RedSea Max/ Euroreef Skimmer Page

[redsea reefer]

I don't like the formula one frozen, It makes a mess in the tank. I use the pellet version.

[redseareef]

GELATIN TO BE EXACT!!!!! Sugar and JELLY.........................LOL

[rhogeo]

Has anyone modded the Euro Reef to have an overflow from the cup to a larger container?

[Clownfish518]

Originally Posted by redsea reefer

I don't like the formula one frozen, It makes a mess in the tank. I use the pellet version.

All foods, pellets and frozen, should be rinsed to remove phosphates, with the exception of cylop-eeze (too small) and Rod's fish food (no preservatives). A tea strainer works well for this

[TonyV]

Whoa!!! Ok so where do I put my trusty old bag of Chemi-Pure and Purigen?

[redseareef]

Chamber of death!

[Mavjoy]

TonyV- All you need is a good skimmer, like the ERS, for filtration IMO. I just recently stopped using the filter pad and just running a small bag of Chemipure for now(hanging where the pad used to be). I will take out the rack pretty soon 'cause it serves no purpose for me. My water level stays accurate in the back and display since I took out the pad. I'm planning on running 2 reactors for GFO and Carbon in the near future.

[TonyV]

Ok so lots of bubbles, but not as much as I was dreading in the tank. So far bearable. Hmmm... Foam in, stack really high.

Installation - Cords are really stiff and I found now way possible to run them into the stock power panel. So for now they are in a strip underneath my cabinet. The ER is a more complex skimmer so there are more parts. It's also bigger than the Tunze. A single plug would have probably fit or maybe some creative wire wrapping. I see no easy way to have the inTank Media rack, the ER skimmer, and my chiller ports occupied. I think I am really going to miss my Media rack and filter floss. Advantage - so far Tunze. (subject to change)

Noise - The ER is silent. I'll give the advantage to the ER.

Build Quality - No doubt about it the ER is a much better skimmer. Advantage - ER.

Price - Price is a wash. The Tunze is cheaper but so is the quality. Advantage - draw.

Skimmer Bubbles - No competition here. The ER puts out a serious amount of bubbles which will surely strip my water of nasty contaminants. Advantage - ER.

Customer Service - ER and Todd from Global Aquea. Nuff said.... Advantage - ER

Aesthetics - I can get past the skimmer cup sitting up above my tank lid if the results outweigh the negative. The extra cords and mufflers can be an eye sore, but tank placement can negate those concerns. I am a bit concerned with the cup placement being so high that the cup will overflow and spill on the floor. That would not be good. The Tunze gave me a sense of security as the entire skimmer and cup were inside the back chambers and if water ever were to fill the cup, it would only spill back in the tank. Advantage - Too close to call

More thoughts and comments later. Back to watching my skimmer.

[Clownfish518]

Originally Posted by TonyV

I am a bit concerned with the cup placement being so high that the cup will overflow and spill on the floor. That would not be good. The Tunze gave me a sense of security as the entire skimmer and cup were inside the back chambers and if water ever were to fill the cup, it would only spill back in the tank. Advantage - Too close to call

I really don't see how it could ever overflow onto the floor. If the cup were to fill, it would go back down the center first. Even if it didn't, with the bullet cup the only place it could go to is back into the tank. I don't think this is a concern

[TonyV]

Ok so here is my first recommendation for improvement. The cords are too stiff which causes the pumps to sit at awkward angles or even fall out. It leads to the pumps tilting a creating a vibration noise under the weight of the pump and the stiff cables. The pump ends up resting against the back wall or the outer wall. The majority of the bubbles are coming from around the sealing surface of the grommet in the cast acrylic tube. If I just tilt the pumps a bit I can see a dramatic decrease in bubbles in the display tank and an increase in bubbles in the skimmer column. I certainly don't want to be constantly monitoring how the pumps sit so I am going to suggest that some acrylic rod be glued to the main chamber on either side of the pumps to keep them straight.

[redseareef]

Tony,
Boy, you are really working us over here...............LOL. Not sure what you mean by the cords being too stiff. There is a slot for your cords to go through so the hood does not pinch them.
Mine went in fine????? Here are a few notes/answers/comments for you to chew on:
1. The skimmer will act completely different upon break in. Those bubbles you see coming from the grommets will be gone!
2. You have alot of organics in your water. HOW DO I KNOW? Just by how the skimmer is reacting to your water. Once these heavy organics are skimmed out, the bubble column in the body will start to compact and shrink in size. Check through your side compartment and have a look at where the bubble column stops in relation to the bottom of the body. Bubbles will start to all rise directly to the top. The skimmer will become more manageable as time progresses and it breaks in.
3. Dean was correct with the water overflow from the cup spilling out onto the floor. Has never happened to me. I have had it overflow once, and it ended up dumping back down in through the neck.
4. Not sure why your pumps will not sit straight. Mine do, and you are the first one I have heard this from.
5. Once the skimmer starts to break in you will lower the body down further until it is 1-2 inches above the mounting plate. When you remove the sponge, you will drop it another inch as it relieves back pressure in the body.
Your analysis is great so far Tony. Nice review. However, as it breaks in many things will change. Be patient and watch what happens.
I want to go wiggle my cords now to see what you are talking about!!!:LOL

[redseareef]

Tony,
Well, I compared my cords to all my others in the electrical box compartment. You must be comaring these cords to the Tunze skimmer pump cord???
My pumps are sitting straight. Hmmmmmmmm. No vibration that I can hear. I never had a pump fall out as of yet.
Interesting points. I will keep ears open to others comments. Anything we can make better we certainly will try and improve!

[TonyV]

Haha. I'll be all over you guys. Ok so now it's burping from underneath the foam. The pump orientation seems to be a balancing act on the cord weight pull vs the tightness of the muffler lines. I do see the benefit of having acrylic rods on either side of the pumps to help.

Yes these cords are massive compared to the Tunze. Mine are 5/16" diameter whereas the Tunze had a single typical lamp cord wire. I'd be really interested in seeing how one could possible tiddy the wires nice enough to fit in the electrical panel of the RSM with the internal shroud in place.

[redseareef]

Tony,
The air lines between pump and the plate holes should not be tight. They should have some slack in them. This is why the pumps are pulling over to one side. Shove the air lines down through the plate holes a bit towards the pumps. This will loosen things up and you can align the pumps and you should be good to go.
Yes, the sponge burping is normal. Air builds up so much in the sponge then.........................................POP, a big air bubble pops out. It serves it purpose well!
Once you get a break in, the foam will rise and you will see no need to use it unless you just like having it in there.
I thought the Tunze cord would be heavier and better???? Hmmm, I have not had a Tunze pump in a while. However, i have owned a few in my day. Great pumps!
Any skimmate yet?

[TonyV]

Lots of bubbles and a slight ring around the neck forming. The bubbles really are a cool sight. I'm a bit nervous to run it over night un-supervised.