Opinions on my potential skimmers

[cali_reef]

How funny so many people have an "opinon" on which skimmer to get based on what they "heard" on the internet :lol2:... Some of the ones mentioned are junk

I have a Alpha 200, not loving it that much. I also used a BK300EXT, and H&S A250.

The alpha's motor is very quiet, probably the quietest skimmer I have ever used. I think the motor uses around 50W the last time I checked, and it restarts everytime after I turn it off (which average to be 2-3 times a day). You might want to double check the stand height and the height of your sump, it does not sound like it will be an easy access.

The little pump puts out a TON of air for the cone body(i think it's a bit small) and skims pretty good. It is however VERY sensitive to water level changes in your sump, and whenever fatty stuff is introduced in the tank water (PE mysis, oily hands. etc..). Another thing I don't like is the size of the collection cup makes it very hard to get my hands in there with a sponge to clean the crap out.

Just FYI, my 4 years old Red Dragon on the BK300 stalls every now and then, something to think about...

Here is a pretty good deal on a H&S A200 I saw

 

[NYreefNoob]

there is a alpha 250 and 300 f\s on rc now. loved the vertex in180 gen 2 was a monster and mine was dead silent someone on here has a bk 180 f\s also

 

[smoknreefrs]

How funny so many people have an "opinon" on which skimmer to get based on what they "heard" on the internet :lol2:... Some of the ones mentioned are junk

I have a Alpha 200, not loving it that much. I also used a BK300EXT, and H&S A250.

The alpha's motor is very quiet, probably the quietest skimmer I have ever used. I think the motor uses around 50W the last time I checked, and it restarts everytime after I turn it off (which average to be 2-3 times a day). You might want to double check the stand height and the height of your sump, it does not sound like it will be an easy access.

The little pump puts out a TON of air for the cone body(i think it's a bit small) and skims pretty good. It is however VERY sensitive to water level changes in your sump, and whenever fatty stuff is introduced in the tank water (PE mysis, oily hands. etc..). Another thing I don't like is the size of the collection cup makes it very hard to get my hands in there with a sponge to clean the crap out.

Just FYI, my 4 years old Red Dragon on the BK300 stalls every now and then, something to think about...

Here is a pretty good deal on a H&S A200 I saw

I was hoping you and jackson both would chime in. So, whats your take on the H&S??? The Alpha skimmer should fit. The height is shown to be 24". That will give me approx 2 inches to remove the collections cup. Whats the clearance needed to remove the collections cup.

 

[smoknreefrs]

The vertex produces the most air by far and it is the cheapest.

ASM, Lifreef, Etss, and bremuda aquatics can't hang with this level of skimmer. Any downdraft skimmer will use more electrically and make more noise as well.

you are so right...

 

[cali_reef]

I was hoping you and jackson both would chime in. So, whats your take on the H&S??? The Alpha skimmer should fit. The height is shown to be 24". That will give me approx 2 inches to remove the collections cup. Whats the clearance needed to remove the collections cup.

I like the H&S with eheims, but it's kinda outdated at this point with so many others on the market with a bubble plate and pumps that can suck huge amount of air. $500 for a A200 would be something I would consider if I didn't have too many spare skimmers already.

You need about 1" to get the cup off without spilling. How much room do you have from the rim of the sump to the top of the stand? You'll also need about 12"x16" for the skimmer base and pump.

 

[tyrell30]

I recomend bubble-magus

 

[smoknreefrs]

I recomend bubble-magus

Why?

 

[smoknreefrs]

I like the H&S with eheims, but it's kinda outdated at this point with so many others on the market with a bubble plate and pumps that can suck huge amount of air. $500 for a A200 would be something I would consider if I didn't have too many spare skimmers already.

You need about 1" to get the cup off without spilling. How much room do you have from the rim of the sump to the top of the stand? You'll also need about 12"x16" for the skimmer base and pump.

Being outdated is exactly what I am thinking witht he H&S. As for the Alpha, I will have exactly 8 5/8" from the very top on my stand to the top rim of the sump.

I think I am leaning toward the Alpha 200. What size system do you have the Alpha on?

I looked at the skimmer that you linked on the thread. He did some mods. Im not a fan of buying euipment that ppl have modded. dont know the quality of there work or any other potential problems that may occur.

 

[NYreefNoob]

Have heard really good thing's on the octo 200o cone also, the bb pump is suppose to pull alot of air, david919 has that skimmer, you more set towards a cone ? Recirc ? Dang i feel bad not being listed with cali and rich on the skimmers. Might have rich beat but cali owned a few more then me lol

 

[greggnyce]

I have cone and I am very pleased. My first in sump skimmer was an ASM, and it was ok, at best. My cone pulls out way more skimmate and I never have to adjust it. I have heard good thing about the bubbe masters also.

 

[smoknreefrs]

Have heard really good thing's on the octo 200o cone also, the bb pump is suppose to pull alot of air, david919 has that skimmer, you more set towards a cone ? Recirc ? Dang i feel bad not being listed with cali and rich on the skimmers. Might have rich beat but cali owned a few more then me lol

LOL, sorry.... But glad you chimed in anyway. Whats makes me shy away from the Octopus is not being able to thoroughly clean it, and im still not sure about the BB. Mainly concerned about the sound.

 

[smoknreefrs]

I have cone and I am very pleased. My first in sump skimmer was an ASM, and it was ok, at best. My cone pulls out way more skimmate and I never have to adjust it. I have heard good thing about the bubbe masters also.

Which cone? Which model?

 

[cali_reef]

I have the Alpha 200 on a 150 light fish load reef tank.

I don't think you'll be able to fit the Alpha 200 through the 8.625" space, you need 9.5"+ to fit the base in. In fact, you are limited to a 6-7" body diameter skimmer, unless you plan to wedge it in there.

Mood point, but the mod on the A200 he did is to the water exit tube, I think it's not glued on from the description.

 

[smoknreefrs]

the sump is 12" wide

 

[smoknreefrs]

O, i got yah. ill just purchase a 30L and make a sump of it. its only 12" high, that will give me 14.625"

 

[cali_reef]

Another thing to be concern, the Alpha 200 needs to be in a water level of 6.5" to 7.5". It's hard to adjust the skimmer outside this range. steady water level (within .5") is also important as it overflows pretty easily. I had to design and fine tune my sump around this.

 

[smoknreefrs]

so i would have had to change my baffles anyway. im set up now to have 9 inches of water currently. ill cut down the baffles. as far as steady water that should be a prob. i plan on having slow movement through the sump. using an eheim 1262 as my return. i may have to dail it down it bit, but i didnt want to take the chance with the 1260 being to little flow.

heres another question. what is the ideal water level on the bk minis?

 

[cali_reef]

so i would have had to change my baffles anyway. im set up now to have 9 inches of water currently. ill cut down the baffles. as far as steady water that should be a prob. i plan on having slow movement through the sump. using an eheim 1262 as my return. i may have to dail it down it bit, but i didnt want to take the chance with the 1260 being to little flow.

heres another question. what is the ideal water level on the bk minis?

9" of water is okay, just use eggcrate to elevate the skimmer so it's only submerged in 6.5" of water. Or you can get fancy and build a acrylic platform, I built a few before giving up and went with a new sump design. I use a 1262 as return, it should be okay. You'll need a auto top off system to maintain the water level within .5".

No idea on the BK mini.. The other in-sump I played with is BM250 and it is not as sensitive to the water level.

 

[smoknreefrs]

id have to change the baffle height. otherwise the skimmer would fit into the stand... thanks for the input.

the top off is not a prob. i have an automatic top off...

 

[NYreefNoob]

think this is the one david has http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protei...00-Internal-Protein-Skimmer/product_info.html