Nessessity of a skimmer.

[Joshifer]

I know this is gonna spark a huge debate. And that's how I got dubbed "the trouble maker"

 

I'm so sick of fighting with this stupid skimmer. I turn my head and its full of water. Clear water. The first 3 days it was green and low. Now it's filling the top in seconds with clear water. And no matter how I adjust it it's the same. $200 piece of junk. Coralife stinks....I can't get get it to bubble it just fills up I played with the dials theirs probably water stuck somewhere air needs to be.

 

So. How necessary is a skimmer if I replace 6ish gallons every Saturday out of a 65 gallon.

Because I'm real tempted to stick it in the box and return it.

[zygote2k]

you don't need a skimmer at all if you are diligent about water changes and can monitor nitrate levels.

I ran a skimmerless SPS tank for 2 years to show that it could be done.

[BowieReefer84]

I like running skimmers to help keep the water aerated and PH up at a good number.  I heard once that low PH will cause SPS to be more brittle.  Not sure how true this is, but I aim to keep all parameters at a proper level.  This way if one parameter falls out of line things won't get bad too fast before I am able to correct it.

 

On a 65gal lightly stocked tank you could get a skimmer like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Factory-direct-sale-65-Gallon-Protein-Skimmer-SCA-301-/190854626730?pt=Fish_Filters&hash=item2c6fd27daa

 

It is bare bones, but I have the same one on a 17gal tank, and it works great.  Plus it's cheap...

 

Even with the skimmer 6 gallons a week water change would be good.  Right at 10%.

 

ps- you were dubbed the trouble maker for supporing smoking cigs on a family friendly site...

[londonloco]

Return it.  I have a larger version of the skimmer above.  Works great.  But you need a sump, and I don't think you have one.  

[Coral Hind]

I would stick it in the box and return it. I had one years ago and it was kind of a pain. I then switched to ASM models and they have all run perfectly. 

 

I would not recommend any newbie to go skimmerless unless it was a nano. Once you have more experience and understand the tank more you can go without one if you want but to me a reef tank runs healthier with one.

[lnevo]

Look at the eshopps hang on back versions psk-75 or psk-100. I run the 100 in sump on my 65.

[Incredible Corals]

Wasn't there some article that advanced aquarist did where they analyzed the skimmate and most of it was phyto and other organisms and not so much waste? It was a few years ago but I want to find and read it again. I could also be making this all up and it was one of my dreams about this hobby I have all the time.

[Neto]

Look at the eshopps hang on back versions psk-75 or psk-100. I run the 100 in sump on my 65.

 

I have an in sump psk-75 and works great!

[dbartco]

Wasn't there some article that advanced aquarist did where they analyzed the skimmate and most of it was phyto and other organisms and not so much waste? It was a few years ago but I want to find and read it again. I could also be making this all up and it was one of my dreams about this hobby I have all the time.

 

 

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/2/aafeature

[lutz123]

Let your tank run with the Aquaclear filters you currently have and see how it goes.  You can always add an HOB skimmer down the road if you find it necessary - no need to start with one. There are plenty of people who run tanks without skimmers.  You may find that you need to be a little more aggressive with water changes.

 

Everyone will have an opinion on this one. 

[Shoelace]

Sorry, Josh, I can't seem to find where in your threads you mention what Coralife skimmer it is, but some skimmers (even HOBs) can be sensitive to tank water level. If the pump is under more or less water, the driving head pressure can change along with flow and put things out of whack. Unlikely the case, but just a thought.

[Jason Rhoads]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/2/aafeature

 

Thanks for posting this! 

 

My take from reading the above is that skimming is still a viable form of export. That is not to say it is the only, or even best, way. 

 

Joshifer, you could also look into an Algae Turf Scrubber. It would probably be more work than getting your skimmer corrected, but it is an option that people have used and report success with. 

[Origami]

Josh, I have an Aqua C Remora Pro with a Mag 3 on it that you could borrow after returning the Coralife. It hangs over the back so it should work on your setup. It does add another ugly pump to the display but it should help you get buy while you decide what your next move should be.

[Joshifer]

I read everyones comments and thanks everyone. It's a coralife super skimmer 65. It was working good. Then the return had this little nub on top I assume is for air. Started leaking water so I put an airline tube. That worked for a few days. Then the entire thing just began filling itself up isnt bubbling any more. I think I'll clean it up and return it. Petco.com may have a better skimmer. Since I have to shop there because I purchased it with a gift card.

 

Thank you Tom always looking out for me. Ill let you know what I do about a replacement.

[Origami]

Josh, not that I'm a big fan of Super Skimmers, but did you learn how to adjust the water level in the skimmer body? In looking online at the directions, it seems that there's a dial at the top of the tube that carries the water out of the skimmer. It sounds like maybe the skimmer is overflowing because the output side is dialed down too much.

[Joshifer]

Josh, not that I'm a big fan of Super Skimmers, but did you learn how to adjust the water level in the skimmer body? In looking online at the directions, it seems that there's a dial at the top of the tube that carries the water out of the skimmer. It sounds like maybe the skimmer is overflowing because the output side is dialed down too much.

Yes I looked online because the instructions that came with it were the same as if I was looking at Egyptian hyroplyphs (sp?) lol

I played with both dials. I still think the problem is water got trapped somewhere water shouldn't be. I'm gonna take it out drain it all and try again I'm feeling positive today. As I said in my other post. Plus I got 3 more weeks left on receipt to return it.

[lnevo]

Sorry, Josh, I can't seem to find where in your threads you mention what Coralife skimmer it is, but some skimmers (even HOBs) can be sensitive to tank water level. If the pump is under more or less water, the driving head pressure can change along with flow and put things out of whack. Unlikely the case, but just a thought.

+1 Josh do you have an ATO yet?

 

Without a sump (where the level would stay constant) and if the water level is constantly in flux you will NEVER get a skimmer dialed in.

 

See if petco.com has the jbj ato, tunze or the new hydor smart level for sale! That would be a better investment for now..

[Jason Rhoads]

+1 Josh do you have an ATO yet?

 

Without a sump (where the level would stay constant) and if the water level is constantly in flux you will NEVER get a skimmer dialed in.

 

See if petco.com has the jbj ato, tunze or the new hydor smart level for sale! That would be a better investment for now..

 

 

I agree with this. It would be next to impossible to keep my skimmer tuned if I didn't have it at a constant depth. 

[Origami]

Since he doesn't have a sump, the drop due to evaporation is less inch-wise. Most skimmers sit in a sump chamber with relatively little volume. Thus, 1 gallon of evaporation might result in over an inch of drop in level in a common sump with a 15x15 skimmer chamber. Without a sump, the drop in (for example) a 90 gallon tank for that same 1 gallon of evaporation is only about 0.25 inches. Even if he tops off only once a day and discretely, the water level in the skimmer should not be affected greatly.

[lnevo]

I'm remembering what he had said regarding his 30 that it was fluctuating a bit.

 

But an ATO would be a great next purchase.

 

http://m.petco.com/product/119067/Aqua-Medic-SP-3000-Niveaumat-Auto-Top-Off-Unit.aspx#

Edited October 19, 2013 by lnevo

[Joshifer]

Since he doesn't have a sump, the drop due to evaporation is less inch-wise. Most skimmers sit in a sump chamber with relatively little volume. Thus, 1 gallon of evaporation might result in over an inch of drop in level in a common sump with a 15x15 skimmer chamber. Without a sump, the drop in (for example) a 90 gallon tank for that same 1 gallon of evaporation is only about 0.25 inches. Even if he tops off only once a day and discretely, the water level in the skimmer should not be affected greatly.

I actually keep an eye in the evap I have it marked and I top off and check SG. I don't get alot of evap anymore.

[Joshifer]

Oh I actually fixed the skimmer today. I was right. Water got in the Venturi line. It's working fine now. I changed the hose to a really long one and have it hanging over the back. No more water getting in there ^_^

 

Also added a one way valve so no spill overs since the hose is behind

Edited October 19, 2013 by Joshifer

[Origami]

Did the air line drop into the water?

 

Sounds like you're beginning to learn a few things about debugging equipment problems, Josh. Good for you.

[Joshifer]

Did the air line drop into the water?

 

Sounds like you're beginning to learn a few things about debugging equipment problems, Josh. Good for you.

It's this little wierd looking tube looks like a old film roll. With a hose it's meant to float free. Power head pushed it under water. So like I said I changed with airline tubing and a valve and let it hang behind the tank.

[Origami]

It's this little wierd looking tube looks like a old film roll. With a hose it's meant to float free. Power head pushed it under water. So like I said I changed with airline tubing and a valve and let it hang behind the tank.

 

I have this feeling that your talking about the air silencer. It's not a float, but a device that softens the noise from air sucking into the tube. There's normally a place on the skimmer that it sits or plugs onto. It should remain out of the water and the air line should not have kinks in it.