Skimmer Q&A Thread

[mcarroll]

No real downfall per se, despite what many people might say. But the reality is that your stack of live rock replaced those bio balls back in 1993 or so. :-)

As I said they really won't hurt anything but it's a good chance that you will want the space they take up for something else because they are not really necessary.

Whether to use a sock or not is a whole other question - I do not, but some do. It's up to you. [emoji41]

 

[Ben little79]

Wut do you use for mechanical

 

[Ben little79]

Wut about the DSB filter that completes the nitrogen cycle right. The trickle filter just holds the arobic bacteria do i need a DSB filter for the antiarobic bacteria to complete the cycle.

 

[mcarroll]

Wut do you use for mechanical

Excellent flow. SPS - lots of them. Skimming. Occasional siphoning.

Wut about the DSB filter that completes the nitrogen cycle right. The trickle filter just holds the arobic bacteria do i need a DSB filter for the antiarobic bacteria to complete the cycle.

Live rock will do the same things for you, but doing a DSB in addition to or instead of live rock is an option.

 

[Ben little79]

So you mean live rock in the sump, or the tank ,or both.

 

[Ben little79]

I actually have around 100 pounds in tank . in process of getting more so can build rock wall up across back of tank. I currently have one wp25 , ordered another one. And i plan on up grading my return pump to a dc12000. Have to install another over flow to my system first. Will that be good flow IYO. My tank is 6feet long.

 

[mcarroll]

Live rock "period". Anywhere it's within the water flow of the tank. [emoji3]

About 1 pound of rock per gallon usually does it. The more space you can leave to open water the better!

300gph-800gph of actual return flow from the sump should be adequate. More than that is overkill.

I'm m not familiar with your flow pump yet, but consider that your tank is long and skinny - rectangular versus cube shaped. A pump that has really wide flow is at a disadvantage there. By the same token a pump with a more focused flow would have an easier time.

 

[Ben little79]

I knew i should have got the rw8s guess i will put that on my wish list. Thanks for the advice. I use oceans blend two part for alk calcium mag daily dose. Wut would you suggest. Also am using reef crystal salt. I do 10 gal WC about every 7days

 

[jetmaker]

Hopefully not more than $300

Aqua Max co 1 or 2

 

[HappyDays]

Hey guys, what would be your choice between BakPak 2, Reef Octopus BH2000, and Eshopps PSK-100H? and why?
P.S.
I cannot set up a sump so i m limited to hang on skimmers.

 

[mcarroll]

Hey guys, what would be your choice between BakPak 2, Reef Octopus BH2000, and Eshopps PSK-100H? and why?
P.S.
I cannot set up a sump so i m limited to hang on skimmers.

AquaC Remora or Bak Pak if you must do a hang-on.

But you are not limited to hang-on style.....Tunze makes a line of magnetically mounted in-tank skimmers for everything from tiny nanos up to 150+ gallon tank sizes.

I like the Aqua C's a lot, but I'd have to seriously consider the Tunze.

 

[HappyDays]

Whoa man, thanks! I want at some point to go up from 55g to 125g or 150g so i am considering all the options.

I was wondering if it is feasible to add a small stand near the aquarium and use a skimmer that is not an hang-on-back type until i get a sump system...

 

[mcarroll]

Hey guys, what would be your choice between BakPak 2, Reef Octopus BH2000, and Eshopps PSK-100H? and why?
P.S.
I cannot set up a sump so i m limited to hang on skimmers.

AquaC Remora or Bak Pak if you must do a hang-on.

But you are not limited to hang-on style.....Tunze makes a line of magnetically mounted in-tank skimmers for everything from tiny nanos up to 200+ gallon tank sizes.

I like the Aqua C's a lot, but I'd have to seriously consider the Tunze as well.

 

[mcarroll]

That was weird....browser had an edit window showing even though I had posted earlier, so I hit Post. Not sure how could happen...

Sorry for the double post!

 

[IpGu]

I have a AquaC Remora on my 55g tank heavily stocked and i barely get any waste from it, i do get alot of stuff stuck on the neck was wondering if any of you had the same problem and what could be done

 

[saltyguppy]

I personally love eshopps skimmers. They use sicce pumps and great materials and can often get them for a steal on amazon. I got my S-200 for $150

 

[HappyDays]

Ok guys, just ordered my Reef Octopus BH2000. I have taken pictures of my current status with a SeaClone (modified) and I will post some pics after i install the bh2000 and share my thoughts about it.

 

[mcarroll]

I have a AquaC Remora on my 55g tank heavily stocked and i barely get any waste from it, i do get alot of stuff stuck on the neck was wondering if any of you had the same problem and what could be done

It's normal to get a ring of buildup after 1-3 days. I clean my skimmer pretty close to daily and recommend others do the same to keep it running well.

You should lower the cup into the skimmer body to increase skimmate/skim wetter.

Make one small adjustment like this once per day. Base further small adjustments of the skimmer cup ONLY on skimmate quality/quantity. (Not on current skimming performance at the moment.)

 

[JPK]

Hello,
I am in the market for a new skimmer and want to take advantage of the Black Friday sales.

I am running a 75 gallon display with a trigger ruby 36 sump (est 20-25 gallons) and have a 30 gallon frag tank plumbed in. I would estimate my total water volume (minus rocks and equipment) is right around 110 gallons. I have sps, I plan to add quite a few more fish and I feed a lot.

Currently I am using a reef octopus 150 int classic, which is working ok now, but may struggle as my system matures.

I was looking at the following skimmers; vertex 150 and 180i. There is a smoking deal on the 180i at BRS right now ($349.99, only $10 more than the 150), but I don't know if that would be too large of a skimmer for my system.

Other options would be the RLSS 6i, the aquamaxx CO-2 or the aquamaxx Q2.

I basically am looking for an option which will noticeably out perform my reef octopus, but not be so powerful that it will be inefficient for my system as it grows out.

Any recommendations/thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Erick Merfeld]

I have a 55 gal mixed tank. I am looking to add an RO system and a skimmer. Any suggestions on what brand and size for both? Trying to get opinions from multiple people. Everyone's preference is different lol. The skimmer has to be hob. Also something that won't empty out my wallet!