Large skimmer question

Murica · Feb 12, 2020

Question here... I'm going to be making 800 gallons worth of display. My sump and fuge is going to be absolutely huge, at least matching the display volume. I plan to have a huge diy gha reactor, a chamber for detritus to settle, and a ton of live rock. Additionally I'll be doing small automated water changes almost every day (mainly for micro nutrients).

With that said, should I not even worry about getting a skimmer? Or maybe a smaller one rated for 200-300 gallons just to assist? Or should i get a huge skimmer to take care of the bio load

lapin · Feb 12, 2020

I have a Reef Octo SRO 7000 EXT on my 600g. I dont run it 24/7, just a few hours after feeding am and pm and then for a bit after midnight. I can always use it more. With an undersized skimmer you cant really get more out of it than it has in it.

joseserrano · Feb 12, 2020

look into an rk2 or reef creation skimmer. I highly doubt you will not need a skimmer. With aquariums that size, there are always things you don't think or plan for, having that extra help with waste can be crucial. Doing a water change to impact anything on a tank that size will be costly and difficult (even with just opening and closing valves.

Murica · Feb 12, 2020

Thanks for the input!

jda · Feb 12, 2020

You should still run a skimmer, IMO. They do different things than ATS does.

You will have 1600 gallons of water that will need gas exchange. Skimmer also will remove metals and toxins bound to organics. Skimmer is also a tireless worker and cannot die back or stall out like chaeto or ATS can.

I like to run several "smaller" skimmers than one super-large one. The super-large ones just do not work as well - the form factor is not good. A pair of ASM G4s once outperformed one of those large boys with the recirculating Dart Pump Needlewheel - the Orca was just not as good as the smaller skimmers. A pair of ASM G6s crushed it even more. The only larger skimmers that I like are LifeReef. I had a huge MRC dual Beckett once that really was awesome - took a PanWorld 200 to run, but it was awesome. Even if you have to run three, that is better than one, IMO.

The more live rock, the better, IMO. In a system that large, consider a remote DSB too to knock out your nitrates.

AWC might not make a dent in much. IMO, better to change a chunk instead of "watering down" your water change. I did the math once and with 88g water change, that would be about 22%, but if I did it continuously it ended up being like 12%.