Huge Skimmer or small skimmer + fuge?

I recently found a great deal on a recirculating ASM G3 skimmer I'm really considering, only problem is it would replace my fuge. At the moment I have a marineland in-sump 100 skimmer on my 125 DT + 20 sump. I found a buyer for the smaller skimmer and am basically getting the upgrade for free.

Since I can only fit a 20 tall under my over built stand I'm kinda limited skimmer wise if I keep the 12" x 12" fuge. Would it be better to replace the smaller skimmer - that really isnt pulling any nasty stuff like I see others doing - and fuge with this huge modded skimmer?

Thanks.

~Will.

 

I wouldn't sacrifice the benefits of a refugium for a large skimmer. A skimmer will not remove nitrates and phosphates how macros will. I would go for an upgraded skimmer that will fit in your area, or try to see if you can work an external skimmer somehow, to keep your fuge in your system as is.

 

Are you trying to correct any problem? If so, what is the problem you are trying to correct? With this info, we can make a decision.


If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

I just feel that my current skimmer isnt enough for the system I eventually want to have (4 decent sized fish and a zebra eel + corals). the marineland 100 has not pulled any nasty crud out of the tank since day 1, only a yellow watery pee-like liquid or nothing at all. I have tried skimming dry, but the thing is so touchy I cant get it right.

The fuge I have is around 12" x 12", and I dont see how something that small will benefit my setup more than a skimmer that thumps out black sludge, and can be easily upgraded if I want it to produce more as it has 2 recirculating mods drilled, and 1 pump installed. Another source for my doubts is an LFS that has the most amazing tanks / corals i've ever seen and all he uses is live rock and big skimmers.

~Will.

 

how large is your skimmer compartment?

 

5" x 12" with a quietone 4000 and a rio 2100 as it stands now with the fuge.

I got the 20 tall sump for free and it was setup for a large skimmer, but I used that space as a fuge, and had planned on using the skimmer in a smaller wet dry I had. I could not get the flow constant between the sump/fuge and wet/dry with 2 overflows, so I ditched the wet dry and shoehorned the skimmer in the return section of the fuge along with 2 submersible pumps.

~Will.

 

just getting over a red slime outbreak. never want to see any of that again, or have to treat for it. I also picked up a powder blue tank a couple days ago and really want to get my water as perfect as possible for him.

~Will.

 

Decided to go for it. Maybe later i'll add on a 10 gallon fuge gravity fed into my sump, but for the time being this makes me feel a lot more comfortable.

before pic:



after pic:



the recirculating G3 is completely filled with bubbles where as the marineland 100 would only be filled at the top 1" or so of the chamber. I think the entire old skimmer would fit inside the main body of the new one with plenty of room to spare. this whole thing was around $20 out of pocket

~Will.

 

nice skimmer, just try to add on a fuge somewhere eles.