Need a quiet protien skimmer

[beachbaby]

We have our tank in the bed room. It is too noisy at night so we set it on a timer to go off at night and start up in the morning. Since we've done that two shrimp have died. I think it has to do with the protien skimmer because this is the first (two) death(s)in our tank. My question is...Does anyone know of a quiet skimmer so we can leave it running? Everything was fine when we did that. Thanks for the help. Oh yea- can you tell me price range, too? Thanks again!

 

[deita]

I bought the sealife systems nv75 from SWF.com, and it's quiet and kicks butt! I get lots of green/brown gunk fast. For the price, and in sump feature I think its great. I have it on a 54 gal corner bow, with 5 small-med fish, gorgonian, 3 shrimp, 2 crab, 7 hermit [red], orange ball sponge, and 3 corals. Don't buy a SEACLONE for the same $$.

 

[nitrex]

When you turn your skimmer off, you potentially release a ton of protien back into the tank all at once, which can cause various problems, most likely there will be a quick decline in O2. Whatever protein hasn't made the collection cup yet and has been making its way up the tube will now fall back into the tank. If the skimmer is a very powerful one on a small tank -i.e. a skimmer that can be used on a 120 and your tank is only a 40, then the amount of protein being relased back into the tank all at once is relatively high compared to a skimmer that has a max capcity for a 60 gal tank on your 40 gal tank. Are you following me?
Whenever I plan on shutting my skimmer down I always first start decreasing the amount of air bubbles or I just raise the level so high that water reaches the cup, this way I know I got all the protein that has been slowly making it's way to the top.

 

[nitrex]

Anyone have experience with Red Sea's Prizm skimmer? Is it loud and how effective is it?
I use Supreme's Skilter on my 20, and a 24" venturi on my 75. The skilter isn't bad, but like baechbaby's problem, the skilter is also very loud and I want to find a quiet one for the 20. My venturi driven skimmer is great, barely makes any noise. I got is so long ago that I can't even remember the name of it... <img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" />

 

[ebeckels]

I love the prizm...I got it real cheap on ----. However, if ur looking for a quiet skimmer...Prizm is not the way to go, if u ask me. I remember some people saying that theirs is quiet, while plenty of people agree with me and say it is a good skimmer but very loud. I also might remember hearing about a sound dampening trick...maybe mr.salty said it before...about a few months ago I'd say.

 

[mlm]

This prizim is loud, but I have gotton used to it so I don't even hear it anymore. I do notice it though if I turn it off for a second and then turn it back on.

 

[beachbaby]

We have a prizm and it does an awesome job. But, this is the one that is keeping us awake at night with the noise.
Nitrex- That is what I was afraid of-that we were releasing junk into the tank by turning it on and off.
Deita- I will look into that quiet skimmer you mentioned. Especially if it works well, too. (important)
Thanks!

 

[lordofthereef]

want a quiet skimmer for a small tank?? then do this!! take a skilter, an air pump, air valve, a wooden airstone, and a container from a roll of film. put the wooden airstone into the film container. then attach airline to it with your air valve. on the lid to the collection above the skimmer tube, make a hole that just fits the airline. now, take out the air tube for the skilter cause you don't need it anymore. after that, place the film container with the wooden airstone in the bottom of the skimmer tube. put the airline through the collection cup lid, and put it all back together. now, hook up the air pump, start everything up, and you have yourself a quiet skimmer! actually, it works quite well like that. better then the original design!

 

[deita]

I called SWF, and he told me it was a super skimmer. He wasn't lying. All I can say is it is quiet and does a fantastic job. It only took about a day to get broken in. [10 hrs]. Noise wasn't a factor for me but very quiet anyway, and comes with powerhead. I use it on a 54 gal tank + 10 gal sump. Really can't say enough good things about it. Check out <a href="http://WWW.sealife" target="_blank">WWW.sealife</a> systems .com for more info. SWF will also back me on this. <img src="graemlins//angel.gif" border="0" alt="[angel]" />

 

[nitrex]

LordoftheReef-
Did you come in from the top of the collection tube where the foam comes out, or did you come in the side some how? I can think of a way to do both, just wondering if you tried it....also how big an aipr pump do you need for it to be effective?

 

[nitrex]

deita-
Does the skimmer your refering to have a hang on option, or is it for the sump only?

 

[lordofthereef]

i used to use one a long time ago like that. before i decided to run skimmerless. but it is effective. i ran the air line straight through the skimmer tube, and right out the top of the lid. i used the small tetra tec deep water air pump on it. also, you may produce air bubbles with it, so, on top where the water returns to the tank, put some filter floss. it should help greatly.
have fun!!!

 

[deita]

It's the NV75 in sump model, but they actually make 3 kinds i think.

 

[nitrex]

I love to tinker and make modifications like this...tahnks for the advice...
<img src="graemlins//freak.gif" border="0" alt="[freak]" />

 

[lordofthereef]

well, as alf would say....NO PROBLEM!

 

[beth]

deita, how did you get a SeaLife skimmer from SWF.com? Their dry goods list only has CPR and Red SEA.
I'm going to move this tread to the Equiptment Forum.