Protein Skimmer Counter Current, Air Stone

[fish head]

Has anyone had any luck using a Counter Current, Air Stone Bubble Generated type Protein Skimmer?
I have one in a 20 Gal reef tank, and it seems to need a lot of maintenance. The wooden airstone accumulates a slim like mess, and the pump is so small it clogs easily. Anyone else had better experience?
See the skimmer at this site: http://www.salinesolutions.net/Skimm...nSkimmers.html

 

[wamp]

I have never liked air stone driven skimmers. They require too much maintance. Not to mention, the replacment of the airstone from time to time.

 

[fish head]

Thanks. That confirms what I thought. What skimmer would you recommend on a 25 gal tank? Low maintenance and quiet and no sump.

 

[david s]

prizm works very well but is loud if noise is a problem for another 20 bucs or so a seaclone 100 is alot quieter and works well too

 

[surfnturf]

Prizm is perfect for a tank that size, noise was a problem in the early prizms, they used a 12 blade impeller. They have since switched to an 18 blade impeller, it is pretty quiet now. By the way if you have an old 12 blade impeller, you may be able to convince the folks at Red Sea that they should send you an 18 blade impeller.

 

[reeferx]

Originally posted by Fish Head
Has anyone had any luck using a Counter Current, Air Stone Bubble Generated type Protein Skimmer?

I did back in '91 - '93.
I had two 24"x6" cc's that were gravity fed from my prefilter on my 40 breeder. They were very nice actually and pulled major amounts of gunk.
The key is too have a strong air pump, I think I had Whisper 400s, and maintain water levels to prevent fluxations in the skimmers.
Every couple weeks you should scrape or replace the wood air diffusers.
They can work very well. Some big shots like Theil, even go so far as to say they work better than Venturi's.
But you shouldn't use those dinky Lee's or Coralifes.
I recommend something like this:
http://www.precisionmarine.com/Air_P...626/ap626.html
hth
matt