AquaMaxx EM100 Skimmer

wildman926 · 03/02/2013, 10:05 PM

I purchased this skimmer from a fellow RC member, and received it today. It was used only a day on his system, as he thought no one wanted it. I had pm'd him the same day he posted it, thinking I could catch him before he actually used it.

The quality of the skimmer is very good. It has thick acrylic, as thick as my old SRO 1000. It was very easy to assemble, just the pump, the collection pump, the rubber feet, and the air line.

Others that have purchased have stated that they hated the noise from the splashing from the output tube. The instructions state to run it in 6-8" of water, no more than 8" or else the adjusting tube will not work. I measured the distance from the top of the tube where the water exits, and noted it was about 8.5". When I installed the skimmer, I immediately set my water depth in the sump to 8 3/4" and that did the trick. No splashing. I had seen a video on YouTube where someone had theirs very deep, way past the output and my setting of 8 3/4" with no issues, so I knew it could be done.

When I set the skimmer in the sump, I adjusted the skimmer where the level is at the bottom of the collection cup (ala my old SRO's). 30 minutes later, it had a nice head of foam on it, touching the underneath of the collection cup's lid.

It is quiet, VERY quiet. If I had not seen the the swirl in the body and the bubbles rising in the neck, I would not know that it was on. Here are some pics.

30 minutes after installation -

wildman926 · 03/02/2013, 10:12 PM

Here are some more pics and a short video after I had gotten everything set with the sump. and 4 hours later after installation. You can see residue already settling on the bottom of the collection cup. I have it connected to the SRO waste collector, and it has 1" of removal in it.

I am extremely pleased in this short time. The last pic is actually a video. Just click on it to see it.

wildman926 · 03/02/2013, 10:20 PM

Forgot to mention, this EM100 is replacing my SRO 2000 on my 110g, so I can recover some sump space, and only that reason.

I have the EM200 ordered, and it will replace my other SRO 2000 on my 150g.

There was microbubbles being released after installation, but it is now 6 hours later, and none in the display. A pic of the softie tank is below. Sorry for the crappy IPhone pic. I gotta clean those power cords up now lol...

Paulairduck · 03/02/2013, 10:47 PM

Glad your happy with it, it shipped fast!!

wildman926 · 03/02/2013, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulairduck

Glad your happy with it, it shipped fast!!

Thanks again. I am very happy with it!

ksed · 03/03/2013, 08:26 AM

Keep us posted
I am interested in the EM300.

hogfanreefer · 03/03/2013, 06:20 PM

I'm looking at an EM200 but they are on back order at Marine Depot. Any other online store handle AquaMaxx?

wildman926 · 03/03/2013, 07:25 PM

Everyone that carries the Aquamaxx line is out. When I asked Aquamaxx directly, they said the hold up was parts. I have the EM200 back ordered with Marine depot. They anticipate mid March receiving shipment.

wildman926 · 03/03/2013, 09:16 PM

This morning I set the level where I keep my skimmers at to skim somewhat wet, 1" below the neck where the pea sized bubbles break into large sized bubbles. The large sized bubbles then break above the neck, spewing the skimmate into the collection cup.

Here is a pic of it, as well as a pic that I just took now of what is in the waste collector. There is 2" of dark skimmate in just 29 hours of use of this new skimmer. This skimmer performs as well as the SRO 2000 it replaced. The SRO 2000 skimmer would fill the waste container in 5-7 days. This new one looks to perform as well as it.

This is a lot of performance and quality skimmer for the money. I highly recommend it.

wildman926 · 03/04/2013, 09:44 PM

48 hours after initial installation, and it is skimming away. It has deposited 3" of wet skimmate in the waste collector.It is very stable, no overflows what so ever. You can see I got lucky catching a large bubble bursting over into the collection cup.

DOJO21 · 03/04/2013, 10:23 PM

Hey Ksed, I put in a alert notification on the EM300 and I got an email earlier saying that the EM300 was available for purchase so you may want to check again. I will not be buying it because I have decided to go with a different skimmer.

wildman926 · 03/05/2013, 10:23 PM

72 hours after initial installation, and the waste collector has over 4" of wet skimmate. This is a little beast of a skimmer. Low wattage use, high performance, silent, stable no overflowing, up to a 120g, and only $250!

reeftivo · 03/08/2013, 01:54 PM

Looks tasty!

Once it gets seasoned you should easily be pulling dark crud.

My mf 121 does a good job but my 9410 was always a little more concentrated
pic of the nog from the 9410

wildman926 · 03/08/2013, 02:09 PM

Thanks. The skimmate is light, because I skim very wet. I have always skimmed wet to ensure every last bit is removed. The water and nutrients get replaced with topoffs/water changes anyways. If I wanted thicker/darker skimmate, I would just lower the level like most do.

I will post a pic tonight, where in 6 days of use, it has almost filled the waste container to shut off the skimmer. When I checked on it this morning, it was pretty close. That container is 6" in diameter, and 13" when it shuts off. I expect to find it off when I get home from work today.

wildman926 · 03/09/2013, 09:29 PM

Latest update. One week after installation, it fills the waste collector with dark wet skimmate. Very quiet, not one overflow. Recovers nicely after feedings, just a great little skimmer.

jfeva0049 · 05/29/2013, 05:07 PM

what % better do you feel the em100 is over the sro2000? thanks.

wildman926 · 05/29/2013, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfeva0049

what % better do you feel the em100 is over the sro2000? thanks.

Well, it had the same production, never overflowed, silent, set it and forget it, used less wattage. All those things add up, but to put it in %'s, that is very subjective based on how important the above is to you.

jfeva0049 · 05/30/2013, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildman926

Well, it had the same production, never overflowed, silent, set it and forget it, used less wattage. All those things add up, but to put it in %'s, that is very subjective based on how important the above is to you.

ok thanks. but as far as just skimmate production, do you feel the EM100 is better that the RO sro? if so a lil, a lot etc... thanks.

Get Hooked · 05/30/2013, 12:20 PM

I have an EM200 back orderded as well. I used aquabeta.com as they are selling it the cheapest I could find at $269.99. Told me it would be 4-8 weeks until it arrives. I have never read a bad review on Aquamaxx yet. They seem to to rival skimmers $80-$100 more.

batman7303 · 05/30/2013, 03:10 PM

whats the footprint on it??

Get Hooked · 05/30/2013, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batman7303

whats the footprint on it??

Specifications
Model Item # Tank Size
(Max) Height FootPrint Pump Chamber
Diameter
EM100 UJ00160 120 Gal 21.7" 6.3" x 8.6” Sicce 1.5 4.7"
EM200 UJ00161 240 Gal 22.8" 6.7" x 9.8” Sicce 2.0 6"
EM300 UJ00162 340 Gal 22.8" 9.1" x 13" Sicce 3.0 8"

yeldarbj · 06/27/2013, 06:51 PM

How does the water exit the standpipe of this skimmer? I see the 90 degree elbow at the bottom, but I can't see any output from it in any of the pictures.

wildman926 · 06/27/2013, 07:07 PM

There is a clear inner tube, that has a square hole, that "sits" in the 90* elbow and water exits. Then the black outer adjustment tube is turned to either rise or fall to expose the square hole, regulating the output of the skimmer. The clear center tube, and adjustment tube are both removable for cleaning. The clear center tube can be rotated to aim the output any direction also. All of the EM series are like this.

yeldarbj · 06/27/2013, 07:28 PM

Thanks for the explanation. Makes sense. I just can't see it in the pictures. Are you still liking it? What's the difference in the Sicce pumps 1.5/2.0 that these skimmers use and the more standard Sicce 600/1000 series?

PL-Reef · 06/27/2013, 07:37 PM

I have an Aquamaxx AM150 and love it. Built solid and skims like a champ!

03/02/2013, 10:05 PM	#1
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	AquaMaxx EM100 Skimmer I purchased this skimmer from a fellow RC member, and received it today. It was used only a day on his system, as he thought no one wanted it. I had pm'd him the same day he posted it, thinking I could catch him before he actually used it. The quality of the skimmer is very good. It has thick acrylic, as thick as my old SRO 1000. It was very easy to assemble, just the pump, the collection pump, the rubber feet, and the air line. Others that have purchased have stated that they hated the noise from the splashing from the output tube. The instructions state to run it in 6-8" of water, no more than 8" or else the adjusting tube will not work. I measured the distance from the top of the tube where the water exits, and noted it was about 8.5". When I installed the skimmer, I immediately set my water depth in the sump to 8 3/4" and that did the trick. No splashing. I had seen a video on YouTube where someone had theirs very deep, way past the output and my setting of 8 3/4" with no issues, so I knew it could be done. When I set the skimmer in the sump, I adjusted the skimmer where the level is at the bottom of the collection cup (ala my old SRO's). 30 minutes later, it had a nice head of foam on it, touching the underneath of the collection cup's lid. It is quiet, VERY quiet. If I had not seen the the swirl in the body and the bubbles rising in the neck, I would not know that it was on. Here are some pics. 30 minutes after installation - __________________ Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!! The search function actually works quite well!! Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie

03/02/2013, 10:12 PM	#2
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	Here are some more pics and a short video after I had gotten everything set with the sump. and 4 hours later after installation. You can see residue already settling on the bottom of the collection cup. I have it connected to the SRO waste collector, and it has 1" of removal in it. I am extremely pleased in this short time. The last pic is actually a video. Just click on it to see it. __________________ Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!! The search function actually works quite well!! Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie

03/02/2013, 10:20 PM	#3
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	Forgot to mention, this EM100 is replacing my SRO 2000 on my 110g, so I can recover some sump space, and only that reason. I have the EM200 ordered, and it will replace my other SRO 2000 on my 150g. There was microbubbles being released after installation, but it is now 6 hours later, and none in the display. A pic of the softie tank is below. Sorry for the crappy IPhone pic. I gotta clean those power cords up now lol... __________________ Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!! The search function actually works quite well!! Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie Last edited by wildman926; 03/02/2013 at 10:27 PM.

03/03/2013, 06:20 PM	#7
hogfanreefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 2,117	I'm looking at an EM200 but they are on back order at Marine Depot. Any other online store handle AquaMaxx? __________________ DSA 155,Custom Trigger 42" sump/refugium, MP40 X2, MP 10 X 2, AI Hydra 52 X3, Apex controller, Tunze ATO Current Tank Info: DSA 155 gallon, mixed reef, SPS and wrasse dominant

03/03/2013, 07:25 PM	#8
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	Everyone that carries the Aquamaxx line is out. When I asked Aquamaxx directly, they said the hold up was parts. I have the EM200 back ordered with Marine depot. They anticipate mid March receiving shipment. __________________ Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!! The search function actually works quite well!! Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie

03/02/2013, 10:47 PM	#4
Paulairduck I LOVE FREE FRAGS!!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 2,909	Glad your happy with it, it shipped fast!!

03/03/2013, 08:26 AM	#6
ksed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,867	Keep us posted I am interested in the EM300.

03/03/2013, 09:16 PM	#9
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	This morning I set the level where I keep my skimmers at to skim somewhat wet, 1" below the neck where the pea sized bubbles break into large sized bubbles. The large sized bubbles then break above the neck, spewing the skimmate into the collection cup. Here is a pic of it, as well as a pic that I just took now of what is in the waste collector. There is 2" of dark skimmate in just 29 hours of use of this new skimmer. This skimmer performs as well as the SRO 2000 it replaced. The SRO 2000 skimmer would fill the waste container in 5-7 days. This new one looks to perform as well as it. This is a lot of performance and quality skimmer for the money. I highly recommend it. __________________ Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!! The search function actually works quite well!! Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie

03/04/2013, 09:44 PM	#10
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	48 hours after initial installation, and it is skimming away. It has deposited 3" of wet skimmate in the waste collector.It is very stable, no overflows what so ever. You can see I got lucky catching a large bubble bursting over into the collection cup. __________________ Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!! The search function actually works quite well!! Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie

03/04/2013, 10:23 PM	#11
DOJO21 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wake Forest NC Posts: 39	Hey Ksed, I put in a alert notification on the EM300 and I got an email earlier saying that the EM300 was available for purchase so you may want to check again. I will not be buying it because I have decided to go with a different skimmer.

03/05/2013, 10:23 PM	#12
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	72 hours after initial installation, and the waste collector has over 4" of wet skimmate. This is a little beast of a skimmer. Low wattage use, high performance, silent, stable no overflowing, up to a 120g, and only $250! __________________ Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!! The search function actually works quite well!! Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie

03/08/2013, 01:54 PM	#13
reeftivo Skim junkie Join Date: May 2008 Location: chino, CA Posts: 3,417	Looks tasty! Once it gets seasoned you should easily be pulling dark crud. My mf 121 does a good job but my 9410 was always a little more concentrated pic of the nog from the 9410 __________________ I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller

03/08/2013, 02:09 PM	#14
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	Thanks. The skimmate is light, because I skim very wet. I have always skimmed wet to ensure every last bit is removed. The water and nutrients get replaced with topoffs/water changes anyways. If I wanted thicker/darker skimmate, I would just lower the level like most do. I will post a pic tonight, where in 6 days of use, it has almost filled the waste container to shut off the skimmer. When I checked on it this morning, it was pretty close. That container is 6" in diameter, and 13" when it shuts off. I expect to find it off when I get home from work today. __________________ Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!! The search function actually works quite well!! Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie

03/09/2013, 09:29 PM	#15
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	Latest update. One week after installation, it fills the waste collector with dark wet skimmate. Very quiet, not one overflow. Recovers nicely after feedings, just a great little skimmer. __________________ Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!! The search function actually works quite well!! Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie

05/29/2013, 05:07 PM	#16
jfeva0049 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gilroy, CA Posts: 497	what % better do you feel the em100 is over the sro2000? thanks.

05/30/2013, 12:20 PM	#19
Get Hooked Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 102	I have an EM200 back orderded as well. I used aquabeta.com as they are selling it the cheapest I could find at $269.99. Told me it would be 4-8 weeks until it arrives. I have never read a bad review on Aquamaxx yet. They seem to to rival skimmers $80-$100 more.

05/30/2013, 03:10 PM	#20
batman7303 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Posts: 78	whats the footprint on it??

06/27/2013, 06:51 PM	#22
yeldarbj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,295	How does the water exit the standpipe of this skimmer? I see the 90 degree elbow at the bottom, but I can't see any output from it in any of the pictures.

06/27/2013, 07:07 PM	#23
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	There is a clear inner tube, that has a square hole, that "sits" in the 90* elbow and water exits. Then the black outer adjustment tube is turned to either rise or fall to expose the square hole, regulating the output of the skimmer. The clear center tube, and adjustment tube are both removable for cleaning. The clear center tube can be rotated to aim the output any direction also. All of the EM series are like this. __________________ Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!! The search function actually works quite well!! Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie

06/27/2013, 07:28 PM	#24
yeldarbj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,295	Thanks for the explanation. Makes sense. I just can't see it in the pictures. Are you still liking it? What's the difference in the Sicce pumps 1.5/2.0 that these skimmers use and the more standard Sicce 600/1000 series?

06/27/2013, 07:37 PM	#25
PL-Reef Awesome Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chaplin,Ct Posts: 4,345	I have an Aquamaxx AM150 and love it. Built solid and skims like a champ! __________________ Jas tested, mother disapproved. Current Tank Info: 2 gallon goldfish bowl with a happy 7" Naso tang and 2 small Beluga whales. Just added a baby dolphin, large Trigger, a herd of Sea Horses and just fragged my first Manatee. All fish safely hand caught using organic cyanide.