Reefer 170 Skimmer Recommendation?

[WRX]

I currently have a Reef Octopus 110sss in my Reefer 170 and would like to try a different skimmer. Any suggestions? The quieter the better.

 

Vertex 130 - I heard these are prone to random overflows, but otherwise are really good?

 

Skimz sn123 - motor issues? Pinwheels breaking?

 

Nyos 120 - not a lot of info out there?

 

Thanks!

[gus6464]

I have both the vertex and the skimz. The vertex imo is too big for your tank. The random overflows on it are due to not breaking in and improper setup. They are finicky to setup but once you get it right they are set and forget. Also water height is very important. The Skimz to me is your best bet as it's a good skimmer and price is great.

[Herbie]

I am using a Tunze 9011 in my 170 , because I already had one, and I have had very good luck with them in the past. It is damn near silent and works well . Small footprint , and only around 11 watts. Nothing to adjust except the air valve ...........simple. Has the overflow protection built in as well. I can still fit the Red Sea top off, using it as a Fuge in the sump with the Tunze 9011 right next to it. I think I have a picture posted somewhere of it .........will see if I can find it.

All that said ..............they dont make them any more .

So its used only. Mine is actually a hybrid . 9011 skimmer with a 9006 cup for better adjustments .

 

If I didn't have the 9011, I would have went with a Tunze 9410 instead . They are supposed to be very good too .

 

I am not into all these new hyper sensitive needle wheel skimmers out there right now. Dont like the fact that they can just overflow on a whim when ever something is just slightly out of wack.

 

I did have pretty good luck with the SCA 301 and 302 skimmers though .

 

 

Edit .

 

Here is a pic of my 170 sump with Tunze 9011 skimmer and ATO used as a fuge .

 

 

 

 

[WRX]

Thanks Gus and Herbie!

 

Amy other suggestions? I'm thinking about purchasing the Skimz but would like to hear more opinions.

[HarryPotter]

The Nyos has sweet reviews online

[WRX]

Thanks Harry, please share the links if you still have them. I couldn't find many reviews other than initial impressions or unboxing type stuff.

[Pancetta]

Quite a few people are using the Bubble Magus Curve 5 with their 170s.

 

Marine Depot has them on sale:

http://www.marinedepot.com/Bubble_Magus_Curve_In_Sump_Needle_Wheel_Protein_Skimmer_w_Bubble_Plate_In_Sump_Venturi_Needle_Wheel_Protein_Skimmers-Bubble_Magus-4W05001-FIPSISNW-vi.html

 

I have a Reefer 170 on order and have been scoping out skimmers. Why do you want to switch?

[StinkyBunny]

I'm using the Coral Box skimmers from Fish-Street and I couldn't be more happy with them. Their D300 should work very well for your tank.

 

http://www.fish-street.com/coral_box_d300_dc_skimmer_us_warehouse

[gus6464]

The Coral Box is basically a Skimz clone so should do well.

[ninjamyst]

I'm using the Coral Box skimmers from Fish-Street and I couldn't be more happy with them. Their D300 should work very well for your tank.

 

http://www.fish-street.com/coral_box_d300_dc_skimmer_us_warehouse

shipping is crazy....$70 to the states

[StinkyBunny]

shipping is crazy....$70 to the states

It shows free shipping from the US warehouse.

[WRX]

Quite a few people are using the Bubble Magus Curve 5 with their 170s.

 

Marine Depot has them on sale:

http://www.marinedepot.com/Bubble_Magus_Curve_In_Sump_Needle_Wheel_Protein_Skimmer_w_Bubble_Plate_In_Sump_Venturi_Needle_Wheel_Protein_Skimmers-Bubble_Magus-4W05001-FIPSISNW-vi.html

 

I have a Reefer 170 on order and have been scoping out skimmers. Why do you want to switch?

I can't get the Reef Octopus to skim as dry as I'd like. I also would like to try a cone skimmer to see if it works better in this application.

[Herbie]

Did you pick out a skimmer yet for your 170 ?

I am thinking of trying out a Curve 5 for my 170 . I have a Tunze 9011 , and although its a great skimmer , its not producing as much as I would like because its probably way too big of a skimmer for a 170 reefer . Its rated for like 300 gallons , lol . I need something a little smaller.

I also have an I-Tech 100 with the Tunze 9410 pump, which is a tight fit in my 170 sump , but only because I have the red sea top-off as a refugium inside my sump . Other than that, it would be a great fit. Works fantastic.

 

Was thinking about a curve 5, SCA 301, or a Skimz 123 .

Nyos 120 is nice but, $$$, and probably too large for a 170 . I have heard Vertex's are tricky to dial in .

 

I will likely go with a Curve 5 for my 170 ..............what do you think ? Never tried a BM yet .

[rone_kevin66]

Did you pick out a skimmer yet for your 170 ?

I am thinking of trying out a Curve 5 for my 170 . I have a Tunze 9011 , and although its a great skimmer , its not producing as much as I would like because its probably way too big of a skimmer for a 170 reefer . Its rated for like 300 gallons , lol . I need something a little smaller.

I also have an I-Tech 100 with the Tunze 9410 pump, which is a tight fit in my 170 sump , but only because I have the red sea top-off as a refugium inside my sump . Other than that, it would be a great fit. Works fantastic.

 

Was thinking about a curve 5, SCA 301, or a Skimz 123 .

Nyos 120 is nice buy $$$, and probably too large for a 170 . I have heard Vertex's are tricky to dial in .

 

I will likely go with a Curve 5 for my 170 ..............what do you think ? Never tried a BM yet .

itech are amazing skimmers just soo hard to find one. People rarely let them go and when they do they are not cheap.

[Herbie]

itech are amazing skimmers just soo hard to find one. People rarely let them go and when they do they are not cheap.

 

I am actually going to be listing my I-Tech 100 for sale soon ..............

I just don't see myself having a use for it anytime soon . If I pulled the fuge out of my 170 sump, it would fit , but I kind of like the fuge for cheato and pods benefit .If it wasnt for that, I would be running it as it fits in the 170 sump with plenty of room to spare . Its on par with Bubble King quality and performance . Think it was about $650 new !

I have 2 Tunze 9410 pumps with it too !

 

I know I should just keep it in storage since they dont make em anymore , and they are hard to find. Its rare to see someone who has one sell it ! Just dont see myself using it anytime soon ...........I think its about time to sell it to someone who can use it !

 

Edit : Here it is in my 170 sump. If you look closely, the air intake (huge 1/2" white tube!) for the Tunze 9410 pump goes through the filter sock holder ! The skimmer itself still fits, even with the fuge in the sump ..........but I kind of need the filter sock in there .......... . If it wasn't for the fuge , it would fit with no issues at all .

BTW, its clear, NOT white ...........thats air bubbles ! Amazing skimmers !

 

 

A pic of the I-Tech 100 in a 5 gallon bucket for size reference ............

 

 

 

.

[rone_kevin66]

The person who made those has a store here in tampa.

[WRX]

Did you pick out a skimmer yet for your 170 ?

Not yet, I'm too indecisive. I keep wavering between the SN123 and Nyos 120.

[rone_kevin66]

Also check out the new icecaps they look like a quality skiller

[Waboss]

I had a Skimz sn123 on my Reefer 170. It did ok, after cleanings though I'd have a heck of a time with micro bubbles for a couple of days.

 

I also had an SCA 302 for a while (had to send my pump for the Skimz in for repair....which they took care of pretty quickly) which did the job, but I didn't like the look (yeah, I know).

 

Now I'm running a LifeReef SVS3-24 and LOVE it. It works like a champ, I never really have to adjust it and it pulls the nastiest gunk out of my tank I've ever seen (plus, there's no odor since the venturi pulls it's air from a line from the collection cup).

 

Anyway, that's my 2 cents

[Herbie]

Also check out the new icecaps they look like a quality skimmer

 

Just ordered the brand new Ice Cap K2 skimmer for my 170. They were just released ......... figured I could be a guinea pig .

Should be here next week , I will report back on how it does , and the build quality .

 

Herbie

[gus6464]

 

Just ordered the brand new Ice Cap K2 skimmer for my 170. They were just released ......... figured I could be a guinea pig .

Should be here next week , I will report back on how it does , and the build quality .

 

Herbie

Which model? the 50?

[Herbie]

Which model? the 50?

 

Yea, I just figure I would test out the inexpensive 50 ($129.) and see how it goes . The 170 reefer is only at about 45 gallons total system volume, so it should work just fine. Its rated from 40 - 80 gallons. Wish the 50 had a Sicce pump like the 120 and up K2's , but it is a DC pump that only draws 6 watts . I like the pipeless gate design . Has a very small footprint without the wedge pipe .

Hopefully its not junk ..............we will see .

[rone_kevin66]

Just ordered the brand new Ice Cap K2 skimmer for my 170. They were just released ......... figured I could be a guinea pig .

Should be here next week , I will report back on how it does , and the build quality .

 

Herbie

Nice keep us posted on how it performs

[Herbie]

SO ........... Guinea pig checking in . Just got the Ice Cap K2 50 skimmer going, and wanted to update real quick. (Will do a review after it breaks in a bit) .

 

Its a good fit in the 170 Reefer sump ............at least mine, with a refugium .

Unboxed it, and it is comically small , and I was feeling a little worried I even tried this ...........BUT, after setting it up, I am pleasantly surprised. Build quality is excellent, and they took care of any annoying details that some skimmers miss . Easy to disassemble . 4 screws to barely loosen and the whole body comes off the base. 2 screws to remove and the whole bubble chamber comes out . Pump goes through the bottom plate with a silicone bushing to keep it from rattling. pump actually sticks in the bottom plate without falling out, but does have suction cup feet to rest on . DC pump that is incredibly quite and very efficient 6 watts and 200lph of air . Slight air noise from the silencer, but not much. Cant hear the skimmer itself at all . EASY to adjust gate valve which works fantastic ...........no wedge pipe taking up space, or difficult to adjust . Adjusted the bubble height quickly and easily . Pretty much NO micro bubbles right from the start ! I didnt even break it in with vinegar ..........just placed it in the sump right out of the box , adjusted it, and basically had no micro bubbles coming out of the gate valve ...........NICE !

Cup comes of easily, just an o-ring seal that works well . tight but comes off easily .

 

All in all ...............I am pleasantly surprised and impressed ! It was only $129. for the K2 -50 , which is the smallest version .

Think it will work well for a lot of nano-tanks !

Maybe this K2-50 (or the bigger K2 120) will work for you WRX !?!?!

 

Here are some quick pics .............

 

 

 

 

[gus6464]

SO ........... Guinea pig checking in . Just got the Ice Cap K2 50 skimmer going, and wanted to update real quick. (Will do a review after it breaks in a bit) .

 

Its a good fit in the 170 Reefer sump ............at least mine, with a refugium .

Unboxed it, and it is comically small , and I was feeling a little worried I even tried this ...........BUT, after setting it up, I am pleasantly surprised. Build quality is excellent, and they took care of any annoying details that some skimmers miss . Easy to disassemble . 4 screws to barely loosen and the whole body comes off the base. 2 screws to remove and the whole bubble chamber comes out . Pump goes through the bottom plate with a silicone bushing to keep it from rattling. pump actually sticks in the bottom plate without falling out, but does have suction cup feet to rest on . DC pump that is incredibly quite and very efficient 6 watts and 200lph of air . Slight air noise from the silencer, but not much. Cant hear the skimmer itself at all . EASY to adjust gate valve which works fantastic ...........no wedge pipe taking up space, or difficult to adjust . Adjusted the bubble height quickly and easily . Pretty much NO micro bubbles right from the start ! I didnt even break it in with vinegar ..........just placed it in the sump right out of the box , adjusted it, and basically had no micro bubbles coming out of the gate valve ...........NICE !

Cup comes of easily, just an o-ring seal that works well . tight but comes off easily .

 

All in all ...............I am pleasantly surprised and impressed ! It was only $129. for the K2 -50 , which is the smallest version .

Think it will work well for a lot of nano-tanks !

Maybe this K2-50 (or the bigger K2 120) will work for you WRX !?!?!

 

Here are some quick pics .............

 

 

 

 

 

Wow that is one super compact skimmer. Looks really well built. How do you adjust the air? I don't see where you adjust it in the silencer.