Another Skimmer thread (MSX)

Katmanblue · 08/04/2009, 09:36 AM

I've done a fair amount of research and am leaning toward the MSX200 because of the reviews, the company rep and the fact that it should fit in my sump. My last remaining issue is: if I'm someone who needs to consistently refer to Plumbing for Idiots or Reefkeeping for Idiots--how easy is this skimmer to use and set up. I really want a user-friendly skimmer that wont require a lot of mods and tricks to use, basically looking for a plug n play type deal. The Vertex line seemed to be that, but they are too tall for my set-up.

Thanks in advance

GSMguy · 08/04/2009, 09:50 AM

As long as the sump water level is below 8" you will be fine.

There is no plumbing needed.

Katmanblue · 08/04/2009, 10:01 AM

And as far as modifications, such as redoing mesh or replacing tubing, etc...??

thx!

cobbobby · 08/04/2009, 11:34 AM

You mean as long as the sump water is 8-10" in the skimmer area your good? They work best in 10" water. And i'd pass on the mesh and use a pinwheel. Mesh sucks : ) I'd replace the tubing with some good stuff from lowe's.

HighlandReef · 08/04/2009, 11:34 AM

tagging along

Katmanblue · 08/04/2009, 11:39 AM

Thanks for replies!

USC-fan · 08/04/2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Katmanblue
And as far as modifications, such as redoing mesh or replacing tubing, etc...??

thx!

I would go ahead with bigger airline tubing and get the large purple Pinwheel. but its an $36 ship upgrade but i think its worth it.

http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protein...duct_info.html

cobbobby · 08/04/2009, 11:50 AM

In 10" water the msx pw is pulling 30-32scfh, the ppw pulls 34-36scfh but has a hard time starting. They are generally quiet as can be though, so it may be worth 36bux. Key is running those skimmers is 10" water level.

Katmanblue · 08/04/2009, 02:52 PM

Someone said the only dumb questions are the ones not asked so here goes. What does a pinwheel do and what do I do with it (goes in skimmer or pump??)

HighlandReef · 08/04/2009, 04:29 PM

a pinwheel is exactly that a wheel with a bunch of pins sticking out on what they call needle wheel pumps, they are for the skimmer pumps
it chops up the air/water and makes a bunch of fine bubbles...without getting too techi

Katmanblue · 08/04/2009, 05:03 PM

not to be too obtuse (too late, I know)....but does it just attach to the pump? inside the pump? any install instructions?

Hal · 08/04/2009, 09:26 PM

The pinwheel is the impeller. If you were to do the mod yourself, you'd pull out the stock impeller and insert your new pinwheel/needlewheel. MSX will generally do it for you if they have the parts on hand and you ask them to do so. However I don't think they stock/sell the purple pinwheel.

Do a search on "purple pinwheel" or "PPW". They're having some cracking issues right now.

Katmanblue · 08/05/2009, 07:44 AM

thanks Hal, and everyone else that responded. That helps a lot--ordering the MSX200 today with the standard factory pw. My skimmer compartment in the sump is 11" and I have plenty of room to fit it and still raise it an inch of the bottom if necessary.

HighlandReef · 08/05/2009, 08:29 AM

reefspecialty has the purple pinwheels and they are a sponsor

Katmanblue · 08/05/2009, 09:01 AM

nothing good happens fast....skimmer ordered from Marine Solutions (RC sponsor

), but wont get it till Wed.....

scott11 · 08/05/2009, 12:05 PM

i have heard of issues with the PPW. If you want easy- just run the stock pinwheel. Thats what I do, never have any start-up issues and it skims well. I would advise a thicker air hose.

Katmanblue · 08/05/2009, 12:24 PM

that's what I decided to do after more reading on the web/reviews. Keeping the stock pw, upgrading tubing.

Txcowboy22 · 08/06/2009, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Katmanblue
thanks Hal, and everyone else that responded. That helps a lot--ordering the MSX200 today with the standard factory pw. My skimmer compartment in the sump is 11" and I have plenty of room to fit it and still raise it an inch of the bottom if necessary.

I would set it at 11''. I had my msx in 11'' and it skimmed great!

08/04/2009, 09:36 AM	#1
Katmanblue Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 222	Another Skimmer thread (MSX) I've done a fair amount of research and am leaning toward the MSX200 because of the reviews, the company rep and the fact that it should fit in my sump. My last remaining issue is: if I'm someone who needs to consistently refer to Plumbing for Idiots or Reefkeeping for Idiots--how easy is this skimmer to use and set up. I really want a user-friendly skimmer that wont require a lot of mods and tricks to use, basically looking for a plug n play type deal. The Vertex line seemed to be that, but they are too tall for my set-up. Thanks in advance

08/04/2009, 09:50 AM	#2
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	As long as the sump water level is below 8" you will be fine. There is no plumbing needed. __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

08/04/2009, 09:26 PM	#12
Hal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 1,889	The pinwheel is the impeller. If you were to do the mod yourself, you'd pull out the stock impeller and insert your new pinwheel/needlewheel. MSX will generally do it for you if they have the parts on hand and you ask them to do so. However I don't think they stock/sell the purple pinwheel. Do a search on "purple pinwheel" or "PPW". They're having some cracking issues right now. __________________ Some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints. Current Tank Info: 250g starphire: 72x28x30, BeanAnimal drain with an oversized non-durso emergency drain, 4 inch DSB, 3x Reefbreeders Value LED fixtures, SWC/MSX 300A skimmer, Geo kalk reactor, 3 Vortechs w/bb, carbon reactor, and a RKL

08/04/2009, 10:01 AM	#3
Katmanblue Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 222	And as far as modifications, such as redoing mesh or replacing tubing, etc...?? thx!

08/04/2009, 11:34 AM	#4
cobbobby Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: At a Tea Party Posts: 393	You mean as long as the sump water is 8-10" in the skimmer area your good? They work best in 10" water. And i'd pass on the mesh and use a pinwheel. Mesh sucks : ) I'd replace the tubing with some good stuff from lowe's.

08/04/2009, 11:34 AM	#5
HighlandReef Chalice Monger Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,163	tagging along

08/04/2009, 11:39 AM	#6
Katmanblue Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 222	Thanks for replies!

08/04/2009, 11:50 AM	#8
cobbobby Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: At a Tea Party Posts: 393	In 10" water the msx pw is pulling 30-32scfh, the ppw pulls 34-36scfh but has a hard time starting. They are generally quiet as can be though, so it may be worth 36bux. Key is running those skimmers is 10" water level.

08/04/2009, 02:52 PM	#9
Katmanblue Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 222	Someone said the only dumb questions are the ones not asked so here goes. What does a pinwheel do and what do I do with it (goes in skimmer or pump??)

08/04/2009, 04:29 PM	#10
HighlandReef Chalice Monger Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,163	a pinwheel is exactly that a wheel with a bunch of pins sticking out on what they call needle wheel pumps, they are for the skimmer pumps it chops up the air/water and makes a bunch of fine bubbles...without getting too techi

08/04/2009, 05:03 PM	#11
Katmanblue Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 222	not to be too obtuse (too late, I know)....but does it just attach to the pump? inside the pump? any install instructions?

08/05/2009, 07:44 AM	#13
Katmanblue Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 222	thanks Hal, and everyone else that responded. That helps a lot--ordering the MSX200 today with the standard factory pw. My skimmer compartment in the sump is 11" and I have plenty of room to fit it and still raise it an inch of the bottom if necessary.

08/05/2009, 08:29 AM	#14
HighlandReef Chalice Monger Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,163	reefspecialty has the purple pinwheels and they are a sponsor

08/05/2009, 09:01 AM	#15
Katmanblue Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 222	nothing good happens fast....skimmer ordered from Marine Solutions (RC sponsor ), but wont get it till Wed.....

08/05/2009, 12:05 PM	#16
scott11 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 1,960	i have heard of issues with the PPW. If you want easy- just run the stock pinwheel. Thats what I do, never have any start-up issues and it skims well. I would advise a thicker air hose.

08/05/2009, 12:24 PM	#17
Katmanblue Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 222	that's what I decided to do after more reading on the web/reviews. Keeping the stock pw, upgrading tubing.