Skimmer Q&A Thread - Page 5

mojo~ · 03/17/2009, 02:18 PM

I am not really a fan of either one of those skimmers. The bubble magnus is a better choice than the marineland skimmer but would go with a msx 160 over those to by far. or even vertex IN 100 gen 2

reeferkeeper · 03/17/2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mojo~
I am not really a fan of either one of those skimmers. The bubble magnus is a better choice than the marineland skimmer but would go with a msx 160 over those to by far. or even vertex IN 100 gen 2

I really like the Vertex IN-100 Gen II but I was trying to save some jack. I am upgrading from a used Coralife CSS65 that came with the tank and sump and all. Maybe that's one of the reasons the seller sold. He probably couldn't get that skimmer to work properly and maybe always added chemicals and stuff instead of just getting a decent skimmer.

mojo~ · 03/19/2009, 10:30 AM

I will be out of town till sat evening. So be patient if I cant get back to you al right away. I am sure others like CSMguy ect.... can chime in and give a hand. I am really liking the Large Purple Pinwheel (ATB) on the MSX 160. I might order the other one from Reefspecialty, the small one, and give it a shot as well. So much nicer than the mesh.Once I get another skimmer in to review I had planned on making some changes to my 160 but I don't think it will handle much more air than what I am giving it now. I might have to get a 200 body or another cone to really do some magic on my sicce. I have seen the warner Marine sicce pull 42 scfh. Now I don't have all their resources but I have quite a few. well until Saturday. And if you haven't ordered your pinwheel for your sicce pump. Well what a Huge difference. I wish these pinwheels came stock.
Also only about a week or two out on the new alpha 250 Vertex cone skimmer. That should be a really nice unit. Thanks to premium aquatics for letting me review this one . Jeremy has been great. Not to mention... I only live an hour and a half away.
And after that not much planned. I am thinking maybe an ATB of some sort. I am really liking there pinwheel so if the rest of the skimmer is that good I am sure I will be pleased.

Mojo~

Tracey2 · 03/21/2009, 03:54 PM

Has anyone here used the ASM G3? Any opinions?

TheNomadRhodes · 03/21/2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tracey2
Has anyone here used the ASM G3? Any opinions?

I have the G2 and I liked it, its no Deltec! but a good Skimmer.
I have a G2 i'm trying to sell now that I upgrade to this monster skimmer

Also I was wondering what is every ones opinions on Dry skimming Vs Wet skimming? any real difference?

GSMguy · 03/21/2009, 06:38 PM

ASM are like 2001's version MSX/octo extreme, for the money they just don't offer the value that they once did and there are plenty of cheaper better skimmers.

mojo~ · 03/22/2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GSMguy
ASM are like 2001's version MSX/octo extreme, for the money they just don't offer the value that they once did and there are plenty of cheaper better skimmers.

I totally agree....ASM are a it dated.

Charlie Davidson · 03/22/2009, 09:28 PM

If i got the 280 vertex.. and wanted to replace pump with another make.. What size is the piping on discharge of the pump- into the skimmer??

( I just sold a ASM G3, I am 100% sure new owner will love it as much as I did!) Dated yes, work well? yes ( no longer best bang for the buck!)

Tracey2 · 03/23/2009, 05:58 AM

Is the ASM G3 big enough for a 150g dt, 40g sump, 20g fuge?

dpitzer · 03/25/2009, 09:07 AM

Hi my first post here!

I sold my last reef tank in 2001 and many things have changed since then. I just ordered a new 400G glass tank from AO and am looking for some guidance on a skimmer. I am leaning towards a bubbleking, but would like to hear if I should go with and external or internal skimmer. I am expecting to have a 90 - 100g sump, an 80g refugium and a 40g frag tank. I also like to stock a little on the heavy side so please keep that in mind.

Other than BubbleKing what else would you guys recommend?

Thanks!

Dave

mojo~ · 03/25/2009, 10:33 AM

When you get into the larger systems the playing field for pinwheel skimmers and becket style skimmer are leveled out a bit. Bubble king would be great no doubt there. You might want to look at the Hurricone CAT 2 or maybe the new vertex Alpha 250 cone. I think both of those would be a bit on the small side . Another that would be cheaper alternative would be the Octo X 350 and upgrade the pinwheels to the ATB large. THat would move a good amount of water and pull around 90 scfh of air. Skimmer is $650 and 3 ATB pinwheels would be about $90 more. Stock pinwheels will pull about 60 scfh(20 each pump) ATB smalls will 25 each and large about 30 each. So you could fine tune your skimmer the way you want. I hope this give you some more choices. And the ATB Large would work well too. You will have to take a look at them all and see what you think will work best for you.

dustinP · 03/25/2009, 11:05 AM

would a ATI bubble master 200 or 250 be a good choice on a 120 dominated by SPS with some clams and LPS

mojo~ · 03/30/2009, 08:20 AM

the 200 would make a great choice. However for the money I would look at the msx 200. or the WM as 200. not sure what your budget is. But those two are close in price to the ati. Wm about same , the msx cheaper.

yeldarbj · 04/05/2009, 01:24 PM

Mojo, since you are probably the only person who has tried them both, what would be your choice between the ATB Econo 840 and the WM K-2 skimmers for a 150g total volume, fully stocked, sps dominant reef?

I know you really like the ATB currently, but you also really liked the K-2 as well when you had it. I worry a bit that the ATB could be undersized and the K-2 oversized. Is that a concern?

mojo~ · 04/05/2009, 02:21 PM

I would not say that as the pump is the same on them both. Same block anyways. So the air and water they cycle will be similar. THe K2 pulls more air and has a larger body. I would say the k2 would be better with the larger body you would get a little longer contact time. However the ATB takes the sicce a step further with a custom volute. If you are set on a cone for a little more you could go with the ATB 1050 or the alpha 250. I dont think the K2 will be oversized at all. The atb's pump is a big deal to me as it solves the restarting the wrong direction that one might see with other sicce pumps. THe bottom line is they are both great skimmers. I shut mine off everyday when I feed. So the pump starting is a big deal to me. I do like the gate valve that the k2 has on it over the wedge pipe on the ATB. If I could take what I like about them both and put them together then I would have the best ofboth worlds. I hope that this helps.
Mojo~

yeldarbj · 04/05/2009, 02:30 PM

Thanks. You've mentioned the Sicce restarting issue several times. Did you have any trouble with it on the K2? I typically don't shut off the skimmer when feeding.

mojo~ · 04/05/2009, 03:11 PM

I use my dwyer to tell what direction it starts on all my sicce pump skimmers, MSX, octoX, and the K2. MY K2 pulled about 38 to 40 scfh forward and about 30 scfh in reverse. MY octo and msx sicce skimmers puled about 35 scfh on mesh forward and about 22 in reverse. Just to give you an example. Great skimmers but for me it was about a 50/50 shot.if you dont turn it of but to clean its probably not a big deal. But its too much work for me to check it twice a day as I shut my done to feed.

yeldarbj · 04/05/2009, 03:49 PM

And for reference, what's the ATB pulling?

mojo~ · 04/05/2009, 08:21 PM

small pin wheel is about 700 lph about 24 scfh, The large pinwheel puls about 32 to 34 scfh. But stock its about 24 scfh. Remeber though its not just about the air draw. ITs about a balance of air water and skimmer design.

Buganddoug · 04/12/2009, 08:01 AM

Mojo, Do you have any good tips that I should know for my new WM K-2 skimmer? I have it in seven inches of water. Any info would be great.
Daniel

vanillagorila · 04/12/2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mojo~
small pin wheel is about 700 lph about 24 scfh, The large pinwheel puls about 32 to 34 scfh. But stock its about 24 scfh. Remeber though its not just about the air draw. ITs about a balance of air water and skimmer design.

what model air meter are you using?

mojo~ · 04/12/2009, 03:44 PM

Ill have to go look at it. I am going to sell it as I ordered another one that will go to 100 scfh

vanillagorila · 04/12/2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mojo~
Ill have to go look at it. I am going to sell it as I ordered another one that will go to 100 scfh

thats what I need. one that goes up to 100 to test my airstar.

mojo~ · 04/12/2009, 06:45 PM

the one i ordered is a Air RMB-53-SSV

vanillagorila · 04/12/2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mojo~
the one i ordered is a Air RMB-53-SSV

thanks mojo, thats the one I was looking at.

03/17/2009, 02:18 PM	#101
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	I am not really a fan of either one of those skimmers. The bubble magnus is a better choice than the marineland skimmer but would go with a msx 160 over those to by far. or even vertex IN 100 gen 2 __________________ Mojo~

03/19/2009, 10:30 AM	#103
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	I will be out of town till sat evening. So be patient if I cant get back to you al right away. I am sure others like CSMguy ect.... can chime in and give a hand. I am really liking the Large Purple Pinwheel (ATB) on the MSX 160. I might order the other one from Reefspecialty, the small one, and give it a shot as well. So much nicer than the mesh.Once I get another skimmer in to review I had planned on making some changes to my 160 but I don't think it will handle much more air than what I am giving it now. I might have to get a 200 body or another cone to really do some magic on my sicce. I have seen the warner Marine sicce pull 42 scfh. Now I don't have all their resources but I have quite a few. well until Saturday. And if you haven't ordered your pinwheel for your sicce pump. Well what a Huge difference. I wish these pinwheels came stock. Also only about a week or two out on the new alpha 250 Vertex cone skimmer. That should be a really nice unit. Thanks to premium aquatics for letting me review this one . Jeremy has been great. Not to mention... I only live an hour and a half away. And after that not much planned. I am thinking maybe an ATB of some sort. I am really liking there pinwheel so if the rest of the skimmer is that good I am sure I will be pleased. Mojo~ __________________ Mojo~

03/21/2009, 06:38 PM	#106
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	ASM are like 2001's version MSX/octo extreme, for the money they just don't offer the value that they once did and there are plenty of cheaper better skimmers. __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

03/22/2009, 09:28 PM	#108
Charlie Davidson Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Deltaville , Va Posts: 10,977	If i got the 280 vertex.. and wanted to replace pump with another make.. What size is the piping on discharge of the pump- into the skimmer?? ( I just sold a ASM G3, I am 100% sure new owner will love it as much as I did!) Dated yes, work well? yes ( no longer best bang for the buck!) __________________ Richmond Reef Club Current Tank Info: Doing without for a while :)

03/25/2009, 10:33 AM	#111
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	When you get into the larger systems the playing field for pinwheel skimmers and becket style skimmer are leveled out a bit. Bubble king would be great no doubt there. You might want to look at the Hurricone CAT 2 or maybe the new vertex Alpha 250 cone. I think both of those would be a bit on the small side . Another that would be cheaper alternative would be the Octo X 350 and upgrade the pinwheels to the ATB large. THat would move a good amount of water and pull around 90 scfh of air. Skimmer is $650 and 3 ATB pinwheels would be about $90 more. Stock pinwheels will pull about 60 scfh(20 each pump) ATB smalls will 25 each and large about 30 each. So you could fine tune your skimmer the way you want. I hope this give you some more choices. And the ATB Large would work well too. You will have to take a look at them all and see what you think will work best for you. __________________ Mojo~

03/21/2009, 03:54 PM	#104
Tracey2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 860	Has anyone here used the ASM G3? Any opinions?

03/23/2009, 05:58 AM	#109
Tracey2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 860	Is the ASM G3 big enough for a 150g dt, 40g sump, 20g fuge?

03/25/2009, 09:07 AM	#110
dpitzer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: West Virginia Posts: 4	Hi my first post here! I sold my last reef tank in 2001 and many things have changed since then. I just ordered a new 400G glass tank from AO and am looking for some guidance on a skimmer. I am leaning towards a bubbleking, but would like to hear if I should go with and external or internal skimmer. I am expecting to have a 90 - 100g sump, an 80g refugium and a 40g frag tank. I also like to stock a little on the heavy side so please keep that in mind. Other than BubbleKing what else would you guys recommend? Thanks! Dave

03/25/2009, 11:05 AM	#112
dustinP Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: marietta, ga Posts: 268	would a ATI bubble master 200 or 250 be a good choice on a 120 dominated by SPS with some clams and LPS

03/30/2009, 08:20 AM	#113
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	the 200 would make a great choice. However for the money I would look at the msx 200. or the WM as 200. not sure what your budget is. But those two are close in price to the ati. Wm about same , the msx cheaper. __________________ Mojo~

04/05/2009, 01:24 PM	#114
yeldarbj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,295	Mojo, since you are probably the only person who has tried them both, what would be your choice between the ATB Econo 840 and the WM K-2 skimmers for a 150g total volume, fully stocked, sps dominant reef? I know you really like the ATB currently, but you also really liked the K-2 as well when you had it. I worry a bit that the ATB could be undersized and the K-2 oversized. Is that a concern?

04/05/2009, 02:21 PM	#115
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	I would not say that as the pump is the same on them both. Same block anyways. So the air and water they cycle will be similar. THe K2 pulls more air and has a larger body. I would say the k2 would be better with the larger body you would get a little longer contact time. However the ATB takes the sicce a step further with a custom volute. If you are set on a cone for a little more you could go with the ATB 1050 or the alpha 250. I dont think the K2 will be oversized at all. The atb's pump is a big deal to me as it solves the restarting the wrong direction that one might see with other sicce pumps. THe bottom line is they are both great skimmers. I shut mine off everyday when I feed. So the pump starting is a big deal to me. I do like the gate valve that the k2 has on it over the wedge pipe on the ATB. If I could take what I like about them both and put them together then I would have the best ofboth worlds. I hope that this helps. Mojo~ __________________ Mojo~

04/05/2009, 02:30 PM	#116
yeldarbj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,295	Thanks. You've mentioned the Sicce restarting issue several times. Did you have any trouble with it on the K2? I typically don't shut off the skimmer when feeding.

04/05/2009, 03:11 PM	#117
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	I use my dwyer to tell what direction it starts on all my sicce pump skimmers, MSX, octoX, and the K2. MY K2 pulled about 38 to 40 scfh forward and about 30 scfh in reverse. MY octo and msx sicce skimmers puled about 35 scfh on mesh forward and about 22 in reverse. Just to give you an example. Great skimmers but for me it was about a 50/50 shot.if you dont turn it of but to clean its probably not a big deal. But its too much work for me to check it twice a day as I shut my done to feed. __________________ Mojo~

04/05/2009, 03:49 PM	#118
yeldarbj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,295	And for reference, what's the ATB pulling?

04/05/2009, 08:21 PM	#119
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	small pin wheel is about 700 lph about 24 scfh, The large pinwheel puls about 32 to 34 scfh. But stock its about 24 scfh. Remeber though its not just about the air draw. ITs about a balance of air water and skimmer design. __________________ Mojo~

04/12/2009, 08:01 AM	#120
Buganddoug X NJRC Vice President Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastampton NJ Posts: 1,068	Mojo, Do you have any good tips that I should know for my new WM K-2 skimmer? I have it in seven inches of water. Any info would be great. Daniel __________________ Daniel NJRC X Vice President Nj Reefers Club Current Tank Info: 220 Gallon Heavily stock tank Reef and Fish. 100 gallon sump, ATI Power cone IS Protein skimmer, Warner Warine MR100. 4 AI Hydra 52 HD LEDS running Warner Marine EcoBAK bio pellets,Warner Marine additives

04/12/2009, 03:44 PM	#122
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	Ill have to go look at it. I am going to sell it as I ordered another one that will go to 100 scfh __________________ Mojo~

04/12/2009, 06:45 PM	#124
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	the one i ordered is a Air RMB-53-SSV __________________ Mojo~