Super Skimmer

[Sinclair9]

I currently have a 75 gallon tank with a Seaclone 100 skimmer. I was looking at purchasing a new skimmer because I do not believe this one does a great job at removing nutrients. I am looking at the Super-Skimmer-Needle-Wheel-Up to 125 gal. Does anyone have any experience with this skimmer, is it worth the money, will I see an improvement from my current skimmer? If this one in no good would someone mind recomending one for a similair price range? I do not want to spend more the $200. Currently my tank has 2 clowns, a domino damsel, 4 bubble tip anemones, long spine urchin, and one torch coral. I have roughly 60 pounds of live rock. I am looking to get another fish or two soon and possibly some more corals. Thanks in advance.

[Bandsaw]

I have the CSS 125 on my 75. I really wish I had gone with the 220.

I had to redo the water output to keep it from overflowing. I also had to rerplace the RIO pump that came with it as it did what RIO pumps are best at - scewing up and electrifing my tank. I replaced it with a GenX 2400 Needle Wheel.

Also took some time to break in and find that majic water level spot. Once I found it, my 125 sure does pull some lord awfull junk out of my tank.

I have some pictures at http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e145/bandsaw/ if you want to see some of my CSS 125 setup.

[Andrew]

CSS skimmers work pretty good for the money. Heres what my 65 pulled out:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f390/Evanish4/Picture-001dryskimmate1.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f390/Evanish4/Picture-001dryskimmate2.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f390/Evanish4/Picture-001dryskimmate3.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f390/Evanish4/Picture-001dryskimmate4.jpg

[Sinclair9]

How exactly did it overflow? It looks like you have it set up in a sump, I plan on having it as a hang on skimmer, would I still have to worry about overflowing? How much did you have to pay for the gen x needle wheel, and where did you get it? Why did you wish you had the bigger model?

[Bandsaw]

Well, the first time it overflowed, it was because of a water change. The second time is when I took my turkey baster to my rockwork.

The CSS125 was also overflowing just because it wanted to surge ahead. Many people gave opinions on why. Mostly due to backpressure on the effluent side of the skimmer. Some claimed it was because the RIO pump just liked to surge. That is why I made the PVC mod. It has never overflowed because of surging since.

Here is one link to the GenX 2400 Needle Wheel pump.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=GEN-X2400-MOD&Category_Code=MAK4

I can't remember if I got mine there, but I think so.

I wish I got the bigger model now basically because I look at what the 125 pulls out of the tank now. If it pulls that much all the time, then perhaps a larger model would do a better job.

[Sinclair9]

Which is better, the 220 venturi, or the 220 needle wheel? And what is the main difference? I am thinking of getting the 220 because apparently it does not come with the rio pump. Thanks.

[Bandsaw]

220 Venturi? Did not know they made one without a needle wheel pump. As far as I know, the venturi is simply part of the 220 (and the 125 and the 65) as you need that air injection to drive the bubble production. The needle wheel simply takes the air bubles created by the venturi input and breaks them up more finally.

Not sure if I answered anything for you. Hope it helps.

[KEstep]

I buy the Venturi 220's when I plan to mod them with a recirculating pump. If you are just going to use it as it is out of the box get the Needlewheel version.

[garyw68]

Hey bandsaw, I am looking to replace my pump for the CSS 125 as well. Are you happy with the Gen-X 2400? Is that pump more powerful than the pump that came with the CSS125?

[Bandsaw]

I've been happy with it thus far. I think the GenX is rated slightly higher than the pump that comes with the CS125.

Coralife claims the pump that comes with the CS125 is a 500gph. The GenX is a 2400 lph (divide by 4.6 yeilds 520 gph).

[garyw68]

Thanks Jeffrey!!.....that’s all I needed. I have been looking for a replacement since I bought the CSS. I have looked up the GenX and it is reasonable in price. I am ordering tonight. Thanks again.

[garyw68]

Oh yes...one more thing. I noticed your sump is in your basement. Is the pump quit? Mine would be in my living room.