What Makes a Good Skimmer

icedearth15324

icedearth15324

TeamCR
So I'm currently using an SCA-302 skimmer, and I believe it does a decent job. I know it is a "budget" skimmer, and I want to know what makes a difference between this skimmer, and a quality one like a Vertex, or Skimz?
 
Good skimming is all determined (imo) by contact time And proper amount of air (bubble size.) I to have a sca skimmer and it's good. But I've noticed smaller bubble sizes and a darker skimmate on my hydro premiere. Granted my hydor is a different type of skimmer than my sca and I'm probably not comparing apples to apples but N observation none the less
 
This may not necessarily play into performance (usually will though) but you can generally expect better build quality, higher grade materials on skimmers like vertex or skimz vs SCA. I have the SCA 302 and it's decent like you said but I intend to replace it with either skimz, vertex, aquamaxx, or SSA.

My SCA was very reliable for about 2 years but recently it struggles to keep a consistent foam head and will begin filling up the cup with wet watery skimmate randomly even though I have it set to the OFF position.

You will also find better pumps in any other the 4 skimmers I listed above as well.
 
Spartanman22 said:
This may not necessarily play into performance (usually will though) but you can generally expect better build quality, higher grade materials on skimmers like vertex or skimz vs SCA. I have the SCA 302 and it's decent like you said but I intend to replace it with either skimz, vertex, aquamaxx, or SSA.

My SCA was very reliable for about 2 years but recently it struggles to keep a consistent foam head and will begin filling up the cup with wet watery skimmate randomly even though I have it set to the OFF position.

You will also find better pumps in any other the 4 skimmers I listed above as well.
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So for the sake of this conversation how can you be sure it's the skimmr and not water quality...could it be at all possible that something has changed in the tank from beginning to now.
 
It certainly could be possible. My parameters have not shown any changes in recent weeks. Looking through the data there is no correlation between parameters and skimmer performance. It has settled down in the last week and has been producing a thick skimmate again (knock on wood).

I did add two new fish within the last 2 months so it may have been that.
 
Thanks Spartan

I have experienced same results with my skimmer. After time I have to readjust to get desired outcome. at one point I had it almost completely closed to get foam to top of cup

Any other opinions. I know there's guys out there that have had tanks in the early 90's when skimmers we not the norm due to price associated with them. Any input from our more seniored reefers would be much appreciated.
 
jayjerk said:
Thanks Spartan

I have experienced same results with my skimmer. After time I have to readjust to get desired outcome. at one point I had it almost completely closed to get foam to top of cup

Any other opinions. I know there's guys out there that have had tanks in the early 90's when skimmers we not the norm due to price associated with them. Any input from our more seniored reefers would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Whens the last time you cleaned the venturi, could be clogged by calcium deposits?
 
I actually gave it a thorough cleaning and it was after the cleaning that it started to get goofy so it may have had to go through a break in period again.
 
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