Skimmer Q&A Thread

[Jdodson11]

I find dry skimming to be my preference but it is up to you if you want to pull more water out with your skimmate go wet, either way your skimmer is kicking ***!

 

[Inwall150]

I found after having it set up for a couple weeks that having it wet skim works the best for this particular setup. It is pulling about a 1/4 gallon of saltwater and skim mate a day (when water levels are correct). In a 150, it's nothing dramatic. But all in all, in getting some deeply colored junk in the collection bucket and the water has never been as clear as it is currently.

 

[reefwatcher]

My skimmer reef octopus nb120

 

[becca10]

180 Predator Tank

My skimmer is on it's last leg. Cost is an issue. I would like to know the best reccomendation for this heavy load. I am looking at the ASM and the Bubble Magus Curve 7. Open to suggestions...

Thanks

 

[DSP]

My skimmer is on it's last leg. Cost is an issue. I would like to know the best reccomendation for this heavy load. I am looking at the ASM and the Bubble Magus Curve 7. Open to suggestions...

Thanks

Checkout the Sca 302 it's such a beast! Much better then my Reef octopus, Small footprint and rated to 180 gals.

 

[DSP]

Sca 302 4 days after unboximg it and sticking straight into the sump, didn't even wash with vineger

 

[Jdodson11]

Reef dynamics bro is the only skimmer I would have, check out video on you tube!

 

[reefwatcher]

Im giving my reef octo a vinegar bath should i leave it running or just let it site.

 

[saltyaquatic]

Mojo,

Just wanted to say it's nice to see someone so dedicated to helping others in this hobby. Glad to have you here.

Wanted to get yopur opinion on upgrading my skimmer. I just set up a 60 g cube and I'm presently running a asm minig on it. What skimmer would you recommend for a mixed sps,lps tank of this size?

Appreciate it Mojo.

 

[Bcountry]

What would be the best bang for buck on a 120gal in sump?

 

[Hypnogourd]

I am having trouble adjusting my skimmer. I get the bubbles to the bottom quarter of the cup with the intake and then foam to the top and it has to be emptied in an hour I adjust the foam down and get no collection. Obviously this is an art that I am not quite understanding. How do I get this right?

 

[luke33]

What skimmer are you using Hypno?

 

[luke33]

What would be the best bang for buck on a 120gal in sump?

Bang for your buck that would work imo would be the bubble magus curve 7, or this guy Reef-Octopus-NWB-150-6-Skimmer-Octopus-Classic-150, they use the same pump which is going to be adequate for a 120g tank as it pulls 500gph water and 700lph air. If price is the issue then go with the octo. If you can spend the extra 50bux get the curve.

If you do the octo get the aquatrance pump, not the otc 2000 pump.

 

[Hypnogourd]

I am using a Coralife super skimmer 65G hang on the tank.

 

[luke33]

Well, those guys are not the best. I would set the foam head at the bottom of the neck, see what kind of skimmate you get and then very slowly raise the foam head until you get the desired result. If you raise the foam head do it slow and give it a few hrs, then repeat. Also if your water level in your tank raises and lowers your going to have some inconsistency in the skimmate as the pump will be affected by the water level.

 

[mcarroll]

What would be the best bang for buck on a 120gal in sump?

A used AquaC EV120 would have to be the best bang for your buck.

Pretty easy to find and the price is usually great. I have an old EV90...very similar size but no new features that an EV120 would have, and I love it.

Reef Oct's are ok, but don't score that great on bang/$ basis.

Whatever you pick, get a traditional box or cylinder shape. Everything else is a gimmick...certainly not worth paying extra for since they are smaller per footprint than a box or cylinder.

-Matt

 

[Hypnogourd]

Thanks Luke33, I currently have the flow rate wide open and the foam at the lowest level. I will keep adjusting a bit at a time.

 

[mcarroll]

Thanks Luke33, I currently have the flow rate wide open and the foam at the lowest level. I will keep adjusting a bit at a time.

On smaller skimmers you can often judge somewhat faster, but if you limit yourself to making on small adjustment per day and base it on the skimmate rather than the foam head, you can't go wrong.

-Matt

 

[Reef Rover]

I have a 100 gallon with a 30 gallon sump. It is running a DAS EX2 skimmer that cant sem to keep up with bio-load plus the bio-pellet reactor so I am looking to upgrade. It is a predominnantly Acans and some Zoanthids. The two skimmers I am considering is the Avast Marine CS-1 and the Aquamaxx CO-2. Avast is 310.00 and the Aquamaxx is roughly 340.00. The Avast uses the Sicce PSK-1000 drawing 1100 LPH and the Aquamaxx uses the Modified Sicce 2.0 pulling 720 LPH. So the Avast pulls more air but the Aquamaxx is able to be easily broke down for cleaning. Avast is "Rated" to 200 Gallons and the Aquamaxx is "Rated" to 350 gallons. I know air is important but also I know if the skimmer is a PITA to clean than airflow doesnt matter. A dirty skimmer is less efficiant. Which would be the better choice or is it 6 of 1 half dozen of another?

Rover

 

[ohio reefer]

Because I'm low on funds I'm using a used coral life 125 super skimmer. I know they're not even close to being considered decent by many reefers and at first I would have agreed. It either wouldn't work, or it would skim pure white bubbles. After a break in period of over a month and it stopping completely it's finally pulling dark black and green nasty skim haha. I'm saving up for after the move when I set the cube up to put a reef octopus on this tank. B