Skimmer Opinions???

[nyc reefer]

I am still in the hunt for my skimmer, and would like to hear from fellow reefers with first hand knowledge with the AquaC-Urchin Pro in Sump Skimmer w/ Mag 3 pump???

My system is a 46ga Bow front w/ 15ga sump/refugium, TLF reactor w/ Phosban, Vortech MP40w pump, Eshopps 800gph overflow, 600gph return pump, Sundial T-5HO lights, 80lbs LR, 45lbs LS.

Heavy bioload (fish & corals), 15ga waterchange every two weeks. Been running since Feb. 20, 2008

Parameters: Salinity 1.026, Ammo - 0ppm, Nitrite - 0ppm, Nitrate - 40ppm, Phosphate - 0ppm, Temp - 79/80', Cal - 410ppm, I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt, and RODI water.

Thanks, any imput pro or con much appreciated, my other option is a Tunze 9005 model?

 

[cybermeez]

Most people will recommend getting the biggest skimmer you can afford. It's better to over skim than under skim, particularly with nitrates that high.

The Aquac-Urchin Pro appears to work similarly to the CPR Bak-Pak. They can be hard to adjust because the concentration of the skimmate is controlled by raising and lowering the collection cup with a rubber o-ring. I'm not sure it will be big enough for a heavily stocked 49g. Also, while Mag pumps are great, they throw off quite a bit of heat. If you're going with an in sump skimmer you have a lot of choices.

I've had a pretty good experience with TurboFlotors. My one complaint is that maintainance is a pain. Particularly when it comes to keeping the tubing that feeds air into the needle wheel impeller clear. It gets gummed up easily and unless it's clear there will be no bubbles and the skimmer won't skim. That's going to be true for any needle wheel skimmer.

I've heard great things about the Elos Natural Skimmer and am seriously considering one for my 120g. It's price may be steeper than you want to pay though.

I am still in the hunt for my skimmer, and would like to hear from fellow reefers with first hand knowledge with the AquaC-Urchin Pro in Sump Skimmer w/ Mag 3 pump???

My system is a 46ga Bow front w/ 15ga sump/refugium, TLF reactor w/ Phosban, Vortech MP40w pump, Eshopps 800gph overflow, 600gph return pump, Sundial T-5HO lights, 80lbs LR, 45lbs LS.

Heavy bioload (fish & corals), 15ga waterchange every two weeks. Been running since Feb. 20, 2008

Parameters: Salinity 1.026, Ammo - 0ppm, Nitrite - 0ppm, Nitrate - 40ppm, Phosphate - 0ppm, Temp - 79/80', Cal - 410ppm, I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt, and RODI water.

Thanks, any imput pro or con much appreciated, my other option is a Tunze 9005 model?

 

[Necsones]

if u can fight the Octopus extreme 160 in ur sump id go with that. i have it on my 55 ( w/ PPW ) and love it.

 

[mckostya]

i have remora pro on my 46bow and its working just blah, not pulling much, so if you will look into these, just dont get it. euro reef or octopus are good choices.

all depends how much you are looking to spend?!!

 

[HHaase]

I'm currently running a Remora Pro with the Mag3 pump, same as the urchin but bigger. I'll have to agree that it's a pain to dial them in, but they are effective once you do. They can also be very noisy, but this isn't a huge concern for me as it's also easy to deal with that. And the customer service from AquaC is fantastic, as I found out when my first Remora had issues. Very friendly and helpful diagnosing my problem (wayyyyyyyy to much wet foam) They sent me a new one, with a return shipping label to send the old one back. No cost to me to do the swap.

But now that i'm running a sump, I'm in the market for an EV-180 or EV-120 instead. Because of how the water exits the skimmer, it has to freefall about 8" down to the sump, which is very noisy. Not a fault in the skimmer, just in how I'm trying to use it.

-Hans

 

[nyc reefer]

Thanks for the advise, I think the Urchin is probably not the one for me then since noise is an issue for me. I am really interested in the Tunze 9005 has anyone used one and how did they like it. I like the small square footprint and it seems Tunze products are quality made but haven't used one so I dont know.

 

[CHEMCHEF]

I use an urchin with a rio 1100 pump and I empty a full cup of stinky simmate every 3-5 days depending on feeding. It is on a 72 bowfront with 20l sump. Apox 65 gal of total water volume.
I'm sure I could buy a "better" skimmer, but mine is dead quiet inside the stand.
The only complaint I have is it does not have accomodations for a waste collector.
And anyone thinking of getting the 180 or 120 or anything in the EV line.
I had a 180 with a mag 7 and it would have taken me 10 weeks to get the skim i get in 5 days with the urchin. JMO

 

[sil3ncio]

I have the same thank running, I bought a bubble magus from a fellow manhattan reefer, and so far it's been doing great, pulling out a lot of waste...

http://www.nuocean.com/skimmers/bubble-magus-bm100-115v-60hz.html

 

[greggnyce]

Depending on your price range check out the Itech 100 cone.

 

[NYreefNoob]

euroreef rs 80

 

[nyc reefer]

I looked at the Bubble Magmus site , looks good and the price is reasonable.

 

[nyc reefer]

Skimmer

Just bought the Tunze 9005, it was a breeze to install and set-up in sump. Its been running for a day now. I'll keep everyone posted.