skimmer for 120 without sump

[DEE]

Hi All

I was hoping someone could give me a few suggestion on a skimmer. What does everyone use who doesn't have a sump? Thanks!!

~DEE~

[BoomerD]

LifeReef makes an EXCELLENT hang-on skimmer, and if you later add a sump, the hanging bracket can be removed and the skimmer used there. Pricey, but very hard to beat the quality.

Life Reef

[Reefland]

The Aqua Medic Turboflotor is also a nice skimmer which is available in a Ho model although I don't think either one would be sufficient for a 120 gallon tank.

[Ninong]

Hi All

I was hoping someone could give me a few suggestion on a skimmer. What does everyone use who doesn't have a sump? Thanks!!

~DEE~

Here are a few things to consider:

• Available space. Some hang-on skimmers (e.g., Turboflotor Multi) require at least 10" behind the tank).
• Ease of maintenance. How easy is it to keep it adjusted properly. How easy is it to clean it.
• Noise. Is it noisy? This could be a very important consideration for any exposed equipment in a living room environment.
• Quality of workmanship. Some skimmers are made with thick, high quality acrylic and some are not.
• Reliability. What do others who have used it have to say about its long term reliability.
• Price. Could be the least important factor of all, within reason.

I originally purchased a Turboflotor Multi for my 120-gal tank. I intended to use it next to my sump rather than as a hang-on. I researched it thoroughly prior to purchase and I know from reading the reports of several folks who used it that it is a decent skimmer in the $210 price range for that sized tank. The reason I chose the Multi instead of the regular Turboflotor was because the regular model comes with a Rio pump and the Multi does not.

I decided to sell the Turboflotor Multi in favor of purchasing a Lifereef skimmer because I wanted to go upscale a bit. I finally realized that I was spending thousands of dollars on my complete reef setup and wanted to move up in quality some. The Lifereef is extremely well made and has been trouble free. It is not the most advanced technology out there but it does the job reliably with little or no adjustment once it is dialed in. I can think of some newer technology skimmers in the same price range that are probably even more efficient but I doubt that they could be any easier to take care of or more reliable long term. Besides, my skimmer is more than adequate for my size tank so I don't have to worry about whether I could get something else that might be a tad more efficient.

[DEE]

Hey All-

Thanks so much for the suggestions. The 2 mention the turbo multi and the lifereef are the 2 I've been looking into. At least I know I'm heading in the right direction. Ninong you wouldn't happen to remember what the clearance was for the hang on set-up?

Thanks again ~DEE~

[BoomerD]

The Turboflotor Multi requires quite a bit, something like 10" of clearance.
From the Lifereef pages:
"The HVS2-24 Hang-On skimmer requires 7 1/2" space from tank rim to wall clearance. The HVS3-24 Flanged model requires 8 1/2" clearance. The bracket requires 7" of rim space."

The Turboflotor will cost about $100.00 less, but IMHO, it's not nearly as good as the Lifereef. Either however will be much better than no skimmer at all.

[Ninong]

DEE,

Looks like BoomerD has already answered your question about clearances. I would tend to agree with him that the Lifereef would be a better choice although it is more expensive.

[DEE]

Hey

Thanks again for the quick responses!! I am now leaning toward the life reef but what I need to know is the width of the bracket that is used to hang on the rim of the tank. I have the tank built into the wall and is veiwable from both sides (dinningroom & familyroom) so equipment is house under and on the sides in cabinets. The 8 inches isn't a problem the cabinet is a foot wide but the bracket would have to clear about an extra inch of support wall. Does that make sense? So if the actual width is over say 4 inches I would be safe. So if there's more then 3.5 inches I'm sold!!

TIA~Dee~

P.S. Thanks again for all your help

[Ninong]

Picture of Lifereef hang-on skimmers showing three different orientations: http://www.lifereef.com/lg_vnt3.jpg

CAD drawing of Lifereef hang-on skimmer: http://www.lifereef.com/cdhang.gif

Picture of Lifereef hang-on skimmer actually hanging onto tank: http://www.lifereef.com/hvscup1.jpg

From Lifereef website:

For those of you with limited sump/cabinet space or no sump at all we offer these two skimmers, the HVS2-24 (or HVS3-24 Flanged) Hang-On skimmer and the SVS2-24 (or SVS3-24 Flanged) In-Sump skimmer. Both of these are actually the VS2-24 (or VS3-24) but with different fittings and appropriate submersible pump. Many hobbyists that have replaced their current skimmer with ours have been extremely happy with the low maintenance and the increased performance. If you have several aquariums, great! Simply use the Hang-On skimmer and move it from tank to tank! Use the hang-on skimmer to supplement the skimmer you may have now and see how much your skimmer is missing! Don't purchase another one of those "toy" protein skimmers!

The Hang-On skimmer can be oriented on your aquarium rim in three positions to suit limiting canopy or hood requirements.

The HVS2-24 Hang-On skimmer requires 7 1/2" space from tank rim to wall clearance. The HVS3-24 Flanged model requires 8 1/2" clearance. The bracket requires 7" of rim space.

You can e-mail Jeff with detailed questions: lifereef@denver.net

[DEE]

Hi again

Thanks again Ninong! I will defintely have to email Jeff and get all the dimensions. I hope it will fit because I would really like to go with it!

Thanks again for all you help!

Dee

[Ninong]

You're welcome!