Skimmer or Apex controller?

[Billldg]

Having a hard time deciding on which piece of equipment to get next, a Apex EL controller or a Skimmer. I currently have a lot of coral frags in my DT and I only have 1 fish I'm about to introduce into the DT. I'm having a hard time getting fish thru QT which is why I don't have more and I'm about to start another round of QT fish. Which one is more important in the eyes of the veteran reefers, the controller or the skimmer. Thanks

 

[Trickman2]

Do you have a skimmer now? Skimmers are one of the most critical pieces of equipment and controllers are a nice to have in comparison.

 

[ndrwater]

Skimmer. Not even a question. A controller is nice, but definitely not a required piece of equipment. A skimmer will go a long way to making your water quality as good as possible. Get the best one you can afford. Size it slightly larger than your tank volume. Most skimmers are over rated IMO as far as manufacturer specs.

 

[Billldg]

Do you have a skimmer now? Skimmers are one of the most critical pieces of equipment and controllers are a nice to have in comparison.

I have a Vertex 180 but cant get it to work right, bought it used, so I'm looking at getting the Skimz Octa SC165i. Been keeping LPS but just ventured into SPS and I know high nutrients are a no no.

 

[Trickman2]

I have a Vertex 180 but cant get it to work right, bought it used, so I'm looking at getting the Skimz Octa SC165i. Been keeping LPS but just ventured into SPS and I no high nutrients are a no no.

Can you be more specific on working right? It might not be a lost cause.

 

[Billldg]

Can you be more specific on working right? It might not be a lost cause.

Keeps overflowing, I kept my water level at 7.5 inches which should be about perfect for the vertex, from opinions on the site and around, I 've raised it, lowered it, messed around with the venturi and still can't get it to stop overflowing, the only way I could get it to stop was to choke down the water inlet itself and then I have no way to really control it. I have also messed around with the supposed water inlet adjustment and still nothing but overflowing.

 

[ndrwater]

Keeps overflowing, I kept my water level at 7.5 inches which should be about perfect for the vertex, from opinions on the site and around, I 've raised it, lowered it, messed around with the venturi and still can't get it to stop overflowing, the only way I could get it to stop was to choke down the water inlet itself and then I have no way to really control it. I have also messed around with the supposed water inlet adjustment and still nothing but overflowing.

In a new thank, this is perfectly normal. I would adjust the skimmer to where it isn't overflowing by choking down the water inlet, remove the collection cup, and let it ride for a bit. It should settle down to where you can out the cup back on and skim as normal. I wouldn't spend more money with another skimmer just yet...

 

[Trickman2]

Keeps overflowing, I kept my water level at 7.5 inches which should be about perfect for the vertex, from opinions on the site and around, I 've raised it, lowered it, messed around with the venturi and still can't get it to stop overflowing, the only way I could get it to stop was to choke down the water inlet itself and then I have no way to really control it. I have also messed around with the supposed water inlet adjustment and still nothing but overflowing.

This can be common on a new tank. Supplement and water conditioners can reek havoc on skimmers. Raising the skimmer or lowering the water level is always a good testing option.

Things I would look out for.
1) lots of micro bubbles coming out the skimmer. Is a sign of skimmer reacting to something in the water.
2) what supplements have you added?
3) water level to high in sump

Lastly important to consider replacing the skimmer will not likely fix the above issues.

Think about testing the skimmer in a bucket/container of fresh saltwater. No additives added.

 

[trido]

I have to agree with the two posts above. There isnt much to a skimmer. If the pump impeller isnt plugged along with the air intake or internal water level adjustment it should be working as designed. Sometimes you have to just let the skimmer blow up and keep draining the collection cup as many times as needed until it settles down. Dump the water into the drain and replace it with new water and treat it like a WC.

 

[Billldg]

Trust me when I say that if I can get this skimmer to work right I would be very happy because I don't want to have to spend 500 dollars on a skimmer. I just plugged in back in again and will let it run for a day or two without the collection cup to see if it settles down. Ironically when I plugged it in its actually controllable, the bubble high that is, go figure. The only supplements I use right now are Kalk and the occasional sodium bicarbonate to make adjustments.

 

[Gareth elliott]

You could purchase a skimmer stand if water level cant be adjusted. Skimmers are quirky with water chemistry, lots of positive charged particles, they tend to wig out. A skimmer stand might allow you more room to adjust the skimmer.

 

[Billldg]

I can raise my water level in my sump from 7 to 8.5 inches.

Let me ask my fellow veteran reefers something, would running a carbon reactor with 1.5 cups of carbon and a 1/2 cup of gfo affect the skimmer. Like I had said earlier that when I plugged it in last time I couldn't get it to adjust no matter what I did. When I plugged it in this time its reacting how I would expect it to react. I can control the bubble height with ease and the only thing that is different is me installing a reactor. Could their have been something in the water that the carbon and gfo is getting out that wasn't being removed earlier causing the overflow problems?

 

[Gareth elliott]

Carbon and gfo are both removing ions from the water that could have an effect, i have never noticed one though after changing my reactor out.

Fwiw
My skimmer took a week to stop going nuts when i installed it. I left the silencer and gate open when started. With the cup off. Then once a day adjusted the gate. On day 2 or 3 placed the cup back on. By day 5 gate was correct and i started tweaking the silencer.

 

[cgdcinc]

If you don’t have an auto top off I would make that my next purchase. The money spent for the reward is hard to beat. RODI as well. If you don’t already have them. Good luck with the skimmer that will save some cash if it’s working[emoji383]

 

[Billldg]

If you don’t have an auto top off I would make that my next purchase. The money spent for the reward is hard to beat. RODI as well. If you don’t already have them. Good luck with the skimmer that will save some cash if it’s working[emoji383]

I pretty mush have everything except a controller and a reliable skimmer, but maybe I will get lucky and my current skimmer will pan out. Having a 120 gal tank I couldn't see myself not already having a RO/DI system before I did the build, to much water to have to go to the LFS to pick up.

 

[Mjl714]

I like the skimmer advice above, give some time and you’ll be fine. Sometimes when I change water, or add frag glues or puddy’s, the skimmer goes crazy.

 

[Trickman2]

Glues and epoxy can make a skimmer go ballistic.

 

[cgdcinc]

I pretty mush have everything except a controller and a reliable skimmer, but maybe I will get lucky and my current skimmer will pan out. Having a 120 gal tank I couldn't see myself not already having a RO/DI system before I did the build, to much water to have to go to the LFS to pick up.

[emoji106]

 

[miPapareef]

Raise that skimmer way up like only 5” of water then you’ll be able to adjust it with the normal controls. I have one and it’s on a large stand so the the water level is below the red vertical tube.

 

[Billldg]

Raise that skimmer way up like only 5” of water then you’ll be able to adjust it with the normal controls. I have one and it’s on a large stand so the the water level is below the red vertical tube.

For whatever reason now is working fine, go figure, actually having to open it up to get the foam above the overfill cup. Gonna let it ride a couple of days and then tweak it again. Hopefully I get lucky and I'm able to put my money towards the controller because I won't need a skimmer, I bought the used Vertex Omega 180i because of the reviews and hate to waste money. I also had built a stand and still have it in case.