Skimmer Q&A Thread

[Big Larr]

Oh ok which bubble magus did you have

 

[luke33]

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

The venturi is the piece that goes into the pump input. So it has the hose connected to the air nipple. The air nipple will get clogged with salt creep and calcium buildup. That will cause the pump to pull less air and more water and will cause the skimmer to not function as good as it should. I clean out my venturi atleast once a month. So this could be why your pump is acting strange. Give it a shot as it may fix all your troubles.

 

[Kehaulani]

The venturi is the piece that goes into the pump input. So it has the hose connected to the air nipple. The air nipple will get clogged with salt creep and calcium buildup. That will cause the pump to pull less air and more water and will cause the skimmer to not function as good as it should. I clean out my venturi atleast once a month. So this could be why your pump is acting strange. Give it a shot as it may fix all your troubles.

Thanks I'll do that when I home from work

 

[luke33]

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!

The D700 reefbreeders or the cs1 would both work well on a 90g tank. So I think its just preference at this point. Sounds like you did your homework when deciding on these two : )

 

[luke33]

Thanks I'll do that when I home from work

Let us know how it works out.

 

[luke33]

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.

The bm skimmers that run the atman pump have had reliability issue's with the pump. Any skimmer with the atman has had issue's. The new bm's work much better and are reliable. There build quality isn't top notch but they work well. And the price reflects the build quality.

 

[Kehaulani]

Let us know how it works out.

I will

 

[Slm222]

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.

Thank you. Like I mentioned t will be in a frag tank with a light fish load. Maybe 2-4, and coral will primarily be fed with aminos and pellets on lps. So little waste other than fish poop, corals should get most of that.

 

[cginter]

Looking for a skimmer for my 180g. Mixed reef heavy bio load. Was looking at a curve 9, but I've been hearing some not so good things about BM. Now I'm leaning towards Reef Octopus. Any advice will help. Thanks

 

[Robertchrisroph]

I have the reef octopus 150 ext for my 150 works great. But I only have 1 lionfish lol

 

[Kehaulani]

Let us know how it works out.

Cleaned out the venturi and my skimmer is back to normal. Running quiet as can be thanks for the tip!

 

[luke33]

Cleaned out the venturi and my skimmer is back to normal. Running quiet as can be thanks for the tip!

Awesome! Good deal

 

[luke33]

Looking for a skimmer for my 180g. Mixed reef heavy bio load. Was looking at a curve 9, but I've been hearing some not so good things about BM. Now I'm leaning towards Reef Octopus. Any advice will help. Thanks

The BM's are a pretty nice entry level or budget skimmer. The Curve 9's biggest issue is the pump noise, it performs just fine though. If your really leaning towards the octopus the Regal 8" or SRO3000 would be a good fit for that tank. There are many other nice skimmers out there to that would work for you, totally depends on your budget.

 

[JerSaint]

I have the opportunity to pick up a Vertex Omega 150 (unused they are going a different direction w/ a build) for $275. I was looking at the Avast CS1 which is approx. the same price point. I would be using the skimmer on a 90G mixed reef. Any input would be great.

 

[mcarroll]

The Avast is made here. No-brainier. [emoji106][emoji3]

 

[gerards_reef]

Plus the Avast can be set up as a recirculating skimmer so you wouldn't need to be concerned about the water level in your sump...

 

[scardall]

I have a 2009 version of the Vetex 150 skimmer. Can I mode it to a "recirculating skimmer", Because I have to tweak it as my Water level changes. Very Annoying. I'm Strongly thinking about going back to a Carbon/GFO Reactor INSTEAD of a skimmer.

 

[mcarroll]

There is definitely no rule that says you need a skimmer. On the other hand I would consider arranging some type of automatic water level controller for the sump (giving a handle on salinity swings too) before I would mod a skimmer as a work-around.

 

[Daytonareefing]

Mojo did you try Euroreef or Reef dynamics skimmer?

 

[mcarroll]

There is no Mojo...not for as long as I've been on here. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]