Trouble free skimmer?

[mmw64]

My aquarium is 73 gallons with a 20 sump. What skimmer would you suggest for something easy to tune and maintain? My tank stays balanced with an ATO so skimmer is always in always in the same amount of water. This is the only piece of equipment I have that constantly needs adjusting. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Water Dog]

Lifereef 24” venturi skimmer... rock solid, reliable and easy to adjust.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/is-lifereef-really-the-best-skimmer.322686/

 

[Greybeard]

I've been in this game for many years, owned many skimmers, starting with one powered by an air pump and a block of wood :)

The Vertex 180i that I currently own is the most trouble free, easiest to service skimmer I've ever owned. Set it and forget it, dump the cup once in a while... I disassemble and clean completely every 6 months, and the Vertex is simple to disassemble, and comes apart COMPLETELY for cleaning and service.

I have never owned some of the truly expensive skimmers... not that Vertex is cheap, but I can't comment on anything higher end that what I have. I ran a super reef octopus on my prior tank. Worked pretty well, rarely needed adjustment, but it was impossible to clean.

The 180I is a bit oversized for your tank, but I have a friend with the little 130, and it runs just as well. I'd say that any in the Omega line is going to be similar.

Skimz makes a pretty good skimmer, as well. I don't own one, but have several friends that do, and they all perform pretty well.

 

[Apotack]

Lifereef

 

[Water Dog]

It’s good to know that its larger cousin is a good performer, but I’d be very wary with the Vertex Omega 130. Its pump is known to be way too powerful for its body size making it one of the most temperamental and difficult to consistently dial in skimmers in its size class. People have been known to slightly improve its performance buy modding it with an airline adjustment valve.

These BRS reviews speak volumes...

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vertex-omega-130-protein-skimmer.html

 

[Forsaken77]

What skimmer do you presently have, so we know not to advise that one? And why or when is it requiring constant adjustment? Maybe we can figure something out where you don't need a new skimmer.

Because you're going to get too many different answers as to what skimmer is good (because they work differently for everybody) and it may make your choice harder. Nobody's setup is the same.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Like Graybeard, I have owned many skimmers over the years. IMO Bubble King is the best and you pay for it. Vertex is very similar to Bubble King but does not use a Red Dragon pump. Then there are the rest.

 

[mmw64]

It’s good to know that its larger cousin is a good performer, but I’d be very wary with the Vertex Omega 130. Its pump is known to be way too powerful for its body size making it one of the most temperamental and difficult to consistently dial in skimmers in its size class. People have been known to slightly improve its performance buy modding it with an airline adjustment valve.

These BRS reviews speak volumes...

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vertex-omega-130-protein-skimmer.html

Yes! That is the skimmer I have. I HATE IT!! I have friends who will check on my tank if I am gone but no one wants to mess with a finicky skimmer.

 

[Water Dog]

Yes! That is the skimmer I have. I HATE IT!! I have friends who will check on my tank if I am gone but no one wants to mess with a finicky skimmer.

Really!?! I am utterly shocked by this... what pump do you have on it? What water depth are you running?

IMO, this is one of the most plug and play skimmers in our hobby.

 

[mmw64]

Really!?! I am utterly shocked by this... what pump do you have on it? What water depth are you running?

IMO, this is one of the most plug and play skimmers in our hobby.

Look at some of the posts on Bulk Reef. Seems to be a common problem. I have talked to Vertex many times, tried what they recommend but still can't rely on this skimmer.

 

[Water Dog]

Look at some of the posts on Bulk Reef. Seems to be a common problem. I have talked to Vertex many times, tried what they recommend but still can't rely on this skimmer.

Ohhh... Clearly I wasn’t paying attention. I totally thought you were referring to my suggestion of the Lifereef skimmer. Whew! :D

Yeah, the Vertex 130 is a bad design as it’s plagued by a pump that’s over sized for that skimmer body.

 

[JoshH]

I'm going to have to 2nd @Water Dog on the lifereef, total noobie here and it is my first skimmer but it was virtually set and forget, until you have to empty the cup and your senses are violated in every manner imaginable:p

 

[jeffrey holloway]

Lifereef

 

[Mahogany Man]

Lifereef

 

[Fin]

LifeReef has been making the same design skimmer for more than 30 years. It is not a work of art, or trendy. They just work. There is a large LifeReef thread on here, if you want more opinions. You may have to wait to get your hands on one, as there may be a waiting list. You are also not limited to one brand of pump. Just about any pump with the recommended water flow will work.

 

[madweazl]

I've only had a handful of skimmers over the years but the Deltecs I currently own are hands down the easiest skimmers to maintain with a single thumbscrew allowing completely disassembly of the entire unit. I will have to make a minor flow adjustment a couple months after cleaning as algae builds up around the output but then it's good to go again for a couple more months. The 1350 has been exceptionally user friendly, hopefully it's bigger brother performs the same on our 150g.

Ease of maintenance is a huge plus
Performance has been admirable (could it be better, maybe)
Consistency of performance has been excellent
Parts availability should you need it, is dismal however

 

[mmw64]

Ohhh... Clearly I wasn’t paying attention. I totally thought you were referring to my suggestion of the Lifereef skimmer. Whew! :D

Yeah, the Vertex 130 is a bad design as it’s plagued by a pump that’s over sized for that skimmer body.

No problem. Yup it's a lousy skimmer.

 

[jakeh22]

Reef octopus baby....

 

[Crashjack]

I was going to recommend Lifereef as well. The only adjustment is turning a gate valve to raise/lower the water level in the skimmer. Mine has a ball valve to empty the cup without removing, and the Venturi is connected to the collection cup with tubing so if you have an overflow into the cup, water runs into the Venturi replacing air and reducing the water level, which usually prevents water from overflowing the top of the cup. Another benefit is if you ever need to use a CO2 scrubber. Running the tubing from the cup to the scrubber then to the Venturi adds moisture to the scrubber, making the media last a lot longer.

I’m a little confused about your water level. You mention an ATO, but that won’t likely keep a truly constant sump water level. You really need two levels, the higher level remaining constant and housing the skimmer (assuming an internal skimmer).

 

[Lonely reefer's]

Happy with Reef octopus 110sss
I’m ~40 miles away from you if you’re from Modesto
More then welcome to try out in your tank
Not using it at the moment
It my backup skimmer