Can someone tell me what skimmer this is please?

Live Rocker · 12/12/2017, 04:39 PM

I bought a 200 gallon used tank and the skimmer came with it. I would like to know if anyone knows what type it is so I can do some research about it. Thanks

ca1ore · 12/12/2017, 05:12 PM

It rather looks like an old MTC skimmer based on the way it is built, though I don't necessarily remember one specifically like that. It must be quite old (20 yrs plus) just based on the pump. It's the original incarnation of the Lifegard quiet one pump that used a Grundfos motor block. Marginally salt water safe and prone to burning out (I had a few of them in the 1990s).

Live Rocker · 12/12/2017, 05:14 PM

Thanks for the quick reply - do you think I should get rid of it?

Vinny Kreyling · 12/12/2017, 05:42 PM

Definitely a MTC product.

ca1ore · 12/12/2017, 08:26 PM

Hard to tell from the picture (and as I said, I don't recall that specific model) how the air is injected. At the very least I think you'd want to replace the pump. Skimmer designs haven't really advanced basic performance all that much once lime wood air stones were abandoned, so I'd imagine it would still work fine.

moondoggy4 · 12/13/2017, 10:06 PM

I still have one of those pumps, and it never gave me any trouble.

ca1ore · 12/14/2017, 05:40 PM

All my red bodied ones burned up. They then had a blue colored one, still with a Grundfos block that's was better. They're completely redesigned now.

moondoggy4 · 12/14/2017, 10:04 PM

I am not sure exactly what color it is, it is easier to say I have one then find it, I am condensing my stuff rubbermade tubs. It is definitely old.

12/12/2017, 05:12 PM	#2
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	It rather looks like an old MTC skimmer based on the way it is built, though I don't necessarily remember one specifically like that. It must be quite old (20 yrs plus) just based on the pump. It's the original incarnation of the Lifegard quiet one pump that used a Grundfos motor block. Marginally salt water safe and prone to burning out (I had a few of them in the 1990s). __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

12/12/2017, 05:42 PM	#4
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Definitely a MTC product. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

12/12/2017, 08:26 PM	#5
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Hard to tell from the picture (and as I said, I don't recall that specific model) how the air is injected. At the very least I think you'd want to replace the pump. Skimmer designs haven't really advanced basic performance all that much once lime wood air stones were abandoned, so I'd imagine it would still work fine. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

12/14/2017, 05:40 PM	#7
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	All my red bodied ones burned up. They then had a blue colored one, still with a Grundfos block that's was better. They're completely redesigned now. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

12/12/2017, 05:14 PM	#3
Live Rocker Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Katy TX Posts: 63	Thanks for the quick reply - do you think I should get rid of it?

12/13/2017, 10:06 PM	#6
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I still have one of those pumps, and it never gave me any trouble.

12/14/2017, 10:04 PM	#8
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I am not sure exactly what color it is, it is easier to say I have one then find it, I am condensing my stuff rubbermade tubs. It is definitely old.