Top Phathom Skimmers

[ryddo]

Has anyone here ever used on. I was looking around online the other day and noticed a nice one at one of the web sites I vistied. If anyone has used one, what do you think about them and can you use a beckett injector on them?

 

[myreef]

Top Fathom was my first "good" skimmer. It was OK, I upgraded it and put a mazzei injector on it. Worked much better. Unless you made a housing around the beckett I don't think you could use one with it. I am not sure the tube is big enough to handle the pressure coming in from the pump that would need to be used for the beckett either. All in all, it's not a bad venturi skimmer, but there are better. Just depends how much it was. HTH

 

[ryddo]

Myreef-
Thanks for the info, I am looking for a skimmer for a 265 and a 75 gallon tank, what have you used and what would you recommend. I know you make skimmers, what would something cost that you could make for a either of these tanks? I am also still on hold with that dual CR system until I get the thing setup.

 

[myreef]

I can't post prices here, so I will send you an email. Are both tanks going to have a common sump or two different systems?

 

[whirley]

I've been happy with my Top Phantom skimmer. Bought it off ebay for $41!!
YOu might wanna check ebay from time to time to see what skimmers are availalbe.

I'd suggest the TP skimmer for 100 gallon tanks or less.

whirley

 

[KumByYa]

You better off with other skimmer. For the same price, there are many more that work much better.

 

[MandarinFish]

I can get a top fathom 300

for $30. Retails new for $230.

Worth it? Please tell immediately, as I am about to buy it.

Just want to know if anyone thinks I shouldn't do it....

let me know either way your opinions plz

 

[DRT]

I had a TF 200 for 3 years and was never totally happy with it. At the time it was considered one of the best and state of the art but it never really pulled that much stuff from the tank. It also is very sensitive to "tuning" the water pressure that drives it, where its placed etc. The venturi also clogged every couple of days and needed to be cleaned. As it clogged it would untune and fill the cup with water. The tank never reached it's full potential with this skimmer, I eventually bit the bullet and bought a euroreef. The difference is stunning both in how the tank looks and the amount of stuff the ER pulls. Also the ER is a set and forget skimmer, I look at it occasionally during the week but it could go for 2-3 weeks with out me fiddling with it. I wouldn't buy it, you eventually will trade it away and the danger is you think it's working and its not.

 

[D-Nak]

I had a Top Fathom skimmer a few years back -- I wasn't too happy with it either. It was really dependent on the amount of water in the sump -- it had to be just right to get good skimming. I know that the newer models had some sort of auto-leveling device that was supposed to help with this problem, so if you choose to get one try to get one with this device (although I can't guarantee it will be any better).

Basically Top Fathom skimmers use "older" technology. I'm not saying it's bad -- it's just nowadays you can get skimmers that are more efficient, easier to use (set it and forget it instead of constantly re-adjusting your skimmer), smaller, and less finicky about placement.

I think the reason you may find these for cheap are because people are switching to the newer technology that I mentioned. If you're willing to work a little bit extra to get the thing working and keep it working the way it should, then it's a pretty good deal. However, I'd personally opt for one that is easier to use.

D-Nak

 

[MandarinFish]

I don't want a skimmer I have to fiddle with daily or it empties the water and leaves the scum.

Has anyone had positive results with Top Fathoms?

How can I identify an auto-levelling device? (sorry, I'm new to skimmers - this is my first I'm setting up)

 

[D-Nak]

Hey Mandarin...

Send me an email with your phone number or email address and I'll tell you everything I know about skimmers.

But to answer your question. Go the the website (www.top-fathom.com/) and take a look at the pictures of the skimmers. What I'm talking about is the thing that sticks off the top of outlet of the skimmer -- it actually just looks like a piece of pipe -- you could probably just make it yourself.

On another note... after looking at the pictures, I'm really starting to think that this is really old technology -- just a plain old venturi skimmer. Only thing that sets it apart is that the water flows in a circular pattern in the skimmer (ooh wee!).

D-Nak