Skimmer Q&A Thread

[rexf]

This is the official R2R Skimmer Q&A Thread where the answers to your questions are as concentrated as skimmate!

We will do our best as a community to answer questions you have concerning protein skimmers so ask away!

Thank you![/

 

[zgetman]

Is there any comments on the aqua c remora pro? I want to use it in sump, like the urchin.

 

[rexf]

I have a 150 gallon fish and live rock tank. I have a Eshopps PSK 200 in sump skimmer. I have about 13 fish all less than 3 inches. I feel I have a light/medium load. The collection cup gets dirty enough for me to clean it about weekly. The sump is under the tank and somewhat restricted.
How is the best (easiest) way to clean the inside of the chamber? I have tried wrapping a paper towel around a bottle brush and that works but it is awkward. I clean the pump every few months. How often should I completely remove the skimmer and thoroughly clean?

 

[mcarroll]

Is there any comments on the aqua c remora pro? I want to use it in sump, like the urchin.

Should work but will be noisy. Definitely will take a different cup setup vs in-tank use due to the lower water level on top of the pump and longer tube into the skimmer. (Unless you have a higher-water chamber for it in the sump.)

 

[mcarroll]

I have a 150 gallon fish and live rock tank. I have a Eshopps PSK 200 in sump skimmer. I have about 13 fish all less than 3 inches. I feel I have a light/medium load. The collection cup gets dirty enough for me to clean it about weekly. The sump is under the tank and somewhat restricted.
How is the best (easiest) way to clean the inside of the chamber? I have tried wrapping a paper towel around a bottle brush and that works but it is awkward. I clean the pump every few months. How often should I completely remove the skimmer and thoroughly clean?

Try OXO's soft-bristled bottle-brush. Target carries it near me. Stiff-bristles are no good and what most bottle brushes are made with.

Yearly total cleanings would be a good rule of thumb, but it depends on your actual tank conditions.

 

[zgetman]

Should work but will be noisy. Definitely will take a different cup setup vs in-tank use due to the lower water level on top of the pump and longer tube into the skimmer. (Unless you have a higher-water chamber for it in the sump.)

It will be sitting in the sump and the water level should be about the same as when it is Hanging on the back.

 

[mcarroll]

If the water level is also controlled/steady in that chamber, then I don't even think your skimmer will know it's not hanging on back. ;)

 

[prdubois]

anyone have anything good to say about a ATB 8.5 deluxe on a 150 gallon sps dominant?

ATB 8.5 is a great fit for a 150 gal

 

[deepseasurfer]

ATB 8.5 is a great fit for a 150 gal

Thank you for responding been waiting for some answers for weeks the 8.5 deluxe is the only one that fits in my emerald 39 so don't have much of a choice..!

 

[Purpule Tang]

Hi,guys.
I recently bought reef octopus nwb150 for my tank.
My tank is 360 liter or 90 gallon us.is good for my tank or not?
Thanks

 

[zgetman]

reef Octopus is a good skimmer, from all the reviews I have read. They have a great reputation. Be sure to have about 500 GPH going through your sump. It will bring the skimmer to max efficiency, since that is what the skimmer claims it will process.

 

[Purpule Tang]

reef Octopus is a good skimmer, from all the reviews I have read. They have a great reputation. Be sure to have about 500 GPH going through your sump. It will bring the skimmer to max efficiency, since that is what the skimmer claims it will process.

Thanks for your reply,zgetman.[emoji6]
How I determine gph in my tank?
Because this Is my first tank.[emoji3]

 

[zgetman]

You have to determin the head loss, then determin how big of a pump you need to get to 500gph, and determin the size of pipe you need for the overflow. Do a search for head loss calculator. I used the one at reefcentral. Then you can determin what pump you need. Also do a search for overflow calculator, you can find this on reefcentral as well. This will tell you the size your overflow pipes need to be to move 500gph. This is how I figured my setup. I am sure there is other ways to do it. But my favorite thing to do is read about each aspect of my aquarium before I do anything, and i studied a lot on this subject.

Go slow let it grow.
Zman

 

[mcarroll]

Well...the best/easiest way may be to measure the ACTUAL output of your return pump while the system is running.

Hold a container under the return and measure a gallon or 10 seconds of water - whichever comes first - then remove the container from the flow.

You can calculate flow in GPH from either one.

Measure each return outlet your system has if there's more than one and add them together.

 

[JVH]

I have a 68 gallon cab lights versa reef tank. I am transferring everything over from my 29 gallon and we purchased the PL 100 pipeless skimmer from cab lights to go with it.. I don't know what the deal is with cadlights but nothing has a manufacturers label on it or instructions or labels or tags and of course there was no instructions with any of the equipment that came..
My tank has been up and running for the last 7 months but it had an HOB. This is my first experience with the skimmer..I'm working on the top of the tank and my husband is working below with the skimmer and other equipment..
We watched numerous videos trying to figure out exactly how to set it up. I know it takes a few days for it to start skimming but after we put it in initially it started skimming some of my transfer water from my other tank was in the new tank and it seemed to be skimming I don't know if it stopped because we don't have it set correctly or there's nothing to skim!
I only have a dozen corals in that tank at the moment.. As I said there were no instructions were not quite sure how far the water level should be in the sump.. At the moment it is sitting in approximately 6 inches of water in the first chamber.. It seems to bubble really well but it doesn't push the bubbles over the top into the cup I am assuming it's because there's no bio load in there yet does that make sense? We need to adjusted faster and then it will push the bubbles over-the-top but they are clear at the moment trying to figure out a good starting point..any suggestions?

 

[zgetman]

I would give it 7 days and see if it just needed a break in period. My buddies skimmer did the same thing, but it wasn't a cad lights skimmer. Have you tried search their sight for product manuals?

 

[zgetman]

http://www.f3images.com/IMD/UserManuals/3X87352.pdf

here is the link to the PLS -50 I wouldnt think that they would be much different.

 

[Sean Hartnett]

Do I need a skimmer and a filter for my 10g nano? Or just a filter?

 

[zgetman]

I would lean more to having a skimmer than just a filter.

 

[mrsaltwaterguy]

I'm looking for an efficient quiet skimmer for my 75 DT plus 30 sump. The only noise I can hear on the tank is the overflow and I'd love to keep it that way. I was looking at the Reef octopus 150int as it seemed to have pretty good reviews and wouldn't break the bank. Any suggestions?