Skimmer Q&A Thread

[Ferozkaamil]

Any experience with tunze 9004 ?

 

[tstuck]

I'm still trying to learn everything for my first tank setup and skimmers is very hazy subject for me. Can anyone recommend a reliable article or website to read up on exactly what they do and how they work?

Also does anyone have a recommendation for a skimmer for a 33g long reef tank? I plan on doing a 10g sump so it would be nice to fit in that if possible.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[mcarroll]

In a nutshell:
Bubbles in saltwater are naturally attractive to certain substances.

Some of those substances are waste products.

A protein skimmer should be simply a convenient collecting device for these bubbles.

Tunze and AquaC are probably my favorite makes.

 

[domingo]

Any help in finding a Self Cleaning Top for an old STSS 1500 skimmer? Thanks.

 

[Akida17th]

Anyone have advice for an AIO 50 skimmer? Not much out there but I'm not sure if I should go with the Innovative Marine full size or Tune 9004....

 

[mcarroll]

Of the two I pick the 9004.

If you go that way, consider the kit version: Reefpack 250

Packed with a bucket for water changes or whatever and a filter module that gives you extra flow, and a place to run media, your heater, and your ATO sensor. Nice combo!

 

[mcarroll]

Any help in finding a Self Cleaning Top for an old STSS 1500 skimmer? Thanks.

Not directly, but if you can supply the dimensions you could ask Coral Vue, Avast or perhaps someone here with first hand experience will then chime in. [emoji106]

 

[jakub]

I'm looking into upgrade my skimmer on my 35. I have a point of sale Aqua life 115 that Accomplishes nothing.... Except raise my EB. I'm looking at 2 different bubble magus skimmer. Nac3.5 25-80g and then the next modded up nac5 80-135g. would nac5 be to big and not run properly? Would nac3.5 be to small?

 

[mcarroll]

Sorry I cannot say on the new skimmers. Good luck!

The aquatic life seems to get good reviews, what have you had problems with? Just curious.

 

[jakub]

It's just a very finicky skimmer you get it to work then it randomly stops working

 

[lsingh]

Hello guys really need a held deciding a skimmer ... For established mixed reef roughly around 130gln of net volume and heavy feeding is done through out the day . Would like to stick around 500$

 

[ATB USA]

Hello guys really need a held deciding a skimmer ... For established mixed reef roughly around 130gln of net volume and heavy feeding is done through out the day . Would like to stick around 500$

Look at the ATB 840. It does cost a little more though.

 

[mcarroll]

It's just a very finicky skimmer you get it to work then it randomly stops working

Hm. What kind of ATO do you run?

 

[Mirya]

I'm setting up a JNS/AquaMaxx ConeS CO-1 skimmer. It runs a Shark 1.5 pump, which is really a Sicce Syncra pump with a Venturi attachment. I had assembled it the other night, placed it in saltwater, plugged it in, and made lots of bubbles. I unplugged it for the night as I wanted to be able to keep an eye on it while it ran for its first few hours in case it overflowed.

This morning I plugged it back in and nothing. I can hear a slight hum from the motor, but the impeller isn't moving. I've disassembled the pump, checked the impeller for any obstructions, didn't find anything. Reassembled pump, it still isn't blowing bubbles when plugged in.

Any advice for further troubleshooting other than contact the manufacturer?

 

[DustanT]

Hi guys I just started my build and looking at the skimmers available. I have a 65g with 29g sump.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-...skimmer.html?gclid=CLzD9vjEnsoCFQ2QaQodqasOCA

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-...-5-internal-space-saving-protein-skimmer.html

My sumps has an 8"x11" area for a skimmer. Just wondering if the recirculating is better or same as a regular one and will those do a good job for my setup?

 

[walter84]

I am building a 110 display with a 55 gallon sump right now the sump is empty. I want to start of with sand and live rock and then move towards corals as my experience grows. I would like something that can grow with me/ handle the system from rock to reef.

 

[ATB USA]

I am building a 110 display with a 55 gallon sump right now the sump is empty. I want to start of with sand and live rock and then move towards corals as my experience grows. I would like something that can grow with me/ handle the system from rock to reef.

ATB 840 skimmer would be a good fit

 

[ATB USA]

Hi guys I just started my build and looking at the skimmers available. I have a 65g with 29g sump.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-...skimmer.html?gclid=CLzD9vjEnsoCFQ2QaQodqasOCA

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-...-5-internal-space-saving-protein-skimmer.html

My sumps has an 8"x11" area for a skimmer. Just wondering if the recirculating is better or same as a regular one and will those do a good job for my setup?

Look at the ATB Nano One

 

[mcarroll]

I'm setting up a JNS/AquaMaxx ConeS CO-1 skimmer. It runs a Shark 1.5 pump, which is really a Sicce Syncra pump with a Venturi attachment. I had assembled it the other night, placed it in saltwater, plugged it in, and made lots of bubbles. I unplugged it for the night as I wanted to be able to keep an eye on it while it ran for its first few hours in case it overflowed.

This morning I plugged it back in and nothing. I can hear a slight hum from the motor, but the impeller isn't moving. I've disassembled the pump, checked the impeller for any obstructions, didn't find anything. Reassembled pump, it still isn't blowing bubbles when plugged in.

Any advice for further troubleshooting other than contact the manufacturer?

Even though you took it apart once, try taking it apart again and give it another real good rinse and wipe-out just in case there's a little piece of sand down the impeller-well where it's hard to see. Sometimes that's all it takes.

That said, it sounds like a defect. The first power on partially burned something up on the inside. Something like that.

Hi guys I just started my build and looking at the skimmers available. I have a 65g with 29g sump.
[...]

My sumps has an 8"x11" area for a skimmer. Just wondering if the recirculating is better or same as a regular one and will those do a good job for my setup?

Yes, arguably recirculating skimmers are better. You get more control over its operation. What's debatable is whether the increased price that is generally associated with them is worth it. After all, people do a pretty good job with "ordinary skimmers".

I am building a 110 display with a 55 gallon sump right now the sump is empty. I want to start of with sand and live rock and then move towards corals as my experience grows. I would like something that can grow with me/ handle the system from rock to reef.

Please consider using something other than a 55 gallon tank as a sump. (A 40 or 50 breeder would be a much nicer footprint and height. 55's are so tall that it will make routine maintenance a chore and you don't end up with as much useful space.

I like the Tunze 9410 and AquaC EV 120 or EV 180 for your system, but there are a lot of good options.

 

[walter84]

Earlier tonight I ordered an SCA-302