Skimmer

[lhcorals]

I got a really good deal on this skimmer. It is a exact replica of the E.T.S.S. 1800. It will handle 800 to 900 gal.. I did a little research on the E.T.S.S. before purchasing this one. I got it dirt cheap and it is in great shape. Has anyone used downdraft skimmers, if so how did you like it. This one has 4 down drafts, it will be running off of the Tiger Shark manifold so i can give it plenty of flow. here is a couple of pics. I still need to give it a vinegar bath.
Someone told me that my ORP couold get up around 400, is that good or bad. I dont know about ORP.

 

[Dalbery]

What size tank are you going to run this on?

 

[lhcorals]

What size tank are you going to run this on?

It is going to be on approx 650 gallons of water volume.

 

[Fragtastic Reef]

It is going to be on approx 650 gallons of water volume.

Thats a large system WOW! It looks like a good concept for a skimmer. Not sure on the bioballs though they there to break up the water more?

That would be a real beast of a skimmer if turned into a recirculating skimmer with a feed pump.....

 

[mojo]

That skimmer is going to require a ton of head pressure to run. it will work well though.

The bioballs on this skimmer will help adjust the amount of air that goes in the skimmer. I would leave it where it is right now. The problems with these skimmers was no the performance but the amount of energy that it took to run them.

It will be good for your system or even maybe a little too big.

 

[Fragtastic Reef]

Mojo is here also...This website if great! Mojo the skimmer guru.. lol

I would agree looking at the actual stats of the skimmer that might be a little much for that size tank, unless your going to have a really heavy bio-load.

 

[Dalbery]

If it were me, I'd look into a large reef octopus or a SWC or others that use the way more efficient bubble blaster or sicce pumps. But something that is going to be way more energy friendly. You're going to need to feed that beast with tons of GPH and pressure to make it work effeciently. I'm sure with enough flow and pressure it would work fine for you.

 

[Fragtastic Reef]

Dalbery has a good point if your going to be nervous about energy consumption you may wanna look for something different.

 

[hawkfishman]

love um!! they just take a little more to zero in, check the manual to make sure you have the right number of bio balls in each chamber

 

[Jeremy R.]

Like stated above downdraft skimmers require large pumps to drive the head pressure required to operate but work out well for large systems. The nice thing about down drafts is the massive turn over rate/ water processed. They also tend to be a little finicky and will require a little patience.

 

[Troylee]

love um!! they just take a little more to zero in, check the manual to make sure you have the right number of bio balls in each chamber

looks like a diy skimmer.... doubt there's a manual lol....

 

[mojo]

more bioballs =less air , less balls = more air. But too much air can make it harder to adjust. they are a different animal. But do work well. back in the day it was the only way to go if you had a large system.