opinions wanted on protein skimmers

[latsyrc]

Any opinions on these skimmers?
Berlin x2 venturi / aquaC ev120
Right now we have a 40 gal uniquarium, and want to upgrade to 55-60gal in a few years, so we'd like to buy one that will make the transition. It is hard to find product reviews.

We are skimmer-less right now, because the one we bought is terribly hard to adjust, and we just could not get rid of the micro bubbles. Perhaps any comments on that as well?

Thanks
~Crystal

 

[TimSchmidt]

I don't know much of those two. I have an mx-160 and it is quite an excellent skimmer. I have it on my 90 and I love it.

 

[latsyrc]

so Tim, who makes the mx-160? I tried to google it, but alas, could not find it. Thanks, too.

 

[TimSchmidt]

LOL I'm sorry. It's the MSX not MX. Marine solutions. I've also used the coralife super skimmer 65. It's a cheap skimmer, BUT it does an admirable job. If you can pick one of those up used (less than $50) then I'd call that a steal. That MSX 160 is over kill on my 90 gallon with a 30 gallon sump.

Coral life has quite a few micro bubbles, but I use my skimmers in the sump that is before a bubble trap so very few make it to my display. The MSX is in sump only.

 

[reefman23]

Of the two you listed, I would go with the Aqua C. Do you want an in-sump skimmer or a hang-on-the-back type? How much are you looking to spend?

Jesse

 

[latsyrc]

well, we do not want to do what we did with the first tank, which is start out too small and then want to upgrade asap. We are comfortable spending around $300. But, as we have no separate sump at this time, we are concerned about the micro bubbles. So any advice on a skimmer with few micro bubs is appreciated. :thanks

 

[latsyrc]

oh, we will probably get one that has a hang on back adaptor, because the"sump" in the back is narrow, about 4"


also, Tim, do you have any pics or diagrams of the bubble trap?

:thanks

 

[TimSchmidt]

Here is a real cheap diagram. Basically it's three baffles of material (glass, plastic, acrylic, whatever. They are all one inch apart from each other with a pattern forcing the water 1. over 2. under 3.over. The second baffle is 1.5 inches from the bottom.

Like this (REALLY bad picture, but I don't have a handy picture that shows what I'm talking about. If this doesn't really help let me know and I'll get off my rear end and find my camera. :lol: :lol:

 

[latsyrc]

After reading up a bit, my hubby put a series of 3 baffles in the back of our uni, but that was only slightly marginal help. However, we only ran the skimmer for a couple of days, and the micro bubs were really bad. This is the skimmer recommended or designed for this uniquarium, and it is open on the bottom, so the bubbles mostly just come out of the bottom. It seems to be a design flaw. He is definately looking forward to building his own sump.

 

[latsyrc]

*definitely

 

[TimSchmidt]

Most skimmers have a break in period and micro-bubbles do calm down a bit after the break in period. I honestly don't know alot about the hang on backs. The one Reefman pointed out is a popular one. Sumps are really good for this as my baffles are 12 inches tall each and no bubbles make it past those. For our nanos a 20 gallon long or just a ten gallon works well enough for a sump.

 

[latsyrc]

alright, I guess we can try to give that one a longer break in period, but our baffles are about 13". I guess we will have to wait and see.

 

[TimSchmidt]

Make sure you have 1 inch between each baffle otherwise the water flow through the baffle system will be so fast that the bubbles will rocket through the baffling. (making it useless)

 

[latsyrc]

okey dokey!