Is over skimming my tank a problem

Average joe the reefer

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Currently on my 300L tank I have an aqua one protien skimmer that came with the tank and I was looking to upgrade it as it is not doing a good job. So I found a bubble magnus curve 7 on gumtree (Australian Craig’s list) and it is rated for 800 - 900 litres and it only costs $150 Australian so I decided to pick it up and I was wondering if using a protein skimmer rated for 3 times my system size is bad for the tank
 
I wouldn’t say so. I don’t know a whole lot about it but depending on your type of corals it should be fine. If your running a fowlr then it’s perfect. If your tank is full of softies probably not so much as I hear softies like a little dirtier water
 
I wouldn’t say so. I don’t know a whole lot about it but depending on your type of corals it should be fine. If your running a fowlr then it’s perfect. If your tank is full of softies probably not so much as I hear softies like a little dirtier water

I’m planing to run a mixed reef with some sps a lot of lots and some softies
 
It can be. Especially if coupled with other heavy nutrient export methods such as a large refugium. It is quite easy to take PO4 and NO3 to detrimental levels near or at zero if over done (I've done it).

What is the rest of your setup like? Are you running a fuge, have a lot of live rock and or a deep sand bed? If you are running a large fuge I would say don't oversize the skimmer.
 
It can be. Especially if coupled with other heavy nutrient export methods such as a large refugium. It is quite easy to take PO4 and NO3 to detrimental levels near or at zero if over done (I've done it).

What is the rest of your setup like? Are you running a fuge, have a lot of live rock and or a deep sand bed? If you are running a large fuge I would say don't oversize the skimmer.

I don’t have a refugeum on my tank and I have 20kg of live rock with roughly a 2 - 3 inch sand bed
 
You'll be fine. If anything most under skim. That's why most add big refuges or algae scrubbers.
 
I don’t have a refugeum on my tank and I have 20kg of live rock with roughly a 2 - 3 inch sand bed

Should be okay then so long as you have a decent bioload. You may have a hard time keeping it running consistent if nutrients are insufficient to maintain a foam head. You could get excess buildup in this case due to the foam head dropping if nutrients are insufficient.
 
Should be okay then so long as you have a decent bioload. You may have a hard time keeping it running consistent if nutrients are insufficient to maintain a foam head. You could get excess buildup in this case due to the foam head dropping if nutrients are insufficient.

How many fish do you think would be a decent bio load in a 300litre/75 gallon tank
 
That's a tough one since it depends on what type and size of fish. Enough to maintain nutrient levels so the skimmer has something to skim....
 
That's a tough one since it depends on what type and size of fish. Enough to maintain nutrient levels so the skimmer has something to skim....

I was thinking of getting

1 fire goby
1 yellowtang
2 clownfish
1 Melanurus wrasse
1 leopard wrasse
3 anthias
Maybe some fairy wrasses

Do you think that would be good if I also feed a lot
 
Easy way to say it would be 15 inches of fish.
 
I was thinking of getting

1 fire goby
1 yellowtang
2 clownfish
1 Melanurus wrasse
1 leopard wrasse
3 anthias
Maybe some fairy wrasses

Do you think that would be good if I also feed a lot
Yes that's about 15" of fish.
 
2 small clowns, 1 small six line, 1 springer damsel, 1 royal gramma, 1 target spot mandarin, cleaner shrimp, emerald crab, collections of snails and dwarf hermits

Not much from what I have been told
 
2 small clowns, 1 small six line, 1 springer damsel, 1 royal gramma, 1 target spot mandarin, cleaner shrimp, emerald crab, collections of snails and dwarf hermits

Not much from what I have been told

Its not a massive stocking but the skimmer might allow for more fish but I don’t know because I’m the one sling questions
 
Its not a massive stocking but the skimmer might allow for more fish but I don’t know because I’m the one sling questions

My plans are too move up to a 75 or 90gal tank. I have been told that my skimmer will be sufficient for those tanks heavily stocked.
 
My plans are too move up to a 75 or 90gal tank. I have been told that my skimmer will be sufficient for those tanks heavily stocked.

I was thinking of heavily stocking my tank because I love fish and the more I can have without it effecting the perameters the better in my opinion
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

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  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

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