Skimmer Noise...... what runs quietest?

kookerson · 11/15/2006, 08:39 PM

I was actually thinking of getting the AquaC EV-120......but heard a bunch of this and that about noise? Does anyone have any experience with these skimmers or skimmers that run fairly quiet and still have good production? I would realy like a good, in-sump skimmer, but a more quiet noise level would be nice....

lvpd186 · 11/15/2006, 08:44 PM

I had an AquaC EV-120 and it some noise issues (the sucking sound of the air intake was kind of loud). I was never able to get it dialed in correctly, but there are others on here that have and swear by them. Right now I have a Lifereef and it is very quiet. The only thing I can here on it is the pump (mag 9.5), and thats not very loud. What size tank do you have and what kind of fish/corals are you going to keep in the tank. It would be hard to recommend a skimmer with out knowing that kind of stuff.

kookerson · 11/15/2006, 09:01 PM

I am getting a 75 Gallon AGA MegaFlow with 30 gal. sump. I plan on housing mainly LPS corals and 1 or 2 anemones, MAYBE some SPS.....along with a fair bioload of fish.....

Pete Harcoff · 11/15/2006, 09:13 PM

Coralife Super Skimmer is pretty quiet.

kookerson · 11/15/2006, 09:19 PM

How about those octopus skimmers, Ive heard people raving about them? Are they efficient and quiet?

acliao · 11/15/2006, 10:40 PM

I have an Octopus Recirculating skimmer, the pump is quiet and produces little heat. I couldn't be happier with the purchase.

Newreeflady · 11/15/2006, 11:05 PM

I just got the Bubble Master 150 and I can say that although the pump has some vibration that I haven't gotten used to, it has the quietest air intake i've encountered yet. Not to mention the design returns nearly zero microbubbles to the tank. Yes, I attribute this to the skimmer as I had the CPR Bakpak II running for a little while and it returned a bazillion microbubbles to the tank, not to mention the horrid slurping noise from the MJ venturi intake.

I just set the skimmer up a few days ago, so no skimmate results to report yet (still breaking in), but i'm hopeful. Maybe something to keep an eye on.

-A

UCanDoIt · 11/15/2006, 11:09 PM

AquaC is NOT quiet. Believe me as I've owned a EV180 for 18 months, both the skimmer and pump could add up to quite a bit of noise.

Depending on your budget, the new BM150 that Newreeflady recommended is quiet. I've seen it in action and it is really quiet. You just need to face the exhaust against the side of the sump and the splashing noise is reduced to a minimum as well.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...91#post8516091

hahnmeister · 11/16/2006, 02:23 AM

An injection skimmer (mazzei venturi, beckett, downdraft) can be made quieter than a needlewheel... there are things that can be done on alot of needlewheels, but sometimes it comes down to the pump. At that, a venturi/beckett system can be muzzled alot easier because there isnt that sloshing noise from the air in the pump. Still, there are some quieter needlewheel pumps. Tunzes new line is boasting some of the quietest operation around... I would look into them if you want very quiet. Also, the new Bubblemasters by ATI use the same pumps... so they should be just as quiet.

11/15/2006, 08:39 PM	#1
kookerson Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,017	Skimmer Noise...... what runs quietest? I was actually thinking of getting the AquaC EV-120......but heard a bunch of this and that about noise? Does anyone have any experience with these skimmers or skimmers that run fairly quiet and still have good production? I would realy like a good, in-sump skimmer, but a more quiet noise level would be nice....

11/15/2006, 08:44 PM	#2
lvpd186 Reefing in NE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Papillion, NE Posts: 1,485	I had an AquaC EV-120 and it some noise issues (the sucking sound of the air intake was kind of loud). I was never able to get it dialed in correctly, but there are others on here that have and swear by them. Right now I have a Lifereef and it is very quiet. The only thing I can here on it is the pump (mag 9.5), and thats not very loud. What size tank do you have and what kind of fish/corals are you going to keep in the tank. It would be hard to recommend a skimmer with out knowing that kind of stuff. __________________ "A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice." Bill Cosby

11/15/2006, 11:05 PM	#7
Newreeflady Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 4,840	I just got the Bubble Master 150 and I can say that although the pump has some vibration that I haven't gotten used to, it has the quietest air intake i've encountered yet. Not to mention the design returns nearly zero microbubbles to the tank. Yes, I attribute this to the skimmer as I had the CPR Bakpak II running for a little while and it returned a bazillion microbubbles to the tank, not to mention the horrid slurping noise from the MJ venturi intake. I just set the skimmer up a few days ago, so no skimmate results to report yet (still breaking in), but i'm hopeful. Maybe something to keep an eye on. -A __________________ A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor’s cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. “It’s overfull! No more will go in!” the professor blurted. “You are like this cup,” the master replied, “How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup.” Current Tank Info: 56g, 20g.

11/15/2006, 09:01 PM	#3
kookerson Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,017	I am getting a 75 Gallon AGA MegaFlow with 30 gal. sump. I plan on housing mainly LPS corals and 1 or 2 anemones, MAYBE some SPS.....along with a fair bioload of fish.....

11/15/2006, 09:13 PM	#4
Pete Harcoff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 196	Coralife Super Skimmer is pretty quiet.

11/15/2006, 09:19 PM	#5
kookerson Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,017	How about those octopus skimmers, Ive heard people raving about them? Are they efficient and quiet?

11/15/2006, 10:40 PM	#6
acliao Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 107	I have an Octopus Recirculating skimmer, the pump is quiet and produces little heat. I couldn't be happier with the purchase.

11/15/2006, 11:09 PM	#8
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 1,684	AquaC is NOT quiet. Believe me as I've owned a EV180 for 18 months, both the skimmer and pump could add up to quite a bit of noise. Depending on your budget, the new BM150 that Newreeflady recommended is quiet. I've seen it in action and it is really quiet. You just need to face the exhaust against the side of the sump and the splashing noise is reduced to a minimum as well. *http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...91#post8516091*

11/16/2006, 02:23 AM	#9
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	An injection skimmer (mazzei venturi, beckett, downdraft) can be made quieter than a needlewheel... there are things that can be done on alot of needlewheels, but sometimes it comes down to the pump. At that, a venturi/beckett system can be muzzled alot easier because there isnt that sloshing noise from the air in the pump. Still, there are some quieter needlewheel pumps. Tunzes new line is boasting some of the quietest operation around... I would look into them if you want very quiet. Also, the new Bubblemasters by ATI use the same pumps... so they should be just as quiet.