Bubble Magnus Curve 5 big enough?

[Sierra_Bravo]

Is anyone running a Curve 5 on a 120 gallon tank and if so, are you happy with it? I have a 30g sump as well, so I'll actually be a little over the parameters of the skimmer if I use it (it's 132g).

I realize bigger is better but the skimmer was given to me so the price is right. I'm just curious if anyone using that model on a 120 thinks it will suffice. Thanks in advance!

 

[ws6kid]

I think it is best to have the skimmer slightly undersized as to not overskim. Some people like oversized skimmers to pull everything out. I have never used a Curve, but the sizing sounds good.

 

[MaiReef]

I use a BM 5 on a 100 gallon with a 30 gallon sump and love it.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I had a SeaSide Curve 5 on a 90......it's the same as a BM curve 5 except it comes with a Sicce pump. It only lasted about a week, and I went with a larger skimmer. Unless you have a very light load, I think it's too small. With the inefficiency of skimmers, I don't believe there is any such thing as over skimming. I believe studies have shown that at best they pull out 30% of what they could pull out. Salty Critters has rated this skimmer up to 65 gallons on average tanks.

And yes, it is a nice skimmer.

 

[G8trBait16]

I have the curve 7 on a 75g with 30g sump, oversized, but works great.

 

[PedroYoung]

I have the 5 on a 75G with 30G sump, keeps up very well, I have a pretty light load (5 fish, lots of LPS corals that get fed).

 

[PedroYoung]

At that price (free), I'd see how it does and if you need more then you can get more later.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

At that price (free), I'd see how it does and if you need more then you can get more later.

Well, that brings up another question: How do you know when you don't have a big enough skimmer?

 

[PedroYoung]

Well, that brings up another question: How do you know when you don't have a big enough skimmer?

Well my opinion would be if you can't keep the parameters in check you are trying to control through skimming (typically PO4, Nitrate). Good sticky thread here
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-is-a-protien-skimmer-and-what-types-are-commonly-used.48590/

 

[Yoda0311]

Is anyone running a Curve 5 on a 120 gallon tank and if so, are you happy with it? I have a 30g sump as well, so I'll actually be a little over the parameters of the skimmer if I use it (it's 132g).

I realize bigger is better but the skimmer was given to me so the price is right. I'm just curious if anyone using that model on a 120 thinks it will suffice. Thanks in advance!

I started my 120 with 30 breeder sump with a BM curve 5, when I only had 3 fish it worked fine but when I upped the bio load it was definitely time to upgrade. I now have a SRO 3000 and I wish I would have sucked up the extra cost and started with it from the beginning. IME curve 5 is perfect for 75-maybe 100gallons total water volume

 

[peterj66]

I have a Curve 5 on a 100 gallon system with 30 gallon sump and it works fine for me. I only run it between midnight and 4pm. I also have a refugium that takes up most of the sump and do not have a heavily stocked tank. My advice would be to go with the C5 until you see a need for a bigger one.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Thanks for the responses. I have a GFO and refugium that will be on the system as well, so I think I'll take the advice to let it ride and use it until the bioload warrants a larger skimmer.