Skimmer Sizing
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42629
Printed Date: February 12 2026 at 3:10am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Skimmer Sizing
Posted By: BDerron
Subject: Skimmer Sizing
Date Posted: August 04 2010 at 2:09pm
| Ok so i am looking at adding a skimmer to my tank and wondered is it possible to go too big? I fully intend on upping my tank size in the near future and wondered if i would be dumb to size my skimmer for the newer tank? I really dont want to have to purchase the skimmer twice if i can avoid it. |
Replies:
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: August 04 2010 at 2:22pm
|
I over skim my tanks! Bigger won't be a problem ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: BDerron
Date Posted: August 04 2010 at 2:23pm
| Good to know, thanks for the input. |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: August 04 2010 at 4:02pm
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I'm with Jeff on this one, get a skimmer that is rated for 2x your total water volume, that way in the event something dies your oversized skimmer can pull it out quickly preventing an even bigger disaster. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: August 04 2010 at 4:14pm
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I found out that skimmer ratings are for FOWLR. For reef tanks, it's 50% less than recommend ratings from skimmer manufactures.
Skimmers are the insurance policies in this hobby.
Once your tank is in balance with your fish, coral, and your feedings you skimmer will be pulling less but will give you very thick skimmate.
But if your bioload changes for whatever reason, it will be there to pull out more.
|
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: August 04 2010 at 6:16pm
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Interesting! I did not know that but I still like oversized skimmers and I run them a little wet ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: August 05 2010 at 10:56am
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The truth is that you can go TOO big with skimmers. If you get a skimmer that is so oversized too much, it won't create the foam head because there won't be enough to pull out.
Getting something that is rated 2-3x your system will be just fine. My skimmer is rated for a 120 gallon tank and I have it on a 40 gallon breeder that has 3 fish. I have to run it a little wet but I love it. I dose vodka and therefore must have an oversized skimmer. |
Posted By: BDerron
Date Posted: August 05 2010 at 12:50pm
| in truth though it would be more like 5 times my system if i was sizing it for the new tank. will that pose a huge problem? i really dont want to buy it twice lol |
Posted By: SGH360
Date Posted: August 05 2010 at 1:27pm
| what does it mean by running the skim wet? |
Posted By: BDerron
Date Posted: August 05 2010 at 2:36pm
Im sure i will be corrected  but i believe its running the water level a little high so you have a more dense wet foam instead of a light dry foam.
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Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: August 05 2010 at 4:14pm
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Basically that's it. Just raising the foam column higher will give you wet, Lowering it will be dry. I have to empty my cup on my asm g-3 every 4 days ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: August 05 2010 at 5:57pm
| Well I had a 500 gallon rated skimmer on a 160 gallon tank that only had one overflow and only a 1200 gph flow rate through it and the skimmer dropped the nitrates from 100+ to 25 in less than 24 hours and it pulled every last protien out of the water. So bigger is always better, well almost every time. |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: August 05 2010 at 9:47pm
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The main thing you have to worry about when "oversizing" a skimmer is neck size.
If your skimmer has a large diameter neck - and you have a small bioload - then it is hard to maintain a stable foam head across that neck (due to insufficient available organic matter) and the foam column constantly collapses upon itself; you end up with crud buildup inside the neck - and almost nothing in the collection cup.
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |