newbie here need help deciding Skimmer brand...

[pogiboy67]

hi there i recently just bought a 75 gallon tank.... would a 20 gallon tank work as a refugium/ sump with skimmer??? 20% of 75 is only 15.... And what brand submersible skimmer do you guys recommend? i have about 300 dollars for this.... and id want one most efficient and QUIET... thanks!

[Andrew]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

20 gallon tank would be good for a sump and fuge. As for the skimmer, I would get the new coralife super skimmers. Very cheap and work wonders! Get the 125 model. These skimmers work as good as the ones you pay a couple hundred for. I would just the 125 model.

http://www.petsolutions.com/Coralife+Needle+Wheel+Skimmer-I-96333000-I-C-40002062-C-.aspx

[Alou]

Euroreef IMO is the way to go they are quiet and work very well.

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_protein_skimmers_euro-reef_es_cs_sedra.asp?CartId=

[pogiboy67]

thanks guys...anymore opinions? whats the brand everyone on this board usually uses?

[jakano]

this thread will soon go to the skimmer debate file but i will highly recommend the asm line of skimmers.they are clones of the euroreef but they cost far less.they even use the same sedra needle wheel pumps.they are on sale here and come with free shipping.

http://www.saltycritter.com/skimmers-asm.htm

[Andrew]

Euros reefs just cost alot and work the same as other skimmers. I have a cheap knock-off skimmer I got for very cheap. Heres the skimmate:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/Evanish/2005_1106s5000220006.jpg

[brbegle]

Not to pose another question, but I already dove head first into a Aquarium Systems SeaClone 100 for my 29 gal tank ... did I make the wrong decision or will that do the job? Thanks for any help in advance!

[annanymous]

well im very happy with my ASM 2, and i have in my 20g sump, but i have a separate fuge. it will be a bit hard to fit a skimmer, fuge and a return pump into a 20g, unless you are thinking of a 20L, but that is not deep enough.

if you want to use the tank as a fuge only, then you need to decide what you need the fuge for: nitrate removal, pod reproduction, or a biofilter using LR. the last one i just heard about so dont know much. if you want your fuge for nitate or nitrite [can never quiet remeber which one it is] then you need it to be as close as possible to 30% of your MT. if only for pods then any size is good.

good luck

[Andrew]

Originally posted by brbegle
Not to pose another question, but I already dove head first into a Aquarium Systems SeaClone 100 for my 29 gal tank ... did I make the wrong decision or will that do the job? Thanks for any help in advance!

seaClone skimmers are cheap for a reason. They don't skim much and when they do, the skimmate isn't dark at all.

[pogiboy67]

ok im going to go with either

Euro REEF

or

AquaC EV Series Protein Skimmers

and my SUMP is a 20 gallon. 30 x 12 x 12.... So wont this work with one of those skimmers? my fuge will probably hold chaeto and pods cuz i want a mandarin.....

[pogiboy67]

anyone?

[chrisp074]

Give this a read-
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i1/protein_skimmer_impressions.htm
-Chris

[simion3]

I have an ER and I love it my vote goes ER.

[MCary]

I have an AquaC ev 180. Now while it works, I have not seen, nor would I give it the reviews I have seen on the ER. ER seems to be much more plug and play. AquaC EV can be touchy.

[PoukieBear]

Whatever you do, DO NOT buy a Prizm.

[KAiNE]

I have an AquaC EV240, touchy... yes. Once you get the "feel" of it, simple.

I pull 8 to 12 oz's of black/chunky skimmate every 24 hrs.
Being happy with your choice of equipment is 90% of it IMHO.

[Avi]

I can't vouch for Euroreef though they have a great reputation. I didn't get one because they didn't offer an skimmate overflow canister for when I go on a vacation. I can vouch for the Aqua-C EVs...I have an EV-180 and it is very efficient and silent. And my neighbor doesn't have to clean my skimmer when he takes care of the tank while I'm away.

[brbegle]

Back to the moron who bought the flippin' SeaClone ... I have this 29 gallon tank in a tight space with no room for a sump so I feel that I'm very limited in my options for now. I don't plan on going too huge for a while with the fancy items outside my current assortment of LR and some fish that will benefit the system .. the question is, will I get by .. it seems to be pulling a nice amount of medium brown skimmate (for lack of a better description) already, but nothing like you all are describing .. more like the color of tea than coffee. Is there perhaps a way I can improve upon the skimmer, for instance with the needle valve, to make it get by or am I just doomed? In my extremely humble opinion I've got great motion in the tank between the 3 powerheads, the hanging filter (carbon and sponge) and the hang-on SeaClone 100. If it matters at all, my lighting system is approximately 130w with 10k and acitinic and I have a base of 30lbs (I know it's a bit on the heavy side) of crushed coral. The tank was originally set up about 2 1/2 weeks ago and the LR was added about 2 weeks ago.

[dunham16]

i have asm g-3 and love ,very affordable as well.

[scrmbld33]

asm g3!!!! www.asmskimmer.com

[pogiboy67]

OK GUYS i decided to go with a EURO reef RS series rated for a 75 gallon tank.... when i got home and plugged in the pump (not in water yet)... SHOULD i be hearing a wobbling noise from the propeller? its pretty loud....is it normal ? cuz i know when its under water..the sound might die out.. OR DO I HAVE A FAULTY PUMP for my skimmer? thanks

[bertoni]

You're not supposed to run the pump out of the water, I think. That tends to damage them. You could put it in the kitchen sink, under water, and run it down a drain, if you have one.

[clownaround]

do not run it out of water. By the way good choice you get what you pay for

[pogiboy67]

all right...yeah i only ran it like twice for a a few seconds..... but i paid about 285 at my LFS

[pogiboy67]

yeah i was reading its only bad to run it out of water due to the fact of over heating which isnt covered in the warranty... But i will put it in a 10 gallon tank and see the results... thanks!

[bertoni]

Be careful with splashes, etc. That pump is pretty strong for a 10g tank when the venturi isn't operating.