Electronically Controlled Skimmer Coming From Macro Aqua

Although officially Macro Aqua says they are known for being in the biz for 20 years and their work on Ocean Parks, we in the states may know them for their Coralife type skimmers. However, that may change soon… here is a sneak peak of their upcoming electronically controlled protein skimmers. Macro Aqua's controller actually will make fine adjustments to the skimmer's water level, but that is not all… it has a feeding mode, night mode that reduces flow, abnormal warning system and variable frequency pump. More details below.


Macro Aqua's New 'Intelligent' Protein Skimmer with Electronic Controller and Controllable Skimmer Pump

Cone body: New design, centralize bubble, high efficiency, made up of impact resistant material

Super fine adjustments: Work DC pump with controller, make skimmer humidity-proof, traditional method with hand cannot get such achievements

Burst-level Proof Mode: auto induction with abnormal water level, auto stop and warning of on running

Night Mode: Auto night-induction mode, reduce running flow rate

Feeding Mode: Auto feeding mode, save foods and additives

Variable Frequency pump: DC 12V-24V, safe, energy-saving, low temperature, power-saving, new technology product




There will be 3 versions: the Intelligent, Standard and Deluxe. The Intelligent skimmer comes with the more advanced electronic controller shown in the 1st pic.

Seeing these up close, two things were quickly apparent - they were quiet and the bubble density was nice.

An electronic controller for a protein skimmer is a pretty novel idea and the features seem well thought out. It will be interesting to see how these new Macro Aqua skimmers will hold up over time. Potentially these could be a game-changer.

When will we get them? Don't hold your breath… these skimmers are still in development. Best bet is to keep an eye on your favorite over-seas ebay vendor this summer as China and Taiwan will surely be the first to get these.

 

Interesting!

 

Very Interesting, although I dont see a lot of people jumping to switch too soon.

 

They sound like a great idea but my question is how much are they going to cost?

 

Looks interesting.

 

Meh.

 

Me Thinks this Is more gimmick than function! But that's JMHO and I could be wrong. Unless the computer can read the condition of the water and adjust the performance of the Skimmer accordingly It's just another way to sell IMO a line of Skimmers that were really never very good to start with.
Bill

 

I hear where you are coming from Bill - perhaps there is something in there that does this for these skimmers. Unknown at this point.

I noodled on this a bit and wondered, if we assume that an electronic controller on a skimmer, once set, keeps the pump at the same RPM, would it be a detriment or disadvantage compared to a traditional skimmer has with a gate valve when other factors come into play, such as evaporation or sump pump fluctuation? I wonder if perhaps a gate valve or the physical means of adjusting flow have more flex with these conditions than a controller would have?

I can't answer this, but these new skimmers with controllers make me think of these things. It will be really interesting to see what the truth is here.

matt

 

Given that it's a Chinese company, I doubt the entire design is anything much other than a ripoff of the Coralife skimmer they produce that happens to look exactly like this one, except with a cone body and the air intake moved, and the addition of an electronic controller.

It's a well-known practice of Chinese factories to produce a US brand for 12 hours, then run the factory for the other 12 hours of the day to make their own products with what they consider to be improvements. In this case, the improvements seem at least moderately useful, which is unusual; it's usually about cutting costs even farther.

I doubt the controller does too much other than check the water level and the user input for feeding/night mode. It doesn't have any sensor up at the top to check the bubble level, so it's definitely not going to make sure you even get skimmate.

What they should really do to advance skimmers is have a proper controller with sensors up at the top of the neck, and at the top and bottom of the optimum water levels. Then you have a servo to open/close the air valve, and the adjustable pump as this one does for the water level. Fine tuned, automatic, electronic control. The biggest challenge would be the sensor for bubbles at the top of the neck (what kind would you use to determine bubble density? lol), but beyond that, the programming of the controller would be relatively simple.

 

My question and I'm am in the dark when it comes to skimmers is will you still need to keep a certain height of water in the sump for it to work properly like my Marineland Marine Pro 300. Will it handle a 210 gal tank?