Skimmer Upgrade - With a Catch - Page 2

customdusty · 01/09/2009, 11:57 AM

ATI Bubble Master 160 could work - the only thing is that it is rated for a 140 gallon system. I'm not sure how the ATI is spec'd out, but most skimmers grossly overstate their capacity.

This one is a possibility - I'm just about 1" off from being able to fit the ATI Bubble Master 200 - which if I could - might have been the one.

stanlalee · 01/09/2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by customdusty
ATI Bubble Master 160 could work - the only thing is that it is rated for a 140 gallon system. I'm not sure how the ATI is spec'd out, but most skimmers grossly overstate their capacity.

This one is a possibility - I'm just about 1" off from being able to fit the ATI Bubble Master 200 - which if I could - might have been the one.

edit:I doubt its underated. it seems to be spec'd pretty close to the MSX 160 and is likely a bit better so I'm pretty sure a 90g is a walk in the park for it. it uses the same SICCE pump as everybody else with their "thread wheel" propeller.

customdusty · 01/09/2009, 12:25 PM

I am limited in space because everything has to fit inside the stand beneath the tank inside my 30 gal sump which has a 12x12 area for a skimmer. Because it is inside the stand, the skimmer has to go through the doors, then up over the side of the sump, and the tilted and squeezed through a painstaking process to get it to drop in the skimmer area. Therefore, overall size is not only a problem fitting in the sump, but getting it there in the first place.

The only option I would have would be to build a support system for the tank, remove the supports on the original stand - break down all of the plumbing then empty and remove the sump. I would then put the new skimmer in the sump, then put the sump back in, re-plumb, etc.

I would then need to follow this process for each time I needed to remove the skimmer to service it. Basically a tear down of the entire system except for the livestock and DT contents.

So basically, that's the reason for the smallest footprint.

I had to cut and modify the base on my Octopus to get it to work, but it doesn't come out easily or without some nasty cuts, scrapes, and bruises to me and the equipment along with partial dissassembly of the plumbing system.

stanlalee · 01/09/2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by customdusty

I had to cut and modify the base on my Octopus to get it to work, but it doesn't come out easily or without some nasty cuts, scrapes, and bruises to me and the equipment along with partial dissassembly of the plumbing system. [/B]

lol I have the smaller version of the same skimmer as you for my 30 gallon and I had to cut the base also to get it to fit side to side in my 10g sump (the specs said 10" so I figured it would fit my 10" wide sump). even with cut base I have to force the feet of the pump past the frame to get it in (fits once I get it past the frame).

note the base cut

lpsluver · 01/09/2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeremy Blaze
Anyone have any expereince with the SWC Xtreme 160 Protein Skimmer?

I have one on my 90. It has a small foot print and does an okay job but there are better choices out there. I got caught up in the hype and bought this not too long after it was introduced. I do not like the friction fit cup. Having to keep an O-ring lubed just to remove the cup is a PIA. I think having a shorter reaction chamber hurts it performance as well. I use the needle wheel, which in this model, is better than the mesh. It is pretty quiet though so that is a big plus for me. I'm thinking about moving this to my smaller tank and going with something else just because I am not completely happy with it.

frenchie · 01/09/2009, 12:45 PM

that looks exactly like mine, but i put pinwheel impellar in it.

Jeremy Blaze · 01/09/2009, 12:52 PM

Hmmm, I might just stick with my remora pro then.

frenchie · 01/09/2009, 12:55 PM

jeremy check out a vertex there a good skimmer for price everyone in vertex skimmer club happy with them, there like a euroreef with bubble plate

customdusty · 01/09/2009, 01:49 PM

Think I've narrowed it down:

Tunze 9010 - small footprint, super easy maintenance/access - Rec. for 264 gal systems - $370

ATI Bubble Master 160 - tight fit, pain in the you know what for maintenance due to access, Rec. for 140 gal systems - $450

Bubble King 180 - Again, PITA maintenace because it will be a super tight fit, larger than ATI BM 160, expensive at $1,000

Precision marine RL and Bullet could fit in the smaller models, but didn't seem to find great reviews by enthusiast reefers.

Euroreef, Vertex, and some of the others mentioned do not see mto have competitive models that will fit my size requirements.

Jeremy Blaze · 01/30/2009, 07:16 AM

Did you ever decide on one?

01/09/2009, 11:57 AM	#26
customdusty Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Geneva, IL Posts: 1,095	ATI Bubble Master 160 could work - the only thing is that it is rated for a 140 gallon system. I'm not sure how the ATI is spec'd out, but most skimmers grossly overstate their capacity. This one is a possibility - I'm just about 1" off from being able to fit the ATI Bubble Master 200 - which if I could - might have been the one. __________________ "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." --George W. Bush, Saginaw, Mich., Sept. 29, 2000 Current Tank Info: 105g Mixed Rimless Starphire by Miracles - Reefthreads.com "Noteworthy Tank" November 19, 2010 Podcast #13 - Sfiligoi Stealth 12x39 T5 - 2x Vortech MP40W - BK/Vertex Alpha Cone 200 - Neptue Apex - 2 Part - Tunze ATO - BRS 5 Stage RO/DI

01/09/2009, 12:25 PM	#28
customdusty Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Geneva, IL Posts: 1,095	I am limited in space because everything has to fit inside the stand beneath the tank inside my 30 gal sump which has a 12x12 area for a skimmer. Because it is inside the stand, the skimmer has to go through the doors, then up over the side of the sump, and the tilted and squeezed through a painstaking process to get it to drop in the skimmer area. Therefore, overall size is not only a problem fitting in the sump, but getting it there in the first place. The only option I would have would be to build a support system for the tank, remove the supports on the original stand - break down all of the plumbing then empty and remove the sump. I would then put the new skimmer in the sump, then put the sump back in, re-plumb, etc. I would then need to follow this process for each time I needed to remove the skimmer to service it. Basically a tear down of the entire system except for the livestock and DT contents. So basically, that's the reason for the smallest footprint. I had to cut and modify the base on my Octopus to get it to work, but it doesn't come out easily or without some nasty cuts, scrapes, and bruises to me and the equipment along with partial dissassembly of the plumbing system. __________________ "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." --George W. Bush, Saginaw, Mich., Sept. 29, 2000 Current Tank Info: 105g Mixed Rimless Starphire by Miracles - Reefthreads.com "Noteworthy Tank" November 19, 2010 Podcast #13 - Sfiligoi Stealth 12x39 T5 - 2x Vortech MP40W - BK/Vertex Alpha Cone 200 - Neptue Apex - 2 Part - Tunze ATO - BRS 5 Stage RO/DI

01/09/2009, 12:45 PM	#31
frenchie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,730	that looks exactly like mine, but i put pinwheel impellar in it. __________________ Darrick slash member 24 gallon nano cube, LED lights, zoanthids, shrooms Current Tank Info: 93 gallon cube, ecotech LED, swc 160 cone skimmer, lots of softies

01/09/2009, 12:52 PM	#32
Jeremy Blaze Former Reef Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Washington, IN Posts: 5,864	Hmmm, I might just stick with my remora pro then. __________________ Trust me my friend, the names are not important at all. I've own hundreds of different zoas and palys and don't know the name of a single one. In my opinion, they are a waste of valuable time. Mucho Reef

01/09/2009, 12:55 PM	#33
frenchie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,730	jeremy check out a vertex there a good skimmer for price everyone in vertex skimmer club happy with them, there like a euroreef with bubble plate __________________ Darrick slash member 24 gallon nano cube, LED lights, zoanthids, shrooms Current Tank Info: 93 gallon cube, ecotech LED, swc 160 cone skimmer, lots of softies

01/09/2009, 01:49 PM	#34
customdusty Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Geneva, IL Posts: 1,095	Think I've narrowed it down: Tunze 9010 - small footprint, super easy maintenance/access - Rec. for 264 gal systems - $370 ATI Bubble Master 160 - tight fit, pain in the you know what for maintenance due to access, Rec. for 140 gal systems - $450 Bubble King 180 - Again, PITA maintenace because it will be a super tight fit, larger than ATI BM 160, expensive at $1,000 Precision marine RL and Bullet could fit in the smaller models, but didn't seem to find great reviews by enthusiast reefers. Euroreef, Vertex, and some of the others mentioned do not see mto have competitive models that will fit my size requirements. __________________ "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." --George W. Bush, Saginaw, Mich., Sept. 29, 2000 Current Tank Info: 105g Mixed Rimless Starphire by Miracles - Reefthreads.com "Noteworthy Tank" November 19, 2010 Podcast #13 - Sfiligoi Stealth 12x39 T5 - 2x Vortech MP40W - BK/Vertex Alpha Cone 200 - Neptue Apex - 2 Part - Tunze ATO - BRS 5 Stage RO/DI

01/30/2009, 07:16 AM	#35
Jeremy Blaze Former Reef Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Washington, IN Posts: 5,864	Did you ever decide on one? __________________ Trust me my friend, the names are not important at all. I've own hundreds of different zoas and palys and don't know the name of a single one. In my opinion, they are a waste of valuable time. Mucho Reef