normal skimmer vs recirculating skimmer

danspyvey · 03-02-2008, 12:30 AM

In the market for a skimmer. Besides price, what are the advantages and/or disadvantages of normal skimmers and recirculating skimmers? Which would you prefer? Which is more productive? This is just a general pick your brain question. I appreciate any feedback.

tbittner · 03-02-2008, 12:46 AM

I'm interested in learning about this too so I'm tagging along.

Frankie · 03-02-2008, 01:27 AM

If your going to recirculate do it right

Austin Oceans - Protein Skimmers

Stacef · 03-02-2008, 01:44 AM

I am VERY interested in this also.. so I am tagging along also. I have been aiming towards recirculating for my 220 set up. I have 4 months to decide, but have not found anyone that can explain to me the advantages, yes there is a price difference but if it makes THAT much of a difference, then I am willing to put the money into it. I need this guy -->

to help with what the advantages are!

NATIVEVAMAN · 03-02-2008, 06:50 AM

Stace,thanks for putting my picture on the net lol.

Stacef · 03-02-2008, 04:46 PM

Well well well Native.. then you are my answer!!

To the wise old man---
So what are the advantages of having a recirculating??

NATIVEVAMAN · 03-02-2008, 05:00 PM

The two most important aspects of skimming are bubble size and contact time.So it seem the recuculating skimmer would have an edge.However the longer the bubbles are in the chamber the larger they become because they tend to pop and run together.I would say to get a skimmer based on its reputation for doing the job.Skimmers like ASM,Octopus and Deltec have good reputations with deltec being the most expensive by far.

elliottb · 03-02-2008, 05:04 PM

I would agree with you native! From everything I have read about skimmers, that basically sums it up. contact time and bubble size.

Stacef · 03-03-2008, 07:44 PM

Ok, I have been looking at the My Reef Creations Recirculating skimmers, any input?

I am looking at them for my 220 and then my..cement tank, 968g. They seem pretty impressive. The company started out with industrial skimmers..for sea world and such, and now has just a few residential sized ones still concentrating on industrial sizes..in which I will need! So seems I am spending a pretty penny, I will research their bubble size and contact time

NATIVEVAMAN · 03-03-2008, 07:58 PM

I know that octopus makes industrial size skimmers that they dont normally show in retail stores or sell on web sites.Deltec does too.So I guess it follows that ASM does as well.There is a potential for lots of fun research on this thread.Something else you may consider is 2 skimmers.You certainly wouldnt be the first to do that.

sasquatch · 03-03-2008, 10:14 PM

the important factors in skimming are as noted by Nativevaman plus the other big one, volume of water pumped thru the skimmer, a skimmer that depends on a NW pump to supply both flow thru and bubbles is a bare bones skimmer and very limited in adjustment, a recirc skimmer with separate feed pump is far more efficient as the air can be adjusted up and down for wet/dry skimming and the feed pump can be sized properly for system turnover of 2x a day

danspyvey · 03-03-2008, 10:57 PM

This is what I am trying to compare. The ASM G-1 and the DAS EX-1. From what I can tell they both look like good skimmers the ASM is standard and the DAS is recirculating. I have tried to locate actual bubble size and contact time for both skimmers, but have had difficulty. Does anyone know anything about this comparison or any suggestions?

zy112 · 03-03-2008, 11:06 PM

Ah sas hit on what I was going to. I wouldnt recommend swithcing skimmers if you already have one just for a recirculating one. I have seen both.. two euroreefs. And like I said if you have a good skimmer your fine, but if buying a new one probably the way to go.

Stacef I have an MR-2 and love it. Have heard many positive things about MRC.

03-02-2008, 12:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
danspyvey Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4 View Gallery Karma Komment	normal skimmer vs recirculating skimmer In the market for a skimmer. Besides price, what are the advantages and/or disadvantages of normal skimmers and recirculating skimmers? Which would you prefer? Which is more productive? This is just a general pick your brain question. I appreciate any feedback.

03-02-2008, 12:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: normal skimmer vs recirculating skimmer I'm interested in learning about this too so I'm tagging along. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

03-02-2008, 01:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 6,816 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: normal skimmer vs recirculating skimmer If your going to recirculate do it right Austin Oceans - Protein Skimmers __________________ Visit my aquarium -->Frankie's 120 gal Experiment Bruce: Today's meeting is Step 5: Bring a fish friend. Everyone brought a fish friend? DIY=DO IT YOURSELF! If we ignore the environment maybe it will go away....

03-02-2008, 01:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Stacef Reef Lobster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubuque Posts: 1,302 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: normal skimmer vs recirculating skimmer I am VERY interested in this also.. so I am tagging along also. I have been aiming towards recirculating for my 220 set up. I have 4 months to decide, but have not found anyone that can explain to me the advantages, yes there is a price difference but if it makes THAT much of a difference, then I am willing to put the money into it. I need this guy --> to help with what the advantages are! __________________ Stace My 20g Build Live Sand or Crused Coral, vote here!

03-02-2008, 06:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
NATIVEVAMAN Serpent Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Richmond va Posts: 209 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: normal skimmer vs recirculating skimmer Stace,thanks for putting my picture on the net lol.

03-02-2008, 04:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
Stacef Reef Lobster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubuque Posts: 1,302 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: normal skimmer vs recirculating skimmer Well well well Native.. then you are my answer!! To the wise old man--- So what are the advantages of having a recirculating?? __________________ Stace My 20g Build Live Sand or Crused Coral, vote here!

03-02-2008, 05:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
NATIVEVAMAN Serpent Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Richmond va Posts: 209 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: normal skimmer vs recirculating skimmer The two most important aspects of skimming are bubble size and contact time.So it seem the recuculating skimmer would have an edge.However the longer the bubbles are in the chamber the larger they become because they tend to pop and run together.I would say to get a skimmer based on its reputation for doing the job.Skimmers like ASM,Octopus and Deltec have good reputations with deltec being the most expensive by far.

03-02-2008, 05:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
elliottb Cabbage Leather Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: nj Posts: 356 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: normal skimmer vs recirculating skimmer I would agree with you native! From everything I have read about skimmers, that basically sums it up. contact time and bubble size. __________________ save a reef, frag a coral Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings. -someone- Anyone want to move? My tanks come with the home.... http://www.forsalebyowner.com/listing/18E85

03-03-2008, 07:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
Stacef Reef Lobster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubuque Posts: 1,302 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: normal skimmer vs recirculating skimmer Ok, I have been looking at the My Reef Creations Recirculating skimmers, any input? I am looking at them for my 220 and then my..cement tank, 968g. They seem pretty impressive. The company started out with industrial skimmers..for sea world and such, and now has just a few residential sized ones still concentrating on industrial sizes..in which I will need! So seems I am spending a pretty penny, I will research their bubble size and contact time __________________ Stace My 20g Build Live Sand or Crused Coral, vote here!

03-03-2008, 07:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
NATIVEVAMAN Serpent Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Richmond va Posts: 209 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: normal skimmer vs recirculating skimmer I know that octopus makes industrial size skimmers that they dont normally show in retail stores or sell on web sites.Deltec does too.So I guess it follows that ASM does as well.There is a potential for lots of fun research on this thread.Something else you may consider is 2 skimmers.You certainly wouldnt be the first to do that.

03-03-2008, 10:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: normal skimmer vs recirculating skimmer the important factors in skimming are as noted by Nativevaman plus the other big one, volume of water pumped thru the skimmer, a skimmer that depends on a NW pump to supply both flow thru and bubbles is a bare bones skimmer and very limited in adjustment, a recirc skimmer with separate feed pump is far more efficient as the air can be adjusted up and down for wet/dry skimming and the feed pump can be sized properly for system turnover of 2x a day

03-03-2008, 10:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
danspyvey Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: normal skimmer vs recirculating skimmer This is what I am trying to compare. The ASM G-1 and the DAS EX-1. From what I can tell they both look like good skimmers the ASM is standard and the DAS is recirculating. I have tried to locate actual bubble size and contact time for both skimmers, but have had difficulty. Does anyone know anything about this comparison or any suggestions?

03-03-2008, 11:06 PM	#13 (permalink)
zy112 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: IN Posts: 984 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: normal skimmer vs recirculating skimmer Ah sas hit on what I was going to. I wouldnt recommend swithcing skimmers if you already have one just for a recirculating one. I have seen both.. two euroreefs. And like I said if you have a good skimmer your fine, but if buying a new one probably the way to go. Stacef I have an MR-2 and love it. Have heard many positive things about MRC. __________________ Zach

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