Can a Skimmer be TOO big?
- Thread starter adurost
- Start date
aquaknight
Active Member
Not really. A 'too big' skimmer will just reach a point where it's skimming clear (no color in the skimmate).
I really don't recommend going by the manufacture rating for their skimmers. Let's just say they are quite generous. I have heard that a good method is to halve the manufacture's rating, however it seems like the higher-end skimmers have a more 'true' rating, and the lower (cheaper) skimmer you go, the more BS the rating becomes. There's no way on a god's green earth a Coralife SS220 is anywhere near adequate for a 220gal.
For a G-1x, I feel it's fine for about a 75gal with a medium bioload.
I really don't recommend going by the manufacture rating for their skimmers. Let's just say they are quite generous. I have heard that a good method is to halve the manufacture's rating, however it seems like the higher-end skimmers have a more 'true' rating, and the lower (cheaper) skimmer you go, the more BS the rating becomes. There's no way on a god's green earth a Coralife SS220 is anywhere near adequate for a 220gal.
For a G-1x, I feel it's fine for about a 75gal with a medium bioload.
sir mixxalot
Member
Originally Posted by adurost
http:///forum/post/3120924
Right now I've got a 90G with a 20G sump, but eventually I'd like to get a bigger tank. The ASM G-1X is rated for 150G... Is this skimmer too big for my current set-up?
ha i have it on a 50 gallon with a 20 gal sump hooked up to it and its just fine..
http:///forum/post/3120924
Right now I've got a 90G with a 20G sump, but eventually I'd like to get a bigger tank. The ASM G-1X is rated for 150G... Is this skimmer too big for my current set-up?
ha i have it on a 50 gallon with a 20 gal sump hooked up to it and its just fine..
adurost
Member
Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3120935
Not really. A 'too big' skimmer will just reach a point where it's skimming clear (no color in the skimmate).
I really don't recommend going by the manufacture rating for their skimmers. Let's just say they are quite generous. I have heard that a good method is to halve the manufacture's rating, however it seems like the higher-end skimmers have a more 'true' rating, and the lower (cheaper) skimmer you go, the more BS the rating becomes. There's no way on a god's green earth a Coralife SS220 is anywhere near adequate for a 220gal.
For a G-1x, I feel it's fine for about a 75gal with a medium bioload.
So will the G-1X be too small when I upgrade to a 125 or 150G tank? I really would like to have to buy only one, you know?
http:///forum/post/3120935
Not really. A 'too big' skimmer will just reach a point where it's skimming clear (no color in the skimmate).
I really don't recommend going by the manufacture rating for their skimmers. Let's just say they are quite generous. I have heard that a good method is to halve the manufacture's rating, however it seems like the higher-end skimmers have a more 'true' rating, and the lower (cheaper) skimmer you go, the more BS the rating becomes. There's no way on a god's green earth a Coralife SS220 is anywhere near adequate for a 220gal.
For a G-1x, I feel it's fine for about a 75gal with a medium bioload.
So will the G-1X be too small when I upgrade to a 125 or 150G tank? I really would like to have to buy only one, you know?
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Depends on if you add more bioload. If you add more fish to your 125, then you will need a larger skimmer. Why don't you go skimmerless and set up a refugium or turf algae filter? Skimmers are just so messy...
adurost
Member
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/3121100
Depends on if you add more bioload. If you add more fish to your 125, then you will need a larger skimmer. Why don't you go skimmerless and set up a refugium or turf algae filter? Skimmers are just so messy...
Almost everyone has told me I need a skimmer! I've read the threads about the turf algea... now they look messy!
My tank now is a FOWLR, but when I move back to the Mainland and upgrade next year I want to try a reef tank. And yes, I will probably want a few more fish too!
http:///forum/post/3121100
Depends on if you add more bioload. If you add more fish to your 125, then you will need a larger skimmer. Why don't you go skimmerless and set up a refugium or turf algae filter? Skimmers are just so messy...
My tank now is a FOWLR, but when I move back to the Mainland and upgrade next year I want to try a reef tank. And yes, I will probably want a few more fish too!
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
lol, that's the funny thing with "majority rules." Everyone thinks their way is the right way - when there are also many, many other options and ways of doing things. The important thing is to find what works for you!
A refugium in my opinion works better then a skimmer because it creates a safe haven for copepods, amphipods, sponges and all sorts of other filter feeding critters. It also grows macroalgae which can be readily cropped from the system (and re-sold).
Anyway, to each his own.
A refugium in my opinion works better then a skimmer because it creates a safe haven for copepods, amphipods, sponges and all sorts of other filter feeding critters. It also grows macroalgae which can be readily cropped from the system (and re-sold).
Anyway, to each his own.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
By the way - a tank that is devoid of all nutrients isn't healthy for corals or fish either.
protein skimmers can remove trace elements, living creatures and even necessary phytoplankton that your corals and other creatures need to survive, while refugiums and turf algae filters remove nothing but pure organic waste. (I'm also not saying that macro algae does not use some trace elements to grow and thrive)
protein skimmers can remove trace elements, living creatures and even necessary phytoplankton that your corals and other creatures need to survive, while refugiums and turf algae filters remove nothing but pure organic waste. (I'm also not saying that macro algae does not use some trace elements to grow and thrive)
adurost
Member
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/3121138
lol, that's the funny thing with "majority rules." Everyone thinks their way is the right way - when there are also many, many other options and ways of doing things. The important thing is to find what works for you!
Thanks! While I don't have a refugium right now, I think I'll hold off on a protein skimmer for a little while longer (and continue doing frequent WC!).
http:///forum/post/3121138
lol, that's the funny thing with "majority rules." Everyone thinks their way is the right way - when there are also many, many other options and ways of doing things. The important thing is to find what works for you!
Thanks! While I don't have a refugium right now, I think I'll hold off on a protein skimmer for a little while longer (and continue doing frequent WC!).