what skimmers are you all using?

[Devaji]

I've got a Reef Dynamics INS300 running my 300DD. I think it's rated for 450 gallons. They are no longer made which is too bad. It's been my best skimmer so far.

Whatever you get, I recommend getting it used and saving a bunch of money. Huge skimmers are expensive, especially new, but they are also hard to sell secondhand because there aren't nearly as many people with huge tanks.

this is a very good point. I did look at ebay yesterday to see what was out there. once I know what size of tank I am going with I will hit the for sale threads and ebay pretty hard.

 

[Roger D]

I've got a coral box and an octopus. I like them both but the octopus is impossible to clean below the bubble plate. I can take the coral box completely down and clean like new and I like that the pump is inside so takes up less room in the sump.

 

[ca1ore]

this is a very good point. I did look at ebay yesterday to see what was out there. once I know what size of tank I am going with I will hit the for sale threads and ebay pretty hard.

I've got a couple of used, large skimmers laying around. Probably not for the high range of your system size, but definately up to 300-400.

 

[JMM744]

Another Lifereef guy. Never have to deal with an obsolete part or pump. Get one with the flange and you can make it as big as you want.

 

[h2so4hurts]

Finally got around to installing it

 

[Devaji]

I've got a couple of used, large skimmers laying around. Probably not for the high range of your system size, but definately up to 300-400.

thanks for the heads up! I am a least a year out. but once i decide on the size and get "permission" from the other way I'll read out and see if you have them still around.

 

[Devaji]

Another Lifereef guy. Never have to deal with an obsolete part or pump. Get one with the flange and you can make it as big as you want.

dang that is a beast! is that on your 180?

 

[Devaji]

Finally got around to installing it

oh look at all those spacers!

 

[Seneca]

I have a lifereef on my 900 gallon system. I've had it for a pretty short time, but it seems pretty idiot proof. There really aren't parts that can fail aside from the pump and it can be replaced with any pump (also blueline pumps last a long time anyway).

Foam fractionation is a solved technology and has been for a long time. I want a foam fractionator that is simple, reliable, and low maintenance. There are many people with lifereef like skimmers that have used the same one for decades. I regret ever buying the needle wheel skimmer I have on my smaller system.

 

[Devaji]

I have a lifereef on my 900 gallon system. I've had it for a pretty short time, but it seems pretty idiot proof. There really aren't parts that can fail aside from the pump and it can be replaced with any pump (also blueline pumps last a long time anyway).

Foam fractionation is a solved technology and has been for a long time. I want a foam fractionator that is simple, reliable, and low maintenance. There are many people with lifereef like skimmers that have used the same one for decades. I regret ever buying the needle wheel skimmer I have on my smaller system.

nice skimmer!

 

[Seneca]

nice skimmer!

It's the 72 inch version. If I desire I can add additional extensions to make it as tall as I want. I have the blueline 70 HD pump.

 

[Devaji]

It's the 72 inch version. If I desire I can add additional extensions to make it as tall as I want. I have the blueline 70 HD pump.

how are you finding the blue line pumps? I was thinking an AC pump might be cheaper to run?

 

[Bdroid]

Currently using a cpr bakpak but hoping to upgrade soon...

 

[Steph37]

I'm using the Nyos quantum 160 on my reefer 450.

 

[Vette67]

how are you finding the blue line pumps? I was thinking an AC pump might be cheaper to run?

I always thought Blueline and PanWorld were the same pump. They both use the same yellow color and the same description about the former Iwaki engineer. I have PanWorld pumps on my skimmer and main return pump.

But I would agree with what @Devaji said earlier, in that if I was starting over, I would go with MRC, since MTC isn’t around anymore. On the pricier side, but will last forever. My MTC skimmer is from the late 90’s and performs as well now as it did when it was new.

 

[Seneca]

how are you finding the blue line pumps? I was thinking an AC pump might be cheaper to run?

I dont know if the AC pump is cheaper to run. They tend to have higher wattages for a given flow rate, but they also run at higher pressures so they have an easier time pushing through that tiny Venturi nozzel. They are reliable and reasonably priced.

I wonder if anyone has measured the flow rate of one of an iwaki type pump after the Venturi vs a vectra or another decent DC pump. I don't know how a small nozzel relates to their published head pressures.

 

[Seneca]

I wonder if anyone has measured the flow rate of one of an iwaki type pump after the Venturi vs a vectra I don't know how a small nozzel relates to their published head pressures.

To answer my own question, of course mazzei has done this.

https://mazzei.net/injector-performance/

Never thought to look before. Reliability is more important to me than electrical consumption. In ten years when I need a new one hopefully there is a similar quality DC pump.

 

[Fallenreef]

where are you guys getting these super large skimmers from? In the market for one my upcoming 400 gallon tank

 

[Devaji]

where are you guys getting these super large skimmers from? In the market for one my upcoming 400 gallon tank

MRC, life reef & looks like you can get neck extensions for the reef octo...

 

[ca1ore]

thanks for the heads up! I am a least a year out. but once i decide on the size and get "permission" from the other way I'll read out and see if you have them still around.

of course, neither would fit under a stand lol