One Skimmer or Two?

jermahin · 02/07/2012, 03:14 PM

Currently I have approximately a 120 gallon system (110 tank/20 gallon sump/fuge- rock) that I have a Reef Octopus XS200 skimmer on that is working great. In the near future I will be upgrading to a 240g tank with a 50g sump/fuge. Would it be more beneficial to run one larger skimmer or two smaller skimmers (2-XS200's)? I'm not trying to avoid buying a new, larger skimmer. I'm just wondering if there is a benefit (or disadvantage) to running two skimmers as opposed to only one.

jermahin · 02/09/2012, 11:52 AM

???

yh1185 · 02/09/2012, 12:38 PM

I would think as long as you had adequate flow throughout the system, there wouldn't be too much of a difference between either option. Though if the price doesn't really matter i don't think it'd hurt to get the bigger one just in case the xs200 you have now starts to have a problem. Just a thought. Good luck with the upgrade.

tkeracer619 · 02/09/2012, 03:32 PM

One will result in better overall performance but dual skimmers is a possibility. I would however wait until you have purchased your new tank before buying a new properly sized one.

FWIW I think an XS200 would be fine on a 240g tank for a while until you start increasing the bioload from what you currently have that will be transferred. You might even be able to get away with a bb3000 pump replacement depending on how you stock and feed it.

jermahin · 02/13/2012, 07:54 AM

Thanks for the advice. I have a pretty low bio-load as it is now, I'll probably continue using the current skimmer until I put a plan together of how I will be stocking the new system. Thanks again

02/07/2012, 03:14 PM	#1
jermahin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 86	One Skimmer or Two? Currently I have approximately a 120 gallon system (110 tank/20 gallon sump/fuge- rock) that I have a Reef Octopus XS200 skimmer on that is working great. In the near future I will be upgrading to a 240g tank with a 50g sump/fuge. Would it be more beneficial to run one larger skimmer or two smaller skimmers (2-XS200's)? I'm not trying to avoid buying a new, larger skimmer. I'm just wondering if there is a benefit (or disadvantage) to running two skimmers as opposed to only one.

02/09/2012, 12:38 PM	#3
yh1185 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Jersey Posts: 279	I would think as long as you had adequate flow throughout the system, there wouldn't be too much of a difference between either option. Though if the price doesn't really matter i don't think it'd hurt to get the bigger one just in case the xs200 you have now starts to have a problem. Just a thought. Good luck with the upgrade. __________________ 40b, bh2000 skimmer, 48X3w Cree LED Eshine Systems with a sun-rise/set controller. 2X750gph koralia evolution powerheads

02/09/2012, 03:32 PM	#4
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	One will result in better overall performance but dual skimmers is a possibility. I would however wait until you have purchased your new tank before buying a new properly sized one. FWIW I think an XS200 would be fine on a 240g tank for a while until you start increasing the bioload from what you currently have that will be transferred. You might even be able to get away with a bb3000 pump replacement depending on how you stock and feed it. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/09/2012, 11:52 AM	#2
jermahin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 86	???

02/13/2012, 07:54 AM	#5
jermahin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 86	Thanks for the advice. I have a pretty low bio-load as it is now, I'll probably continue using the current skimmer until I put a plan together of how I will be stocking the new system. Thanks again