Quiet Skimmer Needed!

[Kevin1000]

I would appreciate some skimmer advice.

Looking for a real quiet HOT skimmer which is quiet and works OK . Great performance and silence would be outstanding - however, if it comes between a super efficient skimmer which is loud and a skimmer which is silent but works OK – the quiet one gets the vote.

About three months ago I set up a 55 gallon tank in an area of the house that demands that the tank be a quiet as possible. That means that there is no sump! Started cycle with about 20 lbs of live rock from another tank which has been slowly converting about 30+ lbs of Hi Rock. Tank is slowly maturing and I will start stocking the tank in another few weeks.

This tank will have a low fish load – probably 7-1 ratio of water/ inches fish. Tank lighting is about 210 watts and I will probably limit to mushrooms /soft corals.

I was leaning towards Remora but I have mixed report on their noise level.

Would really appreciate some help

 

[Anonymous]

i can't tell you about the noise level of a remora but it seems to me if you went with any other good HOT model you would be using a venturi operated one and they are reliant on the different powerhead models in their sound output.
if you can stand the ugly look, an air driven/ in tank model would be quietest.
i personally believe a decent one like the Midiflotor will actually outperform most HOT venturi models if maintained correctly.

as i recall they are less than a hundred bucks without the air pump.
the beauty of this would be you could place the pump in another room if you need to.

drawbacks include having to look at it, minimizing water level fluctuation in the tank and they need to be tuned often.

 

[Len]

Another option is to get a CPR Bakpak and retrofit it so it's an air-driven model. There are some really quiet air pumps out there. The only things are 1) you'll need to do a very minimal amount of DIY and 2) you'll need to replace the air stones every couple weeks (cheap, but may be a hassle).

 

[Kevin1000]

Podman

"if you can stand the ugly look, an air driven/ in tank model would be quietest."

You are right on the money but Good Looks are always important and more so when the tank is in a High Traffic area.

Thanks for your imput!

 

[Kevin1000]

Len

"Another option is to get a CPR Bakpak and retrofit it so it's an air-driven model"

Sounds like a potential plan. Assume the retrofit doesn't take a super handy man?

Thanks for your help!

 

[JohnH]

I had the same requirements when I was deciding on a HOT skimmer, and I went with the BakPak. I read a side-by-side comparision between the CPR BakPak and AquaC Remora, and the BakPak was said to be a little quieter. I've been pretty happy with the CPR. Most of its noise comes from the air intake for the powerhead. I've heard that you can make it quieter by lengthening the airhose and putting a wooden air diffuser on the end, but I haven't tried that yet. After a while you get used to the hum.

You can probably find a link to the BakPak/Remora comparision if you do a search on this site.

 

[JohnH]

I had the same requirements when I was deciding on a HOT skimmer, and I went with the BakPak. I read a side-by-side comparision between the CPR BakPak and AquaC Remora, and the BakPak was said to be a little quieter. I've been pretty happy with the CPR. Most of its noise comes from the air intake for the powerhead. I've heard that you can make it quieter by lengthening the airhose and putting a wooden air diffuser on the end, but I haven't tried that yet. After a while you get used to the hum.

You can probably find a link to the BakPak/Remora comparision if you do a search on this site.

 

[Len]

Kevin,

A simple drill and silicon is all you need But you could probably stick with the CPR as it is, or perhaps a Precision Marine HOT-1. To quiet down the venturi, just use a longer airline tubing for the intake. I recommend people use thicker I.D. airline if you're going to use it in a long run (to prevent clogging, restriction, etc.)

 

[Yam]

Do not get the Remora. It is definately not quite. My CS 8-1 is more quiet then the Remora Pro (have both). I would go with the Turboflotor Multi. It takes a little bit of real estate behind the tank, but is very good.

Danny

 

[Anonymous]

Take this with a huge grain of salt...

It is possible to go skimmerless on a tank your size, assuming you are willing to do frequent large water changes. If this is your first SW tank I wouldn't suggest it, but it's definitely possible. If you do go skimmerless, you should definitely invest in a refugium with macroalgae as another form of nutrient export (along with the water changes).

 

[JohnD]

Kevin.

Here is another option, get a timer. Only run the skimmer when no one is around or the noise is not important - for example 9AM to 10 PM. Then have the timer turn the skimmer off when you are trying to sleep.

HTH

 

[PDD]

I would suggest Lifereef. You can contact Jeff at www.lifereef.com/.

His skimmers utilized a venturi that is about as quiet as you will find. IME - you will not be dissatisfied with his product.

Good Luck.

 

[bhanson]

I use the Berlin HOT skimmer, it is quiet and very well made.