any precision marine hot-1 users?
- Thread starter fungia
- Start date
I'm running one on the QT as well as one at the shop. They're pretty much a no brainer to run, and the build quality is excelent. Opt for (believe it or not) the rio instead of the maxi-jet; the venturi sucks (well, it sucks air, but it's a piece of crap) and because of the added water flow and tendancy for the venturi to clog up it is very prone to flooding. There is no problem w/ the rio besides dealing with the problems naturally associated w/ owning a rio. The hot-1 can be used w/ a waste collector for emergency shut-off if it goes haywire so that may be a pro for you. Con, it's much bigger and more obtrusive than a remora, and PM doesn't make a surface skimming box (you'd have to use CPR's). All in all, the performance is about the same, with a remora running a maxi-jet being a little better. Pfffew, how that helps... 
IME, on the same tank the HOT-1 collected more and darker skimmate (both units using a MJ1200). It is much better build quality than the AquaC too. It does require more frequent cleaning to stay running well and there is less risk of flooding with the AquaC's design IMO.
If you use a waste collector for the auto-shutoff feature, or a large container (like a bucket) the flooding issue is sortof eliminated because the pump would be high and dry on most smaller tanks by the time it dumped that much liquid (or shutdown by the waste collector). Personally, I've never seen the PM flood, although an old Knop unit I had years ago (similar design) did that to me a few times.
Another thing I like about the Remora is that you can put your heater in the last (return) chamber if you want to get it out of your tank. Not possible with the PM.
IMO either one of them is a major improvement over a BakPak (for comparison).
HTH
If you use a waste collector for the auto-shutoff feature, or a large container (like a bucket) the flooding issue is sortof eliminated because the pump would be high and dry on most smaller tanks by the time it dumped that much liquid (or shutdown by the waste collector). Personally, I've never seen the PM flood, although an old Knop unit I had years ago (similar design) did that to me a few times.
Another thing I like about the Remora is that you can put your heater in the last (return) chamber if you want to get it out of your tank. Not possible with the PM.
IMO either one of them is a major improvement over a BakPak (for comparison).
HTH
I just bought the PM HOT-1 for my 65 mini reef but I'm really regard to but it . It doesn't skim no matter how you adjust the water level in the reacter chamber it still have a chance overflow to the floor, yeah! by the looks is professional and efficiency when you put in to your reef tank then you know. First I thought is a break in time waited and waited then it skim something in the second week and after that you have to worry about overflow and adjust the water level up and down it drive me crazy!
I've been running a HOT-1 with MJ1200 for about 3 months. After a frustrating start I learned a few things. Maybe this is in the instructions but mine was used. For the first few weeks I was afraid to leave the house in case it overflowed. Now I only touch it once a week to clean the cup and the venturi.
Only open the air flow valve enough to fill the reaction chamber with bubbles. Anymore seems to just reduces flow and increases the potential for overflow if the venturi clogs. Adjust the water level to be just below the collection cup once the air flow is right.
I run some top-off water through the air intake about once a week. I just stick the hose in a water jug for a few seconds. If you don't do this the venturi clogs with salt. When this happens the lack of air increases the water flow from the pump and overflows the skimmer.
That's it for me. Since I started soing this there have been no more overflows and it pulls dark nasty stuff from the tank.
Only open the air flow valve enough to fill the reaction chamber with bubbles. Anymore seems to just reduces flow and increases the potential for overflow if the venturi clogs. Adjust the water level to be just below the collection cup once the air flow is right.
I run some top-off water through the air intake about once a week. I just stick the hose in a water jug for a few seconds. If you don't do this the venturi clogs with salt. When this happens the lack of air increases the water flow from the pump and overflows the skimmer.
That's it for me. Since I started soing this there have been no more overflows and it pulls dark nasty stuff from the tank.
Overflows: Simply run a tube from the collection cup back to the tank. Only needs to be 8" or so long. If it overflows, that tells you that you didn't clean the venturi often enough. Overflowing back into the tank doesn't hurt anything, you can skim it right back out. Always take a toothpick and clean the venturi even though you might run fresh water throught it.
With time the skimmer does and even better job. Needs to get broken in good. When I first got it, the level seemed to change all the time. I also haven't overflowed in a long time.
With time the skimmer does and even better job. Needs to get broken in good. When I first got it, the level seemed to change all the time. I also haven't overflowed in a long time.
I've used the HOT-1 for almost a year now, with a maxijet 1200. Has never overflowed, and after playing with it for the first 2 days, have never adjusted it. It's the only skimmer I have ever owned, so I can't compare it to any others, but I recommend it to anyone based on quality and ease of use.
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