ETSS Skimmer Club!

[Upstate GTI]

[QUOTE=dedvalson;23297392]Hi all,

I recently purchased an Aquavim aquarium (180 gallon), cabinet and sump system. Got an incredible deal on it all so I couldn't turn it down. It included an ETSS Sump Buddy 40 protein skimmer. I had planned on getting rid of it because it looked seriously undersized and I had never heard of ETSS skmmers. However, on this thread I find many people who seriously like them.

So now I have second thoughts. Is the Sump Buddy 40 a serious skimmer? Is it adequate for 180 with medium bio load? I had been thinking of replacing it with a Tunze 9410.

Any thoughts?

Congratulations on the new tank. I have their Moonview 110 bowfront and I love it! The SB40 is a great little skimmer and there is nothing with near the same footprint that can beat it for sure skimming power, but may not be adequate for your 180. The other problems with it is you have to use a good pressure rated pump to power it (read heat) and it is loud. What model tank did you get? Did you get their sump? If so what size? Mine is the 25" and the main problem I have is that there are not many skimmers that will fit in the skimmer box they provide (7x11.5"). I have a RLSS r6i and I am not quite sure it is the best skimmer for this tank but my choices are limited by size and I am sure it wouldn't be enough for your tank. If my tank were any bigger with this sump I would definitely have put up with the SB40. I am sort of stuck until I make a custom sump which I will do when I come up with a configuration I like and the time to do it. Then I can make it to fit a different skimmer. (One of the brilliant features of the aquarium tanks is that you can actually change the sump without tearing down the whole tank. I am planning on letting as much water out as I can though before I do it.) If noise and heat aren't a problem for you I would stick with the SB40 since you have it and see how it goes. If your area for your skimmer is larger than mine you might want to look at other options as I think it is a bit undersized for your tank, if heat is a problem or noise.

PS. I don't think the 9410 will serve you better than the SB40. If given the choice between the two I'd take the sump buddy.

[mwb32]

ded, ETSS made some skimmers that were state of the art for their time. What happened to ETSS skimmers was they needed to be driven by a high pressure pump and those type pumps are noisy and use a lot of Watts. When it comes to just spitting out a wet foam nothing will match an ETSS on the right pump. With that I have a couple of ETSS skimmers and am currently running a sump buddy 40 on an 100 gallon tank. I have run the skimmer on a mag 9 and it was good, I have run the skimmer on a Blueline HP 30 external pump and it roared, would produce a quart of wet skim a day. Now I am running it on a PanWorld 20 HP external pump and it still is a foam making machine with not as much noise and less watts used. Again the problem with ETSS skimmers is noise and Watts consumed. My SB 40 is so effective I do only run it 12 hours a day on my lightly stocked 100 gallon. In conclusion can that skimmer handle your tank you bet but it will need at least a PanWorld 20 or equal external pump. Looked up the Tunze and it uses 15 watts but have no idea if it will ever perform like the SB40 with the right pump.

[S2minute]

Originally Posted by Green Chromis

I also have the 1500XR on a 600 gal. system using a Iwaki 100 RLT to run it, I keep the water about an inch or so above the black box in the riser tube and it produces a very thick foam. These are the best skimmers on the market, it's to bad they went out of business.

+1 on that I have a 400+ gal multi-tank system and also run a 1500XR with an Iwaki 100 RLT. Yes, sadly Gary retired,(and prob moved to a warmer location). In the end he was back in his basement working alone so... The 1500 i bought from him was one of his last. Yup, if you have the room, these tall downdraft skimmers are hard to beat. Some folks lucked out and got one of the sump models. Love to know of anyone that owns an under tank Quad version. Those will run a 70 or 100 Iwaki as well.

[dedvalson]

Originally Posted by Upstate GTI

Congratulations on the new tank. I have their Moonview 110 bowfront and I love it! The SB40 is a great little skimmer and there is nothing with near the same footprint that can beat it for sure skimming power, but may not be adequate for your 180. The other problems with it is you have to use a good pressure rated pump to power it (read heat) and it is loud. What model tank did you get? Did you get their sump? If so what size? Mine is the 25" and the main problem I have is that there are not many skimmers that will fit in the skimmer box they provide (7x11.5"). I have a RLSS r6i and I am not quite sure it is the best skimmer for this tank but my choices are limited by size and I am sure it wouldn't be enough for your tank. If my tank were any bigger with this sump I would definitely have put up with the SB40. I am sort of stuck until I make a custom sump which I will do when I come up with a configuration I like and the time to do it. Then I can make it to fit a different skimmer. (One of the brilliant features of the aquarium tanks is that you can actually change the sump without tearing down the whole tank. I am planning on letting as much water out as I can though before I do it.) If noise and heat aren't a problem for you I would stick with the SB40 since you have it and see how it goes. If your area for your skimmer is larger than mine you might want to look at other options as I think it is a bit undersized for your tank, if heat is a problem or noise.

PS. I don't think the 9410 will serve you better than the SB40. If given the choice between the two I'd take the sump buddy.

Hi,

I got a custom sized OceanView that they had made for someone and then the deal fell through, so I got it cheap. It is between the normal 170 and the 180. Yes, I did get their sump, and it also appears to be custom sized. It is a little larger than the normal 36 inch model. The skimmer chamber is 10x14 so it is big enough to accommodate many of the skimmers where the pump is under the skimmer.

You mentioned that the skimmer is loud. Is the skimmer itself loud, or did you mean that the big pump to drive the skimmer is loud?

I am still undecided on the skimmer. Aquavim suggested I run it from a tap off of the return pump, but I am not too excited about that idea. I was thinking about running it on a Jebao DC-600, which appears to be about the right size (they recommend 900 gph). If I don't use this skimmer, I was looking at the Tunze I mentioned before or perhaps a Vertex Omega. I could fit the 180i in the space for sure, I might be able to squeeze in a 200i. Also considered a Reef Octopus Regal 200SSS.

Thanks,

Don

[Upstate GTI]

Hey Don!

I should have also asked if you have the standard boxes or the dragon flow. With the ocean view series height may also be an issue. With my Moon View I have more room under the tank but it is taken up by the dragon flow being right in the center of the sump so my skimmer barely fits. It is right up against the return pipe.

As for the sump buddy being loud the answer is both, however the water jetting into the skimmer is the loudest noise. You can mask this somewhat by putting a silencer on the air intake of the skimmer. I don't think you will be able to run the SB40 effectively t'd off your return pump unless your pump is huge and you have it valved down already. Also on the pump end, gph isn't important, head pressure is. If you must go with the dc route I would go with the Waveline DC6000 It has half again the head pressure of the Jeboa. A Waveline DC10000II would be better. Something along the lines of a Magdrive 7 or better yet a 9.5 with a valve is another, cheaper option. I mention the magdrives because they are cheap and can be picked up on craigslist but I would suggest a better pump than the magdrives with the same specs because of the heat issues.

I can't tell you which skimmer is best because you either get "pulls out awesome black gunk" from the people that own them or "POS" from those that like another brand. You just can't get apples to apples comparisons. BRS has the Skimz Ovals which are intriguing to me. Especially for those of us who are stuck with rectangular areas to put our skimmers in. Whatever you get I would put in the largest you can squeeze in there. "Good for up to 200 gallons usually means 100 gallons on a normally stocked tank. Some give with low med and high bioload. I would stick with a high boiload rating of at least 180 if I were you, 200 even better. If you are going the Vertex route I would go no smaller than the 200i as the tank rating is for 94-180 for the 180i and I don't think this would cut it. Get a magdrive off craigslist run it and see how you feel about it. $60 and you are up and running instead of a $400-900 with buying a new skimmer.

Johan

[mwb32]

Don't over look the replacement of the bio balls . I replace mine every year . The balls get smoothed off via the high pressure water and don't create a good foam.

[dedvalson]

I have the standard box overflow, not the dragon flow. You are right that the height is limited, but I think I can make most of those skimmers fit. Thanks for all the good advice.

Good to know about the bio balls also, I would have never thought of that.

Don

[DEFCLONE80]

Anyone use a swabbie with there etss?

[criticalencore]

I'm having a hard time figuring out what pump to put on the etss 2500 I just got. I'm guessing an iwaki 100 would work from what I read but was considering using a Hayward pool pump. This has been the most informative thread I think I've read so far. There isn't a lot of info on these things on the Internet and most of the instruction links seem to be broken now. Thanks

[azjohnny]

Originally Posted by criticalencore

I'm having a hard time figuring out what pump to put on the etss 2500 I just got. I'm guessing an iwaki 100 would work from what I read but was considering using a Hayward pool pump. This has been the most informative thread I think I've read so far. There isn't a lot of info on these things on the Internet and most of the instruction links seem to be broken now. Thanks

Try looking at the Iwaki MX series. Here is a link to a pump that looks right, you might want to call them and tell them what you need and they will set you up.


http://www.bphpumps.com/pd.405/iwaki...ag-drive-pump/

Data Sheet
http://www.iwakicustompumps.com/Products/MX.htm



You might try an Iwaki RLT 100, it is rated at 2100 gph @ 25 psi

Your skimmer needs 2500 gph and 10PSI. IMO pressure is more important then GPH

[criticalencore]

Originally Posted by azjohnny

Try looking at the Iwaki MX series. Here is a link to a pump that looks right, you might want to call them and tell them what you need and they will set you up.


http://www.bphpumps.com/pd.405/iwaki...ag-drive-pump/

Ouch not sure I want to run a 3 phase pump. I had saw where it looked like some people had tried like Danner magdrives. I was wondering if a mag24 would work. I have several pumps laying around like a dolphin 6300, reeflo hammerhead, couple snapper18 but they aren't pressure rated eat I can tell. the Hayward I have is a 3/4hp but looks like it will be a power hog at 11 amps. I had saw the blue line 100 also but again not sure if that is enough.

On a side note the guy u bought it from had previously repaired it and that broke in shipping so I'm going to re-repair it today and even see if it will be usuable. I do have 2 questions.

1. what does this circle thing with the 2 barbs and pvc tube coming out do?

2. Do I hook anything to the 3/4 bulkhead on the base connected to the pvc with the holes going up the skimmer body?

Thanks

[azjohnny]

Mag pumps have no where the amount of pressure needed. Try one of the pumps you have and see how that works out. You can get a 1 phase version of the MX pump, you just have to buy the pump and motor separately

http://www.shoppumps.com/Iwaki-MX-25...mx-250cv-6.htm


Blueline 100 is comparable to an Iwaki 100 but about $100 cheaper. The top engineer with Iwaki left and formed Blueline

Do you have a pic of the skimmer? The barbs should be where the water enters and the bulkhead at the base should be the skimmer output

[criticalencore]

I'm on tapatalk at work and not sure how to embed them from my phone but here is a pic of the round thing with the bulkheads and the smaller bulkhead on the black box. I have the gate valve on the bigger bulkhead. Thanks for the help

[007Bond]

Wow you definitely have some repair. Here is a pic of a 2500 or so that what they say it is,...but it looks like my 1400 http://www.alibaba.com/product-detai...259826640.html
I'm not sure where that part is attached in your hand...kind of looks like the waste overflow but only has 1" pvc intake? Also not sure what the extra 1" bulkhead fitting is for on the base?...maybe some kind of extra flow control/
My Iwaki 100 attaches at the top the gatevalve is at the base and I have a hose on the barbed connection of the top waste collection that goes to a drain.
Don't know if I told you anything helpful or not.---Rick

[criticalencore]

This is the full pic of it. I'm hoping weldon 16 is up to the challenge. I was wondering if the collection cup thing hosed to this piece that feeds the downpipe because the barbs look the same size. Thanks for the help so far

[007Bond]

Mine doesn't have the center white pvc? The two barbs are air intakes,...I put a little piece of tubing and a valves to further adjust the bubbles sometimes mine wants to overflow and the gatevalve won't stop it unless I shut the air intakes back some plus the help to fine tune the skimmer once you get it to "kick in".
I knocked my first clear chamber from the black base one time when I was cleaning it in the laundry tub,...I used clear silicone to reattach it,...its been fine for years. Weldon would have been better but the clear collection area really don't have much pressure. The black tower pipes are the business end of the skimmer,...so Weldon would be a must. I have had mine for over 20 years,...I'm sure you will be happy with it when you get it together. How big is your system going to be?

[criticalencore]

Originally Posted by 007Bond

Mine doesn't have the center white pvc? The two barbs are air intakes,...I put a little piece of tubing and a valves to further adjust the bubbles sometimes mine wants to overflow and the gatevalve won't stop it unless I shut the air intakes back some plus the help to fine tune the skimmer once you get it to "kick in".
I knocked my first clear chamber from the black base one time when I was cleaning it in the laundry tub,...I used clear silicone to reattach it,...its been fine for years. Weldon would have been better but the clear collection area really don't have much pressure. The black tower pipes are the business end of the skimmer,...so Weldon would be a must. I have had mine for over 20 years,...I'm sure you will be happy with it when you get it together. How big is your system going to be?

I have a 550g display with about a total system volume of about 850g right now. I am almost finished building the 360sq fish room off the back of my house and when it's done I'll be around 1300g total volume I think. I have a bunch of big fish I feed aggressively. Right now I run 2 Asm G2 and an Asm G4xx right now but feel like it isn't enough. Between the Sedra impellers swelling every couple years and the cost of running 3 pumps I'm hoping the external pump will be around the same power usage or not too much more with less maintence. Once I get it all glued up this weekend I'll try a couple of the pumps I have already and see if it's going to hold up. Thanks for the help. Guess I need to try to figure out this pvc in the middle. It runs to a blocked off bulkhead so not sure what it's for. Is it possibly for if I Wanted to add ozone?

[007Bond]

Can't help with the ozone question, maybe someone else can. Would like to see some pics of your system when your done,...sounds interesting!

[dcmartinpc]

I am wondering if the center white PVC was an attempt at doing a spray down/cleaning system? I was thinking maybe recirc and that was a feed line, but there would need to be another bulkhead for the pump inlet... Not sure. Interesting indeed.

Don

[cidbozek]

"I recently purchased an Aquavim aquarium (180 gallon), cabinet and sump system. Got an incredible deal on it all so I couldn't turn it down. It included an ETSS Sump Buddy 40 protein skimmer. I had planned on getting rid of it because it looked seriously undersized and I had never heard of ETSS skmmers. However, on this thread I find many people who seriously like them. "

I had SB40 on my system 140 total gallons, driven with a mag 9.5 great skim!!!!!!!!! Medium bio load.

[007Bond]

Originally Posted by dcmartinpc

I am wondering if the center white PVC was an attempt at doing a spray down/cleaning system? I was thinking maybe recirc and that was a feed line, but there would need to be another bulkhead for the pump inlet... Not sure. Interesting indeed.

Don

That's a thought Don,...in one of his pics, it shows a smaller bulkhead fitting in the black base.

[criticalencore]

Originally Posted by dcmartinpc

I am wondering if the center white PVC was an attempt at doing a spray down/cleaning system? I was thinking maybe recirc and that was a feed line, but there would need to be another bulkhead for the pump inlet... Not sure. Interesting indeed.

Don

Good call. He emailed me back and said he had a pump running other tanks plumbed to that and would divert the flow to that bulkhead every once in awhile to clean the inside.

Not sure if anyone wants to see the plumbing of it up close but basically a couple 90s and a bunch of holes drilled every foot or so on the pipe

[xcorallusx]

im about to repair my 1400, it was run off a hammerhead, which also was the return for the 350 display. It looked like the main tower was reattached to the black box with silicone, I will try and repair it with weldon, anyone have any recommendations for what kind of sand paper and weldon works best ?

[criticalencore]

Originally Posted by xcorallusx

im about to repair my 1400, it was run off a hammerhead, which also was the return for the 350 display. It looked like the main tower was reattached to the black box with silicone, I will try and repair it with weldon, anyone have any recommendations for what kind of sand paper and weldon works best ?

I'll be able to let you know tomorrow hopefully if weldon 16 worked for me. I had rather rough breaks but I just cleaned them up with a little 400grit and did a thin layer of weldon this morning. I'm going to put some around the breaks again later tonight and again in the morning.
Did thhe hammerhead seem like enough of a pump? I didn't think they were pressure rated

[xcorallusx]

Originally Posted by criticalencore

I'll be able to let you know tomorrow hopefully if weldon 16 worked for me. I had rather rough breaks but I just cleaned them up with a little 400grit and did a thin layer of weldon this morning. I'm going to put some around the breaks again later tonight and again in the morning.
Did thhe hammerhead seem like enough of a pump? I didn't think they were pressure rated

I bought the setup used, but the previous owner had the skimmer on a stand teed off from the return, so the hammerhead was handling the skimmer and return. Once I get mine repaired, ill try and see how a dc12000 pump does with the etss skimmer.