How does Red Sea Prizm skimmer perform?
- Thread starter raye007
- Start date
This skimmer is a joke! I work at what is probably the largest FS in Michigan, and every employee was literally laughing at its performance. We even did back to back with it against the CPR backpack (which I also hate!), and the Excalliber, both of which blew it away. I wouldn't buy this skimmer for five dollars, it is garbage!
Hey now, it's actually a pretty decent skimmer once you get it broken in, I hated mine the first week or so after I bought it,but after that it skims really well......for about two weeks straight it was pulling out about 1/2 a collection cups worth of jet black thick gunk a day, also if you get the new 18 blade impeller(they'll send you one for free), pretty much stopped all the bubbles from getting in the tank, though I didnt have that many after it was broken in.....it really aint bad for the money
I dont know why everyone seems surprised at how badly cheap skimmers run. Why do you think they usually cost around £300 for a 'basic' model. Its not because people enjoy paying that much, its that everything else is crap. Dont read Gallonage ratings on skimmers, there all a lie. How could you say that a Knop Air Block skimmer rates against a Deltec Venturi. They both say they do 150 gallons or so. But any fool will tell you that the Deltec is far superior. There is no universal standard, and most companys just gauge it to fit in with the rest of their range. IMO Lee's, Seaclone, D&D and CPR all suck the back of my sweaty sack when it comes to skimming. You would have better luck with a flatulant hampster.
I've been using a Prizm skimmer for almost 6 months now, and think it's a great skimmer for the price.
I do agree that it should only be used on smaller tanks (75 or less) and does take a week or two to "break-in". Also be sure to get the new 18 blade impeller as it is quieter and more efficient.
For a beginner or anyone with a small tank I think it does a good job for less than $70!
I do agree that it should only be used on smaller tanks (75 or less) and does take a week or two to "break-in". Also be sure to get the new 18 blade impeller as it is quieter and more efficient.
For a beginner or anyone with a small tank I think it does a good job for less than $70!
yoy get what you pay fore, i have hade the cpr and the tf1000<--good for the price. but save your money and spend $300.00 for a good skimer like a lifereef PM or a euro reef skimmer they are bilt 10 better then any of the other skimmer and it would take 2 tf1000 ti do the work my euro reef and just look at what each one tells you what it will do is a big lie even on the $$$
The Prizm is a very good skimmer. It takes about 5 days to break in, depending how much life rock you have. The bubbles that it puts into the tank during the break-in cycle will cease as well. My only complaint is that it's a bit loud, but I'm used to it and don't mind it a bit.
The guy who laughed along with that local fish store's employees doesn't know what he's talking about.
[ July 18, 2001: Message edited by: blueplastic ]
The guy who laughed along with that local fish store's employees doesn't know what he's talking about.
[ July 18, 2001: Message edited by: blueplastic ]
I have 3 CPR backpacks and like them a lot. I have a prism on my 10 gal at work and I have had this for 7 months and still haven't succeeded in adjusting it properly. Granted I only have 8 or 12 hours a day to spend with it. Either it doesn't skim or it fills in 10 minutes. Sometimes just for the hell of it, it decides to wet the carpet. My dog is much better behaved. I got it for the nano because I thought nothing better would fit. I am not happy with it and would not recommend it based on how mine performs.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mouse:
<STRONG>IMO Lee's, Seaclone, D&D and CPR all suck the back of my sweaty sack when it comes to skimming. You would have better luck with a flatulant hampster.
</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Wow that is some statement! And where exactly does one pick up a flatulant hampster? ROFLMAO. That is rich! Thanks, I think I peed my pants and got all my coworkers wondering what the hell it is I am getting paid for.
As far as the skimmer goes, it is classic Red Sea product performance. I have an old Berlin skimmer, another 50/50 product. Either love it or hate it. I am more to the latter on RS products. Might just be one of those cases where ignorance is bliss or maybe they do actually send out a small number of functional units to keep the consumers confused. I really can't say. I personally haven't heard any possitives on this from local reefers.
<STRONG>IMO Lee's, Seaclone, D&D and CPR all suck the back of my sweaty sack when it comes to skimming. You would have better luck with a flatulant hampster.
Wow that is some statement! And where exactly does one pick up a flatulant hampster? ROFLMAO. That is rich! Thanks, I think I peed my pants and got all my coworkers wondering what the hell it is I am getting paid for.
As far as the skimmer goes, it is classic Red Sea product performance. I have an old Berlin skimmer, another 50/50 product. Either love it or hate it. I am more to the latter on RS products. Might just be one of those cases where ignorance is bliss or maybe they do actually send out a small number of functional units to keep the consumers confused. I really can't say. I personally haven't heard any possitives on this from local reefers.
Ive got a prism running on a 15GA and it seems to pulling out junk from my tank but I willlstate that I do have surface scum. I have tried pointing phs at surface which helps but dosn't eliminate. Should we expect this skimmer to create aclean surface even though it pulls water from 4-6 inches below surface?
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by TommyBoy:
<STRONG>Should we expect this skimmer to create aclean surface even though it pulls water from 4-6 inches below surface?</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
THe short answer is Yes. The kind of organic molecules that collect on the surface are the same sorts that should be collecting on the surface of the bubbles in the skimmer.
Even though the skimmer is not pulling from the surface, it should be reducing the types of organics that would otherwise be collecting there.
When we switched to the CPR, the scum went away overnight, even though that skimmer pulls from 3-4" underwater.
<STRONG>Should we expect this skimmer to create aclean surface even though it pulls water from 4-6 inches below surface?</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
THe short answer is Yes. The kind of organic molecules that collect on the surface are the same sorts that should be collecting on the surface of the bubbles in the skimmer.
Even though the skimmer is not pulling from the surface, it should be reducing the types of organics that would otherwise be collecting there.
When we switched to the CPR, the scum went away overnight, even though that skimmer pulls from 3-4" underwater.
Maybe there is a manfufacturing or quality control issue with these skimmers.
We used one for about 3 months on a 10 gallon with dismal results. It was difficult to adjust, either overskimming clear water and flooding or not skimming at all, the siphon broke occasionally, and there was a consistant film of scum on the surface no matter how we added or adjusted additional powerheads. This surface film disappeared 8 hours after switching to a CPR BakPak and has never returned.
On the other hand, we have sold several and those customers say it works great.
Reading these comments I see the same story - 50% say it's terrible and doesn't work and the other 50% say it's great.
I know we seldom get a case where everyone agrees (especially on this board
), but I don't think I've ever seen this even a split.
Is it possible that half are built right and the other half have some hidden problem?
I know that talking to Red Sea about this would be useless. The Prizm box used to say "Up to 90 gal.". We talked with a Red Sea VP at a trade show and told him it appears to be a good product, but they might sell more if it was realistically rated at 30-40 gallons, rather than disappoint those that buy it for a 90. Two months later the box had been changed to read "Up to 100 gal."
We used one for about 3 months on a 10 gallon with dismal results. It was difficult to adjust, either overskimming clear water and flooding or not skimming at all, the siphon broke occasionally, and there was a consistant film of scum on the surface no matter how we added or adjusted additional powerheads. This surface film disappeared 8 hours after switching to a CPR BakPak and has never returned.
On the other hand, we have sold several and those customers say it works great.
Reading these comments I see the same story - 50% say it's terrible and doesn't work and the other 50% say it's great.
I know we seldom get a case where everyone agrees (especially on this board
Is it possible that half are built right and the other half have some hidden problem?
I know that talking to Red Sea about this would be useless. The Prizm box used to say "Up to 90 gal.". We talked with a Red Sea VP at a trade show and told him it appears to be a good product, but they might sell more if it was realistically rated at 30-40 gallons, rather than disappoint those that buy it for a 90. Two months later the box had been changed to read "Up to 100 gal."
Howdy,
Let's see, had a prizm for all of one day, then pulled it out and returned it. I can't say how it skimmed because I didn't keep it long enough to find out.
I plugged it in, and the combination of motor noice and air sucking sound drove me crazy. Returned it, and put the money towards a AquaC Remora Pro. I ended up spending over $200, but the Remora Pro really kicks butt.
I guess the prizm might be OK if you can get to be quiet, but I couldn't.
Good luck,
Scott.
Let's see, had a prizm for all of one day, then pulled it out and returned it. I can't say how it skimmed because I didn't keep it long enough to find out.
I plugged it in, and the combination of motor noice and air sucking sound drove me crazy. Returned it, and put the money towards a AquaC Remora Pro. I ended up spending over $200, but the Remora Pro really kicks butt.
I guess the prizm might be OK if you can get to be quiet, but I couldn't.
Good luck,
Scott.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MattM:
<STRONG>Maybe there is a manfufacturing or quality control issue with these skimmers.
We used one for about 3 months on a 10 gallon with dismal results. It was difficult to adjust, either overskimming clear water and flooding or not skimming at all, the siphon broke occasionally, and there was a consistant film of scum on the surface no matter how we added or adjusted additional powerheads.
...
Is it possible that half are built right and the other half have some hidden problem? </STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
No. Your experience is absolutely identical to mine.
I think that half the people who buy these things are the same sort of rediculous polyannas that write to their favorite laundary detergent company to tell them how much they like their product. :eek3:
<STRONG>Maybe there is a manfufacturing or quality control issue with these skimmers.
We used one for about 3 months on a 10 gallon with dismal results. It was difficult to adjust, either overskimming clear water and flooding or not skimming at all, the siphon broke occasionally, and there was a consistant film of scum on the surface no matter how we added or adjusted additional powerheads.
...
Is it possible that half are built right and the other half have some hidden problem? </STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
No. Your experience is absolutely identical to mine.
I think that half the people who buy these things are the same sort of rediculous polyannas that write to their favorite laundary detergent company to tell them how much they like their product. :eek3:
I seldom comment on products and this is not a laud or a pan but I've been testing two of them for about 5 months and both are the 18 blade.
One is on a 10 gl tank and should be pulling out considerable skimmate. It is very difficult to adjust flow, has stopped at least 7 times and even burned out the powerhead once. It does pull out gunk but it might take a week to get 2" of gunk in the collection cup. The overhang over and into the tank is undesirable on small tanks ( maybe that's why they rated it for bigger tanks ).
The other is on a 29gl tank and has never pulled out thick skimmate.
I agree that these do not produce enough surface aggitation to break up scum and powerheads are needed.
RedSea needs to seriously look at the construction of these.
Regards,
David Mohr
One is on a 10 gl tank and should be pulling out considerable skimmate. It is very difficult to adjust flow, has stopped at least 7 times and even burned out the powerhead once. It does pull out gunk but it might take a week to get 2" of gunk in the collection cup. The overhang over and into the tank is undesirable on small tanks ( maybe that's why they rated it for bigger tanks ).
The other is on a 29gl tank and has never pulled out thick skimmate.
I agree that these do not produce enough surface aggitation to break up scum and powerheads are needed.
RedSea needs to seriously look at the construction of these.
Regards,
David Mohr
I used Red Seas skimmers, when they first started selling them in the USA about 20 some years ago and always had good repoire with them.
You DO get what you pay for in most cases. I paid around (w/shipping and handling) 500USD for each of my skimmers, but I had Red Sea design each one I bought from them. Lots of huge tanks with an over abundance of livestock. For surfactants on the surface of the water, try installing a siphon system JUST for that if the skimmer you're using will not attract that area. Have the siphon "T" into the intake of the skimmer.
Aquadoc-
"just a suggestion"
You DO get what you pay for in most cases. I paid around (w/shipping and handling) 500USD for each of my skimmers, but I had Red Sea design each one I bought from them. Lots of huge tanks with an over abundance of livestock. For surfactants on the surface of the water, try installing a siphon system JUST for that if the skimmer you're using will not attract that area. Have the siphon "T" into the intake of the skimmer.
Aquadoc-
"just a suggestion"
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