Starting to set up

Twitterbait · 10-12-2006, 04:29 AM

Ok, the madness begins. I am drilling the 100g Thursday or friday and prepping for a BB SPS tank. I want this thing clean (my CLS will strip the paint off a Buick) so i need a good suggestion on a good skimmer for this thing. so far i have done turbofloaters, remora, and a few no name customs. this time i want a good standard skimmer that is not dependant on a needle wheel or a crappy venturi (injectors it is i guess). i would prefer to keep the height down to no more than 24" too.

if there is anything i need to know about the skimmer you recommend then please tell me in your post too. i wanna know about special features or quirks

tashier · 10-12-2006, 12:24 PM

Hmm, haven't had a single problem with my needle wheel ASM skimmer. I just wish I had been told I needed the G3 instead of this little G1-X. It's working it's little plastic behind off though.

verde_ad · 10-12-2006, 01:10 PM

I just got a bullet 3 and it is a beast. I love the becketts. I love to tinker and mess with things and the becketts allow for that. In fact they require it. They are power hogs though. I have a pcx-55 running it. I get about a half gallon of skimate a day though. This is in my 60gal. A bit of overkill, but it will be plumbed inline with my 200gal when the time is right.

Wiskey · 10-12-2006, 01:38 PM

I love my MRC MR-2, and I definitally think that the GenX PCX-55 is the best pump to use to drive it. I will not be going back to a needleweel skimmer again.

Whiskey

tashier · 10-12-2006, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiskey

I love my MRC MR-2, and I definitally think that the GenX PCX-55 is the best pump to use to drive it. I will not be going back to a needleweel skimmer again.

Whiskey

What is the problem with a needlewheel skimmer?

Twitterbait · 10-12-2006, 03:39 PM

for me the needles break and the impeller wears out much faster.

tashier · 10-12-2006, 04:41 PM

Hmm, so far so good for me. I've probably got 8 months on my needlewheel so far.

Wiskey · 10-12-2006, 04:54 PM

I have just never seen a needlewheel skimmer that can pull 1/4 the air this beckett can, or can push out the skimate this thing does.

Whiskey

tashier · 10-12-2006, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiskey

I have just never seen a needlewheel skimmer that can pull 1/4 the air this beckett can, or can push out the skimate this thing does.

Whiskey

Not that I wanted to hijack your thread and make it a skimmer thread BUT...

I took a look at the MR-2. It looks like it's made to run external? I think I would prefer in the sump, less chance for disasters. Also, is the collection cup really that small or does it come with a drain or what? AND, as far as cleaning, talk about a bunch of screws, I can whip my ASM apart in 5 seconds.

I am looking for a BIGGER skimmer so that's why I ask. I don't HAVE to get an ASM but I sure like it.

Fly Guy · 10-12-2006, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tashier

Not that I wanted to hijack your thread and make it a skimmer thread BUT...

I took a look at the MR-2. It looks like it's made to run external? I think I would prefer in the sump, less chance for disasters. Also, is the collection cup really that small or does it come with a drain or what? AND, as far as cleaning, talk about a bunch of screws, I can whip my ASM apart in 5 seconds.

I am looking for a BIGGER skimmer so that's why I ask. I don't HAVE to get an ASM but I sure like it.

The MR-2's cna be run insump or out of sump. It comes with a drain AND a quick release option : )

panic · 10-12-2006, 11:35 PM

I have a Euroreef knockoff that I modified into a recirculating needle-wheel. It was a cheap alternative.

Wiskey · 10-13-2006, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tashier

Not that I wanted to hijack your thread and make it a skimmer thread BUT...

I took a look at the MR-2. It looks like it's made to run external? I think I would prefer in the sump, less chance for disasters. Also, is the collection cup really that small or does it come with a drain or what? AND, as far as cleaning, talk about a bunch of screws, I can whip my ASM apart in 5 seconds.

I am looking for a BIGGER skimmer so that's why I ask. I don't HAVE to get an ASM but I sure like it.

To add to what fly said,...

The MR-2 also seals up tight preventing problems, and if you have the waste container, when it gets full it will shut the skimmer down and prevent overflows.

Whiskey

esoteradactyl · 10-13-2006, 06:13 PM

I agree that the beckett style skimmers are the best choice. I just just don't like the fact they need a 175w pump to run them. If you live somewhere with high energy costs like me (california) they just arent energy efficient. Im going to be trying a new tunze doc 9020 skimmer. Ive read nothing but good things about them. Also you can purchase a foam extraction kit that allows you to open the airflow more in order to get a more wet skimmate. All this and it only uses 21W..

Twitterbait · 10-17-2006, 12:32 PM

I see your point... but the cost of anything from Tunze scares me away.

Twitterbait · 11-02-2006, 03:06 PM

ok, so i know what kind of skimmer i want... now i need suggestions on a pressure rated pump that will handle 2 penductors on a cls... thoughts??