Two topics one thread: (1) Skimmer I could borrow? (2) Running skimmer part time?

[capman]

I have two questions that relate to the same problem I need to solve.

The background for this: I have a really bright, industrious, highly motivated student who has begun a research project with me investigating the effects of certain commonly-used calcium/alkalinity management strategies on nutrient levels in reef systems. We have isolated our 4 tanks by the window in the lab as a separated system with its own sump, its own reservoir and topoff pump, etc. The system is currently running skimmerless, and this is the problem I need to fix. The 4 tanks total 100 gallons, and the Rubbermaid sump is less than 40 gallons.

My questions:

1. Does anyone have a skimmer they could loan us for this project? We expect to be done with the project by early to mid summer 2007.

I have been planning to buy a skimmer for the project, but honestly, once the project is over those tanks will probably be hooked up to the 220 in the animal room again, and the skimmer will just sit on a shelf at that point. So, in the event that someone has an appropriately sized skimmer sitting around, I figured it would not hurt to ask if it might be possible to borrow it for the rest of this school year.

2. Does anyone have any experience running a skimmer part time (like, 12 hours a day rather than 24, for example)? How well does a skimmer function during the time that it is on if it is turned off for part of every day? Am I likely to have trouble with it not stabilizing very fast when turned on after it has been off for awhile?

My reason for asking this: In the likely event that I need to buy a skimmer, I'd prefer to get a larger rather than smaller one (e.g. an ASM G4 rather than a G3) because this would serve me better long-term. However, for this particular project we want to be careful not to overskim. In fact, I want to make a point of underskimming. My current thinking is that the way to go might be to get a G4 (or equivalent) and only run it part of the time.

Thanks

[otolith]

I have a reefmania backett skimmer (the smallest size) you could borrow. You'd probably have to find a decent pump to run it, however, as I seem to have either over or underpowered pumps.

[REEFSTOCK]

I would dial it back rather than on off it.

I don't have the strenth to back up my gut reaction with internet chat this moment. I'd be happy to try and put it in words on the phone though.

[capman]

Originally Posted by otolith

I have a reefmania backett skimmer (the smallest size) you could borrow. You'd probably have to find a decent pump to run it, however, as I seem to have either over or underpowered pumps.

Thanks!

However...

What sort of pump does it take? My fear is that it might require an external pump that would require a sump with a bulkhead in the side (which I don't have set up at the moment) or that the cost of the pump might be enough for it to make more sense to just buy a skimmer.


(By the way... I'm feeling increasingly guilty for leaving you babysitting the fish for so long now. Still don't have the skimmer, but the 220 is almost certainly safe for fish now after sitting so long. The tank is surely not currently safe for corals (and gets pretty green if I have the lights on much), but should be OK for fish by this point. The ideal would be to wait until the skimmer is set up to put the fish back in, but if they are in the way please let me know and I can get them sooner.)

[capman]

OK, just looked at the Reef Mania web site. I'm assuming the pump you are talking about is a pump to circulate water through the skimmer, not the Sedra pump that makes the bubbles. Is this correct? If so, I would imagine a Mag Drive pump (or part of the flow from a Mag Drive) would do? If this is correct, then I could certainly get this set up, and the pump would be useful down the road as well, so I would not be wasting money.

[capman]

Originally Posted by REEFSTOCK

I would dial it back rather than on off it.

I don't have the strenth to back up my gut reaction with internet chat this moment. I'd be happy to try and put it in words on the phone though.

I'll see if I have time to call tomorrow to chat. I'm sick at the moment (sounds like maybe you are too?) and have a nasty pile of things to grade. Mostly I just want to sleep right now though.

[otolith]

A long time ago Greg used to make beckett skimmers. The skimmer would similar to the MR-1 skimmer that can be found here.

I have a Mag18 and a Mag7, but I don't have any of the recc pumps. You don't need to have an external pump to run this skimmer.

Don't worry about the fish. They're pretty much the only thing left in my tank worth looking at.

[capman]

OK, so it looks like I would need a Mag 12 (which is recommended for the MR-1)? Am I correct that this would be all I'd need to get the skimmer operational?

If so, this would be great, since I already have one!

(not sure what you mean by "don't have any of the recc pumps".......)

Also does this have to sit above the sump (sort of like the downdraft skimmers), or can it sit in the sump? Sitting outside the sump might be a challenge (above the sump would be harder still).

The price is right though, assuming I can make it work in the space I have under the lab table by the window.

[redwinger]

Bill I will have one available shortly if I don't sell it. It is a ps-8 skimmer by reefmania. It has the feed pump and is pretty much plug and play. If I do not sell it I will let you use it, the only catch is if someones wants to buy it I would have to come and get it. If it takes me a year to sell it so be it but if it sells two weeks after I borrow it to you I would have to come and get it. I would guess it would be ready in 2-3 weeks time.

[capman]

Derek,

OK, I guess I'm pretty dense sometimes. (1) The MRC website shows a skimmer sitting in a sump, and (2) "don't have any of the recc pumps" means that you don't have any of the recommended pumps. Now I understand.

It looks like this skimmer should work out well. We have some funds available for the aquaria, but setting up a third separate system was not in the original budget. It will be great help to not have to buy a skimmer.

John,

Thank you for your offer. However, I will need the skimmer to be a constant, consistent factor throughout the duration of the experiment, so I think I will need to either go with a skimmer that I can pretty definitely borrow for the duration of the project, or I will have to buy a skimmer.

[redwinger]

Well how about you just buy it. You said you needed a consistent skimmer? ( shameless beckett rip )

[capman]

Buying your PS8 skimmer is a tempting idea. Looks like a darn nice skimmer that would be nice to have. But it is more money than I should spend, and it appears to be more skimmer than I really need for this project.

[otolith]

Originally Posted by capman

Derek,

OK, I guess I'm pretty dense sometimes.

I thought it was called "absent-minded."

Originally Posted by capman

(1) The MRC website shows a skimmer sitting in a sump, and (2) "don't have any of the recc pumps" means that you don't have any of the recommended pumps. Now I understand.

It looks like this skimmer should work out well. We have some funds available for the aquaria, but setting up a third separate system was not in the original budget. It will be great help to not have to buy a skimmer.

1&2--you are correct.

You can use it for the duration of the project. I'm in the process of downsizing (probably, if someone ever decides to buy my tank ), and thought of using it for that, but will try to use my current skimmer if I can.

[epidemic]

check out the asm g3 in the members section

[David Grigor]

Sounds like Derek has got you set up but I do have a in-sump turboflotor you can use for as long as you like. It does require some monitoring/tweeking to keep in running consistantly so may not be as set and forget as others.