Protein Skimmer

NeverlosT · Jan 5, 2014

I just purchased a reef dynamics skimmer and haven't fired it up yet, but I bought it because I have had two SuperReefOctopus skimmers in the past SRO1000XP and SRO1000SSS and was not impressed by the size and quantity of bubbles produced, even with the bubble blaster pumps. My LFS runs all ReefDynamics skimmers and I was sold as soon as I saw them operating, super small bubbles, tons of them, it is a picture of what a skimmer should look like when running. So I bought one, and let me tell you, they aren't cheap, so if it doesn't work well, I'll not be shy about it, but I have very high hopes.

If you get one, splurge and get the Eheim pump, saw the difference in the shop, both in noise and bubble quality.

Another note, everyone seems to think that more skimmer is always better. Well if you get too big a skimmer and cannot maintain a foam head, you are wasting your money. Maybe buy one a bit big, but don't just buy a huge skimmer expecting it to work better just because of the size.

Good luck!

Pbennett657 · Jan 6, 2014

Thanks for all the Info y'all.. It has been a lot of help!!

gtbarsi · Jan 6, 2014

NeverlosT said:
Another note, everyone seems to think that more skimmer is always better. Well if you get too big a skimmer and cannot maintain a foam head, you are wasting your money. Maybe buy one a bit big, but don't just buy a huge skimmer expecting it to work better just because of the size.

Good luck!

That is one thing I LOVE about RD skimmers, you do not have to buy oversize they really rate there skimmers accurately. If they say it is good for a 80 gallon mixed reef it is, where you might have to buy a skimmer rated for 200+ gallons from another manufacturer to get the same level of skimming.

Pbennett657 · Jan 7, 2014

Can you have to big of a protein Skimmer??

bigfoot86 · Jan 7, 2014

Love my reef octopus! Just does what it's supposed to do and pulls out some nasty stuff. But IMHO, there's quite of few skimmers out on the market that work just as well.

chefb_5 · Jan 7, 2014

I would have to say Supper Reef Octopus skimmers!!! can't go wrong with how well it works for a decent price.

BHHOWARD · Jan 7, 2014

Take a look at this thread from IMO the Professor of Skimmers:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/eq...uarium-filtration/25416-skimmer-q-thread.html

gtbarsi · Jan 7, 2014

Pbennett657 said:
Can you have to big of a protein Skimmer??

Yes!

If you skimmer is too big you will not have enough DOCs in your water that can be separated to form a stable foam head and it will not be able to build up and make it to the skimmer cup. Until the DOCs are in the collection cup, they can continue to break down and add nitrates to the system.

That is one of the reasons why I love the RD skimmers, they are never over rated, many skimmer brands overrate there skimmers to be more price competitive, then you end up having to replace it as your bio load exceeds the capabilities of the skimmer. With many brands you can use a skimmer rated for twice your rated water volume with out any problems, and in many cases you have to use a severely over rated skimmer to keep up with a mature or heavily stocked system.

RD skimmers sit idle most of the time until there are DOCs added to the system such as when food is added to the system. DOCs cause a change in the reaction chamber, the bubble size becomes smaller, the volume of the bubbles increases, the water level at the bottom of the skimmer drops, and then the bubble head overflows in to the collection cup. As soon as the DOCs are skimmed out of the water the reaction chamber returns to the idle state.

If your skimmer does not have a noticeably active and idle state that it cycles through within an hour or two, then chances are it is undersized. There are other possibilities, you may have something(s) constantly adding DOCs to your system at a rate that is enough to keep the skimmer active.
Dead livestock can do that, but should stop once it is removed or eaten.
A mechanical filter that is not being changed often enough can do that, but should stop once it is replaced.
I imagine a really old & dirty sand bed could also do that...