PROTEIN SKIMMERS: MANY QUESTIONS

[brian langham]

hi all:

i am currently running a 125 gallon sumpless reef. a very light bioload
right now.

i know, i need a sump. someday, in the basement. donation cheerfully
accepted. : )

question 1: opinions regarding the berlin h.o. protein skimmer? this is a
hang on model.

question 2: is there a good hang-on commercial protein skimmer for this
size tank?

question 3: opinions regarding the use of 2 smaller skimmers vs. 1 big
skimmer.

regarding number 3. i am currently running 2 cpr first generation backpacks
with the maxijet modification. while this modification does improve
performance i am less than thrilled with this solution. my feeling in this
right now is that both will not skim at the same time.

any constructive advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

-brian

[Brian Langham]

<snip>
> Typically, running two skimmers on one tank tend to give better results in
one
> and less results in the other. Are you finding that to be true with your
two
> Bakpak skimmers?
>
> Marc
>
>
> brian langham wrote:
>
> > hi all:
> >
> > i am currently running a 125 gallon sumpless reef. a very light bioload
> > right now.
hi marc:

regarding two skimmers: one will work then the other, not a whole lot of
reason to it that i have been able to distinguish. cleanliness perhaps?

i agree with you that a sump and skimmer is the way to go. unfortunately my
gradiose sump plans are for a large basement sump incorporating a freshwater
tank fed by the r.o. unit, a mixing tank, and the sump refugium itself. i
was looking for an interum solution that i could port over to the sump when
i get the courage and money to tacke this project. look for lots of
basement sump questions in a few monthes <G>

thanks, for the info and advice,

-brian

[Jimmy Chen]

> question 2: is there a good hang-on commercial protein skimmer for this
> size tank?

No. I havent seen any HO that I would recommend for tanks over 75g.

> question 3: opinions regarding the use of 2 smaller skimmers vs. 1 big
> skimmer.

More problems, as you now have to worry about two of everything. In
addition, one of them will tend to stay useless as minor efficeny
differences between the two skimmers will cause the weak one not to function
most of the time.

jc

[Mike Imbler]

"Jimmy Chen" > wrote in message
news:3f6135b1$0$25391> > question 3: opinions regarding the use of 2 smaller
skimmers vs. 1 big
> > skimmer.
>
> More problems, as you now have to worry about two of everything. In
> addition, one of them will tend to stay useless as minor efficeny
> differences between the two skimmers will cause the weak one not to
function
> most of the time.
>
> jc
I have read that this is typically true, but when I upgraded from my
Lifereef 28" to a CS12-2 ER last year, I kept them both running. They have
both produced consistently. I think these are both very good skimmers,
though, and maybe that is what allows them both to keep producing. Although
it is twice as much maintenance, I feel I'm getting better skimming, and
have some system redundancy if something fails when I'm on a trip,
Mike

[Rob MacMillan]

What are your recommendations for a protein skimmer. The only locally
retailed ones are the Berlin range (prizm, classic etc)

I am planning on converting a freshwater into a marine setup, and would
rather spend a little more for a skimmer that could possibly do reefs in the
future. Between the Berlin XL and Turbo and classic, are these good enough
for a 980l tank? How do these compare with other makes?

Thx
Rob

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> Brian, I read about a HOT model made by EuroReef. However, with a 125g
> aquarium, you better plan on a sump model to have real success. Aqua C,
> EuroReef (or knock-offs of similar design) will be your better ones to
choose
> from.
>
> Typically, running two skimmers on one tank tend to give better results in
one
> and less results in the other. Are you finding that to be true with your
two
> Bakpak skimmers?
>
> Marc
>
>
> brian langham wrote:
>
> > hi all:
> >
> > i am currently running a 125 gallon sumpless reef. a very light bioload
> > right now.
> >
> > i know, i need a sump. someday, in the basement. donation cheerfully
> > accepted. : )
> >
> > question 1: opinions regarding the berlin h.o. protein skimmer? this
is a
> > hang on model.
> >
> > question 2: is there a good hang-on commercial protein skimmer for this
> > size tank?
> >
> > question 3: opinions regarding the use of 2 smaller skimmers vs. 1 big
> > skimmer.
> >
> > regarding number 3. i am currently running 2 cpr first generation
backpacks
> > with the maxijet modification. while this modification does improve
> > performance i am less than thrilled with this solution. my feeling in
this
> > right now is that both will not skim at the same time.
> >
> > any constructive advice would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > thanks,
> >
> > -brian
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[Rob MacMillan]

What are your recommendations for a protein skimmer. The only locally
retailed ones are the Berlin range (prizm, classic etc)

I am planning on converting a freshwater into a marine setup, and would
rather spend a little more for a skimmer that could possibly do reefs in the
future. Between the Berlin XL and Turbo and classic, are these good enough
for a 980l tank? How do these compare with other makes?

Thx
Rob

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> Brian, I read about a HOT model made by EuroReef. However, with a 125g
> aquarium, you better plan on a sump model to have real success. Aqua C,
> EuroReef (or knock-offs of similar design) will be your better ones to
choose
> from.
>
> Typically, running two skimmers on one tank tend to give better results in
one
> and less results in the other. Are you finding that to be true with your
two
> Bakpak skimmers?
>
> Marc
>
>
> brian langham wrote:
>
> > hi all:
> >
> > i am currently running a 125 gallon sumpless reef. a very light bioload
> > right now.
> >
> > i know, i need a sump. someday, in the basement. donation cheerfully
> > accepted. : )
> >
> > question 1: opinions regarding the berlin h.o. protein skimmer? this
is a
> > hang on model.
> >
> > question 2: is there a good hang-on commercial protein skimmer for this
> > size tank?
> >
> > question 3: opinions regarding the use of 2 smaller skimmers vs. 1 big
> > skimmer.
> >
> > regarding number 3. i am currently running 2 cpr first generation
backpacks
> > with the maxijet modification. while this modification does improve
> > performance i am less than thrilled with this solution. my feeling in
this
> > right now is that both will not skim at the same time.
> >
> > any constructive advice would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > thanks,
> >
> > -brian
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>