Fluval surface skimmer

[jp80911]

anyone used this? any good?
http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/product.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=107&PROD_ID=01002400020101

thinking of use it with FX5

 

[goldenchild]

Its great!

 

[epond83]

I have one on my fluval 404. I love it. as the the flow rate of the filter changes the amount it skimms changes but it is adjustable so you can easily chnage that.

I have it on a 75 gal. my turtle doesn't eat fast so food gets pulled to it and then she eats the food off the skimmer cup, usually detaching the whole thing so i have a timed off timer set up for the filter. Basically i shut my filter off for 5 mins at feeding time.

 

[vfc]

The Fluval skimmer comes with a 90 degree adapter that also fits a H.O.T. Magnum canister. I use that combination on one tank (see pictures below). It works great. The flow rate of the Magnum (250GPH) is a good match for the skimmer. If you use an FX5, you will have to use a "T" adapter to reduce the draw from the skimmer.

In addition, I use the Aqua Clear version (same skimmer, different adapters) on my XP canisters in the other tanks. The flow rate of the XP3 & XP4 is a little on the high side for the skimmer. I'm sure I lost some flow on the XP canisters hooked to the skimmers.

 

[jp80911]

great, thanks for all the feedback. so do I need to regularly clean the skimmer?

 

[vfc]

I have not cleaned any of mine.

I do have one suggestion. If you have large fish that may ram into it, I suggest you put a piece of foam under the rim in place of the trapped air. That will keep the skimmer always floating. Without it, the large fish knock the air out of the ring and it sinks. I use a 2" x 1/2" strip of closed-cell foam (exercise mat) under my rings.