank. Total volume will be roughly 95 gallons. I will be running biopellets and have a heavily fed and stocked tank. I am looking for the quietest skimmer possible. Price point is $450. What do you suggest?

-X

 

[mojo]

quietest in that price is the jns sk2/aquamaxx cone 2. The sicce psk 1000 isreally quiet. Sorry for the delay but this missed my email or i just didnt see it.

Mojo~