Skimmer Differences

[azjohnny]

I have a 180 gal predator FOWLR, and I am looking at the Reef Dynamics skimmers. The INS 250 and INS 300, they both use the same pump but there is a slight difference is the skimmer body. The 250 has a more narrow body while the 300 is shorter and fatter, they are close as far as volume goes 3.7 gals vs 3.4 with the 250 holding more according to the RD website.

Is the shorter and fatter design more efficient?

I am planning on using a biopellet reactor to help keep the nitrates in check, I will have some messy eaters in the tank


just trying to decide between the 2 skimmers

 

[SeymourDuncan]

I think slimmer is the way to go, and AS TALL AS POSSIBLE! I would have one that goes from my basement and out my roof if I could.

 

[azjohnny]

What's your theory about a slimmer taller skimmer versus a shorter and fatter one

 

[SeymourDuncan]

well. Here is what I think.

Air never stops rising.
The less time it has to rise, the quicker it is not in the water anymore.

A short skimmer, at any girth, will give the air less contact with the water. No matter how wide it is, the air goes up.

Now, once height starts becoming a factor, the girth starts becoming one as well.

Say you have a 3 foot cylinder that is 6 inches wide in comparison to one that is 12 inches wide.

First advantage is the time it takes the bubbles to exit the water column. Much longer on both cases.
The 12 inch cylinder will have more water volume, this will cause the bubbles to spread out more. THis makes The foam less efficient. there will be gaps of water around the bubbles allowing the DOCs to fall back down.

Now the 6 inch Cylinder has more compression due to the narrow path the bubbles must take. This crams the bubbles much closer and creates a "bubble Base" for the Docs to bond to and eventually make it to the collection cup.

Again, This is just my theory. I have made skimmers in the past. one out of a Culligan 5gallon jug that had a little giant 750gph pump for recirc with a venturi AND an airstone...it was louder than anything, but made the tank SOOO clear. and i ran it at night. MY dog started peeing on the carpet after i took it down...I don't know if that relates.

I would go for the slowest flow that still produces skimpoo, and I really like Recirculating skimmers.
(i prefer Dry over wet so my corals and macro algae have some flavor)

 

[SeymourDuncan]

if your going for either of the skimmers you posted...id always go with the one for the biggest tank. Yyou can never have TOO big a skimmer because you can always use it less, and who knows. maybe a bigger tank is in your future. buying one skimmer thats good for your tank PLUS MORE is ALOT cheaper than buying a skimmer for each tank. PLUS you can swap it between systems, whatever...its huge!