So I just checked out nanotuners.com and it looks as if sapphire skimmers are back. This is great news for everyone, I hope for Kyle as well. I have a BC29R and I love it. I over feed and over stock my tank, and my water quality is good enough to have thriving SPS (with the nanocustoms 150w HQI upgrade). My orp is in the 390's.

If you have been thinking of an upgrade go for this skimmer, it is worth every $$. It fits in without modification.

I also have a fuge in the 3rd compartment with thriving cheato and the nanocustoms fuge light. So you don't have to give up on the fuge idea if you install this skimmer.

I can't recommend this skimmer enough.

Any info on the impeller mod that was always in the works?

John

I spoke with Sapphire late last week. He's running a little behind schedule getting everything set up. He's going to be doing all production in-house this time around with some new high-end machines and they just got electricity turned on and are waiting for the delivery of their machines, which should be anytime now. They're looking to start shipping presale orders towards very late May to mid June.

Nick

Are they planning on releasing a skimmer that will fit in the 28g HQI Nano Cube?

When I talked to them about a week ago they told me they are seriously working on it. He was working on it previously before he had to take a break from the business. I don't know the full details yet and I'm not even sure if they've finalized a design, BUT I know he was thinking about some sort of external overflow type of box that could house a skimmer and refugium in the same unit. Again, this was based off of what he told me a few months back.

Nick

Sounds good. I'll keep checking back. Thanks for the update.

Sapphire contacted us a couple of days ago to let us know that they have an official delivery date for their new machinery, which is July 7. So that means that there is unfortunately an additional short delay. I would expect that once they receive their new equipment it will take a week or so to familiarize themselves with the equipment and then another few days to get production rolling. I realistically expect shipments to start going out towards the end of July.

good news...is it a new model as starting production again?

He's told me he's making changes to the collection cups on most or all models if possible. He's also trying to make as many of the units recirculating as well, but some systems will be limited on physical space so the recirculating option will need to be left off in those cases.

Nick

cool thanks for the quick response as well

I talked to Sapphire yesterday. They received their new CNC router and are getting power set up for it today. They're hoping to have samples of the new revisions sent to us by the end of next week so we can help with technical drawings. Once that's complete they should be able to start pushing out skimmers very quickly.

Kick Ass!! I have been waiting for quite a while to get my hands on one!!

Sapphire got their new machine all set up, but they are working with the manufacturer right now to configure the interface between the computer and CNC machine. Apparently they're running into some small technical issues. As soon as they get that resolved they should be able start rockin' and rollin'.

I can't wait. I originally order a bc29r right when he had to take a break and had to suffer with a tunze. I am constantly tweaking the thing. I can't wait to order one of the new skimmers but am really interested to hear more about this HOB for skimmer and refugium. Will it work with the bc29. Keep us updated. Im sure tons of people are tuned into this one.

very excited!!!!!! If any talks to him again please let him know us ap24 people want one too

Sapphire will be making a 24g skimmer that fits both the JBJ 24g Nanocube and the Current-USA 24g Aquapod.

Nick,
What's the latest delivery estimate for the JBJ 24 sapphire skimmer?

x2!

Just a few more loose ends to tie up and we should be shipping out the first run of skimmers this week or the next. Some new features, miniature thumb screw gate valve, custom injection molded pinwheel impellers, Sicce pumps, CNC machining, and almost all of the skimmers will now be recirculating as a standard feature. No more adjusting of the collection cup. You just need to dial in the gate valve and forget it. We are adding a few new skimmers to the line up as well, Current Solana, Red Sea Max, and our own glass tanks will be ready in the next couple of weeks. Two sizes, 14x16x14, 3/16" glass, and 24x16x14, 1/4" glass. Square tanks with polished glass, PVC bottom, back and false wall, more on that later....

Here are a couple of pictures from the show. This is the NC24R, also fits the Aquapod. Same as always, no modifications needed to the tank or hood, it just drops right in.

Can I get an upgraded impeller for my biocube 29R skimmer, is this something that is coming down the line? Do you have a new website up?

Good luck!
SD

how do you think your new skimmers stack up to the 9002? Im debating between the sapphire and the tunze for my tank at the moment

There are many differences between our skimmer and the Tunze. All in sump skimmers are affected by change in surrounding water level, some are very sensitive and even small fluctuations will have a big impact on their ability to consistently produce. The Sapphire skimmers are recirculating so the feed pump helps to reduce the impact of variations in the surrounding water level. Our new design also seals the cup to the body and forces all of the air to escape through the neck in the collection cup, this produces a much drier skimmate. The neck in the collection cup is 1.75" i.d. which allows the skimmer to collect much drier skimmate compared to our previous design. With the custom impellers you will also notice very consistent and fine bubbles, and the skimmer stands 16" tall which utilizes all of the space available in the rear chamber and increases dwell time.

Kyle

More Pics. This is with the skimmate we borrowed from "Bluegrass Corals" Euro Reef Skimmer set up on their prop display at macna.

There was noticable clarity in the water and needless to say, the resultant foam and skimmate were pretty nasty.

Any info on the Solana skimmer? When is it expected to come out and a guess for the price?

Note that these photos show the Biocube 29g Skimmer specifically.

any info on the Solana skimmer??

Any chance of getting a skimmer for aquapod 12 gallons?

Where are they selling those skimmer on the net?

Oli

Unfortunately due to limited space in the rear chamber portion of the Aqupod 12g system Sapphire will not be manufacturing a unit for this tank.



Sapphire is planning to release a skimmer for the Solana, but at this time a designs are still in the works and will likely be released sometime after the Aquapod, Biocube and Nanocube skimmers have started regular shipments.

I would like to take this time to note that there will be a small delay in shipping the existing line of Aquapod, Biocube and Nanocube skimmers. Sapphire is based out of Houston, which as many know, was hit hard by Hurricane Ike. Skimmers will be shipping as soon as possible once power is restored and cleanup is handled.

Sapphire Aquatics and Nanocustoms appreciate everybody's patience in the meantime.

How about for the NanoCube 12g?

Any pics of the nano tanks kyle said thy were making?

There is a single skimmer that will be compatible with BOTH the 12g Nanocube DX (not OG/DF) as well as the 14g Biocube. I was told that the 12/14g skimmer would be available shortly after the 24g and 29g skimmers start shipping.



Unfortunately right now I do not have any photos. I'm sure Kyle will release photos as soon as he gets an opportunity.

Do you know if the skimmer will be recirculating or venturi driven? I'm guessing it will be venturi as I can't imagine how they would be able to make it a recirculating one in such a tight space.

Also, with all the delays related to IKE, what are we looking at now for a delivery ETA? Mid-October?

I'm almost certain it will be recirculating....

The NC12/BC14 skimmers will be venturi-driven as suggested above. There just isn't enough room inside the back chambers to fit a second recirculating pump.

We're hoping things won't be delayed too much, but it will depend on how quickly things get back on track in Houston.

bump

any updates???

I was told the 24/29g skimmers should be shipping anytime now. I'm hoping to start notifying customers with shipping information as soon as I get details from Sapphire.

I spoke with them this morning and I'm going to be transmitting shipping labels to them today for the NC24 presales so they should be out the door anytime. BC29 skimmers will be following mid-late next week and the AP24 skimmers should be coming shortly after that. The 12/14g skimmers will probably be coming out shortly after the BC29 skimmers ship as well. Sapphire is going to send me new pictures asap to update the product pages.

The good news is that it sounds like it should only take a few days to make large amounts of each type of skimmer so once the presales are out of the way there will be a much more steady supply available. The presales skimmers are being shipped in stages as outlined above so we just ask for patience (I know we've already stretched the meaning of that word with many of you) from our customers. They're on the way and everybody will be taken care of soon!

which chamber are these skimmers built to fit in for the Biocube29?

To my knowledge they've designed it to fit in the second chamber only.

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