Skimmer ratings

[jduong916]

I have a 120g and I'm using an Aquamaxx Q3. I think this is the perfect sized skimmer for the tank. This skimmer is listed at 240 gallons for heavy bioload.

I am upgrading to a 300 gallon tank. Based on the performance of my Q-3, I should buy an Aquamaxx CO-6 which is rated at 500 gallons for heavy bioload.

I am worried that this skimmer maybe too big, but I think the body and pump size of the CO-6 is correct for a 300 gallon tank. I've had a skimmer that was too big for my tank and I hated it. I really want to avoid this and I also want to avoid a skimmer that is too small where i have to constantly dump skimmate. Thoughts?

 

[Albertan22]

I prefer to have a refugium do the heavy lifting and then run a smaller skimmer set for dry skimming.

 

[jduong916]

I prefer to have a refugium do the heavy lifting and then run a smaller skimmer set for dry skimming.

I’m kind of the opposite. Big fuges are great but in my experience they work too well and strip my tank pretty rapidly. My tank tends to work well with nutrients present

 

[Potatohead]

The CO-5 seems to make more sense unless you are going to have a billion fish in there. If it were me I would probably just roll with your current skimmer for a while and see how it does.

 

[Albertan22]

I’m kind of the opposite. Big fuges are great but in my experience they work too well and strip my tank pretty rapidly. My tank tends to work well with nutrients present

Just turn the lights down

 

[X-37B]

I am a Tunze guy.
Tunze 9410 dc in my 120.
If I had a 240 I would get a tunze 9430 dc.
Very simple design that just plain works.
The skimmer neck and cup lift off and you do not need to turn it off.
Takes less than 5 minutes to clean.
Anti overflow too.
I have not touched it in a year except to clean it at 6 months.