Sizing a protein Skimmer

[Grey Guy]

Hello,

I have questions about the standard for choosing a protein skimmer. The manufacturer designs and builds a skimmer and rates it for the amount of work it can do based on tank size. The standard advice is to get something that will cover double the size of your system. I no longer believe that this is good advice for most new reefers. Unless you are starting out with a fully loaded SPS tank LOL, and until your do,a same size tank rated skimmer will work just fine. And, for most reefers it would work just fine for years. A smaller skimmer fits better under the tank and uses a smaller pump (less energy, less money) to run.
Not only this, but lets get honest. Would a smaller skimmer have been fine to start with until we needed a bigger one. "But, I want my first skimmer to last me for years". Well I have bought and tried at least 6 skimmers in my time, and they really weren't based on getting a bigger tank.
Here is the logic I used. If I have a 60 gallon tank and a skimmer rated at 200 gallons, then I'm in great shape. But if I move up to a 120, then that skimmer is no longer ideal, and I have to get another one, because someone says it should be at least double the tank volume.
My observations are that all of my skimmers make skimate for a time and then stop until there is more to make it with. If a skimmer is skimming 24/7 then of course it is too small. But, if the skimmer is running mostly idle, then what difference does it make what size it is?

 

[rockskimmerflow]

I generally recommend skimmers based on the rated air intake capacity rather than the manufacturer specified tank size. Of course, you can always opt for more, but if matching the skimmer to the water volume of the tank I usually suggest about a 1:1 ratio of air draw to gallons of tank volume. For instance a skimmer that pulls 400lph (106gph) of air would be suited to a tank in the 90 -110g range.

 

[Grey Guy]

I generally recommend skimmers based on the rated air intake capacity rather than the manufacturer specified tank size. Of course, you can always opt for more, but if matching the skimmer to the water volume of the tank I usually suggest about a 1:1 ratio of air draw to gallons of tank volume. For instance a skimmer that pulls 400lph (106gph) of air would be suited to a tank in the 90 -110g range.

I totally agree, but how do you come by the rated air intake. Is that usually part of the manufacturers info?

 

[rockskimmerflow]

I totally agree, but how do you come by the rated air intake. Is that usually part of the manufacturers info?

Almost all manufacturers list it these days. And if not you can get an air flow meter to check performance and make sure you keep the venturi clean of dry salt buildup. The only type of skimmers I generally don't see air draw listed for are the beckett or spray injection type (since any adjustments to flow from the feed pump may affect it), but those are almost all but extinct in the hobby these days.

 

[Forsaken77]

It is a very confusing situation to say the least. Some manufacturers overestimate their product, which is where the "bigger than you need" comes from, and some are accurate or under rated. So it's a mess when it comes to an average person looking for a skimmer.

They should make some sort of standard that if it draws this much air and water, then it's capable of these tank sizes. Because if you just go by what the manufacturer says the tank size should be, you could be way off.

 

[Grey Guy]

Almost all manufacturers list it these days. And if not you can get an air flow meter to check performance and make sure you keep the venturi clean of dry salt buildup. The only type of skimmers I generally don't see air draw listed for are the beckett or spray injection type (since any adjustments to flow from the feed pump may affect it), but those are almost all but extinct in the hobby these days.

You mean like the AquaC EV I'm using?

 

[tdileo]

Honestly I don't know either. I'm thinking of getting a 140G rated skimmer for my 46G mixed reef just because I would like nearly triple the reccomendation to make sure the water is very clean. My 30G rated skimmer definitely pulls some gross stuff though

 

[rockskimmerflow]

You mean like the AquaC EV I'm using?

Haha go figure you'd have an AquaC EV. That's a unicorn of a bygone era these days. Granted they do work, just very low efficiency of skimming/watt of power needed to run them.

 

[Grey Guy]

Haha go figure you'd have an AquaC EV. That's a unicorn of a bygone era these days. Granted they do work, just very low efficiency of skimming/watt of power needed to run them.

Yeah, especially if you run at double the rating.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

The best way to size a skimmer is.

I have this size tank_______.
I have this bio-load_______.
I have this much room for the skimmer ___X ____ X _____.
I have this budget ______.

 

[Grey Guy]

Here are my present skimmer requirements
Feel free to size me.

Tank 120g.
2 Athius, 1 Cardinal, and 1 Gobi
24 inches max for the height, foot print 12 x 10
Under $300.00

 

[Bpb]

Here are my present skimmer requirements
Feel free to size me.

Tank 120g.
2 Athius, 1 Cardinal, and 1 Gobi
24 inches max for the height, foot print 12 x 10
Under $300.00

You have almost zero bioload for how large your tank is. And that's a pretty big skimmer footprint. Your options are wide open but with such a small bioload, if you oversize your skimmer you'll find it just won't really produce anything.

That being said I have a 90 gallon tank and my previous and current skimmers were rated for 250 gallons and I get a lot of skimmate. I also dump food in the tank like you wouldn't believe, and have a very large bioload of 14 mature adult fish. Even if/when I move up to a 120-180 gallon I'll just keep the same skimmer and not significantly increase my bioload. I upsided to handle a large bioload and eventually handle a larger tank

 

[Grey Guy]

You have almost zero bioload for how large your tank is. And that's a pretty big skimmer footprint. Your options are wide open but with such a small bioload, if you oversize your skimmer you'll find it just won't really produce anything.

That being said I have a 90 gallon tank and my previous and current skimmers were rated for 250 gallons and I get a lot of skimmate. I also dump food in the tank like you wouldn't believe, and have a very large bioload of 14 mature adult fish. Even if/when I move up to a 120-180 gallon I'll just keep the same skimmer and not significantly increase my bioload. I upsided to handle a large bioload and eventually handle a larger tank

That sounds right to me.

 

[Grey Guy]

I am currently frustrated about loading up a reef tank. I heard for years, that one should get the largest tank they can fit in and afford. Yet, there is a tremendous cost to populating a larger tank unless you are willing to wait for a few things to grow out. Now, it is too late, but I wish I had chosen a nano tank that I could have afforded to load up with new corals. You can size your skimmer for an estimated bio load in the future, but you may or may not ever get there. In the mean time better and more suitable equipment will be developed to make what you bought for the future obsolete.
So, you are sizing a protein skimmer for a new tank and future bio load. Most people wait anxiously for the nitrogen cycle to end, and then go out and get their first fish or coral. Then we dream of having a tank full of beautiful things. When the first tankmates I bought all died, I did not think that getting many more all at ounce would be wise. Now I believe, that once a tank matures, the faster you fill it up, the better.
I am suggesting that when starting out with a new setup, that the minimum size protein skimmer will be enough. Then after, some experience, time and money, a more suitable and educated purchase can be made. Start out with a minimum size low cost skimmer, until you can find out more about them, and what it will cost in livestock, to need an extra large skimmer.
Any responses are welcome. I am always ready to be better educated.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...hUKEwj95568mdLVAhUnqlQKHXWKAhoQ9aACCDA&adurl= This is a very popular skimmer and works great on your size tank.
I agree with you about using your large tank for fish and a smaller tank for corals, it would cost a fortune to fill a 180 with corals, budget always is the deciding factor.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Will I linked a Bubble Magnus Curve 7 but the linked did not carry over. Just goggle it and find the best price I see them on sale once in a while.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/bubble-magus-internal-protein-skimmer-g7-sp2000.html

In case I cannot link again. This is a bubble Magnus G-7 with the pump under the body of the skimmer but not inside it. The skimmer is on sale for 216 at Premium Aquatics. The advantage with that you can change out the pump and us a DC or another brand and not tied to their pumps.

 

[Grey Guy]

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/bubble-magus-internal-protein-skimmer-g7-sp2000.html

In case I cannot link again. This is a bubble Magnus G-7 with the pump under the body of the skimmer but not inside it. The skimmer is on sale for 216 at Premium Aquatics. The advantage with that you can change out the pump and us a DC or another brand and not tied to their pumps.

Got the link in my email. Thanks

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Well thats a new one, not sure how I did that. "link in email"

Premium Aquatics also has a barely used Ice Cap 160 for sub 300.

Look into Simplicity skimmers, very good skimmers and at a nice price as well

 

[rockskimmerflow]

Here are my present skimmer requirements
Feel free to size me.

Tank 120g.
2 Athius, 1 Cardinal, and 1 Gobi
24 inches max for the height, foot print 12 x 10
Under $300.00

If you're trying to improve on the AquaC I usually recommend something like the Classic Reef Octopus 6 inch INT skimmer- About 700lph of air draw and a very simple to use gate valve adjustment. I've got about 10 of them running on systems in the 80-200g size right now and have to say they are the easiest skimmer to dial in that doesn't break the budget. $230 is the average retail I believe.