How Much Difference Could A Good Skimmer Make? (versus A Mediocre One)

drrich · 09/09/2007, 05:38 PM

I would like some real life experience here, please.... I know we all want the best, or probably would be spending our money elsewhere, but here is my question; I too would love a giant skimmer (read 800.00+)that pulls out tons of dark, smelly skimmate but will that make my coral look and grow better than a moderate skimmer (read 250.00) that pulls out what it pulls out.

What I only care about is coral coloration and growth.

Thanks

Rich

ps sps tank

loosecannon · 09/09/2007, 06:40 PM

All the world!

culinarydreamz · 09/09/2007, 07:54 PM

OH YEA! I agree. I had a average skimmer and then put a great skimmer on. all the difference in the world. trust me. If u have an average skimmer and your phosphates are showing up on your tests, then your corals are suffering and u are at risk of algae blooms!!!!!

be careful.

650-IS350 · 09/09/2007, 08:04 PM

Had crappy $40 skimers with an airstone, to CPRs and now DELTECs... difference is night and day

drrich · 09/10/2007, 05:34 PM

come on, there must be more people with an opinion on this one!!!

Aquarist007 · 09/10/2007, 05:46 PM

here is a different opinion I am sure

If you have taken the steps to set up your reef to try and encourage as much diverse invertebrate and bacteria life as you can---deep sand bed, refugium--live rock, liverock and sandbed in the sump--------

then you might not want a big whopping skimmer that is going to strip the water of everything that you are devoting your efforts into producing.

IMO--there is a point when corals ect are adversely affected by too much skimming, use of a uv sterilzer etc.
In the last 5 weeks I have taken off my uv sterilzer, and filter sock, and I' using the skimmer recommended for my system.

My corals are growing like gain busters--so much that people who have seen my tank for a month are remarking. The water is crystal clear in the daytime and teaming with copopods at night.

09/09/2007, 05:38 PM	#1
drrich Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New York Posts: 202	How Much Difference Could A Good Skimmer Make? (versus A Mediocre One) I would like some real life experience here, please.... I know we all want the best, or probably would be spending our money elsewhere, but here is my question; I too would love a giant skimmer (read 800.00+)that pulls out tons of dark, smelly skimmate but will that make my coral look and grow better than a moderate skimmer (read 250.00) that pulls out what it pulls out. What I only care about is coral coloration and growth. Thanks Rich ps sps tank

09/09/2007, 06:40 PM	#2
loosecannon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: port kent Posts: 1,292	All the world! __________________ I like getting WET! Current Tank Info: 44gal. 40 gal. 75 gal. 30gal. and working on a 75gal. rigt

09/09/2007, 08:04 PM	#4
650-IS350 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14,555	Had crappy $40 skimers with an airstone, to CPRs and now DELTECs... difference is night and day __________________ * RETIRED FROM REEFING * Just enjoying the box of water from afar

09/10/2007, 05:46 PM	#6
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	here is a different opinion I am sure If you have taken the steps to set up your reef to try and encourage as much diverse invertebrate and bacteria life as you can---deep sand bed, refugium--live rock, liverock and sandbed in the sump-------- then you might not want a big whopping skimmer that is going to strip the water of everything that you are devoting your efforts into producing. IMO--there is a point when corals ect are adversely affected by too much skimming, use of a uv sterilzer etc. In the last 5 weeks I have taken off my uv sterilzer, and filter sock, and I' using the skimmer recommended for my system. My corals are growing like gain busters--so much that people who have seen my tank for a month are remarking. The water is crystal clear in the daytime and teaming with copopods at night. __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

09/09/2007, 07:54 PM	#3
culinarydreamz Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: virginia beach va. Posts: 57	OH YEA! I agree. I had a average skimmer and then put a great skimmer on. all the difference in the world. trust me. If u have an average skimmer and your phosphates are showing up on your tests, then your corals are suffering and u are at risk of algae blooms!!!!! be careful.

09/10/2007, 05:34 PM	#5
drrich Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New York Posts: 202	come on, there must be more people with an opinion on this one!!!