Bill Nye Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Currently I am using an sc 301 that I had planned on using for a 20 gallon long build I never got around too. So far it is actually skimming like a champ and is outpacing the bioload in my tank. My livestock includes 2 clownfish, a fire fish and a green banded goby. My nutrients are very low (undetectable nitrate .02 phosphate) and some of my sps are actually starting to get pale. Overall I am very happy with the performance of this skimmer with my current stock list. Part of my agreement with my fiance on upgrading my tank was getting more fish. My last tank just had the two clownfish and the firefish. She was not very impressed when I bought a "good faith" greenbanded goby so I decided to do something I normally wouldn't do and actually put fish in my fish tank.... My fiance (honestly me too ) loves anthias and I let her convince me to order some Bartletts. I did some research before giving in and have seen many people keeping smaller anthias in similar sized tanks so I don't feel terrible about it but I am nervous about the ability of my skimmer to keep up with the frequent feedings or the eventual need to carbon dose. After all this bloviating I guess my question is can a sc 301 keep up with the new additions to my tank or should I be looking to upgrade? If an upgrade is in order what should I be looking to go to? I heard the curve 5 is a pretty good skimmer but I'm looking for opinions. That being said I would prefer to keep my current skimmer but I refuse to deal with algae or my sps browning out! Thank you and sorry for the wall of text... Link to comment
VW_TDI_02 Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 I think the only way to really know is to give it a shot. The worst thing that would really happen is that your skimmer can't keep up and you end up ordering a new one then instead of now. Best case scenario, your skimmer keeps up just fine and you saved a few bucks. Well, unless you just want a reason to tell your fiance as to why you have to upgrade X equipment if she wants her new fish. Link to comment
Bill Nye Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 I think the only way to really know is to give it a shot. The worst thing that would really happen is that your skimmer can't keep up and you end up ordering a new one then instead of now. Best case scenario, your skimmer keeps up just fine and you saved a few bucks. Well, unless you just want a reason to tell your fiance as to why you have to upgrade X equipment if she wants her new fish. Thanks for the advice. You are probably right but I have a type A personality so I can't help but obsess. Also, I am already putting the new skimmer thought in her head but I have been going hard on fish tank stuff recently so I think the fish are the end of the road for a while before I really piss her off. Link to comment
VW_TDI_02 Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Thanks for the advice. You are probably right but I have a type A personality so I can't help but obsess. Also, I am already putting the new skimmer thought in her head but I have been going hard on fish tank stuff recently so I think the fish are the end of the road for a while before I really piss her off. Just remember that the fish are her idea and that adding them may be too much for the skimmer (guess like you have been). When the fish arrive, the skimmer will either be just fine or overflowing with gunk. you could add a second container that the SCA301 drains into. Would save on time in between emptying the tank. How many Bartletts did you get? I just looked at their live aquaria page and it says they need a 70 gallon tank:/ Gorgeous fish though. Link to comment
Amphiprion1 Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 I'd say to give it a shot, though if you decide to upgrade to a higher-model Bubble Magus, I'd look into the next step up to the Curve 7 (assuming space/budget permits). Great skimmer in my experience and should be able to handle somewhat higher bioloads. Link to comment
emily97 Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 The curve 5 is a great skimmer,also reef octopus 110int or space saver are also good.Eshopps psk 75 or 100 are good too.Good Luck Link to comment
Bill Nye Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 Ok so I remeasured my sump since I kind of forgot how much space I was working with and it looks grim. I have 7 inches of width and twelve inches of depth so it looks like the curves are off the table. Anyone have any experience with the Eshoppes S 120? I think that will just fit in my first chamber. Link to comment
NorthGaHillbilly Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 This might be an oldschool recommendation, but I have been really happy with my Reef Octopus skimmer, and know many others that are as well. Looks like you could JUST fit a 110 in there Link to comment
Bill Nye Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 Has anyone checked out the coral box dc500 off Fishstreet. I was looking at it and for the price it actually seems pretty legit and it comes with a dc pump. Im thinking its going to be between the dc500 and the S 120 but I will check out the Reef Octopus more. The main reason I'm leery is I had the bh1000 hob and I hated that thing with a passion makes me not want to buy more of their product. Link to comment
emily97 Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Looks like it has a not so great pump on it,but eshopps 120 is a great skimmer.i've heard great things about that line of skimmers. Link to comment
Daveluce Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 I'm running a coral box d300 on my 57g w 20g sump. I haven't had a single problem. It skins much better than my old sca300 ever did. It's also silent, and the adjustments are easy to make and stable once set. I highly recommend them. One of the lfs by me started stocking jebao products about 6 mo the ago. There are a ton of people running coral box skimmers in my area as a result, and I haven't heard a single issue. Link to comment
Bill Nye Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 What is your stocking like in the 57 g? There isn't a lot of reviews about the d-series skimmers while the s 120 has a lot of good reviews and comes with a sicce pump which is nice. I am also thinking I will probably switch to zeovit after I save up some more fish tank bucks after buying the skimmer so I want something that will handle carbon dosing/zeovit no problem. Link to comment
Bill Nye Posted April 23, 2015 Author Share Posted April 23, 2015 Ok I think I'm going to go with the JNS CO-1. They are on sale right now at Big Al's plus theres a 10 percent coupon. Lots of good reviews on them and it fits my sump. Link to comment
Bill Nye Posted April 23, 2015 Author Share Posted April 23, 2015 Thanks for the vote of approval. There are so many skimmers out there that are very similar in many ways its difficult to feel like you are picking the right one. From everything I've seen the JNS/Aquamaxx skimmers are well regarded. If anyone has any last minute comments or suggestions before I pull the trigger it would be appreciated. Link to comment
zooman72 Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 I run three Curve 5's (two 40B's and a 50g cube) and an Eshopps S-120 (45g "wide"), and they all perform well, with the Eshopps just a tad better. I also recently ran an AquaMaxx HOB (rebranded JNS) and it was fantastic, so I don't think you will go wrong with the CO-1, as long as you have the room for it. Link to comment
Bill Nye Posted April 24, 2015 Author Share Posted April 24, 2015 Thanks for the reply. Good to hear from someone whos had a wide range of the skimmers. I really do like the eshopps s - 120 but the main downfall for me is no cup drain line which seems crappy considering the price. I am kind of confused at the moment in what direction I should be moving in. My tank is mainly sps and I noticed some of acros are starting to get fairly light. They still have very good polyp extension and are growing though. I checked my params today and my nitrates and phosphate were both undetectable so I'm not sure getting a new skimmer is going to solve my problem. I really wanted to go with either zeovit or carbon dosing since all of my favorite sps tanks use one or the other but I am now thinking carbon dosing would only further lighten my coral. If anything I need to Zeovit supplements at this point... I just added 3 fish to my tank with one more on the way in the QT so I'm hoping increasing my bioload will deepen the color of some of my acros. Link to comment
Bill Nye Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 After much deliberation I ordered the JNS CO-1. I am going to start dosing AA and Oysterfeast once the skimmer comes in and see if I can get some better colors out of my SPS while keeping my nutrients undetectable. Once I save some more Fish Tank Bucks I think I am going to start up zeovit as well. One thing about zeovit is that its very hard to find info on setting up the system other than the boiler plate stuff in the manual. I tried to ask on their forums and I got the copy pasta response from some guy which didn't address my specific concerns about already having undetectable nitrates and phosphates. I will have to do some checking around to see if I can find any specific info. Link to comment
Bill Nye Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 Just got my JNS Co-1 in today and wow it is a beast... it makes my SC 301 seem like a toy. The deal on this off of Big Al's is also very good since a sale is running and you can use the 10 percent coupon as well. Not sure how it will perform yet but from the reviews I think I will be very satisfied. Link to comment
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