Skimmer Q&A Thread

KPhilly · Dec 15, 2015

mcarroll said:
Tunze 9410. It's more compact, easier to clean and has more features that make it nice to own. (Read up on its features at Tunze.com)

I would also really suggest something besides a 55 gallon tank as a sump. It's too tall and too skinny to be really practical. That makes it hard to clean and hard to work in.

Any chance you can come by a 40 breeder or 50 breeder?

Oh, yeah! I can defiantly look for one. Or build it need be.

Busa1340 · Dec 15, 2015

I have a bubble magus curve 7 going under a 90gallon with 30 gallon sump. Anyone have this like it? Work well? Says rated for up to 240gallons which I think is alittle over rated lol. But hopefully run strong on the 90.

KPhilly · Dec 15, 2015

mcarroll said:
Tunze 9410. It's more compact, easier to clean and has more features that make it nice to own. (Read up on its features at Tunze.com)

I would also really suggest something besides a 55 gallon tank as a sump. It's too tall and too skinny to be really practical. That makes it hard to clean and hard to work in.

Any chance you can come by a 40 breeder or 50 breeder?

I checked out that skimmer and really like it! How does that post filtration handle the GPH of a 150G though? Also, if you don't mind, would you mind jumping over to my 150G build in the DIY and see if you could give me any tips? That would be appreciated!

mcarroll · Dec 15, 2015

It only handles the skimmer's output.

The post-filter is a great "media basket" for any granular (or larger) media. It will also trap micro bubbles. It's also optional if you'd want to run the skimmer without it.

KPhilly · Dec 16, 2015

mcarroll said:
It only handles the skimmer's output.

The post-filter is a great "media basket" for any granular (or larger) media. It will also trap micro bubbles. It's also optional if you'd want to run the skimmer without it.

I don't see why not getting it, if it doesn't hinder flow.

squalo_75 · Dec 17, 2015

Hi,

I cleaned my skimmer's pump like 3 weeks ago, and since then it hasn't been working properly. I get too much water on the container and it's almost transparent, before it was a dark green right now its light green. I have an AquaC Urchin Pro Sump Skimmer. Any suggestion???

Thank you.

DrayB · Dec 17, 2015

squalo_75 said:
Hi,

I cleaned my skimmer's pump like 3 weeks ago, and since then it hasn't been working properly. I get too much water on the container and it's almost transparent, before it was a dark green right now its light green. I have an AquaC Urchin Pro Sump Skimmer. Any suggestion???

Thank you.

sounds like it's not getting the same air intake as before, have you or can you adjust the air intake to allow more airflow into the skimmer?
how long were you running the skimmer before? and finally ...lol...what did you clean the pump with?

squalo_75 · Dec 17, 2015

DrayB said:
sounds like it's not getting the same air intake as before, have you or can you adjust the air intake to allow more airflow into the skimmer?
how long were you running the skimmer before? and finally ...lol...what did you clean the pump with?

I can adjust the air, I tried to closed instead of opened it. I've had this skimmer for more than a year running with no issues; I cleaned it with just warm water.

mcarroll · Dec 17, 2015

If possible, take a closer look at the Venturi intake where the hose connects and look for any tiny blockage. Literally any blockage will reduce max airflow.

Even better, again if possible, take the entire Venturi assembly off and soak it in straight vinegar for an hour or two. Then try it in the skimmer again.

mcarroll · Dec 17, 2015

squalo_75 said:
Hi,

I cleaned my skimmer's pump like 3 weeks ago, and since then it hasn't been working properly. I get too much water on the container and it's almost transparent, before it was a dark green right now its light green. I have an AquaC Urchin Pro Sump Skimmer. Any suggestion???

Thank you.

Actually I should have asked first: Are you talking about the skimmate?

If the skimmate is more watery, then the pump may be delivering more water due to it being cleaner, but you may also have, whether on purpose or not, changed the skimmer cup position.

In any event, forget my last post. You may need to check the injector and make sure it is clear inside your skimmer - there's a little screw you can undo to get a view of whether there is blockage or not - but you have no Venturi/air hose. [emoji3]

You may simply have to raise the skimmer cup a little to account for the cleaner pump! [emoji106][emoji41][emoji3]

My last thought is that skimming wet is generally much preferred than skimming dry as the skimmer remains cleaner and skimming at optimum performance for longer between cleanings, and you do remove more particulate matter that way.

So you may not want to make any changes at all since it sounds like performance has slanted toward wet skimming already. $0.02![emoji3]

mfinn · Dec 17, 2015

I have a Reef Octopus 5000int with the bubble blaster pump.
Since I've upgraded my closed loop pump to a Vectra L1 my noisiest pump is that skimmer pump.
Does anyone think there might be a quieter pump for this skimmer body?

mcarroll · Dec 17, 2015

Is the noise literally from the pump or from the foaming action in the body? I would go and look at a Tunze skimmer pump, or ask them about it here, to see its dB rating.

It's sort of off-topic, but you could also consider running your skimmer on a timer so it's just not running when you're around.

mcarroll · Dec 17, 2015

Also slightly off-topic, but is there any chance that it's due for a cleaning? Clean pumps invariably run quieter than dirty pumps. :-)

mfinn · Dec 17, 2015

mcarroll said:
Is the noise literally from the pump or from the foaming action in the body? I would go and look at a Tunze skimmer pump, or ask them about it here, to see its dB rating.

It's sort of off-topic, but you could also consider running your skimmer on a timer so it's just not running when you're around.

It's from the pump.
I switched from a BubbleMaster 250 with sicce psk-1000 pumps and they were really quiet.

I skim 24/7

Was wondering if noise was a issue with any of the dc skimmer pumps.

mfinn · Dec 17, 2015

mcarroll said:
Also slightly off-topic, but is there any chance that it's due for a cleaning? Clean pumps invariably run quieter than dirty pumps. :)

Nope was at this noise level from the beginning?

mfinn · Dec 17, 2015

mcarroll said:
Also slightly off-topic, but is there any chance that it's due for a cleaning? Clean pumps invariably run quieter than dirty pumps. :)

Didn't think a question about skimmer pumps would be off topic in the skimmer thread.

sorry if it is.

mcarroll · Dec 17, 2015

Skimming < 24/7 by a few hours won't hurt anything. [emoji106][emoji3]

If you already had the Italian pump and tried it vs the Chinese OEM pump I'm confused by the original question I think.

Certainly, if you've already tried the pumps you mentioned then the Hydrofoamer I mentioned is the only other option I'm aware of. Sorry I cannot offer a direct experience vs the bubble blaster, but I can tell you mine is very quiet and Tunze is a sponsor here so you should feel welcome to ask them. They are well-known for their high quality equipment as well as their honest answers. :-) :-) :-)

mcarroll · Dec 17, 2015

mfinn said:
Didn't think a question about skimmer pumps would be off topic in the skimmer thread.

sorry if it is.

I meant my subsequent answers were slightly off YOUR topic since you were asking specifically about different pumps not other solutions.

mfinn · Dec 17, 2015

mcarroll said:
Skimming < 24/7 by a few hours won't hurt anything. [emoji106][emoji3]

If you already had the Italian pump and tried it vs the Chinese OEM pump I'm confused by the original question I think.

Certainly, if you've already tried the pumps you mentioned then the Hydrofoamer I mentioned is the only other option I'm aware of. Sorry I cannot offer a direct experience vs the bubble blaster, but I can tell you mine is very quiet and Tunze is a sponsor here so you should feel welcome to ask them. They are well-known for their high quality equipment as well as their honest answers. :) :) :)

Ok, let me start the question again.

I bought a new Reef Octopus 5000int skimmer 4-5 months ago. (I use to have a Bubble Master 250 but wanted to get away from a dual pump skimmer)

Right away I noticed how much more skimate the new RO skimmer produced. I've very happy with it, but now it is the loudest pump in my system.
I was wondering if anyone knew of a pump with similar air draw numbers that would be a good replacement pump for this skimmer.
This on a 240 gallon tank with a medium fish load and a high coral load.

Just looking for a quieter skimmer pump for the RO 5000int body.

squalo_75 · Dec 17, 2015

mcarroll said:
Actually I should have asked first: Are you talking about the skimmate?

If the skimmate is more watery, then the pump may be delivering more water due to it being cleaner, but you may also have, whether on purpose or not, changed the skimmer cup position.

In any event, forget my last post. You may need to check the injector and make sure it is clear inside your skimmer - there's a little screw you can undo to get a view of whether there is blockage or not - but you have no Venturi/air hose. [emoji3]

You may simply have to raise the skimmer cup a little to account for the cleaner pump! [emoji106][emoji41][emoji3]

My last thought is that skimming wet is generally much preferred than skimming dry as the skimmer remains cleaner and skimming at optimum performance for longer between cleanings, and you do remove more particulate matter that way.

So you may not want to make any changes at all since it sounds like performance has slanted toward wet skimming already. $0.02![emoji3]

Yes, I'm talking about the skimmate, I tried to raise it a little bit, but still getting too much water; but now that you're saying about to check the injector, I didn't clean the skimmer itself, just the pump, maybe I'd need to clean the skimmer as well and check the injector. Thanks for the advise.