Anybody familiar with ETSS Sumpbuddy 40?

[RIreefer]

Due to space limitations in sump/refugium I am switching over to, need a skimmer that has small footprint but able to handle 90+ gallon reef. Anybody have any experience with these? Did alot of internet searches, and most reviews are good...but would like to hear from someone with firsthand experience. Link to product is below.



http://www.superskimmer.com/SumpBuddy40.htm

 

[madcow]

How much space do you have? The Tunze 9010 has a very small footprint as well and the pump is enclosed in the housing. I use to run an old reef devil and the Tunze performs much better.

 

[RIreefer]

in first compartment i've only got 4 1/2 x 10"

 

[Reef-Ski]

I had the ETSS Sump Buddy 40 and powered it with a Mag 7.

I too had a space problem so the SB40 seemed like a good fit.

Here is my experience with this skimmer-

1. It is very sensitive to water height, so you will need an ATO if you want the skimmer to run at its best.

2. The skimmer will stop skimming if you put your hand in the display to move rockwork, or clean the tank.

3. The skimmer will also stop skimming when you feed the fish. I found it took about 1 hour for the skimmer to get back to normal.

4. Be careful when looking at the advertised small blueprint with this skimmer. When you take into consideration the pump (Mag 7 or higher) it actually takes up more space than you would expect.

5. You will need to add about 4 feet of hose to the air line to quiet the skimmer down.

Well that said after about 3 weeks of having this skimmer I decided to sell it and get a Tunze 9005. The Tunze has a built in pump and really does take up a small amount of space, and is dead quiet. And as an added bonus it does a great job skimming

Good luck with your decision. Hope this helps.

 

[RIreefer]

the Tunze won't fit in the sump/refugium...i was looking at those too. So its either the sumpbuddy 40 or a HOB, which I'm not overly-ethused about. Plus, most HOB's I've researched so far don't seem to be capable of handling 120+ gallons?

Appreciate if anyone has found out otherwise......my mind is starting to go to mush looking at 100 different skimmer brands.