Skimmer Q&A Thread

[flyingfish]

that would be awesome, but im not sure I qualify for a nano since the tank is a 90 gal. I will just have to wait my turn......and water changes every week for now. I know there is a nano reefer out there who will love this as I would.

 

[ATB USA]

that would be awesome, but im not sure I qualify for a nano since the tank is a 90 gal. I will just have to wait my turn......and water changes every week for now. I know there is a nano reefer out there who will love this as I would.

ATB thinks Big. Our Nano One is rated for up to 150 gal Medium load. 90 would be perfect.

 

[DannyB]

I currently have a 55g but am hoping to upgrade to a larger DT in time. The problem is i need a new skimmer now. I don't want to have to buy one now and one after an upgrade so I am looking for something that won't be too much skimmer now but would also work well on a 150-220. Is there such a skimmer?

 

[ATB USA]

I currently have a 55g but am hoping to upgrade to a larger DT in time. The problem is i need a new skimmer now. I don't want to have to buy one now and one after an upgrade so I am looking for something that won't be too much skimmer now but would also work well on a 150-220. Is there such a skimmer?

Look at the ATB 840

 

[DannyB]

Look at the ATB 840

I appreciate the suggestion but that skimmer won't be in my budget for a very long time. Is there any other suggestion for what will work in my situation?

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I appreciate the suggestion but that skimmer won't be in my budget for a very long time. Is there any other suggestion for what will work in my situation?

How much are you looking to spend?

 

[DannyB]

Hopefully not more than $300

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Hopefully not more than $300

The SKIMZ SK 181 may be what you're looking for (it's within your budget and rated for 53-320 gallons). Also, maybe look at the Bubble Magus Curve 7, or the Tunze DOC 9410. Lots of people are saying good things about Lifereef skimmers too.

I'm planning an upgrade myself, so I've been looking at skimmers a lot. My plan is for a bit larger tank than yours, but the info in my thread might give you some ideas: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/thinking-ahead-choosing-a-skimmer-for-a-400g-reef-tank.216317/

HTH

 

[luke33]

Its going to be tough to get a skimmer that works well on a 55g and 200g. If you get a skimmer rated for a 55g it will be to small for the 200 and if you get a skimmer for a 200g it will be much to large for the 55g and not skim well. I would suggest getting one that fits your 55g now and selling it and upgrading to the larger skimmer. That is the best option. If your on a budget the nicest budget skimmers I've seen out are the simplicity skimmers and jebao skimmers, take a look at fragtastic reef for the simplicity and reefbreeders for the jebao. Both nice and no reason to spend twice that much for the same performance.

 

[ddrueckh]

Interested in a new skimmer for my 60 cube. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Dave

 

[luke33]

It always boils down to footprint, water depth and budget. There are so many nice skimmers out there that you could use on a 60g tank and you can spend 150-1k. What is your budget and footprint to play with?

 

[ddrueckh]

Around $300. Footprint is 9x11.5. Depth is approx 9".

 

[luke33]

I would try something like one of these, you may need to add a 1" skimmer stand but maybe not. These would all do you just fine and meet your requirements. I currently run a skimz 143 on a 40g AIO tank, its quite a beast and has plenty of flow and air for up to a 75g. I'd say all these are good to a 75-80g tank, possibly a 90g with medium load. If I had a 60g I'd most likely check out that jebao d500.

https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/jebao-d500-protein-skimmer/

http://fragtasticreef.com/Simplicity-240DC-Protein-Skimmer-Simplicity-240DC-Protein-Skimmer.htm

http://premiumaquatics.com/products/bubble-magus-internal-protein-skimmer-g7-sp2000.html

http://premiumaquatics.com/products/reef-octopus-classic-152s-6-compact-skimmer.html

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/skimz-sn143-monzter-mini-protein-skimmer.html

 

[ddrueckh]

luke33,

Thank you very much for the recommendations! Can you point me to a thread or info on how to properly tune a skimmer. I am sure they are all slightly different...but here is where I get a little confused. How do you balance closing or opening the valve to raise the water level in a skimmer vs raising or lowing the skimmer level in the sump? I hope that makes sense. Thanks again.

 

[mcarroll]

I currently have a 55g but am hoping to upgrade to a larger DT in time. The problem is i need a new skimmer now. I don't want to have to buy one now and one after an upgrade so I am looking for something that won't be too much skimmer now but would also work well on a 150-220. Is there such a skimmer?

First I tend to agree with others that a skimmer covering that range of gallonage will be a stretch. Ideally you would get one that would be more attuned to the tank size you are running.

But, AquaC's line of Urchin skimmers may do the trick for you if you must have one to span the entire gallon range. They have the standard model S model and pro model as well as a pro S model.

Urchins (and their hang-on style cousin the Remora) are far more adjustable then most skimmers - because of the way the neck is built you can actually control the size of the reaction chamber.

Also due to the fact that you use an ordinary water pump so you can also choose a slightly larger pump (with optional valve control) or slightly smaller pump to tune things.

Very economic option as well.

I think the Pro or Pro S model would be the best options, but consider calling or emailing AquaC to tell them your situation as well.

 

[helldiver]

Anyone ever used this skimmer Skimz Monzter SM162 and if can you fine tune it and what feed pump do you use
Also looking at
Waveline RLSS R6-I Internal Protein Skimmer with Waveline DC4000

 

[luke33]

luke33,

Thank you very much for the recommendations! Can you point me to a thread or info on how to properly tune a skimmer. I am sure they are all slightly different...but here is where I get a little confused. How do you balance closing or opening the valve to raise the water level in a skimmer vs raising or lowing the skimmer level in the sump? I hope that makes sense. Thanks again.

Well I don't have any link of set up but it's pretty easy. Run the air wide open and open the output or gate valve all the way open until the soda fizz turns to foam, then once foam start closing the output valve until the foam starts making it to the collection cup. Then just let it skim. The main thing is you have to keep the skimmer in the correct depth and have a section that the water level does not change at all.

 

[mcarroll]

[…]How do you balance closing or opening the valve to raise the water level in a skimmer vs raising or lowing the skimmer level in the sump?[…]

Think of the depth of your drain as setting the baseline pressure against water leaving the skimmer - your maximum flow.

The valve lets you reduce the flow at that baseline pressure.

 

[ddrueckh]

Would I see much of a performance increase going from a Eshopps S-120 protein skimmer to a Skimz SN143 Monzter Mini Protein Skimmer on a 60 cube? Thanks.

 

[luke33]

The skimz is going to be more comparable to the eshopps s150. If you have an extra $200 you can waste then sure, but if not then I would just keep the s120. The skimz is going to be better suited for the job.