Protien Skimming

[amarzano]

I'm looking for some suggestions..

My current set up is a 150gal acrylic reef. I have a 40 gal sump beneath the tank, with a Top Fathom skimmer powered by a Rio 2100. I have a second Rio 2100 to return water from the sump to the tank.

I'm looking to upgrade my skimming. I would like comments on either a new pump or new skimmer altogether. Am I getting the correct flow rates for this size tank? Top Fathom states that this skimmer is for tanks up to 100gal - should I worry? Any thoughts / suggestions..

Some background..
80lbs of live rock with heavy purple coraline coverage. 2" sand on bottom. A couple of anenome, 4 small corals, 3 tangs, 1 clown, 2 starfish, 2 cucumbers, and 1 purple fish(?).

My lighting consists of 2 MH 150watt and 2 Atinic power compacts.

Thank you,

Alex

 

[Roach]

I just got an AquaC Urchin Sump Skimmer. So far it has worked great. It's nice and quiet, very compact, and was really affordable. It's too small for you tank but they do make a Pro Series with a Mag Drive pump. Not sure on it's rating though. Also they have another line of skimmers that are supposed to be awesome. They are pricey but they will probably last you awhile. You can see some of them at ReefGeek.com

 

[odie]

The Aqua C is very good . I have a Precision Marine Bullet 1 skimmer with a Sedra 900 pump. (120 gal) ( Absolutely love the thing) With most skimmers, the companies over estimate the size of the tanks their skimmer's can handle. However , Precision Marine rates the bullet 1 for 150 gal. and it will handle 150 with no problem. "just my 2 cents"

 

[bigtank]

The Urchin Pro/Remora Pro is woefully inadequate for a 150 gallon aquarium. I have a Remora Pro (same as Urchin Pro, but hangs on the back) on a 70g and it's not enough.

I would go with a Bullet 2 or Euroreef CS6-3 for a 150. Much better, especially for the money, than AquaC products, IMO.

 

[Roach]

Bigtank, how do you know your skimmer isn't enough? What should I look for if my skimmer isn't enough. Like I said before I have a AquaC urchin (sump skimmer) on my 92 Gallon. I was going to put my bakpak2 on it as well but it seems to be doing fine on it's own. But if it's not what should I look for?

 

[wnfaknd]

an AquaC EV-180 would also do a great job in your 150g tank.

 

[Arothron]

Roach if your skimmer is enough to handle your bio load then it's fine. A year ago people had great things to say about the Remora Pro, including bigtank. Now every time I open a skimmer thread there he is bashing it. What happened?

 

[amarzano]

Just an update.. My Top Fathom is a TF-200CL. I might be running a RIO 2500 vs. the 2100. I noticed on the Top Fathom site that they suggest higher PSI pumps, but didn't know if the ones that they suggest are the higher ones or not. Any help?

Thanks,

Alex

 

[swreefer]

I still like the Remora skimmers for ease of use BUT, I have found that they really don't do the job very well over time. Even with constant cleaning and adjustment, a Remora hang-on skimmer (rated for 75 gallons) on a 72 bowfront with only one fish (a foxface) can't handle the job.

 

[EmilyB]

I am not familiar with the Top Fathom, however if it is rated only to 100g, I would definitely get a much better skimmer.

Likely there are some good recommendations made here, but I will just say I use a CS8-1 Euro-reef rated to 400g on a 155g, and I love this skimmer.

Sometimes one will think their skimmer is doing a good job, but if you have algae, etc. it isn't.

 

[bigtank]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Arothron:
<strong>Roach if your skimmer is enough to handle your bio load then it's fine. A year ago people had great things to say about the Remora Pro, including bigtank. Now every time I open a skimmer thread there he is bashing it. What happened?</strong><hr></blockquote>

A year ago I was an unsuspecting new reefer who fell for the outrageous claims and glowing reviews. This purchase taught me not to believe wild advertising about protein skimmers.

I am tired of messing with it. Mine almost fills the cup with very watery skimmate every day. If I put any food in the tank...I get algae blooms. I cannot raise the cup up at all. It is so flimsy that it bends when I tighten the screw to keep it in place, so it can only remain in the bottom position. Also, if I raise the cup at all, almost no skimmate is produced. Sometimes just the water rushing out of the skimmer, into the tank will produce foam! Thick, lasting foam! That's how bad it is. I wish I could return it and get my money back but that's probably not possible.

I do run it with a Mag 3 pump and love the pump though.

 

[wnfaknd]

i have seen the new remoras and all those problems you listed have been solved. maybe you should give those people at aquac a call and see if there is anything they can do for you. i hear they have good customer service.