Skilter Filter-Need Opinions!

[ErYn]

i was wondering if anyone could give my any opinions or experiences with a skilter filter??? i have one on my 55g reef tank, it came with my setup. i've never had one before so i'm just curious about it. thanks in advance!

[cuttingrass]

No first hand experiance with them but ive heard neggative stuff about them. if i were you i would try and find some cash and get a better skimmer its worth getting a good one right away then later down the road.

[ANGRY JOHN]

i have to agree... a remora seems to be the mainstreem skimmer for tanks this size and is also what i run. there a little expensive but you always get what you pay for. in the mean time there are supposed to be upgrade mods for skilters although i dont know what they are have a look around and mabe bump up the performance of what you got untill you can afford to upgrade.

[ErYn]

thank you for the suggestions!! although i was kinda hoping for some positive feed back!! LOL maybe there is some hope out there, any takers..?..?... hehe

[Reefland]

No takers. The device will move a little water around, and will produce some skimmate, but should not be relied on as any main method of filtration.

[blisdon]

Had a Skilter a long time ago. Garbage, IMO. Ditto the SeaClone, which I can't believe is still on the market. Look around for a skimmer thread and read up. There are many good skimmers available.

[Steven Pro]

They are not good. See here for other options,
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i1...mpressions.htm

[BubbaWPB]

They are not good. See here for other options,
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i1...mpressions.htm

Steven, have you had any impressions since the article was written on the AquaC EV series? Just curious....

[Steven Pro]

No, I have not tried any of the EV skimmers, but I have used the ASM line and should add an update for them.

[ErYn]

well i have another question, the skilter filter is the only method of filtration that i have, is that sufficient? i'm still new at this, so maybe someone could help me out.

[Steven Pro]

If the Skilter is the only thing you have running on your 55, you are woefully unprepared to house livestock at this point. I would strongly urge you to pick up a copy of either Mike Paletta's The New Marine Aquarium or Nilsen & Fossa's Reef Secrets. Either would help you understand the basics of marine aquarium keeping.

[ErYn]

i'm not sure what you mean "woefully unprepared to house livestock at this point" i bought the tank 6 months ago, fully established reef with livestock, no changes have been made to filters, livestock, & lighting, who i bought it from had it up and running for at least 2 or 3 years. i'm not having any problems with anything.. thats why i asked for opinions, because so many people have said they've had bad experiences... i will look in to getting those books, cant have too many refrence books!

[Poseidon]

I think what Steven means is the Skilter is not:

A) A good biological filter
B) A good mechanical filter
or C) A good protein skimmer

The easiest way I have found to keep a Reef is certainly not the cheapest, but it works well. I use live rock for Biological filtration, filter floss changed every other day for mechanical filtration, and fairly large skimmer in the Kent Nautilus, it is a venturi skimmer like the skilter, but I drive it with a MAG12 pump so it moves WAY more water and air then the skilter can.

If the only thing you are using is the skilter, then you can see where the tank is lacking. Especially since you remove pretty much your entire biological filter every time you change the filter cartridge.

[ErYn]

ok i understand that! but if my system runs great,and everything works. why would i need to change/add things???

[Steven Pro]

Are you saying you have absolutely no additional circulation besides the Skilter? No powerheads, pumps, nothing?

[ErYn]

yeppy thats what i'm saying

[Steven Pro]

Have you ever heard the saying that sometimes even a blind squirrel can find a nut? You are either exceptionally lucky or you have a ticking time bomb. Frankly, I am surprised that your fish have no suffocated at night yet.

[Poseidon]

Have you ever heard the saying that sometimes even a blind squirrel can find a nut?

I all honesty I agree with Steve. The first thing I would add is powerheads to increase the movement in the tank. Next thing I would do is get an AquaC or CPR bakpak skimmer. Then I would start adding FULLY cured liverock from your LFS. As a final step I would start researching which fish I want.

Ticking Timebomb for sure, eventually your dissolved O2 levels are going to drop below the minimum levels to sustain life. I'll bet you also get a HUGE pH swing between midafternoon and the early morning hours, these 2 factors are extremely stressful to the tank inhabitants.

[ErYn]

ok guys.. i know what you are saying... however, i'm NOT starting a new tank! i took over an existing tank that had been running FULLY established for years with only a skilter and nothing else. i have live rock, a few corals, a carpet anemone, a maroon clown fish, a yellow tail damsel (had a yellow tang untill my carpet ate him) and a scarlet shrimp. so if i'm suffocating my fish, why have they lived in this system for years? and i really dont have that good of luck, trust me

[Poseidon]

I know, I read that you took it over, but that still does not explain how you are being successful. How often do you do water changes? Have you tested your pH? The live rock is your saving grace, but even it has limits.