Skimmer questions before OCD [Archive] - Reef Central Online Community

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Lemeshianos

07/26/2010, 04:06 AM

I need to ask a few skimmer questions since I plan on trying OCD.

My skimmer is an Aquamedic Turboflotor 1000 Blue (http://www.marinedepot.com/Aqua_Medic_Turboflotor_1000_Blue_Hang_On_Skimmer_Hang_On_Venturi_Needle_Wheel_Protein_Skimmers-Aqua_Medic_USA-AQ1115-FIPSHONW-vi.html)

This one is rated for up to 500Litres(132 gallons)
My tank is 75-80 gallons including the sump volume.

At the moment I only have LR in the tank and sand bed. I plan to have a mixed reef(no SPS until I know I can handle it).

So after a visit to a LFS(different than the one that sold me the skimmer) the owner told be that I could barely run a mixed reef and it was a good idea if I upgraded but I think he just wanted to sell me a new skimmer.
What do you guys think. Is this skimmer good to use for a mixed reef 75 gallon tank or was the LFS owner right?

Next question: I plan to start OCD because I have some high nitrates that I want to drop. I did two water changes of 1/6 of the tanks volume each change(20 gallons total for both changes) my nitrates dropped from 30 to 25.
I know that the right way is to do water changes now that there are no animals in the tank, but I wanted to check OCD and what are the effects.

So if I use OCD and continue to use it even after adding livestock in the tank, how will this affect my skimmer efficiency. Will it still be good to use for a mixed reef or will I need to upgrade?

Chris27

07/26/2010, 05:13 AM

It's not the best skimmer out there, but it will work. I'm with the LFS owner though, if you have a sump, give some thought to getting an internal sump mounted skimmer, they are much more efficient then HOB skimmers. Ocotopus, Bubble Magnus, MSX, and SWC all make good affordable skimmers, so they may be worth checking into.

Lemeshianos

07/26/2010, 05:20 AM

This skimmer is in the sump. It's not hanged.
Though I have plans for a DIY skimmer(missing the pump).

Is it a good idea to run 2 skimmers or should only one skimmer run?

Palting

07/26/2010, 06:57 AM

I have the Aquamedic Turboflotor multi. Very sensitive to water levels, otherwise seems to be working well. Half a cup of dark skimate every several days. It is my first skimmer, thiugh, and the tank seems to be doing well. How do you gauge whether a skimmer is doing well or not?

Lemeshianos

07/26/2010, 08:02 AM

IluvGod'sreefs

07/26/2010, 08:05 AM

My Vertex IN-80 rocks! It really pulls some nasty looking nog, and the best part--it cost under $200.00 You should go to Premium Aquatics and check them out. The IN-100 would do a great job on your tank.

Lemeshianos

07/26/2010, 08:13 AM

I'm not from the US. I wish I could buy the products you get at the same prices here, but we are a rather small market and the price is a bit higher.

Palting

07/26/2010, 08:15 AM

I have set the water/foam level to be at exactly the middle of the tube leading to the collection cup. I get a light brown color skimate every 3-4 days but I have no bioload. The cup cover is a darker shade of brown.
Maybe I am skimming too wet?

Where should the water level be?

And when I clean the cup, do I wash the collection cup or should I just empty it?

Yeah, that's a little too wet. Skimate should be very dark coffee colored. I set my foam/bubble water level in the middle tube just above the level of the bottom of the cup. With no bioload, no feeding, I doubt you'll get too much skimate yet.

I clean the whole cup whenever I empty it, to include the neck and middle tube. Stinks to high heavens. Otherwise the cup and tube get a thick, dark slime coat. Keeping everything clean keeps it more efficient that way, and you can more easily see the the water level, too.

Lemeshianos

07/26/2010, 08:40 AM

Ok. i guess that's why the skimmate doesn't stink. No bioload!
Still waiting for the chiller and lights to arrive before I try adding anything. Temperature is around 93 in the tank.