Skilter Filter-Need Opinions!

ErYn · 03-30-2006, 02:24 PM

i do 15 or 20 % WC ever other week...

**Poseidon** · 03-30-2006, 05:12 PM

That must be it! Frequent large volume water changes keep the Dissolved Organic waste from accumulating in the tank. I would still add more flow, it can only help.

Have you looked at the Remora or CPR skimmers?

ErYn · 03-31-2006, 08:26 AM

honestly i havent looked into anything else. i didnt see the point, if my system is working... but i know that everything can be better!! thats why i'm here! so what would you suggest.?. i will try and get some pics on here soon.

**Poseidon** · 03-31-2006, 11:44 AM

I would add at least 2 MJ1200's, they are about $20 each. I would also add a better skimmer, there are LOTS of options here, but look at the Remora, the BakPak by CPR, or maybe the Super SKimmer by Corallife. If you remove all the DOC's with a skimmer you may be able to go to once a month WC's.

ErYn · 03-31-2006, 02:07 PM

i would not mind monthly water changes! and thank you for the suggestions.. i am going to think of some revisions to do to my tank. but knowing my luck, i'll probably add/change things and it will totally mess everything up.. and i'll sit back and say, dont fix it-if its not broke! but i think what you have suggested would be a good idea. the more i'm learning, the more i'm finding that my tank is the exception to the rule... basicly everything i do, everything the owner before me taught me to do, goes against all the cardinal rules... but somehow everything works out.

**Poseidon** · 03-31-2006, 04:11 PM

There is certainly more then one way to be successful in this hobby, HOWEVER some ways have a higher margin for error. I think you have VERY LITTLE margin for error right now, and something very minor could really devastate your tank. Think about this, what if your Skilter were to fail in the night? With nothing else to move water, you would certainly suffer major losses.

ErYn · 03-31-2006, 04:41 PM

that is a very good thought. thanks for pointing that out... i'm a little freeked out right now, i'm not sure where to go from here. i dont know enough to add more equipment. soooo what should i do???

**Poseidon** · 03-31-2006, 04:53 PM

Add at least 2 powerheads ASAP. I would get the MaxiJet or Hagen brands, something around 250-300GPH. You should be able to find them online, with one our sponsors for less then $20 ea.

Also look @ the Remora or BakPak skimmers from a sponsor too, those are 2 very IMPORTANT things to add ASAP.

ErYn · 03-31-2006, 05:00 PM

i also i think i forgot to mention that i do have a bubble strip that came with it... and i've read that there not great for a sw tank, but like i said i'm the exception. i do have a lot of salt creep that i have to clean off the top at least once a week... so if my skilter stoped working one night, they would still have air... but i will look into getting those, how should i set them up for good water flow???

**Poseidon** · 03-31-2006, 05:17 PM

That certainly helps, BUT like you say, Salt creep is a PITA. It really doesn't matter where you put the pumps, just as long as they are in there.

Steven Pro · 04-03-2006, 07:36 AM

That bubble wand is what is saving you. They actually move a tremendous amount of water while also helping oxygenate, but the salt spray they create is a mess. Don't remove this until you add those powerheads.

ErYn · 04-03-2006, 11:13 AM

thank you, i will do like you say!!

vtec si · 04-04-2006, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Pro

That bubble wand is what is saving you. They actually move a tremendous amount of water while also helping oxygenate, but the salt spray they create is a mess. Don't remove this until you add those powerheads.

BINGO!

I too had (have in the closet For my QT tank ONLY) the skilter 400. I my early days of keeping SW I used this method not knowingly that I was set myself up to CRASH HARD! I was also running a bubble wand and the salt creep was a PITA! One day I did the stupid thing of removing the air wand because of the salt creep and WHAMO!! I lost all but two fish! Only a Koran angel and a Blue devil damsel lived. I LOST MY BEAUTIFUL MORISH IDLE THAT I HAD FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF! I learned my lesson a painful way. JME! Ditch the skilter! JMO!

Good luck,
Martin

ErYn · 04-10-2006, 03:17 PM

can ya'll help me out with a suggestion for a better filter?? maybe one that works great but is not expensive???

Steven Pro · 04-10-2006, 04:07 PM

What do you consider expensive? What is your budget?

**Poseidon** · 04-10-2006, 07:48 PM

CPR Bak Pak, Aqua C Remora Pro, heck even the Corallife Super Skimmer will pull more skimmate then that Skilter!

ErYn · 04-20-2006, 10:17 AM

my budget is very low, i'm trying to buy a house. thanks for the suggestions

03-30-2006, 05:12 PM	#22
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,363	That must be it! Frequent large volume water changes keep the Dissolved Organic waste from accumulating in the tank. I would still add more flow, it can only help. Have you looked at the Remora or CPR skimmers? __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

03-31-2006, 11:44 AM	#24
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,363	I would add at least 2 MJ1200's, they are about $20 each. I would also add a better skimmer, there are LOTS of options here, but look at the Remora, the BakPak by CPR, or maybe the Super SKimmer by Corallife. If you remove all the DOC's with a skimmer you may be able to go to once a month WC's. __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

03-31-2006, 04:11 PM	#26
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,363	There is certainly more then one way to be successful in this hobby, HOWEVER some ways have a higher margin for error. I think you have VERY LITTLE margin for error right now, and something very minor could really devastate your tank. Think about this, what if your Skilter were to fail in the night? With nothing else to move water, you would certainly suffer major losses. __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

03-31-2006, 04:53 PM	#28
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,363	Add at least 2 powerheads ASAP. I would get the MaxiJet or Hagen brands, something around 250-300GPH. You should be able to find them online, with one our sponsors for less then $20 ea. Also look @ the Remora or BakPak skimmers from a sponsor too, those are 2 very IMPORTANT things to add ASAP. __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

03-31-2006, 05:17 PM	#30
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,363	That certainly helps, BUT like you say, Salt creep is a PITA. It really doesn't matter where you put the pumps, just as long as they are in there. __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

03-30-2006, 02:24 PM	#21
ErYn Just Moved In Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deland, FL Posts: 33	i do 15 or 20 % WC ever other week...

03-31-2006, 08:26 AM	#23
ErYn Just Moved In Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deland, FL Posts: 33	honestly i havent looked into anything else. i didnt see the point, if my system is working... but i know that everything can be better!! thats why i'm here! so what would you suggest.?. i will try and get some pics on here soon.

03-31-2006, 02:07 PM	#25
ErYn Just Moved In Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deland, FL Posts: 33	i would not mind monthly water changes! and thank you for the suggestions.. i am going to think of some revisions to do to my tank. but knowing my luck, i'll probably add/change things and it will totally mess everything up.. and i'll sit back and say, dont fix it-if its not broke! but i think what you have suggested would be a good idea. the more i'm learning, the more i'm finding that my tank is the exception to the rule... basicly everything i do, everything the owner before me taught me to do, goes against all the cardinal rules... but somehow everything works out.

03-31-2006, 04:41 PM	#27
ErYn Just Moved In Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deland, FL Posts: 33	that is a very good thought. thanks for pointing that out... i'm a little freeked out right now, i'm not sure where to go from here. i dont know enough to add more equipment. soooo what should i do???

03-31-2006, 05:00 PM	#29
ErYn Just Moved In Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deland, FL Posts: 33	i also i think i forgot to mention that i do have a bubble strip that came with it... and i've read that there not great for a sw tank, but like i said i'm the exception. i do have a lot of salt creep that i have to clean off the top at least once a week... so if my skilter stoped working one night, they would still have air... but i will look into getting those, how should i set them up for good water flow???

04-03-2006, 07:36 AM	#31
Steven Pro Mayor Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 672	That bubble wand is what is saving you. They actually move a tremendous amount of water while also helping oxygenate, but the salt spray they create is a mess. Don't remove this until you add those powerheads.

04-03-2006, 11:13 AM	#32
ErYn Just Moved In Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deland, FL Posts: 33	thank you, i will do like you say!!

04-10-2006, 03:17 PM	#34
ErYn Just Moved In Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deland, FL Posts: 33	can ya'll help me out with a suggestion for a better filter?? maybe one that works great but is not expensive???

04-10-2006, 04:07 PM	#35
Steven Pro Mayor Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 672	What do you consider expensive? What is your budget?

04-10-2006, 07:48 PM	#36
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,363	CPR Bak Pak, Aqua C Remora Pro, heck even the Corallife Super Skimmer will pull more skimmate then that Skilter! __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

04-20-2006, 10:17 AM	#37
ErYn Just Moved In Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deland, FL Posts: 33	my budget is very low, i'm trying to buy a house. thanks for the suggestions

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