Let's talk about skimmers

[Wheelman76]

Check out the SRO 2000int , it's a beast. Rated for 180 to 200 gallons IIRC. Has been out for years now and from all the reading I've done on reef central on skimmers it has to be one of the most popular skimmers out there.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Wheelman76

Check out the SRO 2000int , it's a beast. Rated for 180 to 200 gallons IIRC. Has been out for years now and from all the reading I've done on reef central on skimmers it has to be one of the most popular skimmers out there.

I've read that a bit, I'll look into it further.

[christyf5]

Love my ER. When upgrading to my 180 I looked at a lot of skimmers but wasn't willing to take the plunge on the big $$ without being able to try or see it in action. Lucky another used ER came up so it was a no brainer. The "newer" ones (pre-cost saving measures to compete with chinese knockoffs) have way thinner acrylic and are more "delicate" (I'm not the most gentle with them) than my old little tank of a skimmer. Broke the neck off 2 weeks after buying it but a quick fix with some crazy glue or whatever I had on hand and it has been running like a champ ever since even though it ain't pretty. Pump is great too, goes through impellers every 12-18 mo due to swelling of the magnet. One day I'll be unable to find the sedra 9000 impellers but until then I'm good to go

I'm also kicking it old school with metal halides

I thought you had an ER??? What happened to it?

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by christyf5

I thought you had an ER??? What happened to it?

Too tall. I had to take a hit with a lower stand and it had to go. Otherwise it would still be running.
I also have a RS180 here, but no pump. The Sedra 5000 won't run it well, so I would need something bigger.

I was able to buy 2 BK mini 160s, one with a shot pump, for $350. The good one was good for about 10 days before it died Now I'm just ****ed -lol

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Too tall. I had to take a hit with a lower stand and it had to go. Otherwise it would still be running.
I also have a RS180 here, but no pump. The Sedra 5000 won't run it well, so I would need something bigger.

I was able to buy 2 BK mini 160s, one with a shot pump, for $350. The good one was good for about 10 days before it died Now I'm just ****ed -lol

Yeah I'd be ****ed too. No pump replacements? I just can't keep up with all the skimmer talk these days. Seems you can drop 2K on a skimmer and then people are all "ooh you need to upgrade the pump to a flaming dragon". My money tree is dead so I'm effed if my ER ever croaks. Either that or I'll be hitting up your equipment graveyard for salvage

[spit.fire]

Originally Posted by The Guy

I also have an Omega 150, quick question by turning out the venturi, am I right in thinking it speeds up the water and air mixture going into the skimmer by increasing the flow length?

It allows more or less air to mix with the water, which in turn affects the height as the less air the more efficiently the pump will pump water

[MarkoD]

The csc and skimz have a screw that controls a gate valve. I set mine 6 months ago and haven't had to fiddle with it since

[Ron99]

Originally Posted by spit.fire

It allows more or less air to mix with the water, which in turn affects the height as the less air the more efficiently the pump will pump water

Yes. And I believe screwing it out should draw more air if I remember correctly.

[jordsyke]

I have a 120G display with about 30G more in sump.
Run both an Omega 150 with a Vertex Vectra neck cleaner and a Skimz SK181

The Skimz has about 9" of water, Vertex is lifted to about 6.5"
Biopellets piped right into Skimz skimmer, it pulls out decent sludge/waste

Vertex is right next to my drain pipe, it pulls out the darkest, nastiest crudd venturi is turned in all the way. I found it was a bugger to get figured out but also found that small adjustments over long periods of time was best for getting it going good

[reefbyremote]

I have a Lifereef skimmer and it is great. Had euro reef and swc 160 before that was reasonably happy with them except euro reef was loud and the swc, regardless how adjusted, always gunned up the neck. The Life reef was a big improvement on both counts. And it really pulls the organics out. It has been great.