Is there such thing as a set it and forget it skimmer?

[DrewBrees713]

i had a PM skimmer in the sump a few years back. It worked great except i have to tune it daily to set the bubble level in the riser to where i want it. Can someone recommend a skimmer that i dont need to dial in everyday?

 

[Geebs19]

I have a PM, as long as I keep the sump water level consistent I never have to tune it.

 

[BestMomEver]

I wish....

 

[Greybeard]

Seems to be as much about consistent water quality and water level than it is about the skimmer.

My Vertex 180i seems pretty darned stable. I clean the stinky black muck out of the cup once a week, and wipe out the skimmer neck once a month... when I clean the skimmer neck, I check adjustment. Haven't had to actually change anything since I replaced the pump last spring.

 

[User1]

Set and forget - sure. Probably many skimmers out there will do this provided you keep the water level consistent or whatever is required for it to run properly. I'm not going to say brand A is better than brand B but I will say that my Lifereef is set and forget. Been that way since 2000 so just one example. Only time I have had issues with it is if I exceed the high and low water level in the sump. But that gets back to consistent water level and flow.

 

[Mrx7899]

My lifereef skimmer is haven't touched it since I set it up about 8 months ago.

 

[WVNed]

There is no reason for the foam level to always be the same. When something is in the tank the skimmer can remove the foam will rise and once it is gone it will fall.
You should pay attention to what it removes over several days, not moment to moment.

 

[theMeat]

Another vote for vertex. There are other good skimmers out there, and while vertex can take some time to dial in, once done, the most rock steady skimmer

 

[sa6hir]

I’ve not touched mine in 3 years. Bubble magus.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Tunze is generally regarded as set and forget

 

[DrewBrees713]

Well the water level in my baffel where the skimmer located is pretty constant. I feed very little and pretty much the same thing everyday. What do you think could be the problem?

 

[theMeat]

The more air that gets sucked into pump, the lower the water level inside skimmer. Start here...
Turn air open all the way and adjust level with output valve.
If air/micro bubbles coming out of skimmer, or air from display overflow get sucked into skimmer, that will lead to fluctuations

 

[WVNed]

I don't think you have a problem. I think you just don't have much to skim.

 

[Waters]

I don't think that exists.......even if I change the filter sock it affects the water level within the skimmer and needs to be adjusted, even if just temporarily.

 

[DrewBrees713]

I dont think my water level is low enough where the pump would suck in more air.

I think i have enough to skim because i have to clean the skimmer riser every 6-8 days.

 

[alton]

Aqua C Urchin Pro, I have not adjusted it in 15 years.

 

[theMeat]

I dont think my water level is low enough where the pump would suck in more air..

tank overflow creates air going into sump, sometimes. I’m guessing your skimmer is in first chamber.
Micro bubbles, more or less, can make it back into skimmer intake too.
turn skimmer so it’s intake is away from bubbles coming from tank overflow. And skimmer output downstream of its intake

 

[Water Dog]

Get a Lifereef and never look back!

For those recommending a Vertex, I had an Omega 130 in the past. That was one of the most finicky, difficult to tune, inconsistent skimmers I’ve ever had the displeasure of dealing with. It would stop skimming if I looked at it funny. I don’t have experience with the other skimmers in the Vertex line, but as far as the 130 goes, I don’t think I’m alone in how much I hated that specific skimmer (see BRS reviews).

 

[WVNed]

I have to empty/clean mine every 3-4 days.

 

[tsav87]

One more vote for Tunze, but I agree with what some have already stated. It doesn't matter what brand skimmer you have if the water level and/or parameters are chaining constantly, how can you expect the skimmer to remain constant?