Smarter than your Protein Skimmer? These Top Mistakes say otherwise!

[@tylergordon696]

Once again you missed the biggest fail. The biggest fail is spilling skimmate on the carpet right as your wife comes around the corner

[@brandonarnold3101]

The 15 fails series is my favorite series to date. Your giving real results. So many talk about what the positives equipment can do but fewvare willing to talk about there fails

[@SekRanger]

Good lord! You even have a bookmark of time for each point. This is awesome.

[@gabesreef]

You guys make such great videos

[@mrjayy3907]

Love watching your vids guys ,you have so much knowledge to share ,

[@charlottefalconer8602]

Brilliant video, I’ve made the mistake of having multiple large skimmers while carbon dosing, having them pulling waste from various areas of tank and sump and it resulted in way LESS skimmate. Gone back to a single skimmer and it’s pulling out waste way more efficiently. As always you guys are amazing and bang on with your advice!

[@HeavyGun1450]

Just received my Reef Octopus 110sss from you guys. Your tips have helped me set it up and it's working great because of them!

[@ptsurfer1339]

Back in the day, they told you to get a bigger skimmer cause many would start with a 20 gallon (minimum salt water size recommended at that time) and they considered 50 gallon or more as the standard ideal size . So they told you to get bigger tank to prepare for a future upgrade to a bigger sized tank .

[@chrismontanari3136]

The more of our videos I watch, the more confused I am. Like this one. I haven't had a skimmer before. A person gave me a 80 G tank, skimmer, UV Sterilizer, and sump pump. All without instructions on how to set it up. Been watching all your videos and still fee totally clueless. I am ready to turn this 80 G tank into a broken glass. I have a 29 G running fine without all this mess.

[@remember_Pat_Tillman]

Did you ever figure it out?

[@user-kv5lq9xm8c]

Did you try looking up a tutorial for each model of skimmer, UV sterilizer, and sump pump you have? Or ask the person who gifted it to you what they did?

[@alfst5546]

Great video guys, have you considered doing one for those of us who don’t have a refugium ? I have to use an internal skimmer as I haven’t got the room for a sump, unfortunately I have to use a canister filter which makes life a whole lot more challenging ☹️

[@jordanchristle467]

Aquamaxx hang on backs

[@bradsimpson8724]

As a freshwater guy making the jump to reefing, this is the biggest, most intimidating, most unknown part of saltwater filtration to me. This video definitely helped clear some things up for me. My philosophy is to minimize and simplify maintenance so that I actually do it. Based on what I've learned from this video, I think I'll start out without a skimmer, and just stick with daily filter sock swaps and dial in a refugium. I'll leave space for a skimmer(a DC recirculating unit, which I wouldn't have known before watching this either) in the sump, but I think I'll hold off on making the purchase for the time being. Maybe the money saved on a skimmer could go toward one of those slick-looking roller pad gadgets I saw in another one of your videos; I might do some research into those instead.

[@Physics072]

Ok Brad its been 2 years you have graduated from gold fish. Lets here the dead fish stories we all have them.

[@bradsimpson8724]

@@Physics072 No body count to report as of yet. Despite this being posted two years ago, my saltwater tank only had the first livestock introduced about five weeks ago. I ordered fish from Elliot at Marine Collectors because of his quarantine and treatment protocol, and I would recommend him without hesitation. I'm sure there will be some dead bodies sometime down the road, but at this point, nothing to report.

[@dinosreef4626]

I ordered a tunze 9004 dc skimmer installed it my tank is doing so much better better growth from my coral and water is crystal clear

[@opethmike]

Video suggestion: Top 15 beards at BRS

[@BRStv]

Haha!

[@opethmike]

@@BRStv Can Randy continue to hold on to his Perfectly Groomed Beard title? Will a challenger emerge from the shadows to defeat him? Tune in tonight, to BRStv, at 10 PM to find out!

[@jakecarpenter9254]

First I would like to start by saying that I love your videos. I think you guys have done the best job of educating people on reefing. Now that said, I am about to blow my top. So all the information I got back in the early 2000's, they all said: "The bigger the skimmer, the better". So, me being a poor dude trying to do things right the first time, I go and get the coral life 125 gallon protein skimmer for my 60 gallon reef tank. For years I wondered why it never produced very much scum....... Now it looks like I have to go out and spend more money and get the smaller 65 gallons to hang over the tank protein skimmer........ I was not blessed to have a reef ready tank nor a tank big enough to have a sump underneath. Man, I wish this video was around back then. This may be why people tell me they don't get into reefing, because of the expense. Keep up the great work. I'm going to bite the bullet and start from scratch but purely by the BRS videos. I can't believe I fell into those videos by self-proclaimed "expert reefers".

[@matthewjames7394]

This video was a huge help and I have had skimmers for years!

[@fishclown490]

You guys are Awesome ,thank you for being so clear and understanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Slide-Loc]

Bubble wand analogy is perfect... makes perfect sense now.

[@pravinmore4284]

You are genius sir

[@ferozkaamil1]

Love Top 15 episode very very useful information,Plus saw BRS advertisement in KZbin about international shipping.my orders coming for BRS only.

[@Dani004able]

Thanx for that series. I think it's just as important to know what not to do as what to do. But most of the time you only lern what to do wich didn't save you from big fails. Keep going!

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

My first skimmer was a deltec 20 years ago 600 quid hang on sump run on 2 pumps one to move water through and one built onto it and it had a tap to turn air down most skimmers these days don't have that feature I had to put one on my skimmer that barely pulls air wich means my soda lime lasts longer

[@PhotoLee_AZ]

This video is great for the rich & famous but what about people like me that are just getting into saltwater on a much smaller budget. Maybe do a short video on HOB skimmers for us newbies? Wasn't sure if I wanted to make the jump from freshwater to saltwater so I got a 29 gallon put in some Life Rock, CaribSea Arag-Alive sand, one Domino Damsel, one Long Spine Urchin, one Serpent Starfish, one Sand Sifting Sea Star, and six Nassarius Snails. All are doing fine after a month and half. Chemistry and salinity are all good. I have since then purchased a Macro Aqua M-50 Hang-on Protein Skimmer sill trying to figure it out? Your video has helped me a little on the settings and what I need to look for but I think the HOB's work a little different as to getting them dialed in. Hope this gave you some inspiration on maybe doing a short video on HOB Skimmers?

[@codyczaikowski4351]

Another incredibly help video! I have one question that didn't seem to be addressed in the video though. If you're using a refugium with a macro algea or something similar like an algea scrubber, will that have any affect on the overall bioload in the tank? In your refugium videos you made it seem like a refugium could be a good single nutrient exporter up to a certain bioload point. So if this is the case, would I then take into consideration my refugium when selecting the skimmer that's right for my tank's bioload similar to a filter sock? Also is it even necessary to run a skimmer on a tank with filter socks or a raller mat while also running a larger refugium? Maybe a spin off series of tests from your refugium videos?

[@BRStv]

I like the idea. You can definitely run a smaller skimmer (or even no skimmer) if you have other filtration methods on the tank. We have quite a few tanks around the office relying on only an algae scrubber and water changes with no skimmer at all.

[@frankcava8073]

This is a great video. Best in months and that is saying a lot when BRS does such awesome work. I only have a 20 gallon IM reef and I dumped my skimmer two years ago because I could never get it to work right, it was loud, and I do a 5 gallon water change each week. Here is the sad part. Randy has learned to quiet his hands so I cant play “Drink when Randy gestures wildly” anymore. Sad.

[@supremecamels7736]

The biggest fail is I just read the thumbnail as "Protein Skimmer Milkshakes" - I think I need to go back to bed...

[@idroness]

genial, gracias por la info ;-)

[@wolfmanjack3451]

Here's one,don't dump the cup down the sink. Dump the waste gunk into a garden sprayer use it as fertilizer,Tomatoes and peppers love nitrates. Deer hate the smell of it..Win-win.

[@BRStv]

Haha! Fishtank fertilizer. Just be sure it's not too salty for the plants!

[@wolfmanjack3451]

@@BRStv ,It's pretty diluted once it's sprayed..

[@manuelnunes8415]

I'm totally new to reef aquariums. Can I put my roller mat (Reefmat) and skimmer in the first section of my sump? Is it a bad thing to have them together? I'm trying to work out the layout for my sump at the moment. having them both in the same section would make my life easier as I have a corner tank and the sump is a pentagonal shape.

[@callahanwelsh]

Aloha!...so question, I am getting back into having a tank as allot of people are limited on funds for a saltwater tank: 1. Is it better to spend/invest the money on a UV light or a protein skimmer? 2. Is it better to invest in a "hangover" surface protein skimmer OR a submerged protein skimmer? 3. Should one invest their money into a professional sump or a "do it yourself" sump with a plastic tote and 3 dresser drawer? Mahalos and aloha from MauiWaui!!

[@mindiworwood7047]

I really need to know where you got the zoa wall art :)

[@joandonofrio138]

Totally different subject.. my pregnant. Molly fish got her tail nipped .. how do I help her ?

[@darylducholke4059]

Love these videos:)! Inevitably we all go bigger:) Would be cool to see a skimmer that would do small bioload and could ramp up?

[@mindmart_]

If you don't use a skimmer, what do you use for filtration?

[@michaeltalley1455]

Thanks for making this soooo much more complicated! JK, Love the videos. Excellent info as usual!

[@mxr7586]

I quit using them I noticed when doing water changes it don’t fill up.

[@volteface69]

Merci pour ta vidéo !!! 👍👍👍

[@wilfredocaoyonan8026]

Gd eve can I ask something. If I have to install a filtration system

[@seove1]

My biggest fail was when I thought I was cool, and I put one in a FW tank, 25 years ago.

[@truereefkeeping6022]

I did this to until I figured out you have to have a certain amount of salt in your tank to produce the bubbles

[@DarkSky0685]

I've just taken my skimmer offline to help get my nutrients up - I have a 40 gallon refugium full of chaeto and it strips my water way to quickly when teamed up with my skimmer. Having taken it offline, my pH is a few points lower than it was before, I used to bounce between 8.1 and 8.5 to now 7.9 to 8.2.

[@harrycreasian4274]

Maybe because the skimmer bubble helps the PH level.

[@DarkSky0685]

@@harrycreasian4274 yeah that's the reason. I run my skimmer intake line outside for fresh air.

[@ulrichsd]

You could always run your skimmer with the collection cup off (so that it spills over the lip) to get the advantages of water aeration.

[@DarkSky0685]

@@ulrichsd External skimmer :( but yeah, I get what you're saying.

[@svenvanderzwaag1012]

Why not just turn the refugium light down instead of the skimmer

[@hermeticmoon8448]

New to Reefing... has no company thought of making a removable insert to choke down the diameter of an over size skimmer?

[@thedampestcrib6004]

would it be better to buy multiple medium ones or one large one? I have 40 tanks at 400gal and plan to add another 400gal i dont have a roller but i get filter media at walmart and cut it to size and replace it daily rn 😅

[@MerkDolf]

I like the first, do I even need a skimmer. If I can get the best eco-system without a skimmer with other methods that are lower maintenance than a skimmer 😁

[@44letters]

Need help please Tank: reefer 250 running for 1 year Water parameters: Ca. 445 Mg. 1320 Kh. 8 P04. 0.04 No3. 10 Salinity 1.025 Clarisea 5000 Skimmer: octo elite 150s placed as per the recommended hight The issue is the old skimmer octo regal stopped skimming and I replaced it by the elite and running now for almost 2 weeks. Massive of micro bubbles comming out of the skimmer, no skimate at all, only bubbles no foam created. I've been in the same issue for more than 2 months, and I thought the old skimmer was broken but it seems something going wrong. Will never imagine the amount of micro bubbles

[@Blackbookproduct10ns]

Let’s say you have medium bioload on a 500g tank but also have a massive sump, frag tank, etc for like 800-1000 gallons, which gallon rating should you shoot for in a skimmer?

[@BRStv]

Everyone will look at this slightly differently, but I'd suggest to size your skimmer based on the water volume of anything that adds bioload. In other words, if you have a big 1000 gallon tank (full of nothing but saltwater) plumbed into your 75 gallon display, using a skimmer sized for 1075 gallons seems pretty silly.

[@Thanosisnotreal]

What is that small red skimmer right up front?

[@fishstix1988]

I'm getting a Red Sea Reefer 750 (200 gallon system) and I'm on the fence between the Regal 200INT (175 heavy bio load) and Regal 250INT (250 heavy bio load). I know I'll have about 15 fish, inverts, lots of rock flower anemones, and eventually corals. Should I go for the 250INT because it's where I'll end up after my tank is stocked, or do I go with the 200INT even though it's undersized? I know it was mentioned on #6, but the difference between the 200INT and 250INT confuses me.

[@BRStv]

When given the choice, we would almost always take the under sized skimmer vs an oversized one. While the undersized skimmer may not remove as much, it'll be infinitely more easy to tune and you won't have to mess with it as much to get consistent performance. Not to mention, if you plan to run other filtration methods, this will lessen the need for such a large skimmer too.

[@fishstix1988]

@@BRStv Would you consider a refugium and filter socks as other filtration methods? I won't have a roller filter, but will have those other methods.

[@cameronbasford8991]

I thought that little skimmer cup on the right was the air silencer for the big octo.

[@BRStv]

Definitely looks like it could be! 😆

[@MrDiddyDurk]

Do you think a reef octopus 200SSS int skimmer is too big for a 120gallon tank with 17 fish?

[@BRStv]

Under normal circumstances, I'd say yes, but 17 fish in a 120 is pretty heavily stocked. While it may still be slightly oversized, it's not going to be very far off at all. Whether you go with the 150 or 200, I think you'll have success either way.

[@atfinthehouse8631]

Doesn’t meticulous cleaning then force you back through tuning the skimmer. Definately wash and clean but maybe don’t make it like new clean?

[@galwaypeters2]

Guys how do we properly offset salt water removed and replaced by the ATO.

[@BRStv]

In a vast majority of systems, the change in salinity due to saltwater removed by protein skimmer will be hard to measure. If you're doing regular water changes, you can certainly account for that during your changes. If you're not doing water changes regularly, you could just overfill your sump slightly when you start to see the salinity drop. Then let the added water evaporate, which will increase the overall system's salinity.

[@karennation3580]

I always thought a skimmer was supposed to up ph. My tank is in my den with me right next to it and my dogs on the futon! haha Guess this would explain why it didint up my ph at all. Dont really understand the concept of pulling in outside air. My tank is up against a wall that has my garage behind it. About 12 feet from the wall facing outside. Can this still be done? If so I need to find an article or do you have a video that explains more about that? Wont adding 2 part or uping my alk also raise ph? It will lower after wc then maintain 7.6. I want it higher anyway!

[@Jp-gc6bh]

I have a 9001 tunze laying around. Will it be okay for my 40 breeder that has a light bio load? I’ll buy a bigger one later

[@BRStv]

That'll work just fine, especially while your tank has a lower bioload.

[@winterbolt3270]

So what would you recommend for a 40 gallon reef tank with a 20 gallon sump i plan on medium to heavy bioload

[@BRStv]

The Reef Octopus Classic 110SSS would be a solid choice www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-classic-110sss-5-internal-space-saving-protein-skimmer.html

[@sambloomfield5757]

hi im Building a 2500 liter reef tank Witches is 660 Us gallons would a Reef octopus regal 300 S be big enough going to Be fairly heavily stocked thanks

[@t.regnerus301]

Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[@FlockensNekroparlor]

False! These types of skimmers can actually pull other necessary nutrients from your water, forcing you to add additional supplements to keep a tank healthy. Sometimes, if you don't need it, you shouldn't use it.

[@fredsanford604]

hey i bought.a bubble magus curve 3,ans can not find any videos on how th set it up,did you ever make one

[@DailyDose2Inspire]

So.. if I have a skimmer that's only adjustment is the ability to change the water level within the skimmer.. why can't I add a adjustable valve on the air intake line? Like for instance.. I have an icecap k1 Nano.. There is no air adjustment. If I add a valve.. now I have level and air adjustment on a cheap 85 dollar skimmer. Or am I way off on that? lol

[@BRStv]

No, you're 100% correct 😁

[@DailyDose2Inspire]

@@BRStv Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

[@jairocampos2584]

Reef octopus 1000 HOB on a 38gal too much or no?

[@mitchellboehm719]

Do you need a sump for a 75 gallon tank

[@BRStv]

Sumps are nice to have, but by no means a requirement. All of the equipment necessary to run a successful reef tank is available in a hang-on-back version. You can check out all of our HOB protein skimmers at the link below www.bulkreefsupply.com/protein-skimmers/hang-on-skimmers.html I would suggest this one for most 75 gallon tanks www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquamaxx-hob-1-5-hang-on-back-protein-skimmer.html

[@daniellinville4637]

i have all in one tank how to add one to my 37 gallon

[@BRStv]

You'll need a slightly different style skimmer if you have an all in one style aquarium. Check out Tunze's line of skimmers. Their 9004 would be an excellent choice assuming that it fits in the space you have available. www.bulkreefsupply.com/tunze-comline-doc-skimmer-9004.html

[@rickyricardo75]

does a steering/guiding system from your water column to your skimmer would be possible or make sense?

[@GulzarGulzar-r7t]

But it's very expensive in my country bruuu I can Mack 5/2 feet tack with 12 mm glass with seeled

[@achilleszeus]

NEED HELP, I have a yellow mouth moray and hes only like 2 feet but hes killing my nitrates in my 125g. they are at a 100ppm and im running a reef octopus 150 int and nopox. i cant do constant water changes cause the house situation what else can i do? also have a refugee with chaeto

[@fishstix1988]

how much citric acid do you use in a 5 gallon bucket to clean it with?

[@BRStv]

We suggest 3/4 cup of citric acid per gallon, which will get you to a similar acidity to vinegar, but without the smell. Of course, you could add less, it would just take a bit longer.

[@Wichaoue]

can you help me . now i think i misstake biggest fail. i order tunze 9410 dc for 40 gall (tank+sump) when i turn on and set dial control 20% the spilling skimmate in the cup in 3-4 minute.

[@BRStv]

Try raising the skimmer up. This will effectively lower the water level within the skimmer body and make it harder for the skimmer to overflow. It sounds like you're close, just some minor adjustments to make to get it dialed in.

[@jaksmith6465]

if youre not running a skimmer, how do you oxygenate a saltwater tank? i never see anyone with a bubble on a tank

[@marc_svsengineering4319]

No amount of water changes and water flow will help with high alk and low ph when you have a high co2 rich environment. I use a skimmer to help oxygenate the water and bio load if needed. In the winter I connect an outside line to help lower alk and raise ph. Beats using a co2 scrubber. Bubble wands are never used in saltwater due to saltwater creep.

[@BRStv]

Surface movement with a powerhead is sufficient in almost all cases :)

[@peregrynn5972]

What would you recommend for a 90 gallon?

[@BRStv]

I would suggest taking a look at one of the Reef Octopus skimmers. If Apex compatibility is important to you, the Regal 150 is a solid choice. If you're just looking for simple on/off control (non-adjustable pump), then the eSsence S-130 or Classic 150 would be a top pick. This video is from 2019, but since there haven't been many changes in the skimmer market since then, you might find it helpful :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmPRoX-Ae66BgZo

[@peregrynn5972]

@@BRStv thank you so much for replying so quickly!

[@rodriedu_]

Hello Guys, So in your opinion what would be " too big" ? In my case, I have more less 550 system and my Skimmer goes until 1500 liters.

[@rosedonnapur]

Im just stating out iv got a 28l but I think it’s to little might up grad my tank to 70 or 100 whot sizes should I get

[@BRStv]

Our suggestion would be to first nail down the size of tank that you're going to set up as this will greatly impact which protein skimmer you'll end up going with.

[@poppin_freshgaming4334]

I ran a recirculating skimmer in my sump on the tank I had a decade or so and it worked incredible. I did not bother with another pump, but rather fed the skimmer directly from my overflows. I added a T with a ball valve in the drain line so I could control how much water I was dumping into the skimmer. I could keep the turnover in the skimmer pretty low for maximum nutrient removal and I didn't need another pump using electricity.

[@fdny1055]

Need help with skimmer newbie here... sk-45 flowing water out the top instead of foam anyone have email to provide to show skimming situation ?? Greatly appreciated

[@davidsimms2806]

Using mine to keep ph up with outside air

[@MrGarnettmiller]

A few years ago Ryan said get the biggest skimmer and also on your website a lot of time it’ll say large bio load and recommend a big ass skimmer. Here you’re saying get get a smaller skimmer.

[@BRStv]

As we conduct more and more Investigates we continue to learn. A while ago Randy did a whole BRStv Investigates series about protein skimmers and performance. We'll worth checking out!

[@CALIGR52V]

I got a 350 Red Sea reefer tank my skimmer just went out on me if anyone got a a skimmer day don't need it anymore hit me up let me know

[@mattshea5412]

Great for people who can afford it all, us diy ppl are lost and done

[@sarangshirsat6995]

plz suggest me good skimmer for my 1200L tank..

[@MumRah]

20gal system. 20gal sump. Seems legit 😂

[@davidwhite5045]

Thats a damned if i do and damned if i dont

[@joshmccarthy7943]

Wayne’s world is awesome

[@lowellbentley]

Oxygen takes out nitrates.

[@marianamator4171]

😀

[@highlanderoutsider5259]

Nobody should be feeding 3 cubes twice a day!!!!!!!!

[@damonbehnke5817]

This guy needs a haircut he's a grown ass man make feel like I'm watching Wayne's world

[@philipwood8776]

u are dumb

[@duicheckpoint_audit]

I like Ryan's information and he comes across really well, but man I can't stand the way he looks. He looks like a reject from Wayne's World gone bad. Again, super great communicator and speaks and comes across excellent I just can't stand looking at the guy.

[@eatadickutubenazis]

To clean my skimmer, citric acid, meaning lemon juice?

[@BRStv]

For cleaning pumps, we like to use citric acid. We actually sell it on the website if you were interested. www.bulkreefsupply.com/citric-acid-aquarium-equipment-cleaner-bulk-reef-supply.html