How good are Top Fathom skimmers?

djcool563 · 03/15/2006, 07:38 PM

Hello i was wondering how good of a brand the Top Fathom skimmers are. I have a chance to get one and wanted to know if its worth it. Thanks
DJ

Blown 346 · 03/15/2006, 07:46 PM

I have one on my 125 gallon and the thing kicks ***, it does a awesome job. I would reccomend it.

djcool563 · 03/15/2006, 07:47 PM

Thanks anyone else?

djcool563 · 03/15/2006, 08:16 PM

bump

djcool563 · 03/15/2006, 11:36 PM

anyone?

djcool563 · 03/16/2006, 04:48 PM

Doesnt anyone else have experince with these?

Jeffie · 03/17/2006, 01:52 PM

I've used them in the past and have been very happy with them. They are a little older now so you should be able to get one for rather cheap. If that's the case I say go for it!

justinzimm · 03/17/2006, 02:23 PM

I've used them allot. Both the large and small sizes. I currently use them on 2 aquariums that house corals. Both seem to be doing well and I've had no problems with the skimmer. As said above they aren't the newest of design but seem to work well. One mod you can make is to remove and update the venturi on the skimmer. The one that comes with it is not the best.

Justin

Shoestring Reefer · 03/29/2006, 08:09 AM

I have used one on my 125. I got it for frww because the bottom was busted up, and it was missing a few pieces. I got it to work ok, it definately skimmed some crud. But I'm just using macro algae for export, now.

IMO the three things that may be "better" with a newer skimmer:
-Newer skimmers have better venturis (as Justin mentioned) but you could also use a needle wheel pump, and if you go that route then the venturi doesn't matter that much anyways.
-Newer skimmers have clear bodies so yo can see the skimming goodness. TopFathoms have white PVC bodies.
-The better new skimmers have a recirc pump. Because of the TopFathom's PVC body, adding a recirc line would be pretty easy.

I agree with jeffie, if it's cheap then you should buy one.

cw150 · 03/29/2006, 10:29 AM

I have a TF300. I have about 220 total gallons in my system and it seems to do the job. The only bad thing about the skimmer is the collection cup, which is poorly designed IMO. The drain outlet is a POS that easily cracks and leaks.

03/15/2006, 07:38 PM	#1
djcool563 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NE OHIO Posts: 1,233	How good are Top Fathom skimmers? Hello i was wondering how good of a brand the Top Fathom skimmers are. I have a chance to get one and wanted to know if its worth it. Thanks DJ __________________ " A man truly at peace with himself has the potential to do something, but the ablility not to" "Think not why the sky is blue but instead think that the sky is blue for a reason" Some of my quotes Current Tank Info: 55g with 250w MH 14k bulb with 2 110w VHOs

03/15/2006, 07:47 PM	#3
djcool563 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NE OHIO Posts: 1,233	Thanks anyone else? __________________ " A man truly at peace with himself has the potential to do something, but the ablility not to" "Think not why the sky is blue but instead think that the sky is blue for a reason" Some of my quotes Current Tank Info: 55g with 250w MH 14k bulb with 2 110w VHOs

03/15/2006, 08:16 PM	#4
djcool563 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NE OHIO Posts: 1,233	bump __________________ " A man truly at peace with himself has the potential to do something, but the ablility not to" "Think not why the sky is blue but instead think that the sky is blue for a reason" Some of my quotes Current Tank Info: 55g with 250w MH 14k bulb with 2 110w VHOs

03/15/2006, 11:36 PM	#5
djcool563 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NE OHIO Posts: 1,233	anyone? __________________ " A man truly at peace with himself has the potential to do something, but the ablility not to" "Think not why the sky is blue but instead think that the sky is blue for a reason" Some of my quotes Current Tank Info: 55g with 250w MH 14k bulb with 2 110w VHOs

03/16/2006, 04:48 PM	#6
djcool563 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NE OHIO Posts: 1,233	Doesnt anyone else have experince with these? __________________ " A man truly at peace with himself has the potential to do something, but the ablility not to" "Think not why the sky is blue but instead think that the sky is blue for a reason" Some of my quotes Current Tank Info: 55g with 250w MH 14k bulb with 2 110w VHOs

03/15/2006, 07:46 PM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	I have one on my 125 gallon and the thing kicks ***, it does a awesome job. I would reccomend it.

03/17/2006, 01:52 PM	#7
Jeffie Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,187	I've used them in the past and have been very happy with them. They are a little older now so you should be able to get one for rather cheap. If that's the case I say go for it!

03/17/2006, 02:23 PM	#8
justinzimm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 427	I've used them allot. Both the large and small sizes. I currently use them on 2 aquariums that house corals. Both seem to be doing well and I've had no problems with the skimmer. As said above they aren't the newest of design but seem to work well. One mod you can make is to remove and update the venturi on the skimmer. The one that comes with it is not the best. Justin

03/29/2006, 08:09 AM	#9
Shoestring Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Westerly, RI Posts: 4,989	I have used one on my 125. I got it for frww because the bottom was busted up, and it was missing a few pieces. I got it to work ok, it definately skimmed some crud. But I'm just using macro algae for export, now. IMO the three things that may be "better" with a newer skimmer: -Newer skimmers have better venturis (as Justin mentioned) but you could also use a needle wheel pump, and if you go that route then the venturi doesn't matter that much anyways. -Newer skimmers have clear bodies so yo can see the skimming goodness. TopFathoms have white PVC bodies. -The better new skimmers have a recirc pump. Because of the TopFathom's PVC body, adding a recirc line would be pretty easy. I agree with jeffie, if it's cheap then you should buy one. __________________ Mike Reefcentral Folding@Home team 37251 - Click my little red house to learn more and help medical science! Current Tank Info: 2, 20-gal low tech tanks

03/29/2006, 10:29 AM	#10
cw150 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: nw suburbs chicago Posts: 330	I have a TF300. I have about 220 total gallons in my system and it seems to do the job. The only bad thing about the skimmer is the collection cup, which is poorly designed IMO. The drain outlet is a POS that easily cracks and leaks.