Skimmer Question

[acesfull44]

Is it possible to have too big of a skimmer on your system?

150g Display
55g Sump
80g of R/O and Salt back up
All connected to the same system

My design calls for an external skimmer, so I am looking for suggestions!

 

[mike007]

Bigger is always better when it comes to skimmers. Exporting nutrients are a must with a reef tank and a big skimmer will help tremendously.

 

[bitzerjd]

Hi,

You can have a skimmer that is too big. You want to size it for your tank. Going a little larger is OK, going major overkill will be an issue. The smaller skimmer will keep a better head and export waste better. Big is good...too big is not.

 

[acesfull44]

Hi,

You can have a skimmer that is too big. You want to size it for your tank. Going a little larger is OK, going major overkill will be an issue. The smaller skimmer will keep a better head and export waste better. Big is good...too big is not.

So a 400g rated skimmer is better than 500g since I have about 270g of total water?

 

[bitzerjd]

To be honest it is really hard to compare skimmers...I know, I just went through the exercise. I asked questions to the vendors and Googled like mad. What I found when looking at the Vertex vs. the Reef Octopus was that the Vertex pulled more air....a lot more air. Although, this was just one review. Which is right, good question.

In my opinion, the 400 would be better....assuming the rated numbers are correct and not inflated.

 

[nicodim55]

Also depends on how heavy your bioload is. As for my case I have a total water volume of 160g and I went with the Aquamaxx AM350. I feed a lot so I need something strong enough to remove DOC. IMO I don't think you can really over skim, good luck choosing the right skimmer for your system