Protein skimmer suggestion

Partsman41953 · 06/24/2014, 03:48 AM

Hi all,

I am in the process of gathering equipment for a 90 gallon reef aquarium that I am putting together. I am going to be housing LPS and SPS coral along with some fish. The tank I purchased is an Aqueon 48 x 18 x 25 drilled tank. The stand I purchased is a short stand that is only 24" tall. I plan on using a 30 long sump that I am going to be putting the baffles in. The 30 long is around 16.5" tall. My problem is that I do not really have a lot of space inside the stand to get a skimmer in and out to clean. My LFS says that the stand will work with an Eshopps skimmer, which is what they sell. Is this a decent skimmer to use or should I look for a different skimmer or get a taller stand.

This is my first sump style aquarium so I am open to suggestions. Also, if someone has an illustration on how to plumb the system I would really appreciate that as well.

Thanks

mixedreef89 · 06/24/2014, 06:39 AM

IMO I like the look of a taller stand just because I'm 6'4 and don't like to Bend over to look at my tanks. Eshopps are not bad skimmers. Personally I use the RO NWB-110 and love it. For your set up if you keep that stand I would look into the HOB skimmer. Since you will have almost no room to work with if you put a in sump skimmer in there.

PhantomAce · 06/24/2014, 09:34 AM

My sump is roughly the same size as yours (36x10x16 approx) and I have a Euro-Reef CS6-1 skimmer on one side, a small refugium on the other, and a return chamber in the center. This is supporting a "110 tall" tank, and I have sufficient sump space for drain-down of the DT with about 4" of height below the header in the stand to spare. So, it can be done...
However, I think the biggest issue you will have is a height limitation for the skimmer itself in such a short stand. My stand is 35"+/- total height, and I only have about 4" from the top of the skimmer to the bottom of the stand header in front. If you're only working with 24" total height, then it's gonna be difficult to get everything to fit. Even if your stand's top and bottom are only 1/2" material you're down to 23" inside. Then you have the header to contend with (the "face-frame"), as well as access to get the collection cup in and out.
I think you are going to find that a larger/taller stand is going to be required for anything workable.

Just my opinion based on the information currently available however, YMMV...

rounder45 · 06/24/2014, 01:00 PM

Eshopps make a good cone skimmer.

06/24/2014, 03:48 AM	#1
Partsman41953 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 21	Protein skimmer suggestion Hi all, I am in the process of gathering equipment for a 90 gallon reef aquarium that I am putting together. I am going to be housing LPS and SPS coral along with some fish. The tank I purchased is an Aqueon 48 x 18 x 25 drilled tank. The stand I purchased is a short stand that is only 24" tall. I plan on using a 30 long sump that I am going to be putting the baffles in. The 30 long is around 16.5" tall. My problem is that I do not really have a lot of space inside the stand to get a skimmer in and out to clean. My LFS says that the stand will work with an Eshopps skimmer, which is what they sell. Is this a decent skimmer to use or should I look for a different skimmer or get a taller stand. This is my first sump style aquarium so I am open to suggestions. Also, if someone has an illustration on how to plumb the system I would really appreciate that as well. Thanks __________________ Glenn Gilbert Current Tank Info: 10 gallon and 28 gallon

06/24/2014, 09:34 AM	#3
PhantomAce Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 50	My sump is roughly the same size as yours (36x10x16 approx) and I have a Euro-Reef CS6-1 skimmer on one side, a small refugium on the other, and a return chamber in the center. This is supporting a "110 tall" tank, and I have sufficient sump space for drain-down of the DT with about 4" of height below the header in the stand to spare. So, it can be done... However, I think the biggest issue you will have is a height limitation for the skimmer itself in such a short stand. My stand is 35"+/- total height, and I only have about 4" from the top of the skimmer to the bottom of the stand header in front. If you're only working with 24" total height, then it's gonna be difficult to get everything to fit. Even if your stand's top and bottom are only 1/2" material you're down to 23" inside. Then you have the header to contend with (the "face-frame"), as well as access to get the collection cup in and out. I think you are going to find that a larger/taller stand is going to be required for anything workable. Just my opinion based on the information currently available however, YMMV...

06/24/2014, 01:00 PM	#4
rounder45 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 301	Eshopps make a good cone skimmer.