Skimmer questions - 120 gal predator tank

Coach v · Jan 7, 2018

I am changing my 120 gal fowlr into a predator tank. I have a 60 gallon basement sump. My current skimmer is an euroreef 5-3, but the pump is done. I know that a new pump, sedra 3500, would run around $100. I am pretty sure the skimmer is rated for a smaller tank. Electricity is always a concern.

Would I be better off buying a newer skimmer with a DC pump or replacing my current pump?

Daniel@R2R · Jan 8, 2018

Either option works. I'm not sure the DC pump will ultimately justify the cost of the new skimmer if you're happy with the one you own already. If you're not really happy with it, then go ahead with the upgrade. My .02.

Coach v · Jan 9, 2018

I was happy with the euroreef when it was working. I have concerns that it might be too small. I also have concerns throwing $100 at a 15 year old skimmer. My wife would be extremely unhappy if I came home with a $350+ skimmer. I could probably get away with a $200 unit if I am saving money on electricity, only suffering a few lonely nights. As I am typing, it sounds like a personal problem, lol.

Daniel@R2R · Jan 9, 2018

SOJReefer said:
I was happy with the euroreef when it was working. I have concerns that it might be too small. I also have concerns throwing $100 at a 15 year old skimmer. My wife would be extremely unhappy if I came home with a $350+ skimmer. I could probably get away with a $200 unit if I am saving money on electricity, only suffering a few lonely nights. As I am typing, it sounds like a personal problem, lol.

LOL Personally, I'd replace the pump in the Euro Reef. Those skimmers are amazing, and the body should be good to go for a long time yet. The only thing that needs replacing is the pump, right?

Coach v · Jan 9, 2018

Yes, just the pump. It now trips breakers when plugged in.

lion king · Jan 9, 2018

I would get a skimmer that was one size up, maybe rated for 200g or so. I'm not sure what preds your are going for, all of my predator tanks employ an over sized skimmer in conjunction with nopox, algae reactors, algae scrubbers, and xport. You are looking at about using 10 killiwats of a power a month for running an applicable sized skimmer, that's about $1.30 where I live.

five.five-six · Jan 9, 2018

I was considering replacing the pump on my euroreef 180 and looked at a bubble blaster as a cost effective option. It would probably do really well for you, alternatively there is some guy in Poland 3D printing needle wheels for jebo DC pumps and selling them on ebay. That’s another cost effective alternative that would save you electricity. I’m an idiot and plan on replacing the modded Ehime 1260 on my euroreef, when the impeller goes, with a varios 6s LOL

Coach v · Jan 9, 2018

I think the CS5-3 was rated for a 90 gallon. I guess that is my biggest concern with heading to a predator tank. I run about 180 gallons total (120 tank and approx 60 in sump).

I am not sure what predators I am going to run. I am in a mild reboot from a fowlr community tank. I lost a few fish (mainly anthias), put a few fish in my classroom tank, and my 13 year old son poached a bunch of rock and most of the other fish for his 1st reef tank. Most all my equipment I am using, including the Euroreef, were left over from a 40 breeder reef tank I had going a decade+ ago.

five.five-six · Jan 9, 2018

Predator tanks usually run much higher nitrate levels than reef tanks, that said they also have a much higher bioload. You probably need to upgrade your skimmer or run this one wet.

Coach v · Feb 2, 2018

For the time being, I plan on replacing the pump on my Euroreef 5-3. I would like a DC powered pump I be believe. Is there a good way to know what size (thinking jebao needle wheel)?

jda · Feb 2, 2018

You can get more mileage out of that skimmer by running a bit of sugar, vodka or vinegar in a predator tank. I used sugar in mine - cheap, pure and available, it would skim a lot more. My goal was to keep the nitrates and phosphates low enough so that the coralline would thrive. It did just that.

Don't cuss a 15 year old pump too much. Even though some of the DC ones are cheaper, you will likely have to replace those cheap ones a handful of times in 15 years. $7 a year is pretty good, IMO.

Contact time and oxygen need to be in balance. If you want to ensure that it runs well, like it did, then just get another Sedra 3500. If you really want to try a new pump, then match the specs the best that you can.

BTW - ER skimmers are still awesome. I have a 12-2 that is as good as anything made today outside of a Bubble King or LifeReef. There are others that are just as good, but most of the modern stuff is just marketing garbage...cones, bubble plates, pump in the skimmer... bunk that does not really work any better.

five.five-six · Feb 2, 2018

I think the bubble plates may help some but still I’ll keep my 8” ER.

SPS dominated TOTM quality 6' tank on a $1k budget challenge; AKA a really bad idea.

jda said:
You can get more mileage out of that skimmer by running a bit of sugar, vodka or vinegar in a predator tank. I used sugar in mine - cheap, pure and available, it would skim a lot more. My goal was to keep the nitrates and phosphates low enough so that the coralline would thrive. It did just that.

Don't cuss a 15 year old pump too much. Even though some of the DC ones are cheaper, you will likely have to replace those cheap ones a handful of times in 15 years. $7 a year is pretty good, IMO.

Contact time and oxygen need to be in balance. If you want to ensure that it runs well, like it did, then just get another Sedra 3500. If you really want to try a new pump, then match the specs the best that you can.

BTW - ER skimmers are still awesome. I have a 12-2 that is as good as anything made today outside of a Bubble King or LifeReef. There are others that are just as good, but most of the modern stuff is just marketing garbage...cones, bubble plates, pump in the skimmer... bunk that does not really work any better.