New Skimmer for Christmas

[newsalt]

I'm thinking of asking my wife to get me an Aqua-C Remora skimmer for Christmas. I've heard alot of good things about these skimmers but have a few questions about them:

1. Who has the best online prices?

2. I'm using it on my 50g tank, what pump should I get? Maxi-Jet 1200 or Rio 800?

3. After getting the Aqua C, can I ditch my Aquaclear HOB?

4. I usually like to run carbon, can I still do that just using the skimmer?

5. I've read some posts about micro bubbles. Is that a problem with this skimmer?

6. What about removing the oily film at the water surface, will the skimmer take care of this?

Thanks for you input.

[fidojoe]

I was also looking at one of these skimmers for when I upgrade tanks eventually, and I have found that they are about the same price everywhere, and theres always ebay.

I would go with the maxijet, after hearing all the horor stories about rio pumps. I think you can also get a mag pump which is the best.

I personally would keep the aquaclear HOB, I have the 110/500 and I have about 4-5 lbs of LR rubble in the main chamber (for pods 'n such), and in the small area where the intake tube runs into, I have a small-ish bag of carbon. Plus, I don't think there's an area for carbon, unless you want it hanging in the main tank.

Never heard of any micro bubble problems with this one.

For the oily film, the aquaclear HOB can take care of that from the output waterfall thingy. Otherwise, I think they sell a prefilter box that helps with that, but its a big black box that sits inside the tank.

[wooddood]

well i have heard nothing but good about the euro reef skimmers so you may want to check them out also, as far as the aqua clear filter i would keep it filter the water and run carbon in. hope this helps ya some.




dave.

[Woodstock]

i have a remora-pro with a mag pump. I am very happy with it. Easy to clean, easy to move the cup up and down to adjust the consistency of the foam. It also has the overflow built in ...thank goodness because it produces a lot of scum! I bought mine used.. got a great deal on it too

You can't go wrong with the euro skimmers.....

[wooddood]

try this link for euroreef blems.

http://www.h2otropicals.com/Products...&%20Refubs.htm




dave.

[BoomerD]

If you need a hang-on, the Remora's are probably the best you can get. I always used the Prefilter for them, as it skims the surface gunk off the water, which makes it more efficient than it already is. By all means, the Maxi-Jet is the better pump. MUCH more dependable. From what I've seen, the price at most of the on-line sellers will be about the same. (currently, $163.95) I personally don't like e-bay, but it IS an option, and then there's the used equipment boards on all the forums. BUT, just like e-bay, you gotta be real careful and verify condition BEFORE you buy...

[cheeks69]

3. After getting the Aqua C, can I ditch my Aquaclear HOB?

You can if you want to but it's useful as Fidojoe mentioned.

4. I usually like to run carbon, can I still do that just using the skimmer?

Sure I don't see why not your water will be crystal clear.

6. What about removing the oily film at the water surface, will the skimmer take care of this?

You need to buy a Surface Prefilter otherwise it will NOT.

" The Surface Prefilter skims water off the top of the tank, which is often coated with a heavy load of organics.The Surface Prefilter also contains a bubble eliminating sponge to get rid of those microbubbles that sometimes escape back to the aquarium. The water return area can also serve as a media chamber for those who choose to use activated carbon or phosphate removing compounds."

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...ra.asp?CartId=

[BoomerD]

To clarify (I think ) on Cheeks reply, you can continue to run carbon in the AqyaClear, to polish your water, but the only way to use carbon w/o the HOB filter would be to hang a bag someplace in the tank, which could tend to look like crap...in a sump is o.k., but just in the tank...no thanks...
Keep the Aqua-Clear, use it for circulation. When you aren't running carbon, remove ALL of the media, even the sponge. It is a major nitrate producer. Then, maybe once a month, drop in a carbon cartridge or 2, use it for a week or 2 at the most, then toss it out, and your water should look great.

[cheeks69]

BoomerD in Marine depots website it mentions that you could put carbon on the return section of the prefilter at least that's what I understood.

[captivereefs]

Just thought i would mention i sell the AquaC's. You also get an additional 6% off for being a board member with coupon code REEFSANCTUARY

[BoomerD]

And that MIGHT work, but basically, you'd be dumping water on top of the carbon, not running it through it. Carbon is the most effective when it's run in a flow through system, rather than a flow over system. HOWEVER, you can certainly give it a try. Me, I'd run the Aqua-clear too. You always need more flow.

[SZHTTM]

Checks is correct. I have the skimmer/bubble trap box for my Remora and it works great, even with a bag of carbon in the bubble trap side of the box. No water overflows over the top, so the water is flowing through the carbon and out of the bottom opening.

I have my Remora with the Maxi-Jet 1200 on my 20-gallon reef. I have to clean the cup at least once per week. Even though the Remora is rated for upto about 70 gallons or so, for a 50-gallon, you might want to consider the Remora Pro. It is a little bigger and uses a bigger pump. I would feel more comfortable with the bigger skimmer.

Good Luck and Have Fun!!!;