Best BC29 Protein Skimmer?

[Thizzelle686]

I am seriously considering buying a protein skimmer for my 29 gallon biocube. The three that i am considering are the Tunze 9002, Sapphire Aquatics BC29R Skimmer, and the Biocube nano protein skimmer. Which skimmer do you have and what are the pros and cons. Thanks for the help.

[Thizzelle686]

Come on guys!! No one has a protein skimmer in their BC29's???

[Kanthus]

I have a BC14 and was actually wondering the same thing.

[ezcompany]

you're comparing a recirculating (nano) skimmer to a airstone skimmer. there is no contest, hands down the Sapphire will be better than the Biocube skimmer. As for the Tunze 9002, I have not been impressed by its performance. Recirc skimmers are also more efficient so my recommendation is the Sapphire BC29R skimmer for your set up.

[Thizzelle686]

What exactly is the difference between the two?

[Kanthus]

Anyone know if the Sapphire would work in a BC 14? What are the dementions?

[ezcompany]

air bubble is a air tube, where air is forced from the tube to an air stone. as water passes the airstone over time the airstone will get clogged. recirculating skimmers have a separate pump for it to recirculate water within the skimmer multiple times before it is returned to the sump or the aquarium.

"While there is a popular belief among some aquarist that this recirculation increases the dwell or contact time of the generated air bubbles within the skimmer there is no authoritative evidence that this is true. Each time water is recirculated within the skimmer any air bubbles in that water sample are destroyed and new bubbles are generated by the recirculating pump venturi apparatus so the air-water contact time begins again for these newly created bubbles. In non-recirculating skimmer designs, a skimmer has one inlet supplied by a pump that pulls water in from the aquarium and injects it with air into the skimmer and releasing the foam or air/water mix into the reaction chamber. With a recirculating design, the one inlet is usually driven by a separate feed pump, or in some cases may be gravity fed, to receive the dirty water to process, while the pump providing the foam or air/water mix into the reaction chamber is set up separately in a closed loop on the side of the skimmer. The recirculating pump pulls water out of the skimmer and injects air to generate the foam or air/water mix before returning it to the skimmer reaction chamber -- thus 'recirculating' it. The feed pump in a recirculating design typically injects a smaller amount of dirty water than co/counter-current designs. The separate feed pump allows easy control of the rate of water exchange through the skimmer and for many aquarists this is one of the important attractions of recirculating skimmer designs."

[reef_dude76]

I have a Tunze 9002 DOC in my BC29. It works great. The trick is maintaining a consistent water level, which means topoffs or an ATO. I have heard alot of complaints about the Sapphire Skimmers leaking microbubbles back to the display as well as mixed reviews as to their performance. In the end, you'll find alot of folks that have had good and bad luck with both the Tunze and the Sapphire. If you go with the Tunze you will need to mod the second chamber to get it to fit, the Sapphire is drop in.

[sarandinakiap]

Do you even need a protein skimmer in BC 29

[reef_dude76]

No, not if you keep up with your water changes.

[MalHavoc]

Hey, reef_dude76 - did you know that you were using one of my photos for your avatar? Not that I mind - just thought that I'd mention it :)

[chrisdamage]

I have a Sapphire Skimmer in my NC6... it works great and pulls out a ton of nasty skimmate. After a short break-in period, there were no micro bubbles. I would back Sapphire 110%. I've also heard good things about their BC29R Skimmer(thats the recirculating skimmer designed for the Bio-Cube 29gal).

Check out nanocustoms.com for prices on them.

[noobwithatank]

i myself am waiting for the new "euro reef" nano skimmer :)

[chrisdamage]

I too have heard great things about this skimmer... I can't wait.

[reef_dude76]

Hey, reef_dude76 - did you know that you were using one of my photos for your avatar? Not that I mind - just thought that I'd mention it

Really? I don't see it in your RC gallery. I found it doing a google photo search months ago, if you want I can quit using it.

[mksalt]

Another option is a skimmer made by CPR. It's the SR3.

[Daveyboi]

I have a JBJ 24 gal Nano Cube and just switched from a Sapphire to a Tunze 9002 after using the Sapphire for 7 months. I feel the Tunze is a better performer between the two.


:D
Dave

[MalHavoc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11282620#post11282620 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reef_dude76
Really? I don't see it in your RC gallery. I found it doing a google photo search months ago, if you want I can quit using it.

No, no - go ahead. It's fine. I just got a kick out of seeing my photo. The original was here:

http://malhavoc.homeunix.com/TankLogger/showInfo.php?livestock_id=29

[TexasTodd]

Best small skimmer = Deltec.

:)

Todd

[mksalt]

Can all of these proposed skimmers be used in chamber two of a BC29 with the lid closed?

[reef_dude76]

Sapphire and Tunze can. Sapphire is drop in, the Tunze requires a few cuts to the factory molding to get the collection cup to fit, but otherwise it isn't to difficult to get in.

[hypertech]

I got rid of the BC29R because it was too noisy. I got a 9002 instead and I'm very happy with it. It pulls out at least as much if not more than the BC29R did and it costs less. Definitely go with the Tunze.

[BC29]

reef_dude 76 - Do you have pictures of your mod on the second chamber to make the collection cup fit?

[mksalt]

I may go try the CPR SR3

[bella127]

Get it !!, I have the CPR SR3, it is way better than the sapphire , you have to drop the false floor in the middle chamber and all of the bioballs have to come out , basically clear out the middle chamber .Mine works like a champ. here are some pics.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r156/Prand15/SR3Skimmer.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r156/Prand15/IMG_0052-1.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r156/Prand15/IMG_0053.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r156/Prand15/IMG_0050.jpg
here is 3 days worth of protein
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r156/Prand15/IMG_0056.jpg

[mksalt]

I see you still use the filter cartridge. Any issues with water flow keeping up with the return pump in chamber three?

Another question. You say you had to drop the false floor in chamber two. How is that done? Easy to do with the tank already in use?

What are you keeping in the tank? More pics please.

[bella127]

All you have to do is push down on one corner and it comes out.Very easy.Can do it while it is still running.Here is my tank.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r156/Prand15/IMG_0072.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r156/Prand15/IMG_0073.jpg

[bella127]

The filter cartridge ; I ripped out and use the frame and put my own filter media in its place , I replace every week.Empty skimmer cup every three days

[mksalt]

Looks good. I like it.

How about my water flow question?

Your keeping 3 fish and a cleanup crew? How often do you have to clean the cup?

You upgraded the lights?

I like the rock shelf at the top. Star polyps not opening that day?

[bella127]

check out my post
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1273904