Advise on my skimmer

I am currently running a CPR dual bakpak. After discussing my water quality issues in previous threads I have decided to build a sump/refuguim out of a 20 gal tank and get rid of my Eheim canister. My question is will the skimmer I am currently using get the job done or should I upgrade to something better? If upgrading is the better option what is a good sump skimmer to use? There are SO MANNY to choose from and I am not sure which would be best.

The setup I am going for is an overflow box into the tank below which I have devided into three sections- skimmer/refuguim/return.

 

if you are going to use a sump I'd get a good skimmer.. on a 100 gal tank good skimmer is a must ..Like a Berlin Classic or the coarlife a Turboflotor something along theses line will do you just fine and will take you to a larger tank if and when the time ever comes .

 

First of, congrats on choosing a much better filtration option. I have two suggestions:
1. Make your sump/fuge bigger than 20 Gal. If that's all you can fit, then that's all you can do. But, bigger is better. You'll have more space for your mechanical devices and more room for the fuge.
2. I second what Tangster says. Buy the best skimmer you can get. Skimming is so critical to good water quality. The difference in price is not great.
Have fun with it and good luck.

 

Get an octopus 150 skimmer=ASM. The problem with a 20g sump is that an in sump skimmer will take up at least 9" of space depending upon which skimmer you get and its foot print. That doesnt leave much room for a refugium. You might want to consider a 20g long or a 30g.

 

Thanks guys,

I did get a 20 gal long (12"x12"x30") so I have about 18" for the refugium (cabinet space llimited, wanted a 30 gal). I left an 8" space for the skimmer so the Coralife will most likely be the one I go with. Its foot print is 8"x6" so it should fit fine. The other end is baffeled and I will probably go get it drilled for a bulkhead to save room and have the return (Quiet One 4000) on the outside.

What do you recommend for the refuguim? (sand or mud, typs of algae, lighting)

One more thing, I have been really looking into the Wave2K so I can get rid of the powerheads. Does anyone here use one and if so how do you like it?

 

Sounds like you have a good plan! I use a combination of chaetomorpha (which is slow growing) and Ulva or lettuce algae which is very fast growing and does not go sexual. It grows in thin dark green sheets like lettuce and fish love to eat it. IMHO, in a refugium you want some fast growing algae for faster nutrient export. I've experimented with various algae types and the faster growing algaes keep my nitrates and phosphates lower. I use a 1" sand bed with live sand and live rock rubble and loaded it up with bristle worms, pods, a few Nassarus snails and scarlet red hermits. I have a 30g fuge and use an 18watt 10,000K power compact on for 12hrs/ day.

 

Sounds like a plan to me.

Thanks for the advise and I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

MIKE

 

Since you have 100 pounds of live sand in the display tank, you might consider moving a mess of it to the fuge. Maybe as much as 3" to get a good anaerobic section going.

 

To Blade Runner...
In your signature I noticed that you have a Jebo 520 on your 210. Before you mod it, did it work pretty good and why(how) did you mod it? I have a 90g and was thinking about it.

Thank you

 

I bought it as a DIY project. I've never run it without the becket. That said, I don't see why it wouldn't as visually the venturi looks sound. As an in sump skimmer the body, quality and basic design are good. For under $100 off E-bay with a pump it is tough to beat. I had a spare becket and thought why not. I like the becket for cleaning more than the foam production. It handles my 210 office EZ reef, so it will probably handle a 90 and adding a becket is a snap if you want to upgrade.