Protein skimmer

[Drummingbaker2010]

Hey all, so I have a new 75 gallon tank that I am in the process of setting up with a 29 gallon sump, and I was wondering if I should go with an in-tank or hang on the back protein skimmer in my sump? Also, I am unsure if I should to with one rated up to 75 gallons, or if I should go with one rated from 75-120 gallons. I could use some advice. thanks

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Since you have a sump, I'd definitely utilize that and purchase in sump Protien skimmer. I usually don't like to oversize the Protien skimmer as it over skims and doesn't produce thick consistent skim mate but it really depends on the skimmer brand and how heavily stocked your aquarium is with both fish and corals.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Generally speaking, oversizing the skimmer a bit is a good idea. Most "ratings" are for a small bioload. If you get one a little bigger, you'll know it will be able to handle your tank when it's full . If you ever feel it's being too "efficient", you can always put it on a timer and just run for part of the day.
If you have room in the sump, I recommend an in-sump model

 

[Drummingbaker2010]

Since you have a sump, I'd definitely utilize an in sump Protien skimmer. I usually don't like to oversize Protien skimmer as then its over skimming and doesn't produce thick skim mate. It really depends on the skimmer though and how stocked your aquarium is with both fish and corals.

It is not stocked with anything yet, I just picked up the aquarium yesterday, and I have not begun the process of building my sump yet, but I do plan eventually to have quite a few corals and fish, but I'm not anywhere near ready for that yet.

 

[Drummingbaker2010]

Generally speaking, oversizing the skimmer a bit is a good idea. Most "ratings" are for a small bioload. If you get one a little bigger, you'll know it will be able to handle your tank when it's full . If you ever feel it's being too "efficient", you can always put it on a timer and just run for part of the day.
If you have room in the sump, I recommend an in-sump model

the sump will be in total about 18" high and 30" long.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

the sump will be in total about 18" high and 30" long.

It will depend on how it's designed and how many chambers it has. If you're building it yourself, you should be able to design a chamber for it. Some skimmers don't fit into pre-made sumps, depending on the size and what other equipment you plan to use.

 

[theMeat]

Welcome
A hang on back can overflow and make a mess on the floor. In sump always a safer bet.
As far as size. It depends on how many fish and how much you feed (bio load). Also depends on what other means of waste (nutrient) export you have. When it comes to skimmer bigger is not better. If the skimmer is too big there’s not enough proteins to collect together and you either collect nothing or you have to run the skimmer wet and collect wet skimmate. Best to be slightly undersized. With that said just about every company over rates their skimmers capacity. Brs (bulk reef supply) is a good place to look because they show the size tank the manufacturer recommends, and also show what size tank they recommend it for.
Fwiw, ime, you can’t go wrong with a reef octopus

 

[Drummingbaker2010]

It will depend on how it's designed and how many chambers it has. If you're building it yourself, you should be able to design a chamber for it. Some skimmers don't fit into pre-made sumps, depending on the size and what other equipment you plan to use.

I am planning to design it myself yes.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Welcome
A hang on back can overflow and make a mess on the floor. In sump always a safer bet.
As far as size. It depends on how many fish and how much you feed (bio load). Also depends on what other means of waste (nutrient) export you have. When it comes to skimmer bigger is not better. If the skimmer is too big there’s not enough proteins to collect together and you either collect nothing or you have to run the skimmer wet and collect wet skimmate. Best to be slightly undersized. With that said just about every company over rates their skimmers capacity. Brs (bulk reef supply) is a good place to look because they show the tank size for each skimmer and also show what size tank they recommend it for.
Fwiw, ime, you can’t go wrong with a reef octopus

I defer to the advice of the others who have posted regarding sizing the skimmer

 

[theMeat]

When designing the sump make sure you leave enough room on top of sump so you can get skimmer in or out, and also take into consideration the depth of water the skimmer needs to sit in. You should pick skimmer first, then design sump around that

 

[Drummingbaker2010]

Thanks