1 Skimmer vs 2 Skimmers

[hectorevalero]

Has anyone ever tested or used multiple skimmers vs 1 skimmer. I running two in my current setup but the smaller skimmer never pulls of course like the main skimmer and feel like it's a waste.

The two skimmers are an ASM G-3 and then I setup the G-1x i had from my previous 55 before upgrading.

My question is the G-1x collection cup does pull and skims and may fill up after weeks but no were near the G-3 collection cup. I empty the G-3 cup easily twice a week.

Just looking for any opinions or advice. Maybe I'll sell both units and just buy 1 bigger one that can handle the heavy stocked system

Current system is a 209 Reef Setup, Mostly LPS and just starting on SPS.

 

[gmoney243]

Look around on net I know I've seen some tests done before and people seemed to all get same response 1 skimmer basically shuts down the other skimmer even if the 2 skimmers are exact same.

Sent from my Vortex using Tapatalk 2

 

[kuyatwo]

personally i would just get one big efficient skimmer.... less heat added to the system and probably will free up some space in the sump

 

[aquabull]

gmoney243 nailed it! One skimmer will invariably outperform the other.

 

[luke33]

Generally your better off with one skimmer that is large enough for your bioload. If you were to put two skimmers of the same size on a large system that has plenty to skim, they will both skim equally. If you throw a large skimmer and small skimmer on a system generally the smaller will shut down and soda fizz. I look at it like this, the skimmer neck diameter needs x amount of organics to form a nice foam head. If that x amount of organics isn't there then your going to get one skimmer to soda fizz. So if you have two skimmers, one with a 4" neck diamter and the other with a 2" neck diameter you need enough organics to fill a 6" neck. That is ALOT for most systems so the larger will skim and not allow enough organics to form a foam head in the smaller. This is going to be the same as throwing a 6" neck diameter skimmer on the system. I think people overlook the neck diameter as its very important in skimming. Bigger isn't always better.

 

[hectorevalero]

Thank you everyone for the replies, that makes total sense. It does seem as if the G-3 is shutting down the G-1x skimmer. Definitely free up space for more reactors in the future or a bigger Skimmer as kuyatwo mentioned. I'll test turning the smaller one off and water testing and see what I find online.