Need to buy a new skimmer

[Matt L.]

So I need to buy a new skimmer.

I have used an old Euroreef ES-3 skimmer for four years now; first on my 90gal system (9/2004-8/2008), and then on my 125gal (9/2008 -).

I was never terribly happy with it.

I found it difficult to control, either overfoaming or underskimming as material built up in the collection system. Controlling overfoaming, which would typically occur after a water change, could be done by throttling the air intake, but the device still required routine maintenance of the collection cup. The skimmer was tall, making it difficult to fit in the sump below, and with no drain on the cup, I had the difficult task of going under the tank and unscrewing the cup to drain it.

So, when the feed pump finally broke two weeks ago, I wasn't as distressed as I should have been.

It's time for me to buy a new skimmer, and I was looking at the AquaC series.

In particular, I was looking at the AquaC EV120 Protein Skimmer, of course with the MagDrive 5. The EV-180 is $60 more, if it would even fit.

I have had the AquaC Urchin and Remora over the years, and been thrilled with them. Does anyone have any thoughts on the EV series?

Please advise,

Matt

 

[JohnK]

I've heard of a lot of people having similar difficulty tuning and keeping tuned, the smaller aqua C EV skimmers.

Also, I'd seriously wonder if that would really be any bigger/better than your old euroreef? Have you done the gate valve mod and or the meshwheel mod?

 

[Jim Tansey]

Matt,

I had an Aqua-C EV120 on my 90 with a Mag-5, I have it now but not in use with an almost new Mag-5, I would be happy to to lend it to you to try, if you like it we could work out a fair price if not no problem. I needed some time to tune it in but after getting to know it I thought it was a great skimmer.

Jim

 

[delta]

Matt I use the EV series and comapred to the remora/urchin series they are far better. The hardest one to tune is the EV120 but still not that hard. The problem most people have is a siphon issue. Which a reverse durso or just running the skimmer wide open on the return will take care of.

As far as the size of the skimmer you can take off the gate valve and Skimmer cup to get it into a tight spot. the reassmeble it. I ran an EV 240 under my 135g.

But in sump in a tight spot is where needlewheels have their place.

 

[naturebatslast]

I have an EV 120, and... it's OK. Very finicky, long recovery times. It's never to been too bad, it's just not a real tremendous producer when it comes to skimmate output. I find the most gunk/mud build up in the column and not in the cup when it's cleaned every 5 days.

 

[Jim Tansey]

Thats what my initial problem was, that I had build up in the column, I found the water level to be to low after adjusting the level I got lots skimmate in the cup every day.

Jim

 

[Matt L.]

So what other skimmers do people recommend?

Matt

 

[Arthur1]

Matt depends on the space you have, of course your water volume as well as how much you'd like to spend will help dictate what you'll get

 

[KyleinCT]

I swear by ETSS.I have a 900 on my main system and a reef devil on my secondary. I feed the smaller system less, and it skims more than the larger one.

I have an 800 in the closet I haven't even tried yet.

 

[JohnK]

I run a PM bullet, it's prone to the tuning and cleaning issues mentioned above. Great skimmer (like the AquaC) but can be finicky.

Actually, to be realistic most all skimmers are probably prone to the above issues (like performance slowing if you don't clean it ).

 

[Lil Shark]

MRC (also known as SEA) are pretty good by me. He's down in GA and I've worked with him personally to get a VERY old model that was donated to the school in working order again as well as designing some custom tanks and skimmers for the store.

If you looking for something very particular in design and function he can either recommend a stock model or make you one.

 

[JayM]

My Octo NW200 has been very consistent, as long as my sump water level is. It's undersized for my system now, but I need to allocate reef funds for new bulbs on both tanks before I can upgrade it. It's got a relatively low watt draw, skims pretty well, and was relatively inexpensive.

 

[Liam]

So what other skimmers do people recommend?

Matt

bubble king.

 

[JayM]

So what other skimmers do people recommend?

Matt

bubble king.

Can I hijack and rephrase the question to say "so, what other skimmers do people recommend that don't cost a gajillion bazillion dollars?"

 

[stingythingy45]

So what other skimmers do people recommend?

Matt

ASM........

 

[Liam]

Can I hijack and rephrase the question to say "so, what other skimmers do people recommend that don't cost a gajillion bazillion dollars?"

well he asked

 

[delta]

Thats what my initial problem was, that I had build up in the column, I found the water level to be to low after adjusting the level I got lots skimmate in the cup every day.

Jim

If I am reading correctly You said when you lowered the water level it worked better. This is very true for a AquaC a big point alot miss. If the water level is too high it cuts off the air to the injector. The EV series are good skimmers but much like an air skimmer they work best with a little less water in the column and more air. If you look at the internal chamber at the top of he mixing box, it should be 98% air or you haven't got it tuned correctly.

I would say many of the needlewheels are good and for smaller spaces probably easier to use.

I would scan the market place to see whats available then ask around to see what type of input you get on a given skimmer

 

[Matt L.]

After reviewing here and on RC, I think I am going to go with a needlewheel skimmer because of space and noise constraints (it is a living room tank). I think if I were to go with a Beckett skimmer, then I would go with the MRC skimmer. I have nothing but good things to say about my MRC stuff and Andy, when he was there. My Calcium reactor is amazing and puts all those expensive european models to shame in terms of construction.

Deltec seem to be highly recommended, but they are almost double the price of other skimmers I have also heard good things about DAS...

Matt

 

[jbishop]

I like ETSS i have a 500 on my system with no problems.

 

[saltwaterB]

Matt,

you might want to look at some of the Octopus NW recirc models, good perfomance and a good price.
What is the measurment of space you have available?
what are you going to mostly keep softy, LPS, SPS, mix?
What is your budget?

Those are your three major deciding factors. Once you have these determined, it may help you to better cross off options that are just not going to work, then compare differences, pros, and cons to each of the remaining options.