Need Skimmer Advice for SPS

Brandon McHenry · May 2, 2016

Hey guys. So I have a 150 gallon well stocked SPS tank and I have been running into pump issues on my Eshopps 150 skimmer that I have been running for the past two years. The pump is acting temperamental and only pumping when it wants to, and I accidentally broke the air intake while cleaning it (just my luck). I know that at this point the skimmer is probably undersized for the livestock that I currently have.

So the question is, do I replace the skimmer pump (around $90 for what I found via a quick internet search) or should I be replacing the skimmer all together?

Just a quick iPhone picture to show you what I have (sorry for the poor quality but the real camera is charging).

CodyRVA · May 2, 2016

If you don't have any nutrient issues, I don't see the point in buying a new skimmer, considering that would cost several hundreds of dollars vs the $90 to replace the pump on the current skimmer. Unless, you're planning to upgrade to a larger tank, in which case it would be an ideal time to upgrade your skimmer, I would just replace the pump. If your system is balanced and stabilized, theres little to gain from screwing with it, you'll likely do more harm than good. For example: upgraded skimmer > drives nutrients way down > reduces growth; not to say that's what will happen, but it's possible. You could of course get the larger skimmer and turn it down, or dose amino acids, feed heavier, etc; but then what's the point in getting the larger skimmer at all?

Graffiti Spot · May 3, 2016

I would get a new skimmer with a better pump. No point in getting the same pump that went bad when you can get something better. I like to run oversized skimmers so I can feed my fish more. No need to dose anything then. Plus you can run it dry. Corals like nutrients especially when it's being exported well. And fish like lots of food.
The new pump is half the price of a new 150 ehopps. I would get something with a bubble blaster or similar pump. I never had issues with them.

luke33 · May 3, 2016

Your tank looks great! If you have a sicce pump i would replace it, if you have an atman pump i would get a new skimmer as the pump will most likely fail within a year or so and you'll be out another 90bux. If your looking for a budget skimmer that will work well look at the simplicity skimmers or reefbreeder(dc700 is what i would use on your tank) skimmer line. Both run off jebao dc pump's, which is probably what 90% of the dc pump's are for your higher end skimmers out there, just re-branded.

Russ265 · May 4, 2016

do you believe the skimmer is undersized because you read it on the internet? or is there a valid concern of an abundance of doc?

id just replace the pump personally

Brandon McHenry · May 4, 2016

Hey sorry about the delayed response. I have no nutrient issues due to bacteria/carbon dosing. As of right now the pump appears to be functioning but the air intake is still broken (I have it Jerry rigged right now). One way or the other something has to be replaced whether it's as simple as the air intake or the entire skimmer. When I bought the skimmer I knew that it wouldn't last forever in terms of bioload. I just had no idea how quickly I would actually grow an established reef. All I can say about its performance is that I've never seen that concentrated sludge that some people talk about when assessing their skimmers performance. I can run it dry and I never seem to pull out that muck. Whether that is the skimmers fault or I just don't have enough DOC for that I don't know. If I have to replace something I just want to be sure I'm getting what my tank really needs.

reefwiser · May 4, 2016

Skimmer that is not constantly giving consistent water level and bubble production doesn't need to on your tank. It is doing very little.
I would get a new model. The biggest problems with most of the skimmers people buy is that they don't come with pumps that where made to be used on a skimmer and venturi production. So water levels and bubble size will vary under use.

Graffiti Spot · May 4, 2016

If your carbon dosing I would upgrade. I bet a bigger skimmer with the right pump will produce a lot more gunk. Since your carbon dosing a bigger or should I say better skimmer might help pull out more bacteria.

I run a huuuge skimmer, way oversized. It never stops performing. I would say because I am adding a high amount of carbon and a lot of food. I would not worry about driving nutrients real low with a bigger skimmer. I think a better pump and skimmer body would only benefit your tank. You have beautiful colonies and if they keep growing you might have to upgrade soon anyways. Let us know what you do and how it goes.

sonubhai · May 4, 2016

I got tired of playing with the water levels on the SCA-301 skimmer so after a year of dealing with it I upgraded to Reef Octopus -110SSS and man I love this thing.

Graffiti Spot · May 4, 2016

My favorite reef octopus is the SRO 5000ext. I haven't tried the new ones with DC pumps and probably never will since the bubble blasters do so well. I still use mazzei injectors over anything, and most of the time I mod my skimmers to run both mazzeis and needlewheels.

Brandon McHenry · May 6, 2016

Yeah even with with my skimmer set dry I can only manage a dark brown liquid, not sludge. Im not sure if the skimmer has just weakened over time or it truly isn't strong enough to pull the DOC's from my water with the bioload I have. I have heard really good things about the Reef Octopus skimmers but there are several different models that would suit my tank size and Im not sure which one would be right.

Brandon McHenry · May 8, 2016

In case this helps anyone to understand my situation, this is after a few days of dry skimming on my tank. This is the average quality of skimmate that I get week to week. It has always seemed quite watery. If anyone has any thoughts or opinions they would be greatly appreciated!

Russ265 · May 8, 2016

Brandon McHenry said:
In case this helps anyone to understand my situation, this is after a few days of dry skimming on my tank. This is the average quality of skimmate that I get week to week. It has always seemed quite watery. If anyone has any thoughts or opinions they would be greatly appreciated!

i cant see the pics on my phone because it is a zip, but i remember when i had my skimmer that if the skimmate was watery and tea looking, i would lower the adjuster so that the bubbles start at the neck of the cup. if it is already there, try lowering the adjuster a bit more so the bubbles drop 1/2 ' lower

Brandon McHenry · May 8, 2016

Somehow the video flipped sideways but you still get the idea.

Russ265 · May 8, 2016

Brandon McHenry said:
Somehow the video flipped sideways but you still get the idea.

yeah thats the consistency i was talking about. drop the foam line lower.

Brandon McHenry · May 8, 2016

Russ265 said:
yeah thats the consistency i was talking about. drop the foam line lower.

I can definitely try to drop the level a little lower but it's already pretty dry I think. Do you think with the quality of skimmate shown in the video I am pulling out enough of the DOC that my tank is producing? I feel like I have a pretty decent bioload and I'm not sure if this skimmer can handle the load anymore.

Russ265 · May 8, 2016

Brandon McHenry said:
I can definitely try to drop the level a little lower but it's already pretty dry I think. Do you think with the quality of skimmate shown in the video I am pulling out enough of the DOC that my tank is producing? I feel like I have a pretty decent bioload and I'm not sure if this skimmer can handle the load anymore.

probably best if i defer this answer to someone else.

i have a 300 gallon system.

foxface, pbt, regal tang, melanarus wrasse, carpenter wrasse, yellow watchman goby, and copperband butterfly...

no skimmer.

Graffiti Spot · May 8, 2016

That cup is tiny, I can't imagine the skimmer being big. Personally if I had those colonies and a good bioloads I would upgrade to a much bigger skimmer. I bet you will pull a lot more out with a bigger body and pump. I have noticed the same kind of skim when using an undersized skimmer. I think if you have a frag sale one day it will pay for your new skimmer. So we all have the info...
What exactly and how much are you feeding?
What is your bioload of fish?
What's your total water volume?

Brandon McHenry · May 8, 2016

Pedoconfuego said:
That cup is tiny, I can't imagine the skimmer being big. Personally if I had those colonies and a good bioloads I would upgrade to a much bigger skimmer. I bet you will pull a lot more out with a bigger body and pump. I have noticed the same kind of skim when using an undersized skimmer. I think if you have a frag sale one day it will pay for your new skimmer. So we all have the info...
What exactly and how much are you feeding?
What is your bioload of fish?
What's your total water volume?

No the skimmer is not that big. I think it's probably undersized for my tank which is why I'm getting advice on the topic.

I feed my fish 3 times a day, 1 cube gut loaded mysis, 1 cube Arctic cyclops, 1 cube blood worms and a few pinches of Thera a pellets daily.

I have a regal blue hippo tang, a yellow tang, kole tang, two Picasso clowns, two black bar chromis, melanarus wrasse, green wrasse, 3 green chromis, tomato clown, candy basslet and 3 squarespot anthias being added today.

150gallon tank, 55 gallon sump filled halfway for a net volume of around 150 gallons (my rough calculation)

And a frag sale? I've never even thought of that. I've never thought that anything I have someone would pay for. I don't even know anyone in the hobby

SchnitzelReef · May 8, 2016

If your not looking to spend big bucks on an ATB or bubble King, I would look at Aquamaxx skimmers. They aren't the cheapest skimmers out there, but they come with Sicce pumps. They are Italian made work horses, and very quiet. The biggest down fall to most budget/Chinese skimmers, is their pumps.

I have multiple friends in the Hobby that have the funds to buy any skimmer they want, and they run Aquamaxx skimmers. Kind of makes me regret buying my bubble King, when I see how great their skimmers work. Maybe not as pretty as mine, but we all know how stupid it is to own a pretty expensive toilet.