Skimmer Q&A Thread

[bct15]

I’m having difficulty picking a slimmer for my upcoming build.

I am building a 480 gallon display, which will have about 150 gallon sump. I’m considering bubble king deluxe external 300 or deluxe external 400. The tank will be well stocked and sps dominant. Which of these skimmers is more appropriate for my size system?

 

[kgk]

Looking for skimmer recommendations for a Waterbox 75.2. I figure it’s in the 60 gallon total water volume range. Skimmer chamber is 9.48”x8.50”. I also prefer AC pumps in skimmers but could be talked into DC if it hits a significant point. Things I value, in general order:
- noise (quieter the better)
- ease of maintenance
- performance
- price

 

[Hemmdog]

Looking for skimmer recommendations for a Waterbox 75.2. I figure it’s in the 60 gallon total water volume range. Skimmer chamber is 9.48”x8.50”. I also prefer AC pumps in skimmers but could be talked into DC if it hits a significant point. Things I value, in general order:
- noise (quieter the better)
- ease of maintenance
- performance
- price

Reef octopus eSsence 130.

 

[kgk]

Reef octopus eSsence 130.

That one was on my short list. It has great reviews on BRS and seems very similar to the Nyos at a better price point.

 

[Hemmdog]

That one was on my short list. It has great reviews on BRS and seems very similar to the Nyos at a better price point.

Yea I had one on my 90g, now I’m using it on my 40b/55 water volume build, it’s gonna be awesome. It’s a great skimmer.

 

[OutsideBrian]

Looking for some pointers here. I got a skimmer second hand so no instructions. Bubble magnus c5.5
Does this look like it needs to be in less water? It’s currently in ten inches

 

[Hemmdog]

Looking for some pointers here. I got a skimmer second hand so no instructions. Bubble magnus c5.5
Does this look like it needs to be in less water? It’s currently in ten inches

A tiny bit less or close the valve a bit. You want the foam to be at the separation between the collection cup and the neck when it’s “idling” aka not going crazy cleaning right after a feeding or a similar scenario.

 

[OutsideBrian]

I really don’t understand the way this thing works
I don’t have any adjustment on it. I raised it about half an inch and now have this?
Seems like it was working better in more water but I don’t know what I am looking at.

 

[reeftivo]

needs to be in more water. i think they were referring to adjusting the internal water level of the skimmer.

run it an inch deeper from your original pic. After that you may need to open the valve a bit after it's in more water so the water level inside the skimmer isn't too high.

 

[reeftivo]

an inch more water from where you were originally at, and raise the break line a bit, then let it settle in with no fiddling.

you should be fine

 

[reeftivo]

I really don’t understand the way this thing works
I don’t have any adjustment on it. I raised it about half an inch and now have this?
Seems like it was working better in more water but I don’t know what I am looking at.

this skimmer should be able to have the internal water level raised or lowered. the part of the standpipe above where the water exits should be able to be turned left or right when twisted to raise levels up or down.

it's what they call a wedge pipe

 

[OutsideBrian]

this skimmer should be able to have the internal water level raised or lowered. the part of the standpipe above where the water exits should be able to be turned left or right when twisted to raise levels up or down.

it's what they call a wedge pipe

Yup that did it. I’ll admit I had no idea what you were talking about and took it out of the sump and blew it apart looking for something adjustable.

 

[reeftivo]

Great, now just run it an inch deeper than in your previous pics, then turn the wedge pipe until the internal water level has the breaking bubbles at that red mark I drew.

 

[Nyx101]

Hi all, I currently have a sca 302 skimmer but am looking at a psk 200 skimmer for sale cheap. Is it worth the upgrade; is it an upgrade? Looking for advice, price is higher on the eshop psk200 but hard to say if it is really proportional to improved quality.

 

[Kevin G]

As far as cleaning it. Man I would hate to see the neck of it. lol. I would probably clean it every month. as it will start to close up the neck full of nog I would imagine. It should run more consistant cleaning it a little more often. But if it is working for you. I am not sure I would change it. If it isnt broke dont fix it. Ya know.
Mojo~

Hello mojo jumping in on this one sorry new too the r2r long time reader tho I have a octopus protein skimmer 110 in my sump but am having trouble keeping it too skim not getting much out of it it is running a 90gal with a over flow box and the return pump is a mag 1800 open 3/4 of the way with a brs gfo and carbon reactor I can send a picture of my sump if it is going to help better all the help I can get would be most appropriated thank you

 

[ineedmyreef]

I have a 30 gallon nano with an all in one sump on the back. What would be a good skimmer to use? I would like a constant skim. The one I had was too big and wouldn't skim till the bio load was really high. Then it would drop and not skim for a month again. The last pic was the old skimmer lol.

 

[reeftivo]

Aquamaxx HOB 1.5 is a solid choice. that size tank can be managed with just weekly WCs, but if you want the added aeration and security (many do) in case of some unforeseen die off, then i would look at the HOB 1.5 reviews.
there are others like the Reef OCTO BH series and they work well but for a smaller skimmer, the Aquamaxx would be my choice. read lots of reviews on as many brands as you can.

is a sump out of the question? sump skimmers are far superior to HOBs

 

[SCHAULJ]

Just plugged in my red see reefer rsk 300 skimmer. This is my first skimmer. Its going nuts - bubbling over - which i understand is normal for a new skimmer. I have the drainage tube emptying in the bubble trap foam area right now. Any tips for the break in period would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Reefer Charlie]

i use the desktop ghost skimmer and it works great

 

[reeftivo]

Just plugged in my red see reefer rsk 300 skimmer. This is my first skimmer. Its going nuts - bubbling over - which i understand is normal for a new skimmer. I have the drainage tube emptying in the bubble trap foam area right now. Any tips for the break in period would be greatly appreciated!

what level are you running it at?