Skimmer problem - best skimmer for a 75g reef tank??

[Jeanette]

Skimmer issues: I have an old Vertex 150 skimmer (probably 7-8 years old). Last fall I started having issues with it not restarting after power off. I found that that the impeller shaft had a small broken piece. I ended up getting a replacement impeller, that has worked 100% until now. Now everytime the power is turned off, it does not restart and must be reprimed (I stick my finger over the intake for a second). I cleaned the pump and find no issue with the impeller or pump. Yes - it is old and it has served me well. But it really pulled out the gunk. Anything else I should try before giving up on it???


If nothing else to try, what are recommendations for a new skimmer?? 75 gallon - heavily stocked system. I started looking at the Bubble Magus Curve 7 elite, but it requires 9.5-11" of water. I only have @8" water depth in my sump. My sump is a 20gal long.

 

[His Coral Highness]

watching

 

[legionofdoon]

Lifereef, you can put whatever pump you want on it, I have one on about 60-70 total gallons and it works great.

 

[Spare time]

Have you checked out the aquavitro skimmers? They look fun lol. Otherwise, red sea skimmers are good if you don't need a/c.

 

[paul17]

yea what he said

 

[paul17]

on life reef

 

[hoffmeyerz]

Lifereef, you can put whatever pump you want on it, I have one on about 60-70 total gallons and it works great.

Second the Lifereef. I run one on my 75gal. With a mag 9 pump.

 

[legionofdoon]

I switched to a dcp 8000 for my pump. That's one of the great things about them, not tied to a specific pump.

 

[hoffmeyerz]

I switched to a dcp 8000 for my pump. That's one of the great things about them, not tied to a specific pump.

Or tied to specific water depth. Easy to dial it in by adjusting the output gate valve. I added a co2 scrubber and an optical sensor in the cup, easy to do as well.

 

[Pistondog]

I had the same circumstance on my 75g. Vertex not consistent and pump not adjustable. I bought a reef octo 150 elite with varios adj pump. I looked at just getting a varios pump, but the addtional cost for the reef octo skimmer too was worth it.
The varios lets you tune the skimmer to your needs.

 

[legionofdoon]

Or tied to specific water depth. Easy to dial it in by adjusting the output gate valve. I added a co2 scrubber and an optical sensor in the cup, easy to do as well.

I tried the CO2 scrubber from BRS and took it off. They sent me a purple tinted housing... how am I supposed to see the color change!? I left feedback and heard absolutely nothing from them not even a thanks for your input. Only thing I regret from buying from them and now it just sitting in the garage with the media I bought with it. Caveat emptor.

 

[Red_Beard]

I have a red sea rsk300 on my 75. It has been the only skimmer I’ve owned though so take that with a grain of salt. It is pretty good, the features like drain hose and viewing notch are legit awesome to have. May be a bit too much skimmer for my bio load though.
3 big pajama cardinals
3 little chromis
1 firefish
1 medium diamond watchman goby
1 small yellow eye kohl
1 ocellaris clown

hth

 

[legionofdoon]

This is about an hour after cleaning the pump,venturi and the cup. I use the mazzei venturi.

 

[legionofdoon]

Im also running the gate valve wide open so it's the lowest water level possible in the reaction chamber.