Best skimmer I ever used was...

[GeorgeH]

I am looking for input about the best skimmer you have ever used. I need to know the following:

Skimmer and pump combination
Description of skimmate produced (tar-like, etc.)
Any modifications or changes
Why you think it is better than the rest

I am looking for something out there that has been the "tried and true" for us. I am looking for commercial units ONLY!!! I know we can all build something better that would benefit the individual tank better however, I am looking for a ready to buy item for recommendations.

[GeorgeH]

Come on here guys... I would figure someone would have something to say.

I like the AquaC personally and think they do one of the best jobs out there. I would like other opinions.

[alexwolf]

I used the Aqua C EV 90 for a while. It was good, but I LOVE my new one. Its a My Reef Creations, and its geat and affordable. www.myreefcreations.com

[don-n-sa]

look at the skimmers at this site they sound awesome and at a decent price...I currently have a bid on e-bay for a skimmer for 100g-300g with pump included ( sub ) for only $145

here it is http://www.nautilusreef.com/

[StephenA]

I like mine, Trigger Systems (www.triggersys.com). It's large, produces lots of thick nasty foam. And it was priced right. I drive it with a Mag 18. Plus you can pick the color, My wife liked that aspect of it. They are also computer cut. Easy to clean, comes apart easy in nice sections.

[Tim Marvin]

Come on here guys... I would figure someone would have something to say.

I like the AquaC personally and think they do one of the best jobs out there. I would like other opinions.


I would have to say without reservation Matt's Aquatics sells the best skimmer on the market. Matt's monsters are hand crafted with only the finest materials, and built to customer specs. Each unit is built only after the order has been placed. Unlike AquaC, Precision Marine, Red Sea, who mass produce the units with substandard materials and workmanship, Matt's Aquatics builds each skimmer one at a time as if it were his very own. These skimmers are not only a work of art, but they perform at a level well above the rest. Why drive the Yugo when the Lotus is here! If overall tank health and quality constuction are important to you then the monster is the last bullet proof skimmer you'll ever buy!


How's that for response....LOL....

[matt]

Wow, Thanks Tim, check's in the mail.....

George, I started building skimmers because I was really disappointed with the commercial skimmers I had tried out there. This includes an expensive and popular skimmer that I won't name. If you're looking for a skimmer that can handle a big load and last a while, I'd look for a BIG beckett skimmer driven by a high quality pressure rated pump, built out of cast acrylic, with no holes drilled in the main tube (serious design flaw) and the beckett mounted to run at the top of the water column, NOT on the skimmer box. Big is important because more volume in the tube means much better contact time and foam stability.

Also, don't give much credence to manufacturers' "ratings", they're almost entirely based on marketing decisions rather than any solid research. Just get the biggest one you can afford, within reason. (I.E. don't get a 36" tube dual beckett for a 20 gallon tank; when you turn on the skimmer, the tank will drain!) :-D

[Tim Marvin]

Why not? I ran a monster on a 45 for a couple days you just have to add more water. Talk about polishing the water! Looked pretty cool to since the skimmer was bigger than the tank...LOL.....These suckers can get skim out of RO/DI water with 0 TDS.....JK....

[Brett Wilson]

GeorgeH(Helms), didn't you once make a skimmer or two? I can't remember.... It was a couple of years ago.

[Brett Wilson]

Ahhh now I remember. You made the stand and canopy for a 120 tank. I think it sold on this board but I have no idea where it is now...
I was with Ed when he picked it up from you.

[Jimnorris]

My MM skimmer which was custom made to fit in my sump under the stand is the finest Skimmer I have ever used! I drive mine with a mag12. Rest assure my next tank will have a MM skimmer and maybe a MM kalkreactor????????
Jim
P.S. MM stands for Matt Monster!

[StephenA]

I've seen several of Matt's skimmers. They are one of the best built I have ever seen.

[Troy Valentine]

I must chime in, :)

I am also a proud owner of a Matt Monster protein skimmer, and Calcium reactor. I have known Matt for several years, and I can honestly say that everything he makes is nothing but the best quality, and value for your dollar. Before I got my Matt Monster I had an EV120 on my 135, and I must say I was not impressed at all. Especially after spending over $300 dollars for it. And what was even more depressing was that after Matt completed his first protein skimmer, I looked at it and WOW :o it was about 3 times the size, and at least 10 times the quality. Which before I never really knew what a quality skimmer looked like, I thought that My Reef Creations or Aqua C were quality skimmers. Boy was I wrong.....
It is hard to make you understand the type of quality I am talking about without actually seeing his products first hand. I didn't understand and I've been in the hobby for over 11 years.
So if there is anyone out there who is interested in purchasing a Matt Monster, but hasn't been sold yet. I invite you to come to my house and see his skimmer and calcium reactor first hand, I guarantee you will be impressed. ;) Please don't hesitate to PM me if you are at all interested in checking them out.

Keep up the exellent work Matt!!! :D

[GeorgeH]

TurboBrett - Yes, I have built many in my time as well as several variuos types of "natural water scrubbers". I am currently working on one that will use a MJ1200 for a nano setup...LOL. More on that later.

I have heard that this is a very "do it yourself" type board and it has lived up to its name thus far. Matt, it appears that you have a very captive audience at this point which says a lot. I would like to see one of your skimmers in action here locally if possable or on the web. It sounds like your skimmers are pretty big and should be outside the stand.
I am definately looking for something specific and don't mind building or purchaseing one, whatever I need to do. I have on own cast acrylic 6" tube about 6' worth and have drawings laid out to buid one. My goal was to identify a very good skimmer than a majority uses and find out how well it works.

Any pics out there of the bubbles or skimmate? :)

[Tim Marvin]

I have one sitting in my garage that is sold, but I still have it if you want to just hook it up and check it out real quick.

[GeorgeH]

Thanks Tim !!!

I'll most likely stop by and take a look at it.

[wkopplin]

I own one of Matt's monsters as well. The thing is awesome. You are welcome to check mine out as well. It is a real monster though, I believe it is 53-55" tall and is run by an Iwaki 70RLT. The thing is absolutely the best skimmer I have ever used. I will post a pic of it in action.

[wkopplin]

Here are some pics of it in action from an earlier thread. It is obviously now mounted to my setup and is not sitting on top of a cooler like it is in these pics, but this gives an idea of how it is running.

http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=4074&post days=0&postorder=asc&start=20

[RobertG]

**** that Itch is turning into a RASH. What do they call it the Matt Monster!!!! :moon: LOL ! I have to get me one soon! It is surely the only Cure.

[Jimnorris]

Robert,
I think maybe I started calling it the Matt Monster (MM) because I had to use both arms to lift it!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
Jim

[GeorgeH]

Well, I admit it is huge to say the least however, I do need something that would fit under 24". I am looking for a footprint of about 10"x9".

[Jimnorris]

GeorgeH,
My skimmer is only about 28 inches high. Matt made it custom for me so I was able to fit it under my stand and in my sump.
Jim

[matt]

Oh, come on, Man, you start some thread about "Best skimmer ever.." and then say you're limited to 24" height? That's kind of like saying "I'm looking for the best, most powerful car ever... oh, by the way, it needs to be smaller than a VW beetle" :-D

Seriously, unless you're talking about a 75 gallon or under, you're going really small IMO. This perfectly illustrates what happens with skimer design for this hobby. Someone wants "the best, most effective, strongest, etc..." then they want it to fit in a very small space, and of course they want it to cost $100. (I know you didn't gripe about price, that's just a general rant on my part :lol2: ) Oh yeah, it needs to run on a maxijet.....

This is why someone like aquaC makes tiny skimmers with 3" of tube, that run on glorified powerheads, and calls them "quite possibly the most powerful in-sump skimmers ever..."

Now, there's nothing "wrong" with aquaC, and the guy that owns that company is really dedicated to customer service, but it's simply impossible to make gallons of foam in quart sized spaces.

[GeorgeH]

I know I asked about the best skimmer ever. I wanted to see what it would look like and it really does look like a monster. I tip my hat to you.
It is like alwyas, space is a premium UNDER the tank. If it was behind or hidden then the size shouldn't matter at all. That is why there are so many manufactures out there for this specific type of situation.

Ahh the gauntlet that everyone is after... Nothing personal but it is something that is sought after.

[RobertG]

George, just buy the one I have. :o Did that come out. It will fit in most sumps easily. Mine (MM) will be nice & on display in my room.
I am sure I will be very pleased.

[wkopplin]

Build a taller stand.

[georgeortiz]

My two cents,
I agree with Matt when it comes to having a quality skimmer. You need to have adequate space for any skimmer to work properly.

You need to know what it takes for a skimmer to operate and then look at the skimmer you want to purchase and see how well it fits the three skimmer criteria: Contact time, bubble size and GPH.

These three factors in some way are supposed to be considered when it comes to designing skimmers whether it be counter current, venturi, etc. I designed my own skimmer by just borrowing a little from here and there just out of budget constraints at the time and have been very happy with the result. It is just a plain old 42" airstone skimmer on my 110 and I get the nastiest,darkest, dirtiest skimmate. Sure some people say it may be a little more labor intensive to change stones periodically but, it works for my system.

Bottom line get informed on how a skimmer should work and then you can do a good job on choosing the best skimmer for you.

Props to Matt: His skimmers and reactors are pretty and from what you have read obviously perform well so if you have the money to spend you should definetly buy one.
I have looked at a lot of the skimmer out there and he definetely did his homework on his designs.

[TimFountain]

Just a quick plug for the Aquamedic Turboflotor 1000. I have had two of these over the years, currently running one with the Oceanrunner 2700 pump with the pin wheel impellor. Although it needs a seperate water input from the return pump (the 2700 only does the circulation), the neat thing is the plug and play nature of the skimmer. Height is pretty much automaticlly set. Just my $0.02.

- Tim

[GeorgeH]

Guys, I am not saying that Matt doesn't have a valid point... he has a VERY valid point. I was more intrested in the technology behind the skimmer. I have been out of the hobby for a year or so and wanted to see if there was a radical new way that would produce more. The 6' cast acrylic tube should tell you that I way understand the importance of contact and head space for a skimmer. (by the way, I bought an 8' tube when I ordered it)

Skimmers will always be a debate for various tanks and some will work better than others for various reasons. I was simply looking for simple input and anything that I could RECOMMEND to someone just entering the hobby besides the default "Red Sea Berlin" skimmer. I have built many of my own and will continue to do so going forward. I have even had some members on this board see some of my skimmers and can vouch for that as well.

MATT - I like the style you have was was going to incorporate something like that for a nano tank setup with a MJ1200 and a small bio ball with an air control connected to the down tube. I would design it simular to the style you sent me but on a smaller scale (due to the obvious Beckett reasons...LOL). I'll let you know how that turns out.

[matt]

For a nano, a WELL DESIGNED airstone skimmer would probably be the best choice. Using a maxijet to force water and air to mx will not work well IMO. But, people's opinions vary on this sort of thing; the remora/urchin does exactly that and many people are happy with them.

Now, there are excellent pressure pumps that go down to 175 gph made by pan world. If you could find a decent injector type that worked at slow flow, or simply was able to constrict the opening enough to force fast flow at that volume, you might be able to make a small, well working injector skimmer using one of those pumps. Good luck.