Need Advice - Large Tank / Large Skimmer

[oxx155]

I have a heavily stocked 450 Gallon Reef Tank with another 450 gallons in support system (900 gallons total system).
I currently run an External Reeflo 250 Pro Skimmer and an Internal ASM G6 Skimmer.
I would like to switch to one large Internal Skimmer that will fit in my 48"x24"x24" Sump and can handle the load. I have a budget of $3,000.
The reason I want to go Internal is because I am tired of trying to get the right flow into an External Skimmer.

Thanks for any advice.

[jmoney]

with that budget i would try a bubbleking SM or a large Atb either one should do a pretty good job of keeping that water clean

[shifty51008]

I would check out the reefmania PS12-4 (1000+ gal) - $1,705
they are great skimmers and great people to deal with.
http://www.reefmania.net/products-skimmers.php

[NyReefNoob]

tank that size of water volume i have always believed you need a downdraft or becket type of skimmer, the water turn over rate they produce compared to any nw, you will need a very large turnover rate to keep up with a system of that size, or something in line of a euroreef 500-3 which has 3 ehiem 1262's

[James404]

Deltec makes the SC 3070 internal thats within your price range. Its rated over 1000 gallons. Might be worth looking into.

[oxx155]

I hear good things about the Bubble King and ATB, I just don't see how the Bubble King can possibly be worth the money they are asking.
The ATB Deluxe 18 Internal looks real nice and fits in the budget.

Any other thoughts?

[viggen]

Does the filter area have any bio load with fish or is the 450g reef the only part that carried fish/bio load. If so I do not see why you would need to size a skimmer for a 900g when half if that is the filter & not the tank holding the fish & all that stuff.

I have a ER RC-500 that I was worried it wasn't enough for my 475g so it's being put on my 210g. If you want a ER/ReefDynamics I would think the INS-750 or 1000 would fit the bill. Or you could go with the RC version of that which puts you closer to 3K but gives you better pumps, but you would need a feed pump.

Octopus has the SRO line, I was told the SRO-XP-5000 would work on my tank which will be heavily stocked. If you have the room the SRO-XP-8000 would do the trick I would think.

GEO can probably make something for you & is US made like ReefDynamics

I-Tech has the super beast but it's external, dart/hammerhead power, suppose to be great but needs a feed pump. Made if Florida

It's not hard to get the proper flow to a external pump. Just snag a pump that does 1.5x's the tank volume a hour in flow and hook it up. Or plumb it off the skimmer/overflow box if you can.

Laguna based pumps are suppose to be great & the octopus bubbleblasters are also suppose to perform well. Pull lots of air & also quiet with low watt draw

[oxx155]

The refugium does have some fish and inverts, so the load overall is pretty heavy.

Definitely a lot of choices out there, I just need to find the one that best fits my system and my budget.

Still leaning towards the ATB Deluxe 18 because of the build quality, being Internal, and its rated perfect for my system.

But, I am still open to other ideas.

[k.tran]

The ATB Deluxe 18 is an awsome skimmer. A LFS here has one running and its a beast. The only downside is the height its a little over 3ft I think. As an ATB user I would go with any other company the costumer service is great and the product is even better. HTH

[oxx155]

The height is actually a good thing for me, I also thing it gives more contact time for the bubbles. I am pretty sure I will be buying the ATB very soon.
Thanks