Simplicity Skimmer DC240
New to the game is a skimmer by Simplicity. Skimmers are very basic in my opinion. A pump forces air/water/microbubbles into a chamber. The broken-down proteins rise to the top and over to the collection cup while the water flows out the side. I’m sure it’s more complex than I’m making but that’s how I see it. Design, water flow, air draw, and bubbles are what’s important when it comes to skimmers. I’ve been looking at skimmers for my Red Sea Reefer 350 and have stumbled across a couple of different setups. I’ve looked at the Reef Octopus Classic, Bubble Magus Curve 5, and Simplicity 170.
Here were my criteria for the skimmer:
- Ability to skim a heavily loaded tank
- Quit in operation
- Efficient in power usage
- Controllable with a DC pump
- Small footprint
Here are some specs from the manufacturer
Reef octopus Classic 110
- Coral vue octopus 4-inch needle wheel skimmer 100gal
- Reef octopus pinwheel/needle wheel skimmers provide you with a high performance features in an easy to use package
Footprint 10.6in x 6.75in
Height 19.75in
Sump water level 6-7.75in
Filtration 100g – light; 90 – medium; 75 – heavy
Power: 9w
Bubble Magus Curve 5
- High performance pump included
- Tanks up to 140 gallons
- SP1000 internal pump
- Footpint: 7.28in x 7.08in
- Height: 18.5in
- Sump water level 9.5-11in
- Filtration 140g – light
- Power: 8w
- Adjustable DC pump speed
- For tanks up to 240 gallons
Simplicity DC240
- Footprint 8.3 x 7.9in
- Height: 19.5in
- Sump water level 7-10in
- Filtration 240 – light; 180 – medium; 120 – heavy
- Power 9-18w
After looking through the details and talking to some hobbyist, I decided on the Simplicity DC240. It wasn’t on my initial list but it was in the price range since I could get it at a discount. The pump was dc controllable and it’s foot print was small enough to fit in my sump leaving space for a refugium setup. I ordered it on Friday and it arrived on Tuesday. The packaging was great. It was well thought out. The pump, quality and fitment was excellent. After 2 minutes of putting the pump together, it was ready to be broken in. I ran it at full speed with the drain on the collection cup opened. I then connected a pipe to the drain and routed it straight down to the sump. Without this, the bubbles would get everywhere in the cabinet walls, equipment, etc. I ran this for 2 days to break in the skimmer.
Here’s the skimmer I decided to go with. The packaging is well thought out.
Here’s the controller. (the one on the right)
Here’s the skimmer in my sump.
I added the extra pipe to drain the skim back down to the sump while it was still breaking in.
So far this skimmer has worked out great and is skimming really well. If you are still on the fence, don’t hesitate.
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