buying the right skimmer

polarbearsd · 11/20/2007, 07:27 PM

so, i am fairly new to the hobby, 3 months, and the protein skimmer i am using currently is a backpack that needs to be adjusted quite often. it is kinda noisy too and i dont think is doing all that great of a job.

My tank is 37 gallons with a sump that is probably 10 or 15 gallons. i have 5 fish in the tank now and may add one more. mostly anemones, soft corals and just started with some acroporas.

What would be an optimal skimmer that could work even if upgraded to 100 gallon tank max, is fairly quite and gets the job done with flying colors?

ROB2005 · 11/20/2007, 07:29 PM

You can go with an Aqua C, Octopus, or Euro-Reef, heck even a Deltec. But to be honest there is no one skimmer that can be declared the best. They all produce different results and it's up to the user to determine if it is worthy.

dzeadow · 11/20/2007, 07:40 PM

my question is why you're using a hang on skimmer when you have a sump? in sump skimmers are much more effecient (and usually quieter) than hang on types. You can usually get good in sump skimmers for a good price. Since I don't have an in sump skimmer, I can't recommend one, but it won't be long before someone chimes in on this.

USC-fan · 11/20/2007, 08:21 PM

What is you budget? how much room do you have? Do you plan to have a constant water level in your sump?

polarbearsd · 11/21/2007, 11:14 AM

i will spend what necessary...i figure $150 or so. I dont have that much room though and i do keep a fairly constant water level, but i do have to top off manually each day if that is what you mean

luke33 · 11/21/2007, 11:36 AM

If your toping off manually as i do myself you need a recirc skimmer as it won't fluctuate in performance with the evaporation. 150 your looking at the octo recic 110 but if you plan on using it for a 100g tank you had better go with the octo 150recirc. If you want to get a better skimmer look at the plug and play das ex1 for 285bux.

USC-fan · 11/21/2007, 12:22 PM

I agree with luke33.

If you can spend a little more $200-$300 you would have a lot more options. At $150 there isn't going to be much that can handle 100gals. I would definitely go with a recirc skimmer also.

polarbearsd · 11/21/2007, 05:49 PM

i found a used aqua c remora for $125. how is that skimmer?

schneijt · 11/21/2007, 06:05 PM

The Remora is an ok skimmer, but far from spectacular. You are much better off taking that $125 (plus a few more dollars) and buying a NW150 from Octopus. As far as constant water level, it is necessary for an in-sump (non-recirculating) skimmer. The water level affects the performance of the pump, so your skimmer will be nearly impossible to adjust correctly without an automated top-off system. You can get around an expensive ATO system, though. I believe the 150 from Octopus runs best in around 9" of water. So, you can take a bucket or plastic bin that is 9" high and then set that inside your sump with the skimmer in it. Then have your drain line from the display tank run down into that bucket/bin. Or, you can install baffles in your sump that ensure the water level is 9" where your skimmer sits. You don't HAVE to go with a recirculating skimmer, but you should certainly get a skimmer that isn't a hang-on. Your options are much better, and you'll get better performance versus a hang-on skimmer. There's no perfect way to skim a tank, but in general you'll be happier with an in-sump skimmer than any hang-on.

Hope this helps,
Joe

dzeadow · 11/21/2007, 06:16 PM

Just to let you know how good a remora is, since I just bought a Octopus HOB, and had a remora laying around, I chopped it up and am making a DIY skimmer out of it. Not worth your $$ IMO.

kdblove_99 · 11/24/2007, 08:49 AM

Friends dont let friends buy Remora. Save your money or you will be back on here telling us how the Remora doesnt work.

sjm817 · 11/24/2007, 08:58 AM

Dont waste your $ on a Remora. A constant sump level in the skimmer area is not hard to achieve. A simple baffle, or a container that the skimmer and drain go in will suffice. For $150, you can get a Euro-Reef RS-80 blem. http://commerce2.i2net.com/able5stor...ategory_ID=630

happyface888 · 11/24/2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kdblove_99
Friends dont let friends buy Remora. Save your money or you will be back on here telling us how the Remora doesnt work.

I nearly went and got one of these before, but now I have a octopus bh100f and its doing a nice job. the cpr can be a good skimmer aswell, you just have to replace the pump. The noise is not the skimmer itself but rather the pump. Go find a resun 225f needlewheel or give the cprs new accela pump a try. Go get a insump skimmer if you plan to use it for a future tank

mg426 · 11/24/2007, 11:21 PM

I got to agree Remoras are not much to speak about. Get an Octo or a ER blem.

11/20/2007, 07:27 PM	#1
polarbearsd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ventura, ca Posts: 24	buying the right skimmer so, i am fairly new to the hobby, 3 months, and the protein skimmer i am using currently is a backpack that needs to be adjusted quite often. it is kinda noisy too and i dont think is doing all that great of a job. My tank is 37 gallons with a sump that is probably 10 or 15 gallons. i have 5 fish in the tank now and may add one more. mostly anemones, soft corals and just started with some acroporas. What would be an optimal skimmer that could work even if upgraded to 100 gallon tank max, is fairly quite and gets the job done with flying colors?

11/20/2007, 07:29 PM	#2
ROB2005 Reefing Is My Passion! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 719	You can go with an Aqua C, Octopus, or Euro-Reef, heck even a Deltec. But to be honest there is no one skimmer that can be declared the best. They all produce different results and it's up to the user to determine if it is worthy. __________________ If at first you don't succeed at reefing, break it down and set back up😁 Current Tank Info: 75 gallon corner overflow, 4-54W T-5 , dozen blue hermits, tiger pistol/yellow watchman goby, royal gramma, banghai and pajama cardinals

11/20/2007, 07:40 PM	#3
dzeadow Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 2,589	my question is why you're using a hang on skimmer when you have a sump? in sump skimmers are much more effecient (and usually quieter) than hang on types. You can usually get good in sump skimmers for a good price. Since I don't have an in sump skimmer, I can't recommend one, but it won't be long before someone chimes in on this. __________________ - Danny Current Tank Info: Dual 50 Breeder system, 30g custom sump/fuge, MSX200, Tank1-6x24T5 retro, Tank2-4x39T5 retro

11/21/2007, 06:16 PM	#10
dzeadow Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 2,589	Just to let you know how good a remora is, since I just bought a Octopus HOB, and had a remora laying around, I chopped it up and am making a DIY skimmer out of it. Not worth your $$ IMO. __________________ - Danny Current Tank Info: Dual 50 Breeder system, 30g custom sump/fuge, MSX200, Tank1-6x24T5 retro, Tank2-4x39T5 retro

11/24/2007, 08:58 AM	#12
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Dont waste your $ on a Remora. A constant sump level in the skimmer area is not hard to achieve. A simple baffle, or a container that the skimmer and drain go in will suffice. For $150, you can get a Euro-Reef RS-80 blem. http://commerce2.i2net.com/able5stor...ategory_ID=630 __________________ - Scott

11/20/2007, 08:21 PM	#4
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	What is you budget? how much room do you have? Do you plan to have a constant water level in your sump?

11/21/2007, 11:14 AM	#5
polarbearsd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ventura, ca Posts: 24	i will spend what necessary...i figure $150 or so. I dont have that much room though and i do keep a fairly constant water level, but i do have to top off manually each day if that is what you mean

11/21/2007, 11:36 AM	#6
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	If your toping off manually as i do myself you need a recirc skimmer as it won't fluctuate in performance with the evaporation. 150 your looking at the octo recic 110 but if you plan on using it for a 100g tank you had better go with the octo 150recirc. If you want to get a better skimmer look at the plug and play das ex1 for 285bux.

11/21/2007, 12:22 PM	#7
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	I agree with luke33. If you can spend a little more $200-$300 you would have a lot more options. At $150 there isn't going to be much that can handle 100gals. I would definitely go with a recirc skimmer also.

11/21/2007, 05:49 PM	#8
polarbearsd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ventura, ca Posts: 24	i found a used aqua c remora for $125. how is that skimmer?

11/21/2007, 06:05 PM	#9
schneijt Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Des Moines, IA Posts: 497	The Remora is an ok skimmer, but far from spectacular. You are much better off taking that $125 (plus a few more dollars) and buying a NW150 from Octopus. As far as constant water level, it is necessary for an in-sump (non-recirculating) skimmer. The water level affects the performance of the pump, so your skimmer will be nearly impossible to adjust correctly without an automated top-off system. You can get around an expensive ATO system, though. I believe the 150 from Octopus runs best in around 9" of water. So, you can take a bucket or plastic bin that is 9" high and then set that inside your sump with the skimmer in it. Then have your drain line from the display tank run down into that bucket/bin. Or, you can install baffles in your sump that ensure the water level is 9" where your skimmer sits. You don't HAVE to go with a recirculating skimmer, but you should certainly get a skimmer that isn't a hang-on. Your options are much better, and you'll get better performance versus a hang-on skimmer. There's no perfect way to skim a tank, but in general you'll be happier with an in-sump skimmer than any hang-on. Hope this helps, Joe

11/24/2007, 08:49 AM	#11
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	Friends dont let friends buy Remora. Save your money or you will be back on here telling us how the Remora doesnt work.

11/24/2007, 11:21 PM	#14
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I got to agree Remoras are not much to speak about. Get an Octo or a ER blem. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt