Skimmer Q&A Thread

[prdubois]

Finally, where is the best water level for the skimmer in relation to the collection cup?

Most skimmers - half way up the neck

 

[prdubois]

Well I would consider a couple different skimmers if it were me.
MY list of skimmers I would consider would be the following :
WM k2
ATB 840
WM AS 200
MSX 250 or 250A
Vertex IN 180 or maybe even the 280
Bk mini 180 gen 2 if you want to drop some $$
and maybe even the alpha 170 or 200.

If it were my setup those are the ones I would be looking at.
Mojo~

Just read this whole thread. Love the honest compares and all the advice.

 

[telesonic]

Does anyone know which skimmer technology actually produces the smallest bubbles using small pumps?

 

[mr.reeferman]

i am in china and purchased a DoPhin hob skimmer i was wondering if anyone has ever used these and how successful they are if anyone knows plz let me know i could not find any reviews online and just want to know if it will be good for my tank i run a 29 gal fowlr system with 40 pounds of live rock a wisper hob filter also filled with live rock and a carbon sock aka my mini sump ... a in tank submersible uv sterilizer if anyone knows about these protien skimmers plz plz plz reply

 

[Big Larr]

Sorry if this has been asked but what about skimming heavy and not using filter socks what do yall think

 

[townjas]

I don't use filter socks.

 

[Big Larr]

Would yall consider a bubble magus c6 as being heavy skimmer for a 57 gallon

 

[luke33]

I would say its a pretty good fit. That skimmer should be good up to a 75g well stocked tank imo. You could probably even push it up to a 90g if you wanted to. I wouldn't put it on anything smaller than a 40g display though.

 

[miller175]

My ASM G1x works well on my 75 gallon.

 

[Big Larr]

I would say its a pretty good fit. That skimmer should be good up to a 75g well stocked tank imo. You could probably even push it up to a 90g if you wanted to. I wouldn't put it on anything smaller than a 40g display though.

Thanks bud was just checking cause it seems a little big and doing great

 

[Slm222]

know anything about the SCA 301? im looking at it for a 40 gallon frag tank.

 

[luke33]

Thanks bud was just checking cause it seems a little big and doing great

Na, should work well for you. You would have to throw something pretty big on your tank to get it to overskim, which would really underskim since it wouldn't have enough organics to work properly.

 

[luke33]

know anything about the SCA 301? im looking at it for a 40 gallon frag tank.

Sure, for a 40g tank it will work just fine. There are a few weak points on the skimmer, one, the atman 1100 pump isn't a great pump and may die after a year or so, but then again I have had them last for 3yrs before. Its kind of the luck of the draw on that one. Second weak point is the neck connection. The collection cup has a pretty generic oring on it that you push down into the skimmer body, so there isn't a true neck to body connection. The third is you can't take the skimmer completely apart for cleaning. That isn't a huge deal as no skimmer was able to take apart 4-5yrs ago and we all survived.

That being said, it should skim just fine for that size of tank and for the price of $85 its a nice little skimmer.

 

[Kehaulani]

Last year I bought my 75 gallon set up from a guy and the skimmer has worked great ever since. However, last night I noticed that it sounds almost like the propeller or motor is going out in it. It kinda revs up and then down and up again. It sounds pretty loud when it's running and quiet when it slows down. I don't exactly know what type of skimmer is it. I believe it is a reef octopus xs Diablo 200? Anyways my question is, can I just buy a new pump and switch out the old one or will I have to buy a new skimmer? If I can just replace the pump, what are some good ones out there.

 

[luke33]

Have you cleaned the pump and venturi?

 

[Kehaulani]

I don't know what that is so no I haven't. Is it easy?

 

[JerSaint]

Hello, I read a good portion of the thread and really appreciate all the advice that has been offered up!

I am looking at a skimmer for my 90G. I am looking at Avast CS-1 (built by me) , a CoralBox DC, or something else under $300.

Thanks in Advance!

 

[El Chavito]

I just bought an eshopps s-150 my lfs. Love the thing so far. Installed yesterday. In 24 hrs has pulled a bunch of crap. I had a bubble mag and was not happy with it

 

[Big Larr]

What was wrong with the bubble mag cause mine is great

 

[El Chavito]

It was good for about 6 months. Then gave out. Cleaned pump and with vinegar and nothing. Compared it to reef dynamics and eshopps skimmer and the craftsmanship is at another level. From other bubble mag owners i get a feeling its either hit or miss with them. Instead of just buying another pump for it decided to invest in a skimmer with a better pump.