Sump skimmer

[daltex]

Now after deciding to go with a sump refuigum on my 46g (Thank you Reefland, Valclore, and Poseidon) I need some help on a skimmer selection. I want something that will meet the following criteria:

Must run quietly.
Must be low maintenance, I plan on attaching a collection jug for drainage
Will work on a larger tank for future upgrades.

Right now I am leaning towards the AquaC EV-120 and I would like to know if anyone has experience with them, or should I save my money and go with something else? I am also very open to suggestions of other skimmers if anyone has any feedback or has a link to some comparisons/reviews.

Thanks for your input.

[Reefland]

Hi daltex,

The AquaC EV series are very nice skimmers and meet the criteria you want. I would also suggest looking into the My Reef Creations skimmers; they too meet your criteria and are a beckett driven skimmer....very effective! MRC is a sponsor of our site and the skimmers he makes are very high quality and very comparitive in price to the AquaC.
http://www.reefland.com/ads/adclick....fcreations.com

Scott Z.

[daltex]

I look at MRC's fist but the smallest skimmer I saw was the MR-1, with a recommended pump of a MAG 12 and a rating for 175 gallons. I have concerns with it and over skimming, is that a possibility ?

[Poseidon]

Yup check out MY Reef. I ended up with a Kent Nautilis, I like it, but I'll bet the MY REEF MR-1 would have been a better choice for me.

[cubalz]

I have a Nautilus TE and love it. It is truly set it and forget it. Plus it skims muck like mad.

Yup check out MY Reef. I ended up with a Kent Nautilis, I like it, but I'll bet the MY REEF MR-1 would have been a better choice for me.

[Reefland]

I don't think it's possible. My thought process is this, if there is are no DOC's for the skimmer to remove, it simply won't remove anything. I run an MR-1 on my 75 gallon with a MAG18 and if I am not mistaken, zhenya runs an MR-2 on his 75 gallon; or maybe it's his 110? I think it would be a nice skimmer for your 46 and if you are concerned with over skimming, you can always cut it off for a couple of days per week and still have plenty of skimmer if you upgrade in the future.

Scott Z.

[Poseidon]

I look at MRC's fist but the smallest skimmer I saw was the MR-1, with a recommended pump of a MAG 12 and a rating for 175 gallons. I have concerns with it and over skimming, is that a possibility ?

Nope I think you will be fine with the MR-1... Just like scott said, if there is nothing to remove it can't remove it.

[daltex]

I have to thank you all for you input and fast response, this is 2x as fast and 10x more intelligent than going up to the LFS.



That being said what are all of your results on the MR-1 with sound and maintenance, I am looking for a true “set it and forget it’’ unit?



Compared to other skimmers, why does it require such a large pump?



Approximately what type of GHP should I expect the output to be with a MAG 12?



Last and not least, In comparison to the Kent Nautilis TE or the Turboflotor 1000 it really worth about 100 clams more for the skimmer and $50 more for the pump?

[Reefland]

I have to thank you all for you input and fast response, this is 2x as fast and 10x more intelligent than going up to the LFS.

Ah yes, the number 1 learning.

That being said what are all of your results on the MR-1 with sound and maintenance, I am looking for a true “set it and forget it’’ unit?

I've had mine for, shoot I guess 5 months now. It took me about 3 days to get it in tune initially and then I tuned it again about 3 weeks ago. With it being in my sump and the pump submerged and the cabinet door closed, I absolutely cannot hear it. If I turn it off, my tank noise volume is no different.

Compared to other skimmers, why does it require such a large pump?

All skimmers perform better with a more powerful pump than advertised. The AquaC Remora and Urchin are great examples of this. They are great performing skimmers with the Maki-Jet 1200's, but you can put a MAG3 or even a MAG5 on them and they will perform that much greater. My personal opinion is that MRC recommends a pump that will power the skimmer nicely, not one that will just "cut it". I'm not exactly sure, but perhpas the beckett injector requires something more powerful too.

Approximately what type of GHP should I expect the output to be with a MAG 12?

Again, not too sure here. The output from the gate valve seems a lot less, but it has a greater volume capacity with less velocity than the output from the pump itself.

Last and not least, In comparison to the Kent Nautilis TE or the

Turboflotor 1000 it really worth about 100 clams more for the skimmer and $50 more for the pump?

I think so. Not only do you get an awesome skimmer, but you get personalized customer support if needed at the drop of an e-mail. Poseidon also mentioned that his Kent does a great job but he thinks the MRC would have been a better choice.

Scott Z.

[Poseidon]

Yup... I like my nautilis Skimmer, but I have it outside the sump and it can be quite loud. I did make a few minor changes to the skimmer to get it to perform better, but I don't think you should have to do any of that on a $200 skimmer. From what I've read and seen the MRC is very simple and very quiet. The Mag 12 is an AWESOME pump, I have 2 of them, one in the skimmer the other is my return pump. I use them both internally and they do not produce enough heat to notice, I would say they move close to 1000 GPH at 4 feet... Moral of the story, buy it right the first time, so you don't have to buy it again...

[daltex]

I was sold on the MR-1 and was ready to order it until my stand came in. The height on the stand in 33" and it looks to me that the outlet on the MR1 is around 4" off the ground. With the outlet that low, I would have to set it on a box, as suggested, it still would only be 10-12"" off the ground. Due to my limited space my refugium is going to have to be tall and narrow with a water level higher than the skimmer water level. I don’t have room in the sump either, and it all must fit in the stand. Unless anyone can give me a creative idea or a skimmer recommendation that is just as good as the mr-1, I am thinking about a remora HOT on the sump. See my second desighn here My DIY Sump/Refugium

[Tie]

Is the MR1 an in sump skimmer (sits inside the sump) or does it sit off by itself?

[zhenya]

I don't think it's possible. My thought process is this, if there is are no DOC's for the skimmer to remove, it simply won't remove anything. I run an MR-1 on my 75 gallon with a MAG18 and if I am not mistaken, zhenya runs an MR-2 on his 75 gallon; or maybe it's his 110? I think it would be a nice skimmer for your 46 and if you are concerned with over skimming, you can always cut it off for a couple of days per week and still have plenty of skimmer if you upgrade in the future.

Scott Z.

Scott,

I have it on my 110g tank Now, the reason MR skimmers need powerful pumps is becouse of the bekett injector.To have it perform at maximum efficiensy it requires a powerful pump.Mine is also powered by a MAG-18 pump but it would be even better with MAG-24. If you do not want to overskim your tank, turn it off whenever you feed your tank for couple of hours and you definately do not want to skim your your refugium.What I mean is that you would want your skimmer to take water before it gets to refugium,discharge in the sump and then skimmed water should be returned to the tank. I run AquaC EV-120 on my 75 and it has been OK skimmer so far.I would however put a MR-1 if I had to do it again.

daltex,
I'll attach a pic on how I set up my MR-2 for my 110g tank. If you do not have room in the sump you can always drill a hole for a bulkhead in it and have your skimmer return through it.
Here's what I mean.

Tie,

I believe this skimmers could be run in or out of the sump,all depends on the size of your sump I think. Now of my sumps could accomodate it so I installed it outside of the sump via some bulkheads and hoses.