View Full Version : What do you think of the Skilter 400?
My most expensive filter purchase to date, I paid $80. This is my first SW tank. It's basically an HOB filter with a small protein skimmer on it. They say it is rated for 100 gallons, my tank is a twenty tall. Let me know what you think, and also any SW advise for beginners would be appreciated.
TankBuster
11-11-2006, 7:27 PM
Dont know about the filter but if you have not already, purchase a good test kit with an alkalinity tester, calcium additive,a good hydrometer, extra salt and a 5 g. bucket for adding fresh water to the evaporated salt water, new lighting to reduce algea and some good books on saltwater aquarium care and some power head(s) to move that water around. I like to add alot of live rock even to a fish only because it does help in filtration.
Princley
11-11-2006, 7:30 PM
i used a skilter on a 120gal ..and it worked well this was at a store i use to work for
Princley
11-11-2006, 8:04 PM
i should add to my lats post the 120 we put the skilter on already had a well established
wet dry filter on and a couple of powerhead with prefilters on the ///the skimming of the filter did a good job.. u could tell just by veiwing the it was doing a good job ...be at a store we only really set it up to see what it would do.. i was happy with the results
Dont know about the filter but if you have not already, purchase a good test kit with an alkalinity tester, calcium additive,a good hydrometer, extra salt and a 5 g. bucket for adding fresh water to the evaporated salt water, new lighting to reduce algea and some good books on saltwater aquarium care and some power head(s) to move that water around. I like to add alot of live rock even to a fish only because it does help in filtration.
I have calcium additive, hydrometer, salt, and infinity 5 gal buckets. Also, I am starting with CaribSea Aragonite live sand, and I will be adding live rock before fish. I just cleaned all the deposits off the glass, and I am running the tank with fresh for a few days to remove any undesirables that have built up. I can't get the skimmer to work, is that because I am using freshwater right now?
Princley
11-11-2006, 8:25 PM
even when you frist set up the salt the skimmer wont work untill the tank builds up enough protien ..then it will foam up and skim
Thanks for the tip! What kind of bulb do I need? My Light is 15w, 18". The light in the tank actualy looks great.
TankBuster
11-12-2006, 4:06 AM
I personally wouldnt run anything less than 65 watts, I would go 96 so that you can get some coraline algae growing on the rock, some nice purple colors. Also wqith fresh water you wont be able to get the good micro bubbles and foam. Once there is fresh water in the tank, it will produce foam but it wont be a rich dark color for a while. You also dont really need live sand. I just buy the dry sand and let it turn live, the rock will take care of alot of your cycleing. Get alot of live rock and make sure it is prety cured or your tank will tur, amonia spike.
i had one on one of my salt tanks and it lasted about a week and the motor seals started leaking.
i would never pay for another one again and if i was given one it would go in the trash.
to replace the skilter i got a rena xp3 and a el cheapo skimmer and have no problems with them. i've found that its better to spend a little extra to avoid problems.
i had one on one of my salt tanks and it lasted about a week and the motor seals started leaking.
i would never pay for another one again and if i was given one it would go in the trash.
to replace the skilter i got a rena xp3 and a el cheapo skimmer and have no problems with them. i've found that its better to spend a little extra to avoid problems.
Wow, that sucks, hope that doesn't happen to me!
RadleyMiller
11-12-2006, 7:14 PM
My friend has a skilter in his sump for his 90 reef and he likes it. I almost bought one for my brackish tank. Don't forget to get some more purigen! I keep telling my friend with the reef to get it as well since it is amazing.
I will be adding some porous filtration media and some purigen, as this filter has a huge box.
I like huge box, is NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!