Skimmer vs another filtration unit

[Elrond]

Hi everyone I have a question about a tank I'm setting up, so it's a 312 gallon fowlr I'm not doing a sump so I'm using one f6 and two hob 110s and was wondering if I would be better off adding a skimmer or another f6

 

[Hats_]

both do different things, have their own up and downsides. i think it is a hard comparison. Skimmers help with more than just removal of dissolved organic matter also skimmers can remove smaller particles

 

[Elrond]

both do different things, have their own up and downsides. i think it is a hard comparison. Skimmers help with more than just removal of dissolved organic matter also skimmers can remove smaller particles

Which would give me more oxygen in the water?

 

[Hats_]

Which would give me more oxygen in the water?

skimmer, hands down

 

[Elrond]

both do different things, have their own up and downsides. i think it is a hard comparison. Skimmers help with more than just removal of dissolved organic matter also skimmers can remove smaller particles

If I did a skimmer is there a more powerful hob than the reef octopus 2000?

 

[Hats_]

If I did a skimmer is there a more powerful hob than the reef octopus 2000?

i would try and find one that is appropriately sized for your tank, oversized skimmers tend to underperform

 

[Elrond]

skimmer, hands down

In your opinion would a

i would try and find one that is appropriately sized for your tank, oversized skimmers tend to underperform

That's the best I can find, it's rated for a 175 gallon if there's light bio load

 

[Hats_]

I have no experience with tanks this big without a sump and i am european so i may not be the best one to ask for what type to get

 

[nothing_fancy]

If I did a skimmer is there a more powerful hob than the reef octopus 2000?

You might consider an EXT skimmer in lieu of a HOB. You would only need to get the skimmer on a shelf behind your tank if you aren't you a sump. You will have to do some light plumbing. I set this up with a reef Octo 110 EXT and its worked out very nicely for me.

 

[ReefGeezer]

FOWLR tanks, particularly large ones, tend to end up being loaded very heavily. I don't think there is a hob skimmer made that will handle your planned system. You would probably have to run 3 or 4 of the skimmer you mentioned to handle your system. My advice is put in a sump and get a properly sized quality skimmer... OR... Get an external skimmer, place it above your tank's water level, and feed it with the return from your FX6. Note that potential overflow is an issue in this arrangement.

 

[Elrond]

Hmmm for sure probably should have ordered it plumbed for a sump it's just I already had a lot into external filters and that's the only system I had experience with. I wonder if two F6s with the two hob filters I have would get me enough filtration and have wave makers and powerheads agitating the surface? Or I might have to figure out a way to make a sump work

 

[ReefGeezer]

Hmmm for sure probably should have ordered it plumbed for a sump it's just I already had a lot into external filters and that's the only system I had experience with. I wonder if two F6s with the two hob filters I have would get me enough filtration and have wave makers and powerheads agitating the surface? Or I might have to figure out a way to make a sump work

I suppose you can add more canisters and power filters as you go.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Hmmm for sure probably should have ordered it plumbed for a sump it's just I already had a lot into external filters and that's the only system I had experience with. I wonder if two F6s with the two hob filters I have would get me enough filtration and have wave makers and powerheads agitating the surface? Or I might have to figure out a way to make a sump work

that is mechanical filtration added to more mechanical filtration. It doesn't provide provide any more additional benefit to your tank.

I've used hob protein skimmers for years, I currently use the aquamaxx 1.5 skimmer. A sump is not necessary for a skimmer.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Your very limited on your skimmers that you can use, being that your going with a HOB, mechanical filtration is way different than having the gunk sucked out of the water column for you by a skimmer. But if you can't use one of the big boys in a sump, 2 f6 will keep your tank clean enough for a fowlr

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd use a skimmer on a reef tank even if it did nothing more than aerate the water.

 

[Elrond]

Your very limited on your skimmers that you can use, being that your going with a HOB, mechanical filtration is way different than having the gunk sucked out of the water column for you by a skimmer. But if you can't use one of the big boys in a sump, 2 f6 will keep your tank clean enough for a fowlr

I will probably try two F6s and a hob skimmer the biggest I can find, hopefully that can handle it I will keep the stock in my tank low also