purchasing a new skimmer, i need help?

so i am about to buy a new skimmer for my 60 gal long/80 gal system, sps reef.

i have been running a CSS 65(lol) it never really worked all that great/at all. so basically ive been running no skimmer for the past yr with great results. ,i also run a slow slow flow fuge packed solid with macro/ and lots of LR/ with ritualistic husbandry.lol).

this make me think that a new working! skimmer will make my water very pristine. since its pretty damn clean already.


sry for the blabbling, to my questions

1) can you over size a skimmer?
(i have heard that if the skimmer is too big for the tank or load it wont skim effectively,guessing not enough waste for it to foam?)is this true.

2) also i have heard that if you undersize a skimmer you will get a lot of build up in the neck,resulting in a lot of cleaning to keep it effective. is this true?

3) can you all recommend a appropriate skimmer for my setup. 23" max height. i was thinking of the reef octopus nw 150 or 200 or another ReefOcto. prob something in that price range.

 

1. Honestly, I don't think you can really go too big. Well I'm sure there are cases where that is ture, but I'm sure if you get a skimmer rated for 300G and put it on a ~100G tank you will be ok. My rule is go the next size up to be safe.

2. If you undersize a skimmer it won't have the flowrate to effectively clean your tank because the turnover rate isn't high enough to do so. Getting buildup on the chamber neck is just one of those things we have to deal with, no matter what size skimmer we use. Blagh!

3. You can't go wrong with an Octopus, they are good skimmers. I would also suggest Aqua-C Urchin, but you don't have enough clearance to remove the collection cup. Even with the Octopus, make sure you have enough clearance for cup removal.

 

I agree with most of what tigermike says, it is very hard to overskim a tank to cause a problem, it will allow you to feed more. An undersized skimmer just will not remove enough stuff. a build up in the neck normally means your skimmer is not adjusted correctly.

23 inch max height is your problem

The OCT-EXT-160 is listed as 23 inches tall The NW -150 is only 20 inches tall, and takes 2 inches to remove the cup, but to be honest, it is hard to find right now. It is out of stock at Coralvue and many retailers, so you might have to wait a month before you can get one.
The Nw-200 is 21.25 inches tall, and takes 2.5 inches to remove the cup, so you would not be able to get the cup off the skimmer

Kim

 

Get the reef octopus, you wont be dissapointed. But as already mentioned it is very tall. I would suggest the AquaC Urchin Pro, but they are tall too, and I have issues with it under my stand, being too tall.

 

To add on what Tigermike74 already said, you should always buy bigger then what your whole system is. You should also buy a good-great skimmer if your budget allows. For ex. I have a 145g system and I bought a skimmer that is rated for 240g.
The pro's on buying a bigger skimmer;
1. If you ever up-grade, the skimmer still might fit your application.
2. Most people overstock thier tanks, so this compensates fro that.


[SCROLL]Luna;D[/SCROLL]

 

thanxs for the help everyone. 23" was max the skimmer could be,and i would still have 2.5" to remove the cup. my LFS has both the NW 150 and 200 in stock
so i think i may get the 200 it says up to 250 gal, i do not really care for the aqua-c design. just a personal preference sry.

LUNA i would love to spend the money on something like a bubble king but i am young, with kids, and i have a wife. lol so there goes that.

thank you all again

 

What are the best skimmers out there that don't need much adjustment and take up small amount of space? besides the Aqua C

 

Precision marine is better skimmer I base this on having ran them both for several months .. the bullet one will hold its own against the EV 240 no problem and far more compact and require the same pump volume.

 

You couldnt be worse off than me, my friend. Am also young(coughs), married(been together for 15 yrs now) 3 kids(all GIRLS) a dog(also female) a reef tank thats sucks my bank account dry and I wont even get into how much I pay for mortage.

As for buying a BK or Deltec, sorry dude, even if I was rich, I couldnt see myself spending thousands of dollars on a freakin skimmer. Its against my religion and am not even religious! Anyways, good luck with your search and keep us posted.


[SCROLL]Luna;D[/SCROLL]

 

tangster i also looked at the precision marine as every time i think about skimmers i hear otty saying pm pm pm.

ive also in that search came across lots of posts comparing the red line series to the reef octo and it seems to be they are almost identical in design and pump. except one is red and carries the PM name.

as far as the bullet im sure they are sick but a lil out of my price range. wish i could man but gotta do with what the wifey will allow.lol