Skimmers.......I just don't get it.

[erikncyndi]

This hobbie is definitly not for someone who likes to save $$$$$$$, It just dosen't stop does it. So this is tonights overwelming lack of knowledge that is haunting me. What is the real differance in all these skimmers. It seems that everyone on this board has a hated and loved brand and there are even thoes that DIY it. So when it comes down to it you either spend $500 on what seems to me to be a plastic tube with a pump or you go to HD and buy some PVC and a toilet flange. It dont get! how can these simple looking (yet simple enough to make) devices that all pretty much look the same be so different. Is it in the operator, ls it how you fine tune it or is it just that these high end skimmers are made of special protien attracting plastic. Can someone make any sense out of this, because it makes none to me.

Erik

[icebear]

Originally Posted by erikncyndi

is it just that these high end skimmers are made of special protien attracting plastic.

Erik

sorry, i have no real input, (i have wonderd this myself)


but that was too funny!

[reefermike1]

lol, personally i think its mainly the pump and the size of the tube that makes the differance. but yea ive thought the same thing, most skimmers are really overpriced when u think about it

[know-it-all]

I did agree untill last night
I just hooked up a new skimmer (PM Bullet1)
it kicks my euro-reef clone's but

it all come down to the air intake, the pump, and the reaction chamber

the reason behind the high prices is the R&D that goes behind testing what works and what doesn't

[hng]

Skimmers are overpriced for what you get but there are defintely some skimmers that are a good value. These would be in the around $250 and less range and include:

coralife super skimmer 220 http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...roduct=ES33004

Euroreef rs 80 http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=ER1413

Octopus NW 200 http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ca...products_id=48

You may notice that these are all needlewheel skimmers which are generally quiet, energy efficient, and use less expensive pumps than the larger Beckett style skimmers. They have their limitations, but are great for tanks less than 100 gallons IMO. I have a super skimmer on my current 30 gal tank and plan on getting the octopus for my 90 gal tank I'm building.

[wolfie]

Yup it tube and plastic... Wait till you get into reek keeping and start looking for lights

couldn't help myself.

There are 4 different kind of skimmer out there on the market.

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro..._skimmers.html

That listed the 4 four basic skimmer types

From those 4 they break it down to many many skimmer. Some are great and some are just junk. While the junk 1 can be mod to work just as good as the high end skimmer and sometime better.

I am not an DYI person so I get lost with moding and end up with a crapier skimmer when I try to mod them.

[jerseyguy1996]

What size tank are you planning to run a skimmer on?

[icebear]

Originally Posted by hng

coralife super skimmer 220 http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...roduct=ES33004

do you know if they make one for smaller than a 220?

[erikncyndi]

135 gallon, What is a Recirculating Protein Skimmer

[know-it-all]

Originally Posted by erikncyndi

135 gallon, What is a Recirculating Protein Skimmer

it has a dedicated pump that injects air into the skimmer
kinda like a closed loop
then you have a smaller pump to add water into the skimmer
or you have the tank drain into the skimmer before the water hits the sump

[erikncyndi]

Good, bad......

[wolfie]

Originally Posted by icebear

do you know if they make one for smaller than a 220?

They also make an 65 supper skimmer. Which are the same as the 220, but are for smaller skimmer.

[luvmylo]

I like the bak pak 2 myself

[hng]

Originally Posted by wolfie

They also make an 65 supper skimmer. Which are the same as the 220, but are for smaller skimmer.

Ditto. There is also a 125 model. They are overated for the size tank they handle, so buy the one bigger than you need. You can also do a wire mod to improve efficiency.

[know-it-all]

Originally Posted by hng

Ditto. There is also a 125 model. They are overated for the size tank they handle, so buy the one bigger than you need. You can also do a wire mod to improve efficiency.

agreed, the smaller ones don't work that good out of the box