Recirculating... What?

So I am still trying to research skimmers before I buy and have decided from responses to go with a Reef Oct. Looking at them i noticed some are labeled with RECIRCULATING.... what is this refering too???
Setting up a 65gal with 20gal Refugium and plan on putting in the Ref

 

It means the water gets recirculated through the skimmer giving it more dwell time in the skimmer to remove the organics. Powerman has a great thread on here all about skimmers, I just seen it on the main board or you can search it out.

 

Ooo..thanks. That makes sense but is it really better as most the recirculating skimmers are about $100 more than the non-recirculating counter parts...and that would seem as though that would also reduce the GPH that said skimmer skims? Also i looked through the article and didnt read anything about recirculating skimmers

 

Well it may reduce the GPH of "different" water going through the skimmer, but there is the same volume going through. The same water is recirculated once so that more organics are stripped versus regular skimmers only passing water once. Some people swear by recircs others will tell you they aren't as good. It's all personal preference. Recirculating skimmers require an extra pump so they do use more energy. Me personally I don't use one. I don't want the extra consumption, and the extra maintenance (pumps etc.).

EDIT: I believe a lot of the extra cost is the second pump.

 

I've heard they do an amazing job of scrubbing the water of detritus! Just so long as somebody else is cleaning the thing, that is the worst part about this hobby is cleaning that collection cup! Yuk!

 

Have you looked into a SC65, or SC150? The latter is what I use on my 125g.

 

So being this is my first skimmer I should just go with a non-recirculating and if I dont like that than try a recirc...? Though it sounds like I just need to grab a good non-recirc skimmer as that will probably be fine for me.