Mixed Reef Skimmer Poll

[RyanCSGO]

when keeping a mixed reef do you think its best to go with a larger skimmer (well over rated for the tank) or a skimmer that is only slightly over rated for your tank?

Pro's / Cons?

 

[jason2459]

Depends on the skimmer. Some are rated properly or close to it and some are not.

 

[RyanCSGO]

Depends on the skimmer. Some are rated properly or close to it and some are not.

well in my case it would pertain to the Bubble Magnus curve5 vs curve7

 

[jason2459]

well in my case it would pertain to the Bubble Magnus curve5 vs curve7

What size tank, how many and what kind of fish, how much do you feed, and any other methods of export?

 

[RyanCSGO]

What size tank, how many and what kind of fish, how much do you feed, and any other methods of export?

73G, after displacement, total volume around 80-85gallons.

1 leopard wrasse
2 clowns
3-4 anthias

only filtration is a skimmer and a bag of carbon.

feeding may change but will likely be twice a day.

was hoping for somewhat of a debate on this topic. i've always planned on having a way over sized skimmer, however wanting to have a mixed reef with nice SPS i dont want to have the issues of removing too much from the water column (the whole "too clean" problem)

 

[jason2459]

Having a way over sized skimmer will just produce inconsistency and wasted energy but could provide better aeration if needed.

If you plan on stocking heavier I'd go with the curve 7. If you plan on keeping a lighter load like you have now then the curve 5 would do.


And as for to clean a skimmer is not a very efficient mechanical filter. Which is fine with me as I don't like heavy filtration.

 

[skim]

I would stick with the Curve 5. If you use GAC consistently, it will remove far more Organics then your Skimmer ever will.

 

[Bao]

Go with the 7, it is not that oversize for your tank.

Tank Capability: 185G-240G
Pump: ROCK - SP2000
Pump power: 16W, 110V 60Hz
Dimensions: 9.25"L x 7.87"W x 20.8"H
Water Level: 9.5"-11"

I don't think it is that powerful skimmer based on the pump and its power usage. I currently run a Reef Octopus 5000 for a 120 gallons display with a 40 gallons breeder as a sump. Now that is really oversized. Oversized skimmer will work just fine but it won't produce much more (twice or triple) wastes when compared to the properly sized skimmer. It is just kind of waste of space and money if you go way too big, that's all.