Skimmer with drain for Reefer 170

dennislagoon · Apr 4, 2022

Hi everyone,

I'm about to set up a Red Sea Reefer 170 and wondering what would be my best skimmer options.

I actually had my heart set on the Nyos Quantum 120, a slick looking skimmer with some good reviews.. until I discovered it doesn't have a build-in drain. And I really want one when I'm going on a vacation. I'm also a bit hesitant to drill it myself as I don't have a clue where to find a correct fitting where I live.

So my question is, which would be a good skimmer option on the 170 with a build-in drain? Budget isn't really a concern.

blaxsun · Apr 4, 2022

I wouldn't rule out the Nyos Quantum 120 simply for a lack of a drain on the collection cup. On that size of tank you've literally got weeks worth of skimmer capacity anyway. Even the 120 is overkill for your setup.

dennislagoon · Apr 4, 2022

Really? That would be amazing.

I've read that many people need to empty their cup every couple of days. Usually my vacations doesn't last longer than 2 weeks, so do you think if I skim it dry it will last long enough? Don't have much experience with skimmer yet to be honest.

2000se · Apr 4, 2022

blaxsun said:
I wouldn't rule out the Nyos Quantum 120 simply for a lack of a drain on the collection cup. On that size of tank you've literally got weeks worth of skimmer capacity anyway. Even the 120 is overkill for your setup.

And you can add a drain easy

homer1475 · Apr 4, 2022

If stuck on the NYOS skimmer, why not just drill and tap the cup for a 1/4" john guest fitting and use some RO/DI tubing for the drain? It's what I did on my skimmer that did not have drain in the cup.

2000se · Apr 4, 2022

^This

dennislagoon · Apr 4, 2022

homer1475 said:
If stuck on the NYOS skimmer, why not just drill and tap the cup for a 1/4" john guest fitting and use some RO/DI tubing for the drain? It's what I did on my skimmer that did not have drain in the cup.

Could you maybe post an image or link on how that fitting would look like? I do find all sort of stuff searching on a 1/4" john guest fitting, but not sure which one should be best.

Maybe it should have a 90 degree corner if I drill on the bottom of the cup? Or would on the side work better? I personally think the side might be prone to breaking easier.

Coolcasino · Apr 4, 2022

Octo, bubble magus and even the red sea reefer have drains. The reefer even comes with a valve. Also has a neck wiper.

homer1475 · Apr 4, 2022

Something like this, and yes I used the angled one. Just drill and tap the cup on the bottom, apply teflon tape to the threads of the fitting, thread into cup.

Mur-lok RO Elbow - Male NPT x Push Connect

Mur-lok RO fittings are the only RO fittings that feature dual EPDM O-rings to ensure a straight leak free fit. We believe GA Murdock Mur-lok fittings to be the best so strongly that we use them virtually exclusively on each of our BRS reverse osmosis systems and BRS media reactors. These high...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

homer1475 · Apr 4, 2022

Forgot to mention....

Since the threaded end is longer then the thickness of your cup, just use a hacksaw and saw a few threads off so it sits flush with the bottom of the cup.

Of course you can leave it be at that length too, it's just your cup will have to fill up a bit before it starts to drain. I found leaving that small amount in the cup, it got real stinky. Hence why I cut the threads a bit.

Waynerock · Apr 4, 2022

When I had that tank I had a reef octo 110ss it does not have a drain from the factory but you can make one easily

dennislagoon · Apr 4, 2022

homer1475 said:
Something like this, and yes I used the angled one. Just drill and tap the cup on the bottom, apply teflon tape to the threads of the fitting, thread into cup.

Mur-lok RO Elbow - Male NPT x Push Connect

Mur-lok RO fittings are the only RO fittings that feature dual EPDM O-rings to ensure a straight leak free fit. We believe GA Murdock Mur-lok fittings to be the best so strongly that we use them virtually exclusively on each of our BRS reverse osmosis systems and BRS media reactors. These high...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

That’s super helpful. Thanks so much.

Coolcasino said:
Octo, bubble magus and even the red sea reefer have drains. The reefer even comes with a valve. Also has a neck wiper.

Weirdly enough I didn’t think of Red Sea, but that Reefer 300 looks quite interesting. Especially the fact that it includes a neck cleaner. And it would pair nicely with a ReefMat.

Does anyone have experience with this skimmer? Or better yet, using this skimmer in the Reefer 170?

dennislagoon · Apr 4, 2022

Waynerock said:
When I had that tank I had a reef octo 110ss it does not have a drain from the factory but you can make one easily

That one seems to be the popular choice for the 170. How and where did you drill that one?

Waynerock · Apr 4, 2022

dennislagoon said:
That one seems to be the popular choice for the 170. How and where did you drill that one?

I never drilled mine but it has been done if you look around. Lowest point pretty much and on the side your collection bucket is on. I still use that skimmer on my 65 gallon and it works so well. It has been going for 4 years straight!

Blue Spot Octopus · Apr 4, 2022

Simplicity DC 120 very good skimmer, I believe that it has a drain and it has great C/S they answer the phone and have cheap parts as well if you need to buy.

Simplicity 120 DC Protein Skimmer with DC Pump$225.95AquaCave.comFree shipping, no taxFor most items:30-day return policy

dennislagoon · Apr 5, 2022

Blue Spot Octopus said:
Simplicity DC 120 very good skimmer, I believe that it has a drain and it has great C/S they answer the phone and have cheap parts as well if you need to buy.

Simplicity 120 DC Protein Skimmer with DC Pump$225.95AquaCave.comFree shipping, no taxFor most items:30-day return policy

Unfortunately not easily available in my country.

Coolcasino · Apr 5, 2022

dennislagoon said:
That’s super helpful. Thanks so much.

Weirdly enough I didn’t think of Red Sea, but that Reefer 300 looks quite interesting. Especially the fact that it includes a neck cleaner. And it would pair nicely with a ReefMat.

Does anyone have experience with this skimmer? Or better yet, using this skimmer in the Reefer 170?

I had the 300 on a mixed 125g. Never skipped a beat. It comes with a sicce pump. I ultimately changed it for an octo 200 just because I wanted a DC pump. Boy how I miss that wiper on that neck.

dennislagoon · Apr 5, 2022

Coolcasino said:
I had the 300 on a mixed 125g. Never skipped a beat. It comes with a sicce pump. I ultimately changed it for an octo 200 just because I wanted a DC pump. Boy how I miss that wiper on that neck.

How was the noise? Read a lot about it being a bit loud.

Coolcasino · Apr 5, 2022

Being a AC pump there is a hum. I only noticed it the first few days then the skimmer pump quieted down. My octo that I have now is way noisier but not from the pump more from the air water exit tube. Again the only reason I changed it was because I wanted a DC pump and of course I believe you can now put a DC version pump on that skimmer. Would have been way cheaper to just change the pump.