help with skimmer

BoneXriffic · Apr 13, 2016

http://m.marinedepot.com/products/4w03522/bubble-magus-nac-series-protein-skimmerIve since noticed i think the pump in my old skimmer is crapping out blowing bubbles everywhere and sounding like rocks in a blender. Rest its sould ive had it 10 years and bought it used. Says aquaclear on it. And one recognize this brand?

Anyways i am on marinedepots site ready to empty my bank account yet again and would like advice...i want to be as cheap as possible but beable to upgrade. I have a 29now but plan on going to a 60 cube or 75 in the future. Probally 60

These are the 2 i was eyeing...feed back or other suggestions much appreciated

http://m.marinedepot.com/products/uj00189/aquamaxx-ws-1-in-sump-protein-skimmer

BoneXriffic · Apr 13, 2016

Somehow top link didnt end up on bottom with other sorry lol

mcarroll · Apr 13, 2016

Could your old skimmer be an "Aqua C" instead of Aquaclear? Pic?

If it is, you already have the skimmer you want - just get it working again! (Confirm which model you actually have, plz!)

BoneXriffic · Apr 14, 2016

mcarroll said:
Could your old skimmer be an "Aqua C" instead of Aquaclear? Pic?

If it is, you already have the skimmer you want - just get it working again! (Confirm which model you actually have, plz!)

BoneXriffic · Apr 14, 2016

Hard to get whole skimmer shot its wrapped in filter media to keep bubbles out of display tank

mcarroll · Apr 15, 2016

Got it...not the real brand Aqua Clear....hard for me to say if that's worth saving....I have a couple of skimmers that look a lot like that and they were not very good.

There arent too many skimmers that are going to perform ideally on 30 gallons and 75 gallons. AquaC Remora (hang on) and Urchin (in-sump) skimmers are two I can name. The reaction chamber height and pump (and skimmer cup, in extreme upgrades) can be changed as needed....giving more flexibility than most current designs. The Remora should be pretty easy to find used, but neither one is that expensive - even brand new.

I think for most current designs (need wheels) you'll have to target either the large tank or the small tank....I'd just plan on switching skimmers when you upgrade.

Maybe buying used for this tank makes sense for that reason?

BoneXriffic · Apr 15, 2016

mcarroll said:
Got it...not the real brand Aqua Clear....hard for me to say if that's worth saving....I have a couple of skimmers that look a lot like that and they were not very good.

There arent too many skimmers that are going to perform ideally on 30 gallons and 75 gallons. AquaC Remora (hang on) and Urchin (in-sump) skimmers are two I can name. The reaction chamber height and pump (and skimmer cup, in extreme upgrades) can be changed as needed....giving more flexibility than most current designs. The Remora should be pretty easy to find used, but neither one is that expensive - even brand new.

I think for most current designs (need wheels) you'll have to target either the large tank or the small tank....I'd just plan on switching skimmers when you upgrade.

Maybe buying used for this tank makes sense for that reason?

Used seems sensable if i could easily find one for cheap.... would a insump skimmer designed for up to 100gal just not work on the 30? And for what reason?

mcarroll · Apr 15, 2016

Skimmers aren't all that efficient to begin with only removing maybe 30 to 40% of dissolved carbon, so that is why most people oversize their skimmers to get the most out of them.

If you're using too small of a skimmer on too large of a system or too large of a skimmer on too small of a system it's not going to perform ideally. A lot of it hinges on the size of the neck - two large of a skimmer and there won't be enough organics to develop a complete head to get up out of the skimmer. Too small of a skimmer and it will skim 24/7, never able to keep up with the load of organics.

You can try to get a skimmer that fits somewhere in between the two tanks but then you're in a weird position of using a skimmer that's not ideal on either tank. I wouldn't bother with that when a used skimmer can be so cheap.

A Remora should be pretty easy to find because they were very very common - still are. Urchins were not nearly as common but if you're patient you should be able to find one of those too. I would post on the wanted to buy forum as well as subscribing to both that and the for sale form so you catch all new posts.

Edited for clarity....man, the errors! LOL