Skimmer question

[Fally]

I was looking at getting a skimmer for my 30Gallon saltwater tank. It is currently in it's second week of cycling...I have heard that there are lots of junk skimmers out there and was wondering what I should get? I saw one at my LFS that looked decent. But his price is about double what I found it for online. http://aquariumguys.com/skilterfilter1.html (http://aquariumguys.com/skilterfilter1.html#ed_op#br#ed_cl##ed_op#br#ed_cl #Does) Does anyone use this model? Does it work? Could anyone recommend a nice skimmer that works well for them?

Thanks!

[graphixx]

I dont know if its just me but that link gives me nothing?????

[ReefNeck]

It's not just you Greg, Didn't work for me either but I typed it in by hand and found it. These "All-N-One" type things scare me. Like a Scanner/Copier/Fax all in one. One thing goes wrong and the whole thing is trash.
I'd rather see you spend more and get something that will work well and last a long time like an AquaC Remora.

Just my 2 cents

[Fally]

Sorry about that, for some reason the link button adds 'http://captivereefing.com' to the beginning of any link you post. Must like to keep links pointing only at community stuff. I took the link out, you can just copy and paste the URL into your browser.

I wasn't going this route because it was cheap, the unit was around $100 at my LFS. It just looked nice and I figured it would help to add more filtration with the over the back unit built in. I have read some threads where people were unsatisfied with their skimmer and I want to be sure to get a decent one the first time. I will have to lookup AquaC Remora's, sounds like you have had good experience with this model?

I actually like the all-in-one printer, fax, copier. You take a printer and build in a scanner and get the coping functionality for free. Not bad in my opinion. If you go with a good name brand they are a pretty decent unit to have, especially for home use.

Thanks!

[harmanrk]

I use a seaclone 100 on my 30, and have had good results with it... It pulled out about a cup of sludge a week for the first three weeks, and has since cut back to half a cup per week. Air adjustments are easy with it as well.

Robert

[ReefNeck]

I will have to lookup AquaC Remora's, sounds like you have had good experience with this model?
I actually like the all-in-one printer, fax, copier. You take a printer and build in a scanner and get the coping functionality for free. Not bad in my opinion. If you go with a good name brand they are a pretty decent unit to have, especially for home use.
Thanks!

Actually I have had very good experience with the AquaC's. I wish I still had mine. Finding it hard to come up with money for a skimmer now with my injuries. From a Computer Technicains standpoint the All-In-One printer/Copier/Fax machines are nightmare. As I said, If one part (like the fax part) goes out It costs more to fix if it can even be fixed than it's worth. With seperate devices when one goes bad you can buy just that item at a reasonable price and not lose the other functions.

I have an All-In-One in my home too.....Why? Because it was given to me and when one part of it goes out I can trash it without any lose. Still have my old Laserjet printer for backup, Fax modems laying around if I need them and a Flatbed Scanner in a closet so I'm covered. ;)

[Fally]

That is funny, I am a Sys Admin as well. We don't use inkjets at work for obvious reasons, but our color photocopiers are all in one. They are around $10,000 each and they can be printed to from the network, they also plug into an analog line to accept faxes. They can scan to an email address or network drive, oh and they can make copies, slick units. Repair isn't much different then any other color copier really. As for the home models, nothing is really worth repairing anymore. It is more about it being easy to use one device instead of two or three. Remember when they used to repair TV's and VCR's? Remember when your drive controller was a seperate board? Now your NIC, graphics card, controller, everything is part of the motherboard... I can see where you are comming from though. I don't want a cheap or easy solution, I want one that is reliable and works well. I am going to lookup the AquaC's and see what they look like. Anyone else have any favorate models? Something you have used for years and just works perfectly? :)

[jerryc]

I like the Aqua C the pro modal i don't like the regaler one

[Fally]

Wow, I wasn't quite expecting $300. Do you guys think this is required for a 30 Gallon tank? I really want something that will work well, but I'm not sure about spending that much on it. What do you guys think? I'll start saving if you tell me this is the way to go. It just seems sorta fancy for my little 30 Gallon. That Pro model looked huge!

[ReefNeck]

Well, I looked at things this way when I started my 29G. "Do I need that much?" Well, I plan to get a bigger tnak someday, If I buy this now I can keep it for the bigger tank and not have to buy another one.

Just what I did with most stuff. Moved it from the 29G to my current 55G. Made the mistake of selling the AquaC when money got tight after I got hurt and the family needed some things. Wish I had it back. It would be great on this 55G too.

[davejnz]

That Aqua C remora skimmer is probably the best hang on tank skimmer on the market.That said,i prefer an in sump skimmer for aesthetic reasons.Its very difficult these days to find a decent skimmer for less than $150.If your not into making adjustments to the venturi valve every couple days then go with a needle wheel skimmer that has a fixed air-venturi.Euro-Reef,ASM,and i believe Corallife all make an entry-level needle wheel skimmer .The ER and ASM both start at about $220,Corallife is the newcomer to the needle=wheel design and have there skimmers competively priced at about $150.

[jerryc]

If i was you id get a pro and set up a sump if you or serous about staying in the hobby you will eventual upgrade and the skimmer will stile work for up to a 75
gallon tank.

But that sad if you set up a sump id rather have a ER are SM skimmer

Bi the way I'm upgrading for the third time lol

[Fally]

I would actually like to have a sump, I am just unsure if I want to go with the over the back overflow.

Physics tells me that if the siphon died for any reason, the pump would empty the sump into my tank, overflowing it. I will buy my next tank pre-drilled with overflows for the sump.

I have seen a high water level shut-off switch. I have been thinking about using one of these with an over the back overflow and sump.

[perpetual98]

Overflow siphons aren't that bad. I made one from scratch over a year ago and I haven't had 1 problem with it. Occasionally I have to pull an air bubble out of it, but that's only a couple times a year at best once you have it working right.

I think that the Bak Pak skimmers are pretty decent, but I've never used one personally. They're competitively priced too.

I've got an Excalibur skimmer that hangs on my tank and I'm not using it because it just dumped too many micro bubbles into the tank.

[Fally]

What DIY plans did you use? Or did you design it yourself?