Help picking a Skimmer

[sparksfly]

I just set up my 30 gallon with a 10 gallon sump and now I am looking for a skimmer. I was going to buy the octopus 110 but everyone is sold out until late Nov. Anybody have any suggestions? My area to work with can be no larger that 9"x9".

Jimmie

 

[cdub]

euro-reef! i love mine

i think this would be overkill for you, but its nice

 

[seedless reefer]

Coral life Super Skimmer 65.

 

[sparksfly]

I would love to get something like that but that is pushing the max size. And it would be overkill for me with only 2 clowns.

 

[dannybradley]

It may be too late, but I'll swing by there tomorrow and check. Petco Tucker had two Red Sea Prizm skimmers left at $70 on a store closing sale.

 

[sparksfly]

Seedless Reefer;90922 wrote: Coral life Super Skimmer 65.

The css 65 is what I have on it right now but I can't keep it from overflowing every so often. But as far as it pulling out some nasty stuff its great.

 

[dannybradley]

The main issue with the Super Skimmer line is that they HAVE to have constant backpressure through the unit. If your water level drops because you skimmed some water out, it changes the skimming rate. If you top off, it changes the skimming rate.

Yeah, they pull the gunk out, but I don't like them for that reason. A prizm won't pull out as much, but it also has collection cup overflow protection and you can pretty much set it and leave it until it's time to clean the cup out again.

 

[sparksfly]

That's my problem right now because I don't have my top off unit installed yet. But I wish I could use the remora C but I have euro brace on my sump and it won't fit.

 

[dannybradley]

I won't argue against the turbo floater! Well okay, I will. We're talking a completly different price range of skimmers. I suggested one that he can get today for $70. You'll spend $150 on a TF1000 before you get the pump. The TF1000 is well worth the money. It really is a set and forget skimmer.

And in his case, a 5 gallon bucket filling with overskim would run his sump dry. I've worked with CSSs enough that they can do it with ease. But good call on the TF1000.

 

[sparksfly]

dawgdude;90971 wrote: So just drill the collection cup and have that go to a 5 gall bucket to collect it when it gets too high. Cheap and can still use what you have. I dont know if you have seen this:
http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html">http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html</a>
but depending on if you have an extra maxi jet laying around you might be able to make a ATO for around 20 bucks. Solves both problems IF you want to stay with the CSS which is decent for the money.

However if you just really want an excuse to get a new skimmer I would check out the Aqua medic Turbo floater 1000. They are a decent skimmer and pretty decently priced.[/QUOTE]

I would love to get out as cheap as possible but I don't have much room in my stand. The ATO is the same one I used. Petty easy to make and works great. I will check put the aqua turbo floater. Thanks

Jimmie

 

[blind1993]

you guys what about an asm gmini i think it will fit the footprint is 6 by 10.75 maybe it will fit

or the euroreef rs 80(might be overkill but is nice) foot print is 9 by 9

or the reef devil( cost some money but nice)

ES-100 Venturi Protein Skimmer
by Precision Marine is 7.75inches diameter

or a tunze doc skimmer

maybe someone with more input can elaborate which one you want
i just listed what fits and i think will be good for the tank.

 

[sparksfly]

blind1993;90981 wrote: you guys what about an asm gmini i think it will fit the footprint is 6 by 10.75 maybe it will fit

or the euroreef rs 80(might be overkill but is nice) foot print is 9 by 9

or the reef devil( cost some money but nice)

ES-100 Venturi Protein Skimmer
by Precision Marine is 7.75inches diameter

or a tunze doc skimmer

maybe someone with more input can elaborate which one you want
i just listed what fits and i think will be good for the tank.

Thanks alot. Maybe someone can share their experience with any of these. The turbofloater I think is going to be a bit to big for my sump.

 

[blind1993]

i have seen the tunze docs and euroreefs in action at a lfs in maui. it is amazing how they were working. look at this video http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=329992018070418734&q=tunze+skimmer&total=4&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=329992018070418734&q=tunze+skimmer&total=4&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0</a>

look at this one also
[IMG]http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=329992018070418734&q=tunze+skimmer&total=4&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=329992018070418734&q=tunze+skimmer&total=4&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0</a>

and this
[IMG]http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=329992018070418734&q=tunze+skimmer&total=4&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=329992018070418734&q=tunze+skimmer&total=4&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0</a>

 

[jonathan]

Turboflotor would be a good fit. I love mine.

 

[cameron]

With that size tank the AquaC Urchin isn't a bad choice. I would still opt for a TF or Octopus, but the AquaC will get the job done. Also, Pacific Coast Imports is the same as an Octopus and at some sites just as affordable. If you want some great skimming, the DAS BX1 but that is close to $300.

 

[cdub]

one thing you can do if you do not have an auto top off is to put a bucket in your sump that is the correct depth for your skimmer(or drill holes at the correct depth. have your overflow run into this bucket which will maintain a set depth prior to overflowing into the rest of your sump where you will see the drop in water depth due to evaporation/skimming.

 

[wbholwell]

You said aquacave was out of stock- did you check here?

 

[sparksfly]

Cameron- What is your thoughts on the DAS EX-1?

cdub- I have a diy auto top-off but just havent had time to install it yet. And I want to make a few changes to it before I put it on the 30 gallon.

wbholwell- I saw that place had the 150 model but the price was like double. They want like $320 for the 150 model.

 

[megadeth]

word of warning, if you buy a cheap crappy skimmer you'll end up just spending more money to replace it later

it's too bad the octopus is sold out, those get really good reviews, and the DAS also get extremely high reviews

 

[wbholwell]

SparksFly;91103 wrote:
wbholwell- I saw that place had the 150 model but the price was like double. They want like $320 for the 150 model.

You were probably looking at the recirculating model. The NW150 is $156 and the NW110 is $125