Which Skimmer For 48x18x16 SPS

birdman1979 · Dec 28, 2016

Looking for skimmer suggestions. I will be moving to San Diego in a few months and planning my reef. Appreciate any advice.. Tank details and equipment in my possession below:

- Tank is rimless 48x18x16 3side starfire with 1/2 glass. 20 gallon long for sump with dedicated skimmer chamber.
- It will be SPS only with a moderate to heavy fish population.
- Lighting will be Giesemann Spectra with 250 watt radiums and T-5s.
- Flow will be 2 MP40s

I have a BK mini 180 that I know will be too big. Also have an Octopus NW-150 that I think might be too big as well for a consistent skim.

Thinking of putting a Vertex Omega 130 on it. Thoughts?

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 28, 2016

birdman1979 said:
Looking for skimmer suggestions. I will be moving to San Diego in a few months and planning my reef. Appreciate any advice.. Tank details and equipment in my possession below:

- Tank is rimless 48x18x16 3side starfire with 1/2 glass. 20 gallon long for sump with dedicated skimmer chamber.
- It will be SPS only with a moderate to heavy fish population.
- Lighting will be Giesemann Spectra with 250 watt radiums and T-5s.
- Flow will be 2 MP40s

I have a BK mini 180 that I know will be too big. Also have an Octopus NW-150 that I think might be too big as well for a consistent skim.

Thinking of putting a Vertex Omega 130 on it. Thoughts?

Welcome to Reef2Reef.
I dont know that skimmer off hand, I will say I do know San Diego, as its very nice here today!
you may want to wait till you get here as the reefing comunity is quite large and active, so there's always a deal on excellent used gear from good dudes.
Heres the local club.http://www.sdreefs.com/

birdman1979 · Dec 28, 2016

Thanks! I will check it out. Looking forward to the change!

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 28, 2016

birdman1979 said:
Thanks! I will check it out. Looking forward to the change!

where are you coming from?Its winter here! so you need to dress for it.

That means long sleeve hoodie and shorts.

birdman1979 · Dec 28, 2016

Philly... cant wait for warm weather and sunshine!

reefboxerguy317 · Dec 29, 2016

Take a look at the Lifereef skimmers. I've been through quite a few skimmers in the last 8 years or so, and by far best one I've used is the Lifereef. It's an older design but it works very well. I have a similar setup and have the 24 inch version on my tank.

birdman1979 · Dec 30, 2016

Which pump do you have on it? Is it loud?

Bps619 · Dec 30, 2016

I have an omega 180i for my 48x30x18 and from my experiences It's too much for the system. I might downgrade to the 130 which I think will be perfect for your reef.

Welcome to San Diego.

favites · Dec 30, 2016

I have the same set up with the BK mini 160..quiet, compact, skims great-- sounds like your already familiar with the line.

Mark

justingraham · Dec 30, 2016

Where are u at in philly?
Sorry I don't know anything about skimmers

birdman1979 · Dec 30, 2016

Bps619 said:
I have an omega 180i for my 48x30x18 and from my experiences It's too much for the system. I might downgrade to the 130 which I think will be perfect for your reef.

Welcome to San Diego.

Thank you! I spent a couple years in SD in the 90s. I miss it. started my first saltwater tank there

birdman1979 · Dec 30, 2016

favites said:
I have the same set up with the BK mini 160..quiet, compact, skims great-- sounds like your already familiar with the line.

Mark

BK makes great skimmers. I had the 180 hooked up for a while but never got a consistent skim.... Just not enough bio load for my small tank. Are you able to dry skim with the 160?

birdman1979 · Dec 30, 2016

justingraham said:
Where are u at in philly?
Sorry I don't know anything about skimmers

I am in Manayunk.

birdman1979 · Dec 30, 2016

Anyone have experience with the BK 130 double cone?

justingraham · Dec 30, 2016

birdman1979 said:
I am in Manayunk.

I work for septa enjoy ur new home

favites · Dec 31, 2016

BM-- i skim on the 'drier' side of things, not sure how best to describe otherwise. i have a fairly heavy bioload, i would say it took some time for my tank to grow into the skimmer which is ideal i think, aggressive flow with 2 mp40s and a mp10 and open structure facilitates export as well.

birdman1979 · Dec 31, 2016

Sounds like the

favites said:
BM-- i skim on the 'drier' side of things, not sure how best to describe otherwise. i have a fairly heavy bioload, i would say it took some time for my tank to grow into the skimmer which is ideal i think, aggressive flow with 2 mp40s and a mp10 and open structure facilitates export as well.

Sounds like the BK 160 would be ideal for my tank plans. BK skimmers are worth every penny. Appreciate your feedback.

birdman1979 · Dec 31, 2016

justingraham said:
I work for septa enjoy ur new home

Thank you!

helldiver · Dec 31, 2016

The reef octopus skimmers are awesome with the gate valve the 202 classic u can get for about 300

reefboxerguy317 · Dec 31, 2016

birdman1979 said:
Which pump do you have on it? Is it loud?

Right now I have the mag 9.5 that came with the skimmer, but the really nice thing about Lifereef and similar designs is you can basically use any pump you want as it's within certain gph range. The mag isn't too loud, but I'm going to replace it soon with either sicce or one of the DC pumps.