Skimmer Q&A Thread

[DannyB]

Anyone have any feedback on Skimz SN143 Monzter Mini Protein Skimmer? I have a 55g DT and about 60g of system water, low bioload at the moment.

 

[luke33]

Sure, its a great little skimmer and packs a punch. I've ran one for 8mths now and it works very well. It replaced a swc120 cone and this guy is leaps and bounds above the swc120 performance wise. The build quality is mid level as far as how solid it is, the design is very good and the performance is great. Now the one thing about it that I found to be more difficult was the setup. When I first set it up I had quite a few overflows, more so than most skimmers I've used, and I've used probably 40-50 in the last 10yrs. My suggestion is to start it out with the air wide open but half on the power, then increase one bar at a time until you have it full power. But for the price its pretty tough to beat it. Other other skimmers in the realm of price and similarities are the jebao skimmers reefbreeder sells, and they all utilize the same pump's, probably all built side by side and rebranded in the factory. I use one of the larger jebao skimmers on my bigger system, must be made in the same factory as the skimz.

 

[Jimbo]

Finally fed up with years of random overflows for the smallest of reasons with my Reef Octopus XP1000SSS and looking for something new.

93 gallon Cube with 100g total water volume. Looking in the $500 price range, something that is truly set it and forget it and very consistent. Been considering an RLSS 6i, Vertex 180i or NYOS 160. Any comments or other suggestions?

The RO is a great skimmer when it's going good. Just tired of the inconsistency.

 

[Ben little79]

I'm so mixed up about skimmers. I know they are super important just don't know good from bad ones, only know main stream names. I currently have reef octopus 110nwb on 125 tank. Is that enough or good brand.

 

[Gravityreefing]

MOJO what you think of a reef octopus 200int for a 180 gallon tank??

 

[mcarroll]

Finally fed up with years of random overflows for the smallest of reasons [...]

Some of that is to be expected with any skimmer. That said Tunze does more than any other brand I'm aware of to engineer that effect to its minimum. Consider a 9410 for your tank.

Also consider a 9020.140 "foam extraction unit" that will allow you to replace the skimmer's cup with (e.g.) a 5 gallon bucket. (Not mandatory at all...IMO, get it later if you really need it.)

I'm so mixed up about skimmers. I know they are super important just don't know good from bad ones, only know main stream names. […]

There is a lot of mythology surrounding protein skimmers so your feelings are understandable. Skimmers are routinely overestimated in their importance in the reef aquarium-remember they are not mandatory and operate at about 30 to 40% efficiency in the best case scenario. At most they will slightly reduce your maintenance interval.

The way to judge if your skimmer is too small is whether it is constantly skimming or not.

A right-sized skimmer will skim for part of the day and be idle for part of the day.
A too-small skimmer will constantly skim.
A skimmer that is too large may never build a complete foam head.

I suspect your skimmer it is about one or two sizes too small just based on the numbers. You would need to be the final judge based upon the above criteria.

MOJO what you think of a reef octopus 200int for a 180 gallon tank??

Go one size larger in my opinion...if there was a classic bigger than the 225 I'd suggest that.

If you were going to opt for a slightly small skimmer I would definitely suggest the Tunze the 9410 as a better option - it's got more better features and is more compact. It's rated to 265 gallons, or close to 180 for a "typical" overstocked reef. If you have a more flexible budget I would at least consider the 9415.

 

[Gravityreefing]

Some of that is to be expected with any skimmer. That said Tunze does more than any other brand I'm aware of to engineer that effect to its minimum. Consider a 9410 for your tank.

Also consider a 9020.140 "foam extraction unit" that will allow you to replace the skimmer's cup with (e.g.) a 5 gallon bucket. (Not mandatory at all...IMO, get it later if you really need it.)



There is a lot of mythology surrounding protein skimmers so your feelings are understandable. Skimmers are routinely overestimated in their importance in the reef aquarium-remember they are not mandatory and operate at about 30 to 40% efficiency in the best case scenario. At most they will slightly reduce your maintenance interval.

The way to judge if your skimmer is too small is whether it is constantly skimming or not.

A right-sized skimmer will skim for part of the day and be idle for part of the day.
A too-small skimmer will constantly skim.
A skimmer that is too large may never build a complete foam head.

I suspect your skimmer it is about one or two sizes too small just based on the numbers. You would need to be the final judge based upon the above criteria.



Go one size larger in my opinion...if there was a classic bigger than the 225 I'd suggest that.

If you were going to opt for a slightly small skimmer I would definitely suggest the Tunze the 9410 as a better option - it's got more better features and is more compact. It's rated to 265 gallons, or close to 180 for a "typical" overstocked reef. If you have a more flexible budget I would at least consider the 9415.

The 200 in is rated for a 365 gallons this not sufficient on a 180?? I saw the comment if too big won't skim.

 

[Ben little79]

Okay thank you for the reply.

 

[Gravityreefing]

Ok was wron the 200 in reefoctopus is rated for 250 gallon tank. Sugested fir 160 gallon tank if heavily stocked.

 

[mcarroll]

The 200 in is rated for a 365 gallons this not sufficient on a 180?? I saw the comment if too big won't skim.

Skimmer ratings are usually very optimistic for marketing purposes. In addition, makers cannot anticipate how you will stock any given tank size so there's no solid basis for the rating in the first place.

In a nutshell, unless you plan to barely stock your tank you can safely ignore the 365 gallon rating. :-)

So if you are married to the reef octopus brand then I would at least go with the 225. If not I would consider the two Tunze models as better alternatives.

 

[Gravityreefing]

Skimmer ratings are usually very optimistic for marketing purposes. In addition, makers cannot anticipate how you will stock any given tank size so there's no solid basis for the rating in the first place.

In a nutshell, unless you plan to barely stock your tank you can safely ignore the 365 gallon rating. :)

So if you are married to the reef octopus brand then I would at least go with the 225. If not I would consider the two Tunze models as better alternatives.

Tunze what model?? I have the reef 200 already but could possible return it to my local lfs

 

[Ben little79]

It was the tune 9415.000 I believe that was suggested. I looked it up it looks like a very nice skimmer.

 

[MFTJohnson123]

I am looking at the bubble magnus curve 9 for a 250 gallon reef tank. Has anyone used this and what did you think? Its alot of money to find out its no better than the coralife 220 i have now. LOL

Thanks,

 

[ATB USA]

I am looking at the bubble magnus curve 9 for a 250 gallon reef tank. Has anyone used this and what did you think? Its alot of money to find out its no better than the coralife 220 i have now. LOL

Thanks,

I have a friend that has a C99 and it goes thru impellers like crazy.
http://richmondreefers.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=11068&start=470

Well this sucks! These impellers are even two months old!

 

[MFTJohnson123]

Interesting, This is what was recommended buy a local expert. He swears by them. I have just been researching options on my own. What is a good skimmer for a decent price? Any recommendations?

 

[mcarroll]

Tunze what model?? I have the reef 200 already but could possible return it to my local lfs

9410 or if your budget is flexible the 9415.

I am looking at the bubble magnus curve 9 for a 250 gallon reef tank. Has anyone used this and what did you think? Its alot of money to find out its no better than the coralife 220 i have now. LOL

Like most cone skimmers it is pretty small for its price. Check out the two skimmers above as alternatives… For your tank the 9415 is probably the better fit. AquaC has some good options as well if you are willing to consider a direct injection skimmer versus a needle wheel skimmer. I like both of these lines of skimmers because they are low in gimmicks and high in design.

 

[Tippfish]

Opinions on Skimz SM202 external skimmer? This would be for a 50 gal system, (3) fish, (17) coral LPS and zoas

 

[Ben little79]

The reef octopus i use is great. Its just super sensitive to the changes in water levels in my sump. Im saving for ato now to fix that. Any suggestions on a good reliable ato

 

[Gravityreefing]

The reef octopus i use is great. Its just super sensitive to the changes in water levels in my sump. Im saving for ato now to fix that. Any suggestions on a good reliable ato

Ben which reef octopus do you have and for what size tank?? I bought the reefoctopus 200 int. Am a new reefer. Just seeing how u like yours so far and how long you had it.

 

[Ben little79]

Wow you have a super nice one mine is just like yours only smaller i have the 110. I use it on a 125 mostly a fowlr tank couple softies like mushrooms and zoos. I like mine its easy to clean and set back up. How often is your cup filling up