protein skimmer placement

[marshall baines]

I am in the process of starting a new tank and I want to get a protein
skimmer. When the companies say "in the sump" do they mean that the
skimmer goes under the tank or does it acutally sit in the wet/dry
filter?

Also which is preferred, an in the sump or a hang on? Also which
brand is the best. I have a 90 gallon and I am going to use live rock.

Thanks,

Marshall

[Marc Levenson]

In the sump means in a container under the tank. Some wet/dry systems come with
a venturi-style protein skimmer that does okay, but isn't really all that
efficient.

To find out about other kinds of sumps, check out these on my site:
http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

Euroreef is the best (ASM is a knock-off brand) and Aqua C is the one I
recommend. For a 90g, I'd recommend an EV-120 or EV-180 in a sump.

Marc


marshall baines wrote:

> I am in the process of starting a new tank and I want to get a protein
> skimmer. When the companies say "in the sump" do they mean that the
> skimmer goes under the tank or does it acutally sit in the wet/dry
> filter?
>
> Also which is preferred, an in the sump or a hang on? Also which
> brand is the best. I have a 90 gallon and I am going to use live rock.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Marshall

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[LarryT]

If you have it placed in the sump you will reduce the possibility of damage
from a spill or leak.

Asking which protein skimmer is the best is a loaded question :) Everyone
has an opinion and no one has tested every skimmer available on their tank.

From my research:
Venturi's are cheaper, more available and less efficient.
Some use a special pinwheel to chop up the bubbles (Turboflotor). You will
decrease the flow of water through the skimmer and increase heat, though
they create very fine bubbles. I had to constantly adjust my TF1k and
replacing the pinwheel was a pain and an unknown future expense when I
purchased it.
There are downdrafts that push water through bio-balls to create fine
bubbles. These seem to pack the most bang for their foot print but require
a large pump usually not included in the price (I have and ETSS 750 and it's
the best one for me so far and I have had 1 of each of the the above).
I almost bought an EV based on the # of good reviews, but decided on the
ETSS due to foot print, handling capacity, & better reviews. I don't think
you could go wrong with either myself.

HTH
LT

"marshall baines" > wrote in message
om...
>I am in the process of starting a new tank and I want to get a protein
> skimmer. When the companies say "in the sump" do they mean that the
> skimmer goes under the tank or does it acutally sit in the wet/dry
> filter?
>
> Also which is preferred, an in the sump or a hang on? Also which
> brand is the best. I have a 90 gallon and I am going to use live rock.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Marshall

[Marc Levenson]

Don't forget Aqua C's spray injector method, and then there is the DIY skimmers
that use eductors or other methods to create the bubbles.

Marc


LarryT wrote:

> If you have it placed in the sump you will reduce the possibility of damage
> from a spill or leak.
>
> Asking which protein skimmer is the best is a loaded question :) Everyone
> has an opinion and no one has tested every skimmer available on their tank.
>
> From my research:
> Venturi's are cheaper, more available and less efficient.
> Some use a special pinwheel to chop up the bubbles (Turboflotor). You will
> decrease the flow of water through the skimmer and increase heat, though
> they create very fine bubbles. I had to constantly adjust my TF1k and
> replacing the pinwheel was a pain and an unknown future expense when I
> purchased it.
> There are downdrafts that push water through bio-balls to create fine
> bubbles. These seem to pack the most bang for their foot print but require
> a large pump usually not included in the price (I have and ETSS 750 and it's
> the best one for me so far and I have had 1 of each of the the above).
> I almost bought an EV based on the # of good reviews, but decided on the
> ETSS due to foot print, handling capacity, & better reviews. I don't think
> you could go wrong with either myself.
>
> HTH
> LT
>
> "marshall baines" > wrote in message
> om...
> >I am in the process of starting a new tank and I want to get a protein
> > skimmer. When the companies say "in the sump" do they mean that the
> > skimmer goes under the tank or does it acutally sit in the wet/dry
> > filter?
> >
> > Also which is preferred, an in the sump or a hang on? Also which
> > brand is the best. I have a 90 gallon and I am going to use live rock.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Marshall

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Rod]

I have needlewheels in use, beckets in use downdrafts in use and aquaC's in
use. The needlewheels (euroreef,ASMs and GEOs) are the most fficiant.. Next is
a tie between the beckets (Precession Marine , GEOs) and the downdrafts (ETSS).
The becket performs better when the injector is cleaned and needs cleaning more
frequently than the ETS. Bringing up the rear of this group of 4 is the AquaC .
Even if the injector is freshly cleaned, mine have never produced the quality
of foam that the other 3 have.. Maybe the nozels that are on my aquaCs are not
fabricated the same as the others. all IMO