Let's talk about skimmers

[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.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by 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.

What model, what pump, how loud?

[Aquattro]

And truth be told, I look at Lifereef's site and visual OCD kicks in and makes me leave. Worst site ever.

[reefbyremote]

It's a vs2-24 in sump with a mag drive 9 pump. I don't find it noisy at all. My eheim 1262 return pump is louder.

Yes the site sucks. But how many companies in this hobby can you call and speak to the actual owner and at the same time the manufacturer?

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by reefbyremote

It's a vs2-24 in sump with a mag drive 9 pump. I don't find it noisy at all. My eheim 1262 return pump is louder.

Yes the site sucks. But how many companies in this hobby can you call and speak to the actual owner and at the same time the manufacturer?

Mag pumps, as pumps go, are fairly loud. I have a mag 3 on my reactor and it's the loudest thing in the tank.

As for support, that's all great, but I hope to never have to speak to the owner But ya, good feature if you need it.

[Aquattro]

However, being all old school and stuff, I do think injected skimmers beat the various wheel designs.

[reefbyremote]

I always thought eheim was supposed to be quiet but it is way louder. As were the swc and the euro reef. If you want you can also buy it without the pump and use the pump of your choice as it is a Venturi skimmer. No pin wheel pump needed. Just something of the proper size to push the water.