Anyone use this skimmer?

[lennon]

Originally Posted by murray BMF
I'm not much of a skimmer expert but I have had a Sea Clone, which I gave away and now I'm using a Euro Reef. I've had it for about 2 years now and it is awesome. I noticed a definate change in my tank after I started using it and really haven't thought much about it since. It's plug and play. Turn it on and clean every once and a while. Just my two-cents.
Thanks for the input. I appreciate anyones 2 cents )
It is very easy to clean?? And there is no need to keep adjusting to water level etc?
I just want something that is easy to maintain.

 

[murray bmf]

It is very easy to clean. I just empty the collection cup and clean the "gunk" out of the main chamber. Sometimes it can very hard to get the inside clean, so what I do is put ice cubes in it and swish the water and ice around inside of it. This cleans it up just like new. As far as adjustments, there is one, basically it is the outflow tube. You can either raise or lower it. This changes the amount of time the water is in the "reaction chamber." To be honest I have never adjusted it. I just clean it and plug it back in and it does the rest. It pulls this nasty thick black gooey stuff out of the water and keeps my tank going strong. Obviously this is the skimmer that I bought, and it cost me around $230.00. That having been said, I really happy with it!

 

[lennon]

Originally Posted by murray BMF
It is very easy to clean. I just empty the collection cup and clean the "gunk" out of the main chamber. Sometimes it can very hard to get the inside clean, so what I do is put ice cubes in it and swish the water and ice around inside of it. This cleans it up just like new. As far as adjustments, there is one, basically it is the outflow tube. You can either raise or lower it. This changes the amount of time the water is in the "reaction chamber." To be honest I have never adjusted it. I just clean it and plug it back in and it does the rest. It pulls this nasty thick black gooey stuff out of the water and keeps my tank going strong. Obviously this is the skimmer that I bought, and it cost me around $230.00. That having been said, I really happy with it!

Thanks. I was considering doing the ecosystem. They say you do not need a skimmer for those. I am not sure how well it works..but the ones that use it swear by it and the ones that don't think its a waste of money...It would be nice though not to have to use a skimmer.
Do you think since I am doing just a fwithlrls for now..that I won't have to clean up so much?

 

[murray bmf]

I really don't know the answer to that one. Sorry. I bought a skimmer right off the bat and have never ran a tank with out one.

 

[adamc1303]

Lok into the Nautilus TE it is a little hard to balnace, but it gives me optimal skimming performance. That cup gets dumped out every 2 days and it is full. You can run it with a Rio 600 should run you 250 at most with pump.

 

[lennon]

Originally Posted by Adamc1303
Lok into the Nautilus TE it is a little hard to balnace, but it gives me optimal skimming performance. That cup gets dumped out every 2 days and it is full. You can run it with a Rio 600 should run you 250 at most with pump.

Every 2 days? Wow, I really didn't think I would need to do anything every 2 days as far as maintenance.
What about those that do it weekly or bi weekly..Do they have the drain valve then?
thanks

 

[adamc1303]

I can let it fill up a little more I guess and do it once a week but it takes a second. I usually disolve some frozen food in water, while I wait for it to dissolve I clean the collection cup on the skimmer.

 

[seahorse11]

Wow, You guys have given me some awesome advice on my setup. I am also a newbie, about 4 months, and havent set up my 125gal tank yet cause I still dont know what I am doing, or the best products to buy.
With all my research it seems that the AquaC PS is the best so I think I am going with that one (phew,,,one unit decided on).
1) Now with the HOB filter, do you guys like the Aquaclear or the Emperor ?
I havent decided if i am going with a sump system or a HOB. I really dont want
to deal with a sump since we lose power alot.
2) What type of powerheads are the best? Would I use one or two for a 125 gal long ?
3) would two low wattage heaters be better or one high wattage?
4) What would you suggest for lighting? I admit I am totally lost when it comes to the light
lingo and what I need. I will have basically fish only but a few inverts ( starfish, feather
dusters, snails, cleaner shrimp), no live corals. The tank is 24" high.
5) Now for the R/O unit. From everything I have read, the Spectrapure is one of the best.
Do you agree?
As far as money, I have saved and saved and saved to make sure I get the best products. A friend of mine got cheap and in the long run ended up spending WAY above what I am going to by buying the best right away. He had to replace alot of his units that broke or didnt keep up with the tank. So money isnt an issue, I wanna do it right the first time. I would appreciate feedback so I get it right.
Thanks :happyfish :thinking:

 

[lennon]

Some advice from a newbie to a newbie. I HIGHLY suggest you purchase "the conscientious aquarist" by Fenner.
This is a step by step guide to everything you need to know. It tells you the different lighting choices and what each would help. There are sooooo many and this is still my dilemma..which one to choose being that it is one important thing to have. I have a canopy..so heat is an issue as far as MH..I prefer not to use them...so my options for all species are limited.
Skimmers: yes, I was told to go with the Aqua C line..I am going to do a refugium and use the urchin aqua c only because I read and heard that this is the best way to filter and keeps maintenance down alittle.
Hopefully this helps alittle..If you lose power alot..the sump is not going to make a difference. Everything you have plugged in is still going out too..so you will have to deal with all of that too.
Good luck to you!!
Heaters: I am going to be getting 2 instead of one..always better to be safe incase one breaks down. Make sure you get the ones that are covered so that it does not explode in the tank should it break.
Not sure about RO unit yet..I am going to have to keep researching that.